looks just like the one from 'Men in Black!' [Edited on 23/10/09 by omega0684]
As title really. Been thinking about a dog for my 12 year old son for a while. I'm after something small, but that won't be embarrasing to
take for walks!
Must be kiddy friendly and have no vicious stigmas attached (e.g. staffs, pitbull etc - wife is a childminder) whether they are justified or not.
Needs to be a puppy in order that the cats can help establish a hierachy!
Not fussy about the make - thinking border terrier, but would be even happier with a suitable mongrel that needs a home.
Any thoughts? Where do you dog-shop for a generic small dog?! What should I look for?
ta
Dan
get a Pug, mates got one and its class! looks just like the one from 'Men in Black!'
[Edited on 23/10/09 by omega0684]
Get a Greyhound mate they are superb pets. We've had our rescue ex-racer a couple of years now and don't regret a second.
greyhound
beat me to it Ive got a lurcher and it has a fantastic temperment with kids
[Edited on 23/10/09 by big_wasa]
we have a doberman - yes a doberman
Big soft lump scared of his shadow very loyal even sleeps with a ball in his mouth like a dummy. He great will little people too.
Dogs in general reflect ther owners, if you neglect it it will become boystrous, if you treat it bad it will be come grumpy.
Tip get a dog that suits your needs. Don;t get a great dane if you live in a bedsit, don;t get a very small do if your out hillwalking all the
time......
Greyhounds like wippets need lots of running.
golden retriever they live to about 12 to 16 years old, i'll dig out a video of my newphew playing with him.
you want a dog that isnt territurial, so if you take a toy of him he just thinks your playing and dosnt get nasty
you tube
You Tube 2
[Edited on 24/10/09 by graememk]
Go for something different...
I was brought up with a Bearded collie as a friend... and we now have her daughter.. Amazingly good temproment... and both of them look after the
family like wooly shepherds!
And even at 10 years old, she still has so much bounce 
Not many dogs look cute as a puppy and cute fully grown....
(I know most beardies are grey..... if you can find a short(ish) haired brown one )
Boxer for me, we have just lost ours after nearly eleven fantastic years with him. Had him from 10 weeks old, absolutely brilliant with our two boys -
they used him as a pillow, football opponent, playmate and never a complaint from him, mind you they both moaned about him sleeping on their beds. And
they look big n tough when you're out with them.
If its got to be small then border terriers do seem nice with loads of character.
Just one thing to bear in mind, are you prepared for a long term commitment of walking twice a day in all weathers and picking up hot pooh every time
you go out?
i have got a jack russell. cracking little dog great with kids and really smart.
Go for a Rhodesian Ridgeback, great fun, loves the kids and keeps all the bad people from the house and garden.
How active is your son? I'd strongly suggest a herding dog for him, Border Collie, Aussie, etc. Find a breeder that has a "working"
line rather than show dogs, they have better personalities, are cheaper and healthier.
Less "lovey-dovey" than a labrador but smart as a whip, loyal and love to play, perfect for a young boy IMO.
30-50lbs in weight so medium sized.
They do require a fair bit of exercise though.
Cheers, Ted
For his age, a boxer or greyhound. They both are not too big and will be ideal company.
quote:
Originally posted by mad4x4
We have a doberman - yes a doberman
Big soft lump scared of his shadow very loyal even sleeps with a ball in his mouth like a dummy. He great will little people too.
Dogs in general reflect ther owners, if you neglect it it will become boystrous, if you treat it bad it will be come grumpy.
i agree collies are great dogs for young lads that like hiking and building dens etc in the woods. if your lad is the playstation type don’t bother
as collies tend to go nuts if they don’t get enough stimulation/exercise
greyhounds are good as they have lovely tempers don’t need loads of walking they are sprint dogs. they generally like a 15-20min flat out run round a
field and they have had enough.
my jack russell is great. she is smart obedient and a tough little beggar that can take kids pulling her ears etc.
I don’t know if you have ever had a dog before but there is another thing to worry about. Hair! Most dogs lose hair but some more than others
anything with wiry coat will tend to moult more than something with a softer coat. The more rough and wiry the coat the harder it is to hover out
the carpet.
Welsh Border Colly, lovely dogs, highly inteligent, and very trainable. Cheers Ray
needs to be something small and fun west highland white or similar, highly unlikely to pull him in to the road on walks as it sees a cat
I wouldn't recommend a greyhound if you have cats, greyhounds so I've been told love to chase things, and are fast enough to catch a cat.
I personaly wouldn't recommend a Chocolate Lab
This little bundle of nonsense
is now 9 1/2 months old weighs 5 and a bit stone, is lean not fat, this evening pulled my partner off her feet at the sight of another dog, came home
stole a £20 note out of her bag and tried to eat it, and is behaving like a teenage eejit, is crated at night, but moments inattention from us durng
the day has resulted in 4 plasterboard walls being chewed through.
We still love him to bits 
[Edited on 24/10/09 by locogeoff]
I recommend a Mutt.
Preferably a young one from a pet shelter.
As a bonus several studies indicate that mixed breed are healthier and on average live longer.
I think a good lesson for your son could be learned from adopting a needy animal.
Good Luck,
T
Got to be a schnauzer for me. Come in 3 sizes, a standard is ideal size. Absolutely superb people dogs, highly intelligent and massive character. Added bonus is they don't smell or molt.
I'm voting for Golden Retreve bitches- not as big as the dogs, fun loving gentle playful without some of the chewy habits of labs. Becomes part
of the family very quickly and always keen to please. Your son is the rightage totake onthe responsibility of dog ownership
Hair moulting can be a problem - we have done away with carpets in most living areas in house and tiled throughout and the backof the car can get
messy on wet muddy days,
The retrieving instinct brings hours of fun with sticks balls, plastic toys etc (also socks etc if you leave them about)
Vaccinations, kennel fees , baskets and bones alladd to the cost of living but are repaid manytimes over.
Walking wise seem hapywith short walks and the occasionall long ones - seem to just enjoy being out having attention. First one we had grew up with
the childen tail and ear pulling tolerated happily, 
the latest one was bought to help teenage daughter recuperate from major surgery and 7 years
on she still loves it to bits.
We are all going upSkiddaw this morning so it will spend the rest of the day snoozing, it is a dog's life!
Go for it !
Mike
Get him a Cairn terrier - best liitle dog there is. Lovely temprament and very lively!
quote:
Originally posted by Tralfaz
I recommend a Mutt.
Preferably a young one from a pet shelter.
As a bonus several studies indicate that mixed breed are healthier and on average live longer.
I think a good lesson for your son could be learned from adopting a needy animal.
Good Luck,
T
How about one of these
^ ^ ^ OMG!!! 
We have a dachshund jack russel cross. We got him when my little sister was 12 (although she wanted a lab) and she loves him to bits.
Joey as a puppy
1 DP Motor (Dog Power)
Me the swmbo just got our first house together, and were feeling a bit lonely with just the 2 of us to wanted a puppy, something small, and that we be ok around her young brother (6). Looked about for a while, but I think the old saying love at first sight works. We ended up with a Jack Russel Patterdale cross and shes brilliant. She 6 months now and loves playing with kids. Runs round and round the garden chasing the gf brother and his friend. As long as you train them whats theirs and whats your there fine, and not embarassing to take for walks. Although she has got really wide shoulders, and from some angles looks like a small staff,lol.
I would recommend a Jack Russell Terrier.
I've had them since I was 10.
They are great mates, tough as old boots.
and don't eat too much.
Which ever dog you get I would suggest seeing the parents.
It's a good indication of how the dog will turn out.
Also, get it socialized.
Join a puppy group, take it out at an early age, so it gets used to other dogs and people.
Remember, It's almost impossible to find a BAD dog.
Only a BAD OWNER !!!
IMHO David
quote:
Originally posted by omega0684
get a Pug, mates got one and its class!
[Edited on 23/10/09 by omega0684]
Spaniels are great family dogs, not a bad bone in their body. We have an English Springer and he is great, but has huge energy levels. You can not tire them out. He always wants to play so would be great with kids.
a german shepard its got a brain i had my first at 12 they live around 14 years and are very easy to train if you go to a class a small dog barks and
yelps all day.
get a bitch there more layed back and the size of the dog is no big thing a small dog will take as much time and space a big one.remember you or him
will have to look after it for around 14 years
get a shelter dog .make sure its not stupid and dont wee and crap the house ect before you take it home.spend some time walking it and give it a
brush down before you take it home
then you find out if its nuts also wave your hand at it as if your going to hit it ,if it attacks you or cowers its been abuse , walk away. hope
this will help you.
My son is 11 and he loves our Tibetan Terrier
quote:
Originally posted by philw
How about one of these
Having had my Wiemarana for 8 months now (my first dog as well) I've spoken to loads of other owners with similar age dogs and here's my
tips.
Mongrel if you don't care about the shape its going to turn out. I wanted a big hound so went for a known breed...but he's going to be
huge!
If you go for a breed look for "working line" dogs, not "show line".
Don't pick the first puppy from the litter that runs over. That'll be the most independant and dominant one. Watch them as a pack and
choose; don't let the dog pick you. Wiem's are know to be loopy but I deliberatly picked the quietest (unfortunatly also the biggest) in the
litter and (so far) seem to have a calm(ish) one.
If you don't want to be washing it after every walk avoid Lab's, Retrievers, Spannials and Bearded collies; They all love puddle surfing.
Also check how much the breed sheds hair.
Working dogs need working! Great if you want somesthing to fill your son's time, not if you don't.
Temperament is part breed and part training. Small dogs are the yappiest but not all of them for example. Reputation means nothing; Dobermans are soft
and easy to train... but reputation is of some sort of devil dog. Think about what the breed was bred for.
When you start taking it for walks Get it off the lead as soon as you can. The problem ones I see weren't let off early, when they were still
more affraid of loosing you than exploring.
Socialise it with other dogs (and anything else) and don't stop them from bullying it Dogs play rough and it's rarely as bad as it sounds.
Dogs that are pulled away from others are the ones that snap at others as they never learn the dog etiquet of playing with others. Be suspicious of
any dog thats put on a lead as soon as they see you coming.
Read some good dog books.
adrian
Just remember a dog is for life not just for Christmas. Whatever you get will need lots of attention and exercise, my old Doberman was walked at least 3 miles every night even when I had my leg in plaster , in all weathers rain or shine , Don't forget vet bills , insurance etc , they all add up . ANY dog can bite even the best behaved , most loveable although I find smaller yappy dogs worse . As said already check out your local animal rescue center and enjoy whatever you get.
The couple I got mine from had foster kids. Thier dogs had to have some form of certification/assesment to say they were safe with kids. Are there
similar regulations for child minding?
adrian
buy a hamster and tell him it is dwarf siberian schnauzer.
if he gets bored of it after a week, then forget the dog - you'll be the one looking after it.
[Edited on 24/10/09 by 02GF74]
Black & White Cocker Spaniel. (know as a Blue roan) never met a nasty one, always happy and looking for fun, my kids love ours
whatever you get make sure its from a rescue home so many dogs there needing new homes and a second chance
Years ago I rang a local dog shelter and asked for "a general-purpose, medium sized, short-haired mutt" - after the woman stopped laughing
she said that she had just the one! He'd just arrived from a family that could no longer keep him, and she wanted to get him out of the rescue
centre ASAP.
We had him for nearly 15 years - great dog, great temperament, and probably the most-walked dog in our village!
Thanks for your thoughts guys. I'll do some research.
There are so many things that affect what type of dog you get. Some needs miles of walks, others not so, some don't mind being left alone and
others destroy your house when your back is turned. The list goes on......
Most dogs are adaptable to you and your surroundings. There are a lot of forums for the different breeds, i'd suggest a couple of hours on
Google images to see what you like the look of and then hit the forums.
If you've got space then I would recomend Bernese Mountain dogs -I have two, a five year old female and a 5 month puppy. My big chap died at
Christmas and he was over 10 stone of muscle and hair.
They are the friendliest creature that I have ever come across (I had retrievers before which are ace) ......oh and I have two kids.
Dogs are a big change to your lifestyle but with some effort you won't regret it
Steve
Mine, Golden retriever bitch and blue roan cocker from a butchers shop, not show avoid the ginger ones.
Both cracking dogs, the cocker has not got a nasty bone in his body, retriever to be honest is a little overbred so would not leave her with children
if foods around.
Get a bitch, not a dog as they are more compliant and don't have anything to prove. I've had both and bitches are so much easier to handle and train.
With the dog likely to be around other peoples small kids who might not be dog friendly, get something small and even tempered - you don't want a
large dog that can do a lot of damage if it bites some kid that has pushed it to the limits.
I would suggest an allsorts from animal rescue that your son responds to, and as importantly is really happy to see your son on first acquaintance (a
good sign that the dog knows, trusts and likes kids) You definitely don't want one that is wary of kids!
Let me know. I don't mind coming around your house for a while stinking it out, dropping hairs, making noise and shi77ing everywhere for a while.
(and yes they do smell, its the owners that become used to it)
Dogs, can't stand them.
I'll get me coat!
I got a dog for my girlfriend.
It was a fair swap.