[loginereQQ]

Hi!

Hahaha, At first, I thought you wanted to teach your dog kendo!

Well, you first need to keep in mind you have very small children who may pull a dog's tail or ears, hit them, push them away, or, cry or scream if they come close, etc. especially if the dog is too big. My 5 yr old niece doesn't like big dogs and will get mad at my dog or my parent's big dogs if they come to her. She's even tried to hit mine and I've had to teach her that's not nice. Do that to the wrong dog, and she'd get bit.

Kids aren't born knowing how to deal with pets big or small. So, you'll have to teach them how to act around a dog. Dogs are definately not like cats! I grew up with cats as well as dogs. I just love them!

So, if I was you, I'd go for a small dog until your kids get older. With a big dog, you'll have to worry more about them possibly hurting the kids by biting or knocking them down. And, larger breed dogs as puppies tend to nip very hard! They do this in play as puppies and then as adults if you allow it.

With a smaller dog, it's easier to keep control of any situation with the dog.

Puppies are loads of work especially if you get them too young. A good breeder will not sell you one until it is at least 12 weeks old.

Anyway, be careful what breed you get. Chows are not good with kids. I know that because my Aunt had one a long time ago. Airdales, while they don't shed, have loads of energy. A friend of mine's(whom I've known since Jr. High) parents breed champion Airdales and holy cow, I never met a more lively type of large dog! They're lovely dogs for adults and older kids.

Poodles are awesome-if they are the miniature size.(They are bigger than the tiny toy.) They are good with kids if you get them as puppies and raise them together. Otherwise, they can be nippy as adults if they've never been near kids. I personally just adore poodles! I really miss mine...

Pugs are really slobbery. No joke. I've got neighbors with two pugs. They slobber everywhere! They're cute, though. I don't know how they are with kids. I do know they can get health issues from talking to my neighbors.

My recommendation is a poodle. They are cute, cuddly, and don't shed.

Get a female dog. Males spray everything from the flowers to the car wheels even when fixed to mark territory. You can't train them out of it, either.

Oh. Having a dog means being responsible and not letting them run loose in the neighborhood or unleashed in your front yard. You are liable if the dog bites someone or another dog who walks by and the dog goes off the front lawn.

It also means obeying the leash laws in your or any park and neighborhood in your city/town. I HATE dog owners who let their dogs run loose in the park and neighborhood. My dog already got into it with an unleashed dog last year. The stupid owner didn't even come over or call his dog. I was so mad I ended up telling him off. I had MINE on a leash and was just walking and
minding my own business! My dog is big, but she's a sissy. She's afraid of other dogs. And, she didn't really know what to do but try to get away. And, what if I got bit?? I cannot tell if a dog is loose or not until it is too late thanks to my vision. It can be scary seeing a dog and not being able to tell.

And another time last year, she and I took a new route down a street I normally don't go on, and this pug came zipping out of the front yard of the house we were walking by, and this pug started biting
my dog's legs and barking at the same time and my poor dog just went in circles trying to escape that little monster and then tried to hide behind me. The lady didn't call off their dog until the husband came out to get the dog. At least he apologised. I suggested to both, to put the dog on a leash next time after I thanked him. To this day, my german shepard/lab mix is afraid of small dogs as a result. She liked them before.

So, you need to make sure to be careful with your dog.

I personally would never take my dog to a dog park. You never know what diseases they could have and, if there are agressive dogs there.

I have a small house and
yard too. But my dog is very happy because I walk her and toss balls for her in the yard and in the Spring through early Fall, I can let her run in the enclosed tennis court in the park. And, I love her a lot and let her sleep on my bed.

A happy dog is a dog that is allowed inside and does not have to live outside or in the garage alone during the day or night. And, small dogs can NOT be outside dogs, period. Plan on treating it like a family member. If you want it to sleep in the garage or outside and always be outside during the day and/or night, a dog is not for you.

Anyway, I hope you will be happy with whatever dog you choose!

Kaoru