Hello all! My Auntie has decided to get my cousin (her son) a dog and they’re not sure what to get him. They’ve got a Rhodesian Ridgeback already who is lovely but feel that he’s to strong for my cousin to handle (he pulls a lot).

They were thinking of a beagle but then decided not to because they are quite strong. They were also interested in a Grande Basset Griffon Vendeen but I’ve herd that these are also strong dogs. Has any one got any advice about these?

My cousin is very hyperactive so they need a dog that’s energetic and placid but isn’t strong enough to pull him over and they don’t want terriers (picky I know!) can anyone think of a good breed? Thanks for any advice! I’m sure they will appreciate it!

Hmm, well that's a difficult one because you could probably say a few breeds and then the family would dislike them all. I think there's quite alot of topics on this so if you type in "children" or something similar in the archives it would probably bring some up.
I wouldn't recomment going for something in the hound group. Just my opinion but I think hounds are much stronger willed and don't necessarily have the right learning skills to learn all the basic obedience and tricks etc that most kids would want to teach them.
Have they thought of the spaniels? ie English Springer and Cocker? Generally very friendly and extremely intelligent. Also not too small and "fragile" that could be crushed if stood on. Have the family considered a rescue? As in some aspects this could be better - you'd know what temperment it had and you wouldn't have to be careful with the amount of play and exercise you give it like you do with puppies.
As with many 10 year olds they go through "crazes" of wanting something and then getting fed up of it a few months after. So make sure the whole family want this dog incase the child gets fed up of it later on!
Char123

the 10 year old in question has he got a disorder that makes him hyper , such as ADHD, or ADD etc, my mum who is a foster carer had a little boy who was ADHD, he was sacred of lively dogs as they moved too fast for him, and so making him more hyper and then the dog would get more and so on, we found that our labrador was fine, whom we got as a pup when he was with us, when we got a ESS bitch he became frightened and violent towards the dog when she became too much for him, so maybe this is a point to remember when deciding, i would defiently recommend one of the gundog breeds, maybe one of the retrievers, and enrol in puppy classes etc, but with the 10 year old handling the dog if possible

What about a Cavelier King Charles Spaniel, not too large or too strong, easy maintenance and they are game little dogs and very trainable.

Sandra

What about a pug, boston or a french bulldog. One thing all dogs pretty much pull on lead unless taught other wise. Once they find out which dog to get how about them going to puppy class and obedience class this way the dog can learn to walk properly on a lead with out pulling and it can be alot of fun also. They can get into agility, flyball, frisbee ect. :)

ttfn :)