How do I research the right dog breeds and breeders for our family? Where to start?

[Anonymous]

For a variety of reasons, we are unable to adopt a shelter dog, but have no idea where to start when it comes to identifying the best breed for us and then the most humane, ethical breeder for that type of dog. The absolute first requirement is a dog I'm not allergic to, the second due to a highly anxious child is a dog with a very calm and nurturing temperament. Where do we start with our research?

[Anonymous]

OP here - we prefer not to support some of the hybridization going on nowadays (e.g. probably not a golden doodle)

[Anonymous]

Hate to tell you but all pure breds are inbred and arguably not ‘ethical’ but if you want a non allergy dog, you should consider a doodle mix. We have a golden retriever, not doodle, and they are extremely gentle and family friendly dogs.

[Anonymous]

I think you will have an easier time adopting a dog in a foster to adopt situation where you can see if you’re allergic and get to know a dog with a known established temperament. I’d look for a smaller more specialty rescue or breed specific one. I also wouldn’t get all hung up on all the virtue signaling of ethical this or hybrid that.

[Anonymous]

Talk to people you know whose dogs you like and find out where they got their dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a variety of reasons, we are unable to adopt a shelter dog, but have no idea where to start when it comes to identifying the best breed for us and then the most humane, ethical breeder for that type of dog. The absolute first requirement is a dog I'm not allergic to, the second due to a highly anxious child is a dog with a very calm and nurturing temperament. Where do we start with our research?

How much time do you have for a dog? How long is the dog going to be alone each day? It is better to adopt an older dog with a gentle nature. If you don't want a doodle mix look into a poodle. Very smart and low allergies

https://www.nylabone.com/dog101/5-hypoallergenic-dog-breeds

[Anonymous]

If you’re allergic to dogs, you shouldn’t try to live with a dog.

[Anonymous]

Your ideal dog does not exist

[Anonymous]

Please consider a rescue. All our wonderful, beautiful, sweet 8 dogs over 35 years came from rescues, and I wouldn't do it any differently. They were members of our family and changed us in so many wonderful ways.

OPH is a great rescue, BTW, but there are so many. Your heart dog is just waiting for you to sign. Do it and you won't regret it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a variety of reasons, we are unable to adopt a shelter dog, but have no idea where to start when it comes to identifying the best breed for us and then the most humane, ethical breeder for that type of dog. The absolute first requirement is a dog I'm not allergic to, the second due to a highly anxious child is a dog with a very calm and nurturing temperament. Where do we start with our research?

What could possibly be a reason you can't go to a shelter. Don't say that you need a hyperallergenic dog because they don't exist.That is a mismomer in the dog world. If you need a dog that doesn't shed,we had 3 rescues who didn't shed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your ideal dog does not exist

+1 These threads are so strange. I'm allergic to dogs and my kid is terrified of them - help me pick a dog!

[Anonymous]

Why do you want a dog? Consider a cat instead.

[Anonymous]

Try a rescue where the dogs are in foster homes. There are plenty of them and tons of different dogs especially in the DC area. We are working with one now that have taken the time to find the right fit for our family. We have a four year old and 14 year old and have been concerned about finding a dog who isn’t aggressive and can handle smaller kids. I decided against going to the shelter because the dogs are often stressed and you don’t have enough information to know how they will react in different situations. We’ve been patient to find the right fit and it’s definitely been worth it.

[Anonymous]

There's no dog that will be 100 percent calm and "nurturing" with your highly anxious child. These are living creatures OP!!! Please don't get a dog and set up a situation for failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a variety of reasons, we are unable to adopt a shelter dog, but have no idea where to start when it comes to identifying the best breed for us and then the most humane, ethical breeder for that type of dog. The absolute first requirement is a dog I'm not allergic to, the second due to a highly anxious child is a dog with a very calm and nurturing temperament. Where do we start with our research?

A new dog owner who has dog allergies and wants a purebred because nebulous "variety of reasons". This is ridiculous from the start. You've classed yourself out of the standard "kid-friendly" breeds; none of them are magically hypoallergenic. There are no allergen-free dog breeds at all, and those that are close and inbred to death and neurotic af as a result (incl. but not limited to the poodles referenced upthread).

A highly-anxious child needs a lap cat, not a dog. I'd say you could foster an older dog, but you're not interested in working with shelters/rescues so that doesn't fit your stupidly-specific needs either.

You're probably going to get sold a story by a breeder, buy a puppy, epically fail at training it, get mad when it freaks out your kid by just being a dog, and then post here about how the breeder was "unethical" or some other nonsense.

Please get your kid a stuffed toy instead.