I am looking for a puppy which would be suitable to live in a large domestic setting, along with my 10 year old son. Please could you recommend one and/ or point me in the right direction of where I could purchase one. I live in the yorkshire, this is, however, not an issue.

sam.lockwood@conquestfoods.com

What type of dog are you looking for?
A large breed or a small breed?
If you are not sure why not go to your local rehoming center they always have dogs that are crying out for homes.

Deary

Firstly you need to ask yourself a few questions.
What size, Do you want to spend time grooming or would you want a
short coat. How much exercise would you want to give. What kind of
dogs have you had in the past. Do friends have dogs you like.
You are on the right track asking questions before jumping in and buying
a dog, but your question is a bit open. Like going into a pub and asking
for a drink any drink.

Most breeds of dog would be fine with a 10 year old child. You need to narrow it down. Start with a list of things that you want in a dog, and more importantly things you would find most unappealing (eg I couldn't have a slobbery breed, others would hate the amount of hair on my double coated breed, for which a Dyson Vac, and clothes that don't attract hair are musts).

You also have to be realistic about the time you can give your dog as regards excersise, though in my Opinion every dog is entitled to an hours excersise a day (combination of road walking and free running).

Also bear in mind what a breed was originally bred for. It is no good moaning that you have a collie who keeps rounding the family, or a Labrador or Spaniel that will make a beeline for any water, no matter how filthy!

Have fun! Go to the Library and get a good Dog Encyclopedia. Once you have narrowed it down a bit, come back to us. I personally would go for one of the less popular breeds, as there are fewer people in it just to produce puppies for the market, but not anything that is very rare. There is more likelyhood of finding a breeder that breeds for the betterment of the breed, if you go through one of the Breed Clubs for a reccomendation. JMHO

Amazon have some books that help people match the right breed with their needs. The two I have heard good things about are "Your Pedigree Puppy" and the other is "Choosing the right dog for your family". They obviously don't have every dog breed description, but it is a good place to start.

You could try http://www.petplanet.co.uk and go into 'select a breed'. You are asked several questions then it lists something like twenty breeds in order of suitability.
Happy hunting.
LynnT

If you want the low down of Rhodesian Ridgebacks I can give you some experience on the breed and they are ideal family dogs (if you like medium to large dogs).

'Chelle

michelle.angold@ntlworld.com

I always thought Rhodesian Ridgebacks were hunting/guarding dogs? Are they really family dogs - Chelle?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Hi Jo,

Are they ever, yes originally they were but where do you see a lion nowadays? There great (I think) Why? Ridges dont very often bark, they sleep most of the day until they want feeding or walking, they can be habbit forming, i.e. (can tell time when food should be served or walking time!) Their coat is minimal maintenance and mine dont mind jumping in the bath by them selves when requested. Will walk for hours or just 10 mins if needed. I have 2 cats (siamese & burmese), 1 mini dacsi (dog), 1 11 year old Ridge (bitch) and a puppy pending from a breeder (as I lost my 'Big Boy' Dexter in October last year to Cancer) plus a 2 1/2 year old little girl!

Bitches can be more stubborn and independent than dogs, but very loyal either sex. They will and can stomach any thing.

Originally I was a Dobbie lover but my husband swayed me to Ridges and im afraid I hooked to their personality and looks and style (or lack of sometimes!)

I think thats quite a family dont you think? (and I love it!)

Cheers,

Chelle....

Hi, I assume that you are looking for a pedigree puppy, but if not, I would be careful getting a dog from rescue, when you have children. Hope I'm not going to get slated for this, but I would never chance getting a rescue dog with a child in the family unless the rescue centre knew its whole life history. I expect I was unlucky, but as a child- of about 8 - my parents went to the local dogs home and got a dog as a birthday present for me, as our previous dog had died recently.It had a perfect temperament with adults, but the dogs home had never checked its reaction to children, and my parents were told they didn't know its history as it was a stray, which turned out not to be true, though it was probably a breakdown in communications rather than a deliberate lie. I had grown up with dogs and horses and knew how to approach/handle them, but was badly bitten, on the hands and face, in an instant, without any reason, though it had been sweet and well behaved for my parents until I came home from school. My parents were horrified, and it turned out that the reason it had been put into rescue was that it had been beaten by its previous owners children, and eventually bit one of them badly. The day my parents picked the dog up - the boss was out - well that was their excuse! 40 years later I still have the scars on my fingers!!

As you say yourself Westie Lover that was 40 years ago, and most rescues have moved on since then (thank heavens) - most temprement test the dogs themselves - not relying on what previous owners tell them, and will not rehome to a family with children if they have any doubts at all - rescues are often a very good way of getting a wonderful loyal friend for your family, and I wouldn't go anywhere else now :-)

Fran (Mum to a 4 year old and a 6 year old and a rescue ESS and a ESS x BC)

I would agree although if you are new to owning dogs, rescues can have more problems to deal with and are generally older and maybe a little more difficult to train as a result. Personally I have two fabulous rescues and would always go for another one as the sense of achievement when you get a result is wonderful and they geniunely love you for every little thing you do. Also they really need a good home and there are so many out there stuck in rescue centres. However for a first time dog owner it can be quite a challenge and maybe not the easiest thing if you have kids and work (need a lot more attention than your average dog, so to speak, to get them past whatever has happened to them in their previous homes or on the streets as a stray).

KirstyS

Rescue centres do have puppies availbale as well as adult dogs!

Hi, please dont think that I am anti cross bred or rescue dogs, just wanted to make the point that its important to know the dogs history when introducing it into a family with children. We had 3 other rescued dogs in the family through my childhood, and they were all wonderful, it was just that one that was not suitable for a child. Even quite a young puppy that has had a bad experience in its first home and then gone into rescue could have an unreliable temperament and be a problem for someone who isn't very experienced. :-)

I went to the Blue Cross 3 times with my dear friend who hadn't owned a dog before but who had done all her research and had a very loving home waiting. She has teenage boys and a large safe detached garden in the country. Each time we went there they had about 50 dogs but 'nothing suitable' for her. So last Sat she got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy from a breeder. she's absolutely thrilled with her. I can't wait to go round later on to meet her (I have been on holiday all week). But what a shame the rescue centre couldn't place a needy dog there?

Is it a shame? Perhaps we should be pleased that they don't have all types of breed at all ages waiting to be rehomed. I hope your friend and her new puppy are happy together.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

I'm not sure if I was clear in my story. My friend was very open minded about what dog she had, it was the Blue Cross who said they had nothing suitable. I do think it's a shame that they felt not one of those 'unwanted' dogs could have been sent to a happy home with my friend.
Anyway I went to see her puppy this morning and she is TINY and adorable.
Jane

Hi Westie Lover, I didn't think you were anti rescue, but all the posts in this thread seemed to indicate adult dogs and since the original request was about puppies, it seemed reasonable to point out that rescues often have pups available. I am fully aware that some of the pups have had homes before and some are born in the rescues, and so may have had intially bad experiences, but this isn't always the case.