Anonymous wrote:Has anyone out there had either a Havapoo (Havanese poodle mix) or a Cavapoo (King Charles poodle mix). Were they good with very small children?

We got a Cavapoo in February. We absolutely love him. He doesn't shed at all, has a wonderful personality, and is great with my 2 kids (age 2 and age 5.) My 2 year has to obviously be contractly watched around him, as he is a typical toddler and will pull the tail, ears, etc. But the puppy has been very tolerant so far. Was fairly easy to train as well. We had a hard time finding a local breeder so we went with someone in the Midwest. We did a ton of research and are really happy!

I have a lhaso-poo....I regret the decision daily. Mainly because I'm not a huge dog lover, but his neurotic temperament contributes to my dislike of canines. He's incredibly nervous....any raised voice is met with him shaking like a leaf and pissing on himself....or he'll walk away to lick his penis (presumably to catch the urine dribble). He is incredibly smart and "knows" when he's being talked about, even if a name isn't mentioned. He's also incredibly stubborn...he continues to piss on my daughter's toys in the backyard when he thinks no one is looking (when I am looking, he doesn't even try....he's so vindictive!). My friend has a lhaso-poo and he's just as crazy, but in a more aggressive way. He nips and bites and is extremely territorial of the trash can.

I had a pug for over a year who I ADORED. She was incredibly dumb, but the sweetest dog EVER. She loved being with the kids and she could stand a bit of rough-housing (the lhasa-poo yelps at the smallest of physical contact and is way to nervous and delicate to stand the attentions of a toddler...my daughter is 2.5 and while he loves her, he's cautious and steers clear). Unfortunately, I had to give my pug away because of my son's allergies and asthma.

I've had the lhasa-poo for about 5 years, so it's a bit harder to give him up even though I rue the day I drove to NC to get him!

Coonhounds of any variety. They are great with kids, ridiculously tolerant and smart, but lazy as all hell in the house. They love to go for walks, runs, play etc. but get them inside and all they want is a sunny patch on the couch. Best dogs ever. I had labs growing up and will never go back. Hounds are much less neurotic and high strung. And there are many great hounds available for adoption. Hunters tend to turn them loose at the end of the season instead of feeding them through the winter. Can you imagine?

a PUG.

I can't believe no one has mentioned boxers. They are the best! Not too big, not too small, good tempered, friendly, relatively clean looking, bouncy, fun and not nearly as tough as they look. Mine is good with all the kids On our block and is great to take on vacations.

Cockatoo, labradoodle, goldendoodle.

Anonymous wrote:german shepherds are so much smarter and more loyal and better overall dogs than retrievers, BUT the shedding is horrible.

Ugggggh. The shedding is bad. German Shepherds shed once a year....for 365 days. The only way I can handle it is by brushing him at least a couple of times a week with the Furminator. That really helps. Despite the shedding, we will never own another breed.