[katie30]

when you have young children would you risk getting a dog from a rescue centre, not knowing their temperment, or their history. or would you rather buy a pup who can grow up being used to their surroundings and children. do you agree that a bad dog comes from bad owners? i am not against rescue dogs, i sponsor a dog through dogs trust, but my kids are my priority and i would not bring a strange dog into the home. thats why i have had my dog from a pup. just wondered what your thoughts were.like i said i do already have a dog, a 3 year old lab.we bought him when he was a pup because we had a baby, i wanted a breed that was trustworthy and one that would grow up with children. he is fantastic with the kids. my hubby would love another dog, he does want to rescue a dog but i have had another baby since and i'm very wary.

[jaynee_j]

i used to be a dog warden puppy go first, go to a home and explain your situation they will have pups as well as older and well tempermental dogs for you to chose from all needing a good home

[Mandy P]

I would never buy an animal from a pet store, but I would get one from a shelter or rescue group.I do believe that bad dogs come from bad owners. I also would not adopt a shelter dog unless it was a young puppy, only because I would be concerned about its history. But if I didn't have kids to worry about, then yeah, I would consider adopting an older dog.

[MadameMimm]

Before we got our dog, we fostered many different kinds; bassett hounds, collies, standard poodles. They went through indepth doggie "evaluations" before coming into my home because I had two little girls. When I had them, I noted how they interracted with not only my girls, but our cats too. So, you might consider adopting from a foster shelter near you. The foster homes always adopt a dog out to a compatible family, and there are foster organizations for almost every breed of dog I know of! I would never buy a pup, but adopt one. The fraction of adopted dogs to euthanized dogs is staggering! Puppies are pretty resilient and can revamp bad behavior when placed in a loving home. And it of course depends on how the dog is treated in how it behaves. Good Luck!*By the way, in my experience, although very cool & highly intellectual dogs, Standard Poodles don't do well around small children.

[undertowrottie]

I have worked at a shelter these dogs/pups that are there have been tested to see how they will be with children, if they are food aggressive if they don't past these test than they get euthanize. If you are interested in a dog at a shelter bring your children in with you to meet the dog see how the dog reacts with the children before you even bring it home.. I agree that bad dogs come from bad owners.

[floridagirl]

My mom got her dog when it was a puppy and it bit one of us in the face. I would go to your local shelter and they usually have notes posted on the cages if it isn't kid-friendly or pet-friendly. The up-side of getting a rescue dog is they are mostly already house-trained and obedient trained. They also let you take the dog into a fence outside and play with the dog in the fence. You should go in the fence first and see how the dog reacts to you. You can have the children stand outside of the fence and see if the dog is interested in them or if he shys away. If he is trying to play with them through the fence, I would let them in and keep an eye out.

[Kitty Pie ozozoz]

Well, my apinion is rescue!!! But you want to learn about the dogs past and personalities!!!!

[Ronni F]

I was pitbull rescue in our county in Fla. for 6 years and my advice is that you only bring an older dog into your home with your children if it has been temperament tested and it is from a reputable rescue group.....not knowing your kids ages is another concern,do they understand the proper way to pet and that pulling tails or ears is NOT funny or acceptable ? if you decide on a pup do you have time to housebreak and take it to obedience class?please think about all these things and then find a rescue group and enjoy your new family member!!!! please find your new pet at a rescue or shelter !!!! these dogs NEED YOU!!!!!

[BEATMASTER P]

rescue dogs have bad habits which are very hard to break. i have a GSD and she bites everyone except my ex-wife and me. get a pup, but only from a reputable breeder with AKC papers.

[malibubeach]

why not rescue a puppy? There are PLENTY of puppies to rescue. I totally understand you not wanting to rescue an adult dog, but why not get a rescue puppy?