Cockapoo Bichon

[marjo362]

Me again! LOL

This is the other breed that we are looking at. She is 11 months old. Apparently house trained, kennel trained, great with kids, spayed, etc. I am looking for feedback on this type of breed. We are first time dog owners. We do have a fenced yard, but are also not home at all during the day for approx 3 days a week. We have a 3 year old girl, who is likely going to be our only child, so we are looking for a buddy for her, a dog that she can take under her wing and truely call her own. One that will love her to pieces and also protect her. One that will even sleep at the foot of her bed. We have nothing but love to give a dog.

Is this a good breed for children/families?

I appreciate all input! Thanks so much!

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by marjo362

Is this a good breed for children/families?

Like Lavenderott replied in your other thread , this is also , not a breed. It's a mutt with a designer name. So there's no way to predict how they will be. I also think small dogs are not the best with children.

[marjo362]

Why are small dogs not good with small children? I thought that would be the best kind of dog....what do you recommend?

[Frenchy]

Small dogs are sometimes hard to handle. They can get defensive. Let's say a kid picks them up the wrong way , or too often , the small dog can snarl or bite to get the kid to buzz off. Not all of them of course. Oppose to a big dog , kids can't pick them up , big dogs will often be more tolerate , they will walk away if they're tired of the kid.

Have you looked at www.petfinder.com ? You have rescue dogs up for adoption , many of them are in foster homes so they will know if those dogs are good with kids , rescues / humane societies etc .. know their dogs temperament and in which families to place them.

In my opinion , there are the typical "good with kids" breeds like Goldens ,Labradors etc ... but , by looking at petfinder , you can go case by case

[marjo362]

Thank you! We live in a mobile home, so hence the thought of a small-medium sized dog.
I will check out that website. Thank you!

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by marjo362

Thank you! We live in a mobile home, so hence the thought of a small-medium sized dog.
I will check out that website. Thank you!

Some bigger dogs don't take that much space ... always depend on the breed and temperament of the dog. (great danes are great condo/appartement dogs ! ) you also have to look at the exercise the dog will need. How much time you have to walk and play with the dog.

like I said , dealing with rescues and spcas , they will be able to tell you , which dogs would fit your family/lifestyle and which dogs won't.

good luck with your search and keep us posted !

[BenMax]

The best course of action is exactly what Frenchy has suggested. Rescue groups have dogs within home environments and they can provide you a wealth of information on the dog, habits, and temperment.

Shelters also have some history from owner surrenders which they will provide you with.

When you do decide to adopt, bring your whole family so that everyone may observe the interaction.

Best of luck.

[cassiek]

I have heard that medium sized dogs are best for small children (i.e. boxer, cocker spaniel, border collie etc.). A very small dog (i.e. chihuaha) could be hurt unintentionally by a very young child who does not understand the safest way to pick up a small dog. On the other hand a huge dog (i.e. Great Pyrenees) could easily knock a small child over unintentionally.

I would look into some bully breeds myself. They are often wonderful with children and adore them. You may be best with one in the 40-60 lb range. My boxer is 45 lbs and its a nice, smaller size. She absolutely loves small children, and it's amazing how she realizes they are small and is careful around them.

Keep in mind that a bigger dog is going to eat more and although may not require alot of exercise (i.e. Great Dane) is also going to require the physical SPACE in a home as well as a very large crate. I think a mid sized dog is usually a good bet for a home with children. But again, every dog is different so its best to go on a case by case basis.

Being that you have a mobile home, that would also tend me to go towards a more medium sized dog. Remember, energy level is everything too. A lab, while not a HUGE dog, would likely feel big in a small space and will require a lot of exercise to take care of all that energy

[LavenderRott]

You might consider looking into rescuing a racing greyhound. They are generally good with children and very mellow dogs - requiring much less daily exercise then one might think.

[mummummum]

I'll just chime in here to second LavenderRott's suggestion about Greys. We have a retired Grey in our neighbourhood and she is the most mellow, gentle creature. She enjoys a nice walk with doggy-socialization but, truthfully is happiest hanging out at home.

[marjo362]

Thanks everyone! We have decided to go with the Cockapoo/Bischon cross and we pick him up tomorrow! Thanks!!

[Luvmypitgirls]

Originally Posted by marjo362

Thanks everyone! We have decided to go with the Cockapoo/Bischon cross and we pick him up tomorrow! Thanks!!

I'm not sure how old your children are, but here's my suggestion, sit down with you kids and talk to them about the correct way to handle a dog, it's been my experience that small children and small dogs do not mix.
I had a ShihTzu, that came from a home with small children, the children had no clue how to treat the dog, to them it was a play thing. Oreo, became extremely vicious, because he was forced to defend himself against the little kids. To them he was a cute furry plaything, they had no respect for the fact that he was infact a living creature. They chased him, would pull him around by his tail, his legs. They would spin him in circles on the hardwood floors, they thought they were playing, infact they were terrorizing.
We did our best to help him, but in the end it was decided that Oreo's aggression made him unadoptable and he was PTS.

My inlaws have a Cockapoo Bichon, he doesn't and never has liked little children, because they are hyper and noisy and always poking and prodding him, pulling his ears and tail. He bit a small child once for pulling on his ear so hard that it hurt.

So what I'm trying to say I guess is, regardless of what breed you decide upon, please train your kids in the way of proper pet care and treatment, if they respect their pet, their pet will respect them.

[binkybuff]

If you live in a mobile home park, you best find out what size of dogs they allow. Where I am the limit is 14 to 20 inches tall. Also do they charge a deposit if you are renting.

Make sure the ducks are all in a row, before deciding on the dog.

When my children were small, we had a husky X, never had to experience if the dog was protective or not, however, he was a good tollerant dog. the children would dress him up and take pictures.

Also, don't know if anyone mentioned it, get the dog when you are home, as when away often for work, will it have separation anxiety, etc.,

Take care, good luck on your choice.
binky

[14+kitties]

Just wanted to add my . I have a toy poodle who is very gentle and loving..... with every single person but children. She can't stand kids. Will do anything she can to nip them (in her younger days) and to keep them away from me. She is very protective of her adult, even at almost 16.
I see poodle is one of the breeds in your mix. Please make sure to educate your daughter properly. If a dog bites it is in all probability something that has been done to her to hurt her. Intentionally or not. Train your daughter to be very gentle with your new addition from the very start. The picture post card ideal of a little girl with her little dog doesn't always work out that way.
I hope things work out well for you and mostly for this pup who is already on her second home before she is a year old.

[Luvmypitgirls]

Just curious is this pup from a rescue/shelter, or from a backyard breeder?

[cassiek]

LMPG, I was wondering the same thing... I have a hunch but who knows. I'd also be curious to see what the OP answers.

[marjo362]

He has been perfectly fine with our daughter. They get along extremely well. He is a great dog and we are very happy that we selected him. I am glad that I did not read the rest of these replies before we picked him up because we may not have. He needed a good home with people that love him and play with him. We got him from a family that simply did not have the time for him. They had him since he was a baby, but live in a bedroom community and commute a half hour each way every day for work. They lived in a new house in an undeveloped area of town, thus they had no back yard, no grass, no fence, no nothing. His only outside time was on a 5x10 deck. His only play time was the owner throwing a ball a few feet in the house about 6 times a day. He is 11 months old. We brought him home Saturday afternoon and today are all at work. He is home alone. He was home alone for 5 hours yesterday and was perfectly fine. My daughter is not an idiot, she knows how to treat dogs. To hear that people let their kids do those things to dogs makes me sick, it's no wonder they become vicious!! He hasnt even barked yet, all he wants to do is play and lick! We are very happy!

[marjo362]

Patches on Sunday

[LavenderRott]

Originally Posted by marjo362

My daughter is not an idiot, she knows how to treat dogs. To hear that people let their kids do those things to dogs makes me sick, it's no wonder they become vicious!! He hasnt even barked yet, all he wants to do is play and lick! We are very happy!

I certainly didn't see anyone say or insinuate that your 3 year old is an idiot! Even the smartest child doesn't know how to treat a pet unless they have been taught to. Toddlers aren't automatically gentle with little fluffy things.

[marjo362]

No, no, I wasnt saying that anyone said that, was just making the point that I think it depends on what the kids are taught or told when they first get a pet. If she did any of the things some of those other kids have done, she would be in a time out till she was 16!! LOL She is very gentle with him, just doesnt like all the kisses! Sorry if what I said was taken the way it wasn't meant to be.