We Want to Get the Kids a Puppy for Christmas!!!!

Updated on November 11, 2009
S.M. asks from Shawnee, KS
23 answers

My very loveable German Shepherd just passed away not long ago:( we were wanting to get a puppy for our kids for Christmas.we are having a hard time finding one.we want a full breed dog that is between 20-45lbs,short hair,and GREAT with kids! Our Shepherd was GREAT with the kids but we are not ready for another one yet. any ideas?????

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So What Happened?

thankyou everyone for the advice. we did end up getting one. He is a resue dog and mix puppy. he is so sweet and the kids are helping out with every thing. We had to have a interview and they said we were ready to have a puppy. :)

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M.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Take a look at a wheaton terrier. Awesome family dog, doesn't shed, not overly vocal. Also, King Charles Spaniels are fantastic, patient and mellow.

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C.A.

answers from Springfield on

I agree with Deb completely. Puppies and kids go together, but not at Christmas!! Get all the puppies things together and get the puppy after the holidays when things cool down. This will make it MUCH less stressful on you and especially the puppy. You can jump right into a training routine!

I highly recommend a Brittany. They are amazing family dogs, do not get to big, adore children and are a breeze to train. The are an active dog and do require exercise!! They are a long lived breed, and known to be very healthy (not a breed plagued with health problems like many Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds (my other dog!) etc).

Whatever breed you consider, RESEARCH all you can about them. There are ups and downs to every breed.

Good luck

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C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

okay i don't want to sound breed-biased, but the best dogs we had growing up were just regular old pound puppies. i have since had, been around, or had friends/family who have had, several breeds i would NOT recommend for kids, and those are: beagles, schnauzers (both very high energy/high strung dogs), and chows (have a tendancy towards aggression)...of COURSE all dogs are different and just because they are those breeds doesn't mean they WILL be that way, just that they have a higher probability to be that way. that is my experience and after having been around the breeds i researched them a bit and found that those traits are often found in those breeds. so it wasn't just me lol. i would have to say if you're dead set on buying a pure bred dog, i would go with a lab any day. i know they're big but they're SO great with kids. i don't know about a smaller dog. i know poodles are great and come in three convenient sizes! lol...plus poodles don't shed. so there's that. i'd say google google google on this one, girl. good luck and congrats in advance :)

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D.S.

answers from Kansas City on

What better gift can you give but to save a life? Choose a shelter dog! Animal Haven in Merriam has many dogs and puppies available and 60-70% are pure-breds (they just usually don't have papers).

You can also go to petfinder.com and put in some breeds you are interested in and they will find ones in your area from a variety of shelters and pure-breed rescue groups.

Saving one pet won't change the world, but the world will change for that one pet.

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B.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I know you want a smaller dog, but I have to put in a plug for Golden Retrievers. I think they are great with kids. Very gentle, (once out of the puppy phase), trainable, and full of personality. We have two now and our first one was with us for 12 years. However, they do shed - a lot!

I wish you the best on your puppy adventure.

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J.K.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't have a breed suggestion. I just wanted to say best of luck to you!! We just got a little lab puppy over the weekend. I have a 2 year old boy. They feed off each other's energy. Neither one will stop while around the other and we have to end up separating them. I know they'll get used to one another, but in the meantime it's so stressful! I was researching dogs before we got the lab puppy and I saw a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrior that sounded perfect! No shedding, good around children, medium sized dog. By the way, I saw your original post earlier this morning. I think that the other mom was very rude. I think most of us knew what you meant. Of course, you're not trying to REPLACE the other dog... Good luck!

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S.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Ok, owning a pet, as I'm sure you know, is a full time job, just like being a parent! One thing I think you need to think about is the fact that you will never be able to replace your other pet. So, trying to find a dog that's 'like the other one' is a lost cause. They'll all have different personalities and different needs. Shepards are great with kids and very loyal dogs, but also require a lot of attention and care. Just be sure you're ready to devote a lot of time...especially if you're getting a puppy...and even more so, if it will be an indoor pet.

Best of luck!

S.

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D.W.

answers from Wichita on

At the risk of sounding like a wet blanket, I have to implore you not to get a puppy for Christmas. While the idea sounds great, it is actually the worst time possible to bring a puppy into your home. With all the excitement,company visiting, family activity & general holiday mayhem it is terribly stressful for a new puppy.
It would be a much better idea to make plans to get a puppy after Christmas, when things have settled down a little bit.
A neat way to still make it special at Christmas is to have a pup picked out to get after the Big Day, but wrap up the new puppy's things--dog bed, food & water dishes, collar & leash, toys, etc. to put under the tree, maybe with a picture of the puppy. Then on Christmas morning, you can explain to the children that they'll be getting a new pup in a couple of days when everything isn't so hectic & crazy.
Because I raise dog (wirehaired vizslas) as a hobby on the side, I am speaking as an advocate for all potential Christmas puppies. A good reputable breeder won't want you to take a pup to sruprise your children on Christmas Day, but will be willing to work with you to make a nice surprise for the kids for Christmas morning.
Also, as a reputable breeder, I ask that you please not get a puppy from a pet store, because they get their puppies from puppy mills and brokers. It is far better to search the internet to find a good breeder from which to get a puppy. They'll let you meet the parents, etc. and can give you detailed information about the puppy's health background and will be there for you if you have any questions or concerns as the pup grows up.
As far as finding the right breed to fit with your family, there are a number of considerations: size, activity level, trainability, temperament, grooming needs... Try going to http://www.k9country.com/perl//dogBreed.pl Attend a local dog show to see the different breeds and visit with their owners to determine which breed is your best choice or contact your local kennel club, which may have a breeder referral program.
Grandma D.

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Border Collies are great dogs! They need to release their energy often, so frequent runs in the yard or walks around the neighborhood are recommended.

We have a Border Collie mutt - she's actually short hair - and smart, friendly, loyal. She's 11 years old and has been a part of our family since we got her from the pound at 6 months of age.

Consider getting a mutt or adopting at least. All of our adopted animals have been such wonderful pets.

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

S....could I suggest that instead of buying a puppy, go to your local animal shelter and find an adult dog that would otherwise be put down?? There are SO many unloved animals in our world, why not take one in and love him and give him a home?? Puppies are so delicate and with three young children I would think you would be a lot better off with a grown dog. The people at the shelter would be more than happy to help you find a dog that would be a good companion for your family.
R. Ann

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. It is so difficult. I know you said that you wanted a full breed dog, but have you considered adopting from an animal shelter? I adopted my lab mix from Animal Haven a few years ago, and I just adore her. She's great with my kids, very protective and loving, and was already trained when we got her! The shelter people are so helpful and want to assist you in finding the perfect pet for your family. Good luck!

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K.F.

answers from Kansas City on

Please, do NOT get a puppy at christmas time. With all the excitement and confusion that is part of the holiday, it makes it very stressful on a new puppy. May I suggest waiting until spring when the weather and potty training your new puppy would be easier on both the pup and the humans. You may consider an adult dog since your children are so young.

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H.R.

answers from Wichita on

Yes a Cocker Spaniel is a wonderful family dog! They do love attention and are very teachable,great with kids and adults. If you are in Kansas let me know I can give you one one year old pure bred free. They are also good guard dogs and love to play games like fetch. They take a lot to and I have never had either of ours try to bite my little ones who are now 21 months and 3. Even when their hair is pulled,or sat on,or mouth messed with.

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K.G.

answers from Kansas City on

I agree with Debi! Adopt a pet. Puppies sound great but they have sharp little teeth and require training. If you are set on a certain breed check with their breed rescue programs. There is an organization in Belton called HELP and all the pets there are fostered by people and kept in homes, they list on petfinder.com. Usually organizations like these can tell you whether the dog would be a good fit for your family. They live with them and introduce them to other animals and children, etc. I adopted an 8 month old shepherd mix from them, still young enough that we have lots of years ahead of us but he was already potty trained and past the main chewing phase and we knew he was good with other dogs which was important to us because we had an older shepherd at home. You are not only saving the life of an abondoned pet but you might be making your life easier too.

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S.V.

answers from Kansas City on

We purchased a french bulldog 3 years ago. We have an 11 month old and the two are BFF's! Our frenchie wasn't cheap (1600), however, worth every penny. He came to us at 14 weeks, housebroken and then went back at 1 year for training. They are small dogs (under 30 lbs), short haired (just a bath and a nail clip is all they need), and very goofy! It's about as close to owning a pig as one could get! There is a rescue network for them...so, there are mixes, adoptable puppies around the country (mixed breed by accident) or unwanted pups. Good luck!

H.M.

answers from Columbia on

Hi Sarah,
If you're interested in buying a labrador puppy for your kids (they're an amazing family dog) my stepmother is a breeder in Sedalia. That said, I have no idea if she's planning another litter soon, but you might visit her web site and inquire about a puppy. If she isn't expecting a litter, she can usually direct you to a breeder nearby who is. She is very particular about who she sells a puppy to and will only place a puppy in a home that matches his/her temperment. So, she'll assess your family's needs, your kids' ages, the activity level in your home, etc to give you the best match from her litter, if there is one.

Choosing a puppy is a big deal and you want one that will match your family. Keep in mind, you'll probably have this animal for 10-15 years.

If your interested, check out. www.topformlabradors.com/

She does a lot of show dogs, but she places dogs and puppies in pet homes too. She may even have a little older dog (like 1-4 years) who is already trained that she's looking to place. There's something to be said about not having to do house training and getting a move-in ready dog that will fit with your family beautifully.

If you have questions, let me know!

Good luck!
Hilary

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E.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Honestly my two mutts are the best dogs I've ever had. We do have a purebred sheltie and he is hyper and has long hair. he looked rather funny this summer when I shaved him. Honestly I find that the free mutts that people give away tend to be so much smarter than other dogs. But if you are wanting a purebred try a terrier breed. It is to bad that your not ready for another shepard though because a neighbor of mine has a two year old purebred that is free to a good home and he has been around kids all his life.

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K.G.

answers from Kansas City on

I am so sorry for your loss. I would suggest you take a look at www.petfinder.com to find your new family member. Calling Wayside Waifs, or visiting their website is another good alternative. We got our full breed lab from there. She passed on just over 2 years ago, and was such a great dog. Adopted dogs, pure breeds or mutts, seem to know that you've rescued them, and they just seem to try harder to learn and to please. Good luck to you, and again, I'm sorry about your German Shepherd.

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C.D.

answers from St. Joseph on

Visit your local animal shelter or humane society. I cant say enough about adopting a pet. Every pet we have adopted has been far superior to the ones we purchased from a breeder ect. Have you considered a dog who is 1 to 2 yrs old instead of a puppy? Puppies are a lot of work on their own, I cant imagine taking care of one, cleaning up the messes they make, and training them not to chew on toys as well as chewing on kids, giving them plenty of interactive exercise that they need to be happy healthy puppies, all while being a mom to 3 young children. Taking on a puppy is like having another 1 yr old child (with razor sharp teeth). Animal shelters are full of young dogs from families with children who figured out in a few months that they simply didn't have the time it takes to invest in raising and training a puppy and those dogs would love to have a second chance with your family. We have a 120lb choc. lab from a breeder, a 4yr old 40 pound golden retriever mix who was originally rescued, sent to a pound, adopted out to a family with twins who couldn't take care of her and eventually rescued again by us. She is the sweetest little thing in the world and all of our friends children absolutely LOVE her. We also have a 18 month 40lb German short-hair who "belongs" to a family a few blocks away who also has young children but no time for the dog, needless to say that dog hasn't left our house in 11 months even though he is technically still theirs. We take care of ALL of them as if they were ours (vet visits, heart wormer, flea/tick meds, special formula foods for each individual breed and age, and beds and blankies for all) but most of all we spend lots of time loving them because they deserve it and need it to be healthy and happy dogs. All of our dogs love children and our 2 neighbors that have children love our dogs and play with them daily but it took a long time for our "pure bred" lab as a puppy to learn how to play gentle around children. He was never mean, just a typical rambunctious puppy who didn't realize how sharp his puppy teeth and claws were nor how easily a child could be knocked over with a loving puppy nudge and of course he didn't realize the difference between "his" toys and pacifiers, bottles, books, and other "baby toys". We are expecting our 1st child May of 2010, and I cant imagine having to go through a "puppy stage" (which actually lasts at least a year) again. Good Luck with your search!

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

once you lose a beloved pet, doesn't life feel different? It's like there's something missing from your world.

I know you wanted a full-breed, mid-size dog. Over the last 20+ years, we have had several lab-mix dogs. Every single one of them was fantastic with kids, low maintenance, & a "true" family dog. Our current lab mix is a labradoodle...labrador retriever & standard poodle. This mix creates the largest of the labradoodles, with CoCoa weighing in at 78lbs. Our neighbors & my cousin both have goldendoodles...the poodle bred with a golden retriever...& their dogs are smaller in frame, weighing in at about 60-65lbs. There are also doodles coming in smaller yet, with the breeding through the smaller poodles....ranging 25-40lbs.

That said, our labradoodle & those 2 other goldendoodles are the smartest dogs I've ever encountered. Quick to train, quick to independently learn new skills (as in ours can open most doors!), & absolutely the best I've ever seen in dealing with children. All 3 of these dogs are almost no shed, non-allergenic.....but do require grooming. I've been doing our dog- much to his delight! He even brings me the brush & scissor....somebody will hand it to him & he brings it to me, sits down, & waits for me to begin. On the rare occasion when he goes to the groomer, he actually jumps up onto her table & waits for her!

A word of caution, doodles are very popular right now. We hit the jackpot on the Walmart parking lot....& ours was only $25! But those 2 goldendoodles were both $800...ouch!

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi S., how great a puppy!!! I am a dog person and think that no family is complete without one. We have an American Eskimo, she is a great dog, but lots of hair! I've also had an Irish Setter (my fave breed so don't my Eski!) and a Pomarainian who was huge for a Pom (22 lbs avarage weight and he was taller and longer than most Poms). All these dogs were great but hairy (I like dogs with lots of hair, each time I get a new dog I say I'm getting one with short hair and never do - Ha!). Any way, how we came to get an American Eskimo was that I am where you are now, I knew what size and my kids wanted a white Pom - very hard to find, ours was blonde but they wanted white. So I found at www.purina.com under the dog care tab a Dog Breed Selector. It has questions to answer and it will give you some idea of breeds that would work for you and your family. Good luck and God Bless!!!

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K.D.

answers from St. Joseph on

We got our kids a boxer pup for Christmas. Best. Present. Ever. He LOOVES kids! My son, now 4, climbs all over him, and he doesn't flinch a bit. I trust him implicitly with my kids. Short hair, 45 lbs (some get bigger), doesn't bark, easily trainable. One drawback - they are eternally youthful and always act like young dogs. We also have a beagle - terrific with the EVERYONE, but the bark can be annoying to some. Good luck with your decision!

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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi S.,
We are a Boxer family. We are on our second and love these dogs. They are great with kids and have a lot of patience. I never worried about my Boxer even when my little guy was little. They are easy to train and love to play, but they don't mind laying at your feet to watch a movie. I think they think they are one of the kids.Just one of many to look into. I don't think you can go wrong with a Boxer. Good luck!

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