We are looking into getting a dog soon. I've been trying to do research on the right dog for my family. I have a small child who will pull ears and fall on the poor dog, so it has to be very child friendly. We are very laid back, and would like the dog to be the same. I don't want a barker, and I need it to be very easy to train. I would prefer for it to be almost shed-free. (I know I'm picky, but I want it to fit our life.) We live in an apartment, so I don't really want a big dog. Medium to very small would be ideal. I was looking into maybe rescuing a Whippet. Anybody know anything about them or have a different dog in mind?

Golden Retriever's are great with children. I've never heard a single bad thing about them. However- they shed.

Are they easy to train? Thats a biggie for me. I can deal with a bigger dog, though it might take more to persuade my husband, and I can deal with the shedding. The 2 most important things are trainability and great with kids.

A standard poodle or labradoodle might be a good option to consider. The only place they don't fit your needs is size but really they aren't "that" unreasonable for an apartment provided you are able/willing to provide excercise outside every day.
What I am about to say is not meant to come across in a negative way at all, so please read it with that in mind. I, personally, don't agree with the idea that small children will "pull ears and fall on the dog". Yes, it *may* happen on the rare occasion by accident but should not be forgone conclusion. I say this because I, personally, feel that children need to be taught (even at very early ages) how to respect the family pets and what is/isn't acceptable behaviour with the pets. I don't think that you should be thinking of a breed that will tolerate bad behaviour but more of the mindset of teaching your child(ren) appropriate behaviour. Think of it in the context of if you were adding another child. Would you be expecting your older child to pull the ears or fall on the new baby? No, you would be planning to take measures to assure both children were safe in your home and teaching the existing child what she/he can or cannot do around the new baby - the same goes for pets, in my mind. This is not unreasonable - it has worked very well with both of my children who have been around pets (our own and others') from the time they were infants.

I am pretty sure Whippets are really hyper dogs and need alot of exercise! I would also go with a golden retriver...they are the sweetest.

Make sure you also consider PCSing with an animal. I know you are due to go to germany soon, and I'm not sure what the housing regs are there, but here we cannot live on base with a dog, only cats.

Do not get a Whippet. They are pretty high strung nervous type dogs and do not do well with small children constantly tugging on them. I have a lab/whippet mix and she's got the lab look with the whippet personality and is a clingly little momma's dog that gets easily agitated. I dated a guy with a whippet and his dog was the same way. Could have been bad breeding...but not sure.

Do A LOT of research on small dogs before you decide on that size because a lot of them are just not kid tolerant because of their size.

I have Boxers, they are low shed and are WONDERFUL with kids. So far, they have been very easy to train.

As for the PCSing, know that the govt does not pay to help you fly your dog where you are going. You are also on your own $$$ wise to get your animals the items they need to get done before going there.

Like someone said earlier, you shouldnt let your child pull your animals ears. Maybe have your child be involved in the dog...ie-pick out toys, bowls, and maybe help you feed them. That way they have a proud sense of ownership with the animal.

That being said, you should research some breeds. We adopted a mix from the humane socity and he lets children walk him by his tail. But I have a high strung/maintance pure bred that I have to see how he is when I have this baby.

go to www.dogbreedinfo.com they've got a quiz that you can take based on your criteria

A standard poodle or labradoodle might be a good option to consider. The only place they don't fit your needs is size but really they aren't "that" unreasonable for an apartment provided you are able/willing to provide excercise outside every day.
What I am about to say is not meant to come across in a negative way at all, so please read it with that in mind. I, personally, don't agree with the idea that small children will "pull ears and fall on the dog". Yes, it *may* happen on the rare occasion by accident but should not be forgone conclusion. I say this because I, personally, feel that children need to be taught (even at very early ages) how to respect the family pets and what is/isn't acceptable behaviour with the pets. I don't think that you should be thinking of a breed that will tolerate bad behaviour but more of the mindset of teaching your child(ren) appropriate behaviour. Think of it in the context of if you were adding another child. Would you be expecting your older child to pull the ears or fall on the new baby? No, you would be planning to take measures to assure both children were safe in your home and teaching the existing child what she/he can or cannot do around the new baby - the same goes for pets, in my mind. This is not unreasonable - it has worked very well with both of my children who have been around pets (our own and others') from the time they were infants.

I absolutely agree 110%. I have a 4 year old and a 1 1/2 year old, both have been taught to be gentle when touching animals, no pulling, tugging, or picking up. You'd be amazed at how willing children are to learn how to properly behave around animals. A dog is a dog, and even extremely well-mannered ones will get fed up if they're constantly harassed. That's how accidents happen.
It is so much easier to teach the child to properly behave around them, than expect the dog to put up with bad behavior. For everyone's safety. A well-mannered tolerant dog comes in handy when kids have a little slip, etc. But not really under constant mistreatment.

That said, do not get a Whippet. They are hyper, and rather sensitive. Also, if you're afraid your child may be too rough on the dog...don't get a super small breed. A poodle is a good choice, they do require a bit of exercise and the few I've been around had been nippy, but that could have been the way they were raised.

Then consider the costs of owning a dog, and moving expenses, etc. Dogs are awesome...but do cost a pretty penny to take care of properly. And don't forget to check out shelters or consider adoption instead of a purebred dog!

st. bernard if you want a HUGE dog!

I dont think there is a perfect breed for you. With any and all dogs, its a hit or miss.
Why not look into getting a puppy from Humane Society?

i have a schipperke that I barely brush, more when the seasons chage is all.

she only barks when someone scared her. Small dog and loves kids. We don't have any but she has still always been good with them. If she doesn't like a kid rasseling her she goes away.

THey can be hard to find but she sure is a keeper and a lover.

You just described my pit bull, except for the size part. Some people consider her a medium dog, some consider her a large dog. We got her when she was 10 months and she didn't even know how to sit. Within a couple of days, she learned the basic commands. I used to babysit in my home, never had a problem with her and the kids. One of the kids (and Dh and I do it occassionally) use her as a pillow and she just lays there. She does bark, but usually stops when told (unless someone's behind the house or at the door). She doesn't shed much.
Owning a pit bull comes with a territory. You have to defend him/her to alot of people. You have to worry about where pit bulls are banned at. Like Kat said, any dog can be a hit or miss. Pit Bulls are right for some people, but not for everybody.

You just described my pit bull, except for the size part. Some people consider her a medium dog, some consider her a large dog. We got her when she was 10 months and she didn't even know how to sit. Within a couple of days, she learned the basic commands. I used to babysit in my home, never had a problem with her and the kids. One of the kids (and Dh and I do it occassionally) use her as a pillow and she just lays there. She does bark, but usually stops when told (unless someone's behind the house or at the door). She doesn't shed much.
Owning a pit bull comes with a territory. You have to defend him/her to alot of people. You have to worry about where pit bulls are banned at. Like Kat said, any dog can be a hit or miss. Pit Bulls are right for some people, but not for everybody.

I was thinking the same thing a pit bull sounds like a good choice. They rarely shed, are easy to teach, and are one of the sweetest most gentle dogs there is. My dog would rather sit with her head on my lap then running around house like crazy. Plus something as small as a daily walk(or 2) is ok for them a lot of the time.

I dont think there is a perfect breed for you. With any and all dogs, its a hit or miss.
Why not look into getting a puppy from Humane Society?

:yes I agree!

I agree that getting a dog from a humane society or rescue group is a great choice! They often have mixed dogs (in my experience they are smarter than purebreds...no offense meant!) but are very loving and you will be able to find many choices and find one that's good with children.

I used to raise pitt bulls (and love them), but I read they are banned in Germany. I also love boxers, but my husband is wanting a small dog. Sigh. I personally love the big ones. I am just going to have to convince him different. I know I need to do more research about having dogs abroad. I was just curious as to what kinds are good for if and when we do get one. As for the advice on teaching my child to be good with the dog, I think that is important. I just didn't want to get a dog that is known for "nipping" if you will. Thanks guys.

Depends on which state in germany. Each state has a different list. A LOT of dogs are illegal in Germany.

Make sure you also consider PCSing with an animal. I know you are due to go to germany soon, and I'm not sure what the housing regs are there, but here we cannot live on base with a dog, only cats.

Well Germans do not really like to sell pets to military folks. They think that once they are ready to leave- they just let them go stray- and it's true. There are sooo many strays around here.

If you want a dog, don't be buying it from a German seller unless you want to pay ALOT. Also- apparently they don't sell pets in a pet store, you need to go through a german newspaper and find the classifieds- which is quite difficult when it's all in german.

So if you come to Germany without your pet- you have 2 choices. Local military newspaper- or the pound. And the pound around here has about 4 dogs in there a month.

Well Germans do not really like to sell pets to military folks. They think that once they are ready to leave- they just let them go stray- and it's true. There are sooo many strays around here.

If you want a dog, don't be buying it from a German seller unless you want to pay ALOT. Also- apparently they don't sell pets in a pet store, you need to go through a german newspaper and find the classifieds- which is quite difficult when it's all in german.

So if you come to Germany without your pet- you have 2 choices. Local military newspaper- or the pound. And the pound around here has about 4 dogs in there a month.

I 100% agree with this. 99% of germans will NOT sell to americans for the reasons she listed. You could also get on a wait list with your local american vet clinic. And be prepared to pay a chunk to bring this animal home. We ended up paying 700 american to ship our cats home and pay customs fees.

If you want medium size, low-shed, trainable, look into portugese water dogs. I'd take one over a labradoodle or goldedoodle any day of the week, much more stabilized gene pool. Boxermom is totally right about whippets. I'd also personally own a flat coated retreiver over a golden.

Schips are awesome little working dogs, but getting one thats good with kids is a long shot, Sezzy I think you just got lucky. :) A co-worker of mine that does agility with hers will tell you honestly they aren't for everyone.

Goldens have an enormous gene pool due to popularity, you can get nice, nasty, calm, hyper, brilliant, dumb, rambunctious, trainable..... your most popular breeds have a lot of garbage in the gene pool, sadly. I just trained a female from top english showlines that is so food aggressive she put a hole in her owners shoe because he walked near her when she was eating. You ladies would be shocked at the temper I've seen in dogs that arent supposed to have them. Worst puncture wound I ever took was from a chocolate lab! :wow But, I've also trained some very sweet, gentle, calm easy as pie goldens. You would have to really do your homework.


Did you see the thread I made a while back? http://forum.militarysos.com/showthread.php?t=67787