First family dog

[CorvusCorax]

Decent breeders will also have long waiting lists. The difference is that a properly trained assistance dog will arrive ready to slot in with the family, whereas a puppy will arrive ready to cause utter havoc in as adorable a way as is possible. I feel that first time dog owners aren't warned enough about this.

True. I'm just incredibly wary of some of the outfits supplying these dogs due to some bad experiences friends have been through.

A good breeder may also have an older pup/young adult they've run on but isn't what they're after/has been returned through no fault of their own, which is another option.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I think the individual is more important than the breed. I met a very nervy cocker today, 10 months old, extremely submissive, cowering away from my two of the same age. Yesterday, I met a different 10 month cocker who thought they were great playmates and bowled over a horrified Goose.

I think research lines, having a recommendation on here is brilliant (go, Thistle!). I’ve never met a bad staffie, met a few frankly nasty labs, but that’s probably due to poor breeding and high numbers.

Not all spaniels are mad, my older boy has always been steady, calm, co-operative bar one chasing a deer inciden. What type has your friend just produced?

 

[PSD]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have looked into an assistance dog but my son doesn’t really require assistance in the way these dogs are trained to be so I feel that would be a huge waste for a dog that has had a lot of specific training.

I really did want to rescue however with my boys ages most rescues won’t allow us to rehome which is so sad but also understandable. It makes it so hard when there are so many “breeders” around these days.

@Cinnamontoast im not entirely sure, I *think* they are working springers. Beautiful pups, mum is a fantastic nature and dad is also brilliant. Both small though so I’m not entirely sure which type they are! Parents are fantastic though and will play fetch all day long!

I’d have another collie in a heartbeat but I don’t think they are great with loud young children, from my experience they worry when things are hectic

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have looked into an assistance dog but my son doesn’t really require assistance in the way these dogs are trained to be so I feel that would be a huge waste for a dog that has had a lot of specific training.

I really did want to rescue however with my boys ages most rescues won’t allow us to rehome which is so sad but also understandable. It makes it so hard when there are so many “breeders” around these days.

@Cinnamontoast im not entirely sure, I *think* they are working springers. Beautiful pups, mum is a fantastic nature and dad is also brilliant. Both small though so I’m not entirely sure which type they are! Parents are fantastic though and will play fetch all day long!

I’d have another collie in a heartbeat but I don’t think they are great with loud young children, from my experience they worry when things are hectic

IME, Lab pups soon get used to the conditions in their new home and accept that as the norm, while older dogs introduced into a new home come with their own expectations/experience of how humans behave and may struggle to settle/be frightened of screaming etc.
So for your family circumstances, I would definitely recommend a Lab puppy and whilst I know what people are saying about show-bred Labs, we have a pair of working-bred Labs, who are proving to be just as easy to train and have around as the dual/show-bred ones that we have had in the past.

 

[oldie48]

I've had three BTs and they have all had good temperaments but I wouldn't recommend them in your situation, they have all been quite sensitive. My grand children have a staffie and she's been very good with children. The household is busy, noisy with lots of arguing as there are 6 children but she takes it all in her stride. The only bad point is that she is completely unreliable around sheep and frankly would be capable of inflicting serious damage. I don't know if this is typical of the breed though.

 

[Clodagh]

If you go on Gundogs direct they have part trained labs for sale. Price depends on many things but may be worth a look.

 

[Ratface]

I've had three BTs and they have all had good temperaments but I wouldn't recommend them in your situation, they have all been quite sensitive. My grand children have a staffie and she's been very good with children. The household is busy, noisy with lots of arguing as there are 6 children but she takes it all in her stride. The only bad point is that she is completely unreliable around sheep and frankly would be capable of inflicting serious damage. I don't know if this is typical of the breed though.

We had a Staffie who was attached to YO by an invisible lead. We have sheep at the yard. When alive, (RIP, DP) she was kept safely compartmentalised, away from the sheep, horses and cows. She loved chasing animals and birds, but was absolutely lovely with dog-sensible adults. She was kept away from children. She'd had a horrible early life and was a rescue mission by YO.

 

[wren123]

So agree with @Pearlsasinger, getting them as a puppy means they get used to a noisy house. We have always had show labs, some are more sensitive than others but none have had any problems with noisy children.

We currently have our 11 month old grand daughter and family living with us temporarily, our lab is brilliant with her. We trained our grand daughter not to touch her when she is in her bed so the dog can have peace if she wants.

 

[rabatsa]

A nice old fashioned mongrel, an oops litter from a good family pet sort of thing.

I have had some bad experiences with labs and it has put me off the whole breed, sorry. DIL had a neurotic back yard bred staffy that could have made a nice dog in different hands.

Most breeds have good and bad dogs, according to the home they get.

Those who suggest getting a failed guide dog are out of date, these are no longer rehomed as pets but get sent down the therapy dog route. The only failed dog I have been offerred as a pet was a hearing dog that was deaf.

 

[Nasicus]

Our first family dog was a farm bred black lab puppy. He was fantastic, and did really well coming into a family with three young children and the chaos that comes with it. He was very forgiving of the times when he had to be on the backburner so to speak. I always recommend them as a first dog as I cherish he memories I had growing up with him

 

[Books'n'dogs]

I grew up with a Border Collie who was brilliant with my siblings and I, two of my younger brothers are neurodiverse and she took their meltdowns in stride, my parents were quite strict in training us in appropriate behavior towards her which probably helped her cope with the less pleasant aspects of the household though. I've mentioned before that we were told by multiple vets/trainers she wasn't typical of the breed but I've seen other stories on H&H AAD of Border Collies being brilliant family dogs so I wouldn't rule them out entirely if I were you.

A really nice German Shepherd would probably be what I would go for in your situation but I just lost my German Shepherd who adored all children and was as patient as the day is long with them, which probably colors my thoughts. Her breeder has had multiple dogs work as medical alert/support dogs so that may have played a part in my dog's behavior too. Heaven knows it wasn't my training!

 

[Clodagh]

.

Those who suggest getting a failed guide dog are out of date, these are no longer rehomed as pets but get sent down the therapy dog route. The only failed dog I have been offerred as a pet was a hearing dog that was deaf.

I didn’t know that, it’s a very new thing. Friends of mine got one last year. And just applied for another.

 

[Moobli]

I didn’t know that, it’s a very new thing. Friends of mine got one last year. And just applied for another.

My friend rehomed one last year too.

 

[rabatsa]

I didn’t know that, it’s a very new thing. Friends of mine got one last year. And just applied for another.

I wonder if different centres run to different rules?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I can’t vote highly enough for a lab.
My daughter was 12 months ish, maybe a little younger when I decided I wanted a dog. I would have gone terrier as it’s what I knew back then.
OH was adamant he wanted a lab. He found one, a dog, last of the litter at 12 weeks old. Went to see him. I was unconvinced but we bought him.
I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing dog that was. I assume because they were babies together?
Every day when my daughter got tired he would lie on the floor with her asleep on him like a cushion. He worshipped her. Her first proper words were good boy bubba boy ?
We were devastated when we lost him at 13 but my lovely Dougal (lost 18 months ago) and current lab Spud were his great nephews!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I didn’t know that, it’s a very new thing. Friends of mine got one last year. And just applied for another.

It's not my understanding either.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I can’t vote highly enough for a lab.
My daughter was 12 months ish, maybe a little younger when I decided I wanted a dog. I would have gone terrier as it’s what I knew back then.
OH was adamant he wanted a lab. He found one, a dog, last of the litter at 12 weeks old. Went to see him. I was unconvinced but we bought him.
I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing dog that was. I assume because they were babies together?
Every day when my daughter got tired he would lie on the floor with her asleep on him like a cushion. He worshipped her. Her first proper words were good boy bubba boy ?
We were devastated when we lost him at 13 but my lovely Dougal (lost 18 months ago) and current lab Spud were his great nephews!

It is a very long time ago now but my parents 1st Lab was 2 yrs old when I was born and was a huge part of my life, as I grew up. He watched over me and kept me safe, as a baby and toddler. Mum left me outside local shops with the dog sitting beside the pram and warning off all comers! Apparently one woman was very disgruntled about it and complained that 'the dog wouldn't let me near to look at the baby'. Mum did explain clearly that was why he was there!

 

[poiuytrewq]

It is a very long time ago now but my parents 1st Lab was 2 yrs old when I was born and was a huge part of my life, as I grew up. He watched over me and kept me safe, as a baby and toddler. Mum left me outside local shops with the dog sitting beside the pram and warning off all comers! Apparently one woman was very disgruntled about it and complained that 'the dog wouldn't let me near to look at the baby'. Mum did explain clearly that was why he was there!

Such good dogs. He also used to stand between her and my oh if he told her off ?
I also remember, and I’m not proud of this. I made sure all children treated him kindly but didn’t expect this, one day a mum and her son came for a coffee and we left the room. The kid sunk his teeth into our dog. The dog yalped which made me run in. He didn’t even consider retaliating, just accepted it. Never made that mistake again. All the regular little kids knew him, loved him and knew how to behave with him, and I got complacent. I was mortified, as was his mum.
I felt it really highlighted what an incredibly trustworthy boy he was.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Such good dogs. He also used to stand between her and my oh if he told her off ?
I also remember, and I’m not proud of this. I made sure all children treated him kindly but didn’t expect this, one day a mum and her son came for a coffee and we left the room. The kid sunk his teeth into our dog. The dog yalped which made me run in. He didn’t even consider retaliating, just accepted it. Never made that mistake again. All the regular little kids knew him, loved him and knew how to behave with him, and I got complacent. I was mortified, as was his mum.
I felt it really highlighted what an incredibly trustworthy boy he was.

In his later years a neighbour's toddler used to lift his ear flaps and peer inside, while he 'smiled' indulgently at her. She knew to be gentle with him though!

 

[poiuytrewq]

In his later years a neighbour's toddler used to lift his ear flaps and peer inside, while he 'smiled' indulgently at her. She knew to be gentle with him though!

Oh god! So cute. That lab smile!
I was at home In Cardiff having reluctantly left the dog behind (first and only time) visiting my parents when Oh rang excitedly to tell me the dog had smiled for the first time… I thought he was mad or drunk!
Now I get it ? Cecil smiles too!

 

[Karran]

I grew up with a lab. She tolerated being used as a pony, a husky dog, my brother painting her with watercolours to be a multi coloured dalmatian, Being dressed up and made to "act" in various plays, being climbed on, us inspecting her dinner as she ate and all the horrendous things that would have sent my parents into fits if they had known and gives me the shudders now thinking of how she could have reacted and been in every right to do so.

She also liked to do the rounds at bedtime and when my parents went to bed, she would go in and check on both of us in our rooms being settling down to sleep.

 

[julesjoy]

Following this as would like to add a dog to our madhouse in the next few years, OH prefers labs or retrievers whilst I love spaniels.

 

[misst]

We have terriers - JRT and a crossbreed of some sort likely yorkie/jrt. They are lively, inquisitive, gentle loyal and portable. They are fantastic with children. We have a 5yo granddaughter and the crossbreed rescue was a year old when she was born and I was paranoid he would snap. He "checks" on her at night (granddaughter stays here a lot) and if given permission will curl at the end of her bed. He ran back home from a walk this morning as he knew she was in the house but hadn't come with my husband and the dogs.

We lost our old JRT who was wonderful with her as was my sons (her Dads ) JRT who totally adored her and followed her everywhere. Neither of the old dogs had had experience with children. The new JRT puppy came when granddaughter was 2 and a half - they are besties. I found the granddaughter trying to push her back into her "house" (crate) once as Ruby had become a bit boisterous. Ruby did not turn a hair though she was stubbornly refusing to be pushed through the door. She now submits to being dressed up, put in a pram, being "vetted", and joining in with a "school". Her father got a new JRT puppy late last year and she too is absolutely lovely with children and great fun.

A terrier bred from good tempered parents and treated like a proper dog with clear boundaries rather than a toy or lap dog is worth considering I think. They are physically tough and economical on vet bills etc usually. They tolerate noise and chaos well and love a cuddle.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We have terriers - JRT and a crossbreed of some sort likely yorkie/jrt. They are lively, inquisitive, gentle loyal and portable. They are fantastic with children. We have a 5yo granddaughter and the crossbreed rescue was a year old when she was born and I was paranoid he would snap. He "checks" on her at night (granddaughter stays here a lot) and if given permission will curl at the end of her bed. He ran back home from a walk this morning as he knew she was in the house but hadn't come with my husband and the dogs.

We lost our old JRT who was wonderful with her as was my sons (her Dads ) JRT who totally adored her and followed her everywhere. Neither of the old dogs had had experience with children. The new JRT puppy came when granddaughter was 2 and a half - they are besties. I found the granddaughter trying to push her back into her "house" (crate) once as Ruby had become a bit boisterous. Ruby did not turn a hair though she was stubbornly refusing to be pushed through the door. She now submits to being dressed up, put in a pram, being "vetted", and joining in with a "school". Her father got a new JRT
puppy late last year and she too is absolutely lovely with children and great fun.

A terrier bred from good tempered parents and treated like a proper dog with clear boundaries rather than a toy or lap dog is worth considering I think. They are physically tough and economical on vet bills etc usually. They tolerate noise and chaos well and love a cuddle.

Can I respectfully suggest that a terrier in an experienced terrier home can be a very different creature from one in a home as a 'first dog'?

JRT's come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the antecedents, which could be unknown, terriers can be nippy and unpredictable in some cases and in some situations. I know, as we have had them within the family for most of my life and we had a pair of JRT's here, from a friend's farm, with plenty of known relatives and although they were lovely dogs, they were little terrors.

 

[misst]

I get it PaS but I had my first dog as a terrier - I just took advice I guess and had known lots of them.
On the other hand a child of family friends (many years ago) was badly mauled by a lab. Lab was a family dog usually well behaved. Child was about 7 and had lived with this dog all his life. No one knows what happened - It was always assumed the child provoked the dog somehow but the screaming brought adults to find childs head in labs mouth. Horrible deep scalp wounds and skin loss as he was ragged around. It took a few tries to get the dog to release. Dog was PTS child recovered well but it could have been fatal. All dogs can be unpredictable. But I get what you say about terriers I just get sad at their bad rep as so many are wonderful even if a bit of a terriorist .

 

[Moobli]

There are lovely and not so lovely dogs in all breeds. I think when you have specific requirements it pays to stack the odds in your favour by choosing a breed well known to have the qualities required. So if you want a good tempered, stoic family pet you are likely to find far more examples in a breed well documented to hold those qualities such as a Labrador. Terriers, by their very nature, are tenacious, independent and determined and while there will of course be individuals who would suit the good natured pet description, there will be more that won’t.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Following this as would like to add a dog to our madhouse in the next few years, OH prefers labs or retrievers whilst I love spaniels.

Springador! I hear gamekeepers sometimes have oops litters.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Springador! I hear gamekeepers sometimes have oops litters.

I know one who breeds the cross deliberately and doesn't need to keep all the pups but they can be a bit mad, when compared to a Lab.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Must be the spaniel element. They’re all mad, ye know! (Except mine, all fast asleep, Mitch just slid off my knee-deliberately. Little swine woke me up at 4.30.)

 

[Clodagh]

I know one who breeds the cross deliberately and doesn't need to keep all the pups but they can be a bit mad, when compared to a Lab.

You see a lot of them out working, it’s a useful cross as long as you don’t mind ending up with either a spaniel brain or a Labrador one!