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

[Anonymous]

Ethical breeder? How about a shelter? Older dogs are often best for first time owners anyway. More calm, generally housebroken. We've had fabulous luck with shelter and rescue dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Doodles are ugliest and stupidiest dogs ever. I've never seen a cute one or a well behaved one. And the owners are usually idiots too. I would take a Pitt Bull from the shelter over a DodoDoodle ANY day.

[Anonymous]

I was going to suggest a cavachon, but you don’t want a mix. But they are lovely dogs. Typically okay for people with allergies due to the bichon coat, and pretty chill personalities due to the cavalier. We just got one, and as a non-dog person generally speaking, he’s quite lovely.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a reasonable question - what is the big problem? It makes perfect sense to me to find a dog breed that is known to be friendly to kids and calming, as well as relatively non-allergenic. It makes sense to not do a shelter dog as breeds can be more predictable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a reasonable question - what is the big problem? It makes perfect sense to me to find a dog breed that is known to be friendly to kids and calming, as well as relatively non-allergenic. It makes sense to not do a shelter dog as breeds can be more predictable.

OP can't know if they'll be allergic to a particular dog until they have lived with that particular dog, nor can they know whether this is going to be a good choice for an extremely anxious child.

This is, first, a Don't get a dog situation, but if you can't be dissuaded, it's definitely a foster-to-adopt situation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a reasonable question - what is the big problem? It makes perfect sense to me to find a dog breed that is known to be friendly to kids and calming, as well as relatively non-allergenic. It makes sense to not do a shelter dog as breeds can be more predictable.

OP can't know if they'll be allergic to a particular dog until they have lived with that particular dog, nor can they know whether this is going to be a good choice for an extremely anxious child.

This is, first, a Don't get a dog situation, but if you can't be dissuaded, it's definitely a foster-to-adopt situation

But aren't some breeds typically more-or-less hypoallergenic? E.g., the Obamas got a Portugese water dog as someone was allergic?
For example, I had a friend who got a breed of cat as they are known to be hypoallergenic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a reasonable question - what is the big problem? It makes perfect sense to me to find a dog breed that is known to be friendly to kids and calming, as well as relatively non-allergenic. It makes sense to not do a shelter dog as breeds can be more predictable.

OP can't know if they'll be allergic to a particular dog until they have lived with that particular dog, nor can they know whether this is going to be a good choice for an extremely anxious child.

This is, first, a Don't get a dog situation, but if you can't be dissuaded, it's definitely a foster-to-adopt situation

But aren't some breeds typically more-or-less hypoallergenic? E.g., the Obamas got a Portugese water dog as someone was allergic?
For example, I had a friend who got a breed of cat as they are known to be hypoallergenic.

I am saying "a particular dog" and you are giving me "typically" and "more-or-less"

I am reminded of all the generalizations people make about boys and girls: It's not always going to be the case. Statistically, on average, boys may be more like to [generalization], but you're not dealing with a statistical average composite human; you're dealing with a single human being.

So it is with dog breeds. You can play the odds, and don't be surprised if your dog is true to breed, but you may end up with a slothful Aussie or a standoffish beagle. If you want to be sure, adopt an adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a reasonable question - what is the big problem? It makes perfect sense to me to find a dog breed that is known to be friendly to kids and calming, as well as relatively non-allergenic. It makes sense to not do a shelter dog as breeds can be more predictable.

OP can't know if they'll be allergic to a particular dog until they have lived with that particular dog, nor can they know whether this is going to be a good choice for an extremely anxious child.

This is, first, a Don't get a dog situation, but if you can't be dissuaded, it's definitely a foster-to-adopt situation

But aren't some breeds typically more-or-less hypoallergenic? E.g., the Obamas got a Portugese water dog as someone was allergic?
For example, I had a friend who got a breed of cat as they are known to be hypoallergenic.

It is true that some dog breeds are more likely to be friendly to people with dog allergies. However, it's not that simple. I have a friend that has GRs and FCRs. She cannot live with short coated/wiry coated breeds, like Boxers and Schnauzers. Another friend who has Boxers is reactive to everything she has tried, except Boxers and Pit Bulls. These things don't follow formulas. Which is why it is important to meet many members of the breeds you're considering, and go from there. A dog show (conformation is fine) is probably the best avenue for this.

The more problematic thing is that OP wants a dog that won't trigger her anxious child. That basically rules out all puppies, as even the best of puppies will bite and chase a child who runs, and otherwise not be a Gund 24/7. The option then is for OP to get a mellow adult dog, which is much easier to accomplish by going to a rescue, rather than to a breeder of a specific breed, who likely won't have adult dogs to place, and then wait for one of their dogs to be returned (which generally does not happen if the breeder is responsible).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The more problematic thing is that OP wants a dog that won't trigger her anxious child. That basically rules out all puppies, as even the best of puppies will bite and chase a child who runs, and otherwise not be a Gund 24/7. The option then is for OP to get a mellow adult dog, which is much easier to accomplish by going to a rescue, rather than to a breeder of a specific breed, who likely won't have adult dogs to place, and then wait for one of their dogs to be returned (which generally does not happen if the breeder is responsible).

100% accurate, pp.

Also, any return-to-breeder situations are likely to have complicated backstories, less-than-ideal upbringing, and possible problems, same as any shelter/foster/rescue.

The best plan for a house with an anxious kid is to not get a dog of any kind, and work on the anxiety first.

[Anonymous]

Your two main requirements are in conflict. If your main requirement was a calm nurturing dog I’d say golden retriever — they are the most common dog used in hospitals and therapy settings and also win top prizes in the obedience contests. Ridiculously easy to train. But the she’d like a #%%##. Pugs are also very sweet but she’d like a #%#}.

Otherwise, I would say a cacaooo — cavaliers have very sweet and loving temperaments and the doodle in them makes them non sheddding. Bernadoodles would be the next choice. Much calmer than labradoodles. But you said no doodles.

Naturally non shedding dogs are terriers and poodles but both are very headstrong and independent dogs that are much harder to train and manage.

I am allergc to dogs and just take Zyrtec daily to deal with my adorable shedder. I suggest you either get medication, get over your thing about mixes, or just invest in one of those expensive non-sheddding cats.

[Anonymous]

Call a rescue. Do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Doodles are ugliest and stupidiest dogs ever. I've never seen a cute one or a well behaved one. And the owners are usually idiots too. I would take a Pitt Bull from the shelter over a DodoDoodle ANY day.

Eh. Don’t be a hater. Doodles don’t shed so I see why people like them. And sorry, pit bulls are dangerous and absolutely irresponsible to own. Every overly tattooed moron I know claims their pit is ‘super sweet’ but the fact is all dogs make mistakes but with pits those mistakes can be serious or even lethal because of the strength of their jaws.

[Anonymous]

American Kennel Club has a breed selector tool that might help you narrow down your options: https://www.akc.org/breed-selector-tool/

Once you've chosen a few breeds, I found that the best information came from forums actually devoted to that breed.

Before you proceed, make sure that your daughter really wants a dog. "Borrow" one from a neighbor or friend so she can see what it's like. If you think having a fur buddy will magically make her less anxious, you might be in for a rude surprise.

[Anonymous]

If you have allergies, don't get a dog. It is absolutely unfair to the dog to give it up a few months in when you decide that breathing is more important than pet ownership and there is really no way to guarantee that a particular dog or breed would not provoke a reaction. It is especially difficult to predict with a puppy as the amount of allergen produced will change as the puppy grows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

For what it's worth, my kid is NOT terrified of dogs, just a highly anxious personality that would not pair well with an anxious dog. But I guess nobody thinks my husband and children, who really want a dog, should get one because I"m allergic, so oh well!