Finding the Right Pet for Our Family

A lab-ra-doodle is hypoallergenic. I do not know how to spell the dogs breed, but it is 1/2 lab 1/2 full size poodle and they are so cute. Also a yorkie is a non-shed dog, if they are part of the allergy family I do not know.

The only thing with the Lab/poodle is that the dog will be active for a while. But in the end it is so worth it.

Yorkies are great too because they are small, but you have to be willing to spend a hefty amount on them. We have both, @ they are great dogs!

I am not sure about breeds with regards to allergies, but I recommend looking at some rescue groups. Often you know the dogs personality and issues ahead of time and can try them out. Also, most of them are spayed/neutered have shots etc. If the dog is more than 2 years old you also skip the house training and chewing stage of it all. I still recommend going to obedience training with it though (Desert Dog in the park is a great program). We love border collies at our house but they are smart, high energy breed with a lot of hair. I would first make a list of non-allergy possibilities, then from that list find one that is good with kids... not all dogs handle the crazyness of little boys very well... especially the smaller breeds- they tend to nip and try and fight for position.. the bischon frizze is an exception to that. After you have the breed you want- you may check craig's list etc. for people who are moving or other things that need to find a good home for their dog.
Good luck.

I'm no expert on the allergy thing, but I would recommend checking out Craig's List-
we found our puppy there last year. She is 7/8 black lab and 1/8 plott hound... a real sweetheart. We only paid $75 and she looks like a purebred. She was my Christmas gift!
Of course, the whole family loves her and has become quite attached. She is now about 60 lbs. and gentle as can be.. almost a year old now!

Also, I have a small crate (barely used)... I bought it new and she was only in it for a couple of months. We crate trained her and it was the easiest way to potty train. You are welcome to have it for free if you'd like to drop by and pick it up- we live in south Gilbert.
Let me know!
Good luck!
Toni

First- DO NOT BUY A DOG FROM A STORE!!!!(most are sick & have head issues)
2nd- Read up/interent on the different breeds, yorkies are also on the list.
3rd-The smaller the dog you will have to make sure the kids are careful.
4th-Look at the shelter, pounds & rescues, not only are the dogs vaccinated, spayed/neutered already. With so many ppl giving up there dogs because they cannot afford them or there home you will find MANY dogs that area already housebroken....
5th- You are probably allergic to the dander. Have you been checked by a dr?

Ifyou need any help please let me know...Godd luck!

I am really allergic to dogs as well. My husband came from a family of big dogs (german sheps, labs, goldens, etc.) and I had no dogs growing up, but we have had a medium sized rat terrier (about 30-35 lbs) for over 3 yrs and I have had no problems at all!!! He is so smart, easy to train, and great with our kids, too. We love him and would get another one any day. We got him from a breeder so let me know if you are interested in the contact info.
J.

Hi, How fun that you are getting a new pet. We are new to it ourselves and love it. We didn't have the allergy situation but didn't want pet dander and shedding so like you I did my research to find the right breed. We ended up going with the Shih-Tzu. We have 2 now, 1 is a tiny female that seriously is a princess (and having 2 sons I always thought that people that had "princesses" created it themselves, now I know better :)) and our other is a boy, a little bigger and stockier and my son says it's the dog her always wanted. They can roll around on the floor and he is just pure love! And it's great that you are ok with being the caretaker because my boys are 12 and 17 and I am still the one taking care of the pets! Happy Christamas for you.

Bichon Frise's are also good for people with allergies. It seems these days, breeders are breeding everything with a poodle. These types of dogs are also good with allergies. Cocker spaniels tend to be very hyper and aren't always best with kids. Although your kids are a little older, it may not be an issue. Another responder mentioned checking into rescues. I think it's a great idea! Maybe you could look for a poodle rescue- they often take dogs even if they're not pure bred.

Good luck!

We have 3 Lhasa Apso's - they are awesome with kids. I have two kids, 8 and 5 and our dogs are 15, 13 and 1 year old. We have had the dogs since they were puppies and brought children into their lives with no problems!

They don't shed - I have terrible allergies and my son has asthma and neither of us have any problems with the dogs. Infact, our puppy sleeps with my son!

Labs and Goldens are great family dogs, but I am not sure if you are allergic to them. I would stay away from pet stores in malls as those animals are way overpriced and usually from puppy mills. Try the paper or an animal shelter. There are also rescue places for certain breeds. I have a Golden and my son who is 1 loves him. He has always been so good around kids! Good luck!

We have a ShiTzu. She has been a great dog for our family. She lets my 3 kids drag her around all the time. We got her when my kids were 4,4, & 8 (6 yrs ago) and we have loved having her. She is just one of the family now. We like the ShiTzu because they are a great size. Small enough to be picked up but not so small that you have to worry about stepping on or hurting. Kaycee is about 14 lbs. and is on the small side for her breed. ShiTzus are a hypo-allergetic dog. They don't shed but do need groomed about every other month.
Just to note- I have heard that Cocker Spaniels are not good with kids. Kaycee will nip at the kids if she has had enough but usually warns them first by growling. I figure they deserve it after that. She has never really hurt them.

Anyway, just another option to keep in mind.
Good luck. C.

Cocker spaniels tend to be "nippy" sometimes - they're pretty high-strung and nervous.

Have you looked into "labradoodles" (cross between poodle and lab)? My in-laws have one, and he's a very high-energy dog, but very sweet. I think they say the 3rd generation labradoodles are the best - very obedient, very smart and very non-allergenic. But my in-laws adopted Luca because his family kept in locked in a crate in the garage all the time. So, they took him in - and he's a big, sweet LUG! I don't think he's 3rd generation, because he's sort of a doofus.

I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old and they've had Luca since my oldest was 3 - apart from being a little BIG, and maybe knocking the kids over, he's very sweet and wouldn't DREAM of ever hurting either of them. And your kids are a little older, so they probably would have a lot of fun playing and running together!

I dont know what kind of activity level you have or your kids but I would suggest a rescued greyhound. There are several places that do adoptions and they make great pets. They donthave very many health probems due to the fact that they arent as inbred as many purebred dogs. they are like giant couch potatoes. They willplay for about 15 min. each day and then sleep or rest for the remaining part of the day. There are some rules to follow with them though like they can never be let off the leash because they are sight hounds and if they see something small run they will chase it.Most are not good with cats or small dogs because the lures that they are trained with are similar in size to small animals. Try www.arizonaadoptagreyhound.org another good place to look for a rescued dog is CABRA they have just about every bred there is and are knowledgable about the breeds that they rescue. You can find them at www.cabra.org Good luck!

Golden Retriever hands down!! If you're not allergic they are THE best dogs for kids and families!