I guess a few good questions for these people would be:
a) Have either of them had a dog before? (ie. can they anticipate the amount of work involved)
b) Who will be principal caretaker/trainer?
c) Are they bothered by the prospect of a lot of dog hair about? What coat type do they prefer?
d) Why do they want a dog? ie. Primarily as a pet?
e) Do they have the space for a large dog?
Etc. etc.
This household has a young baby, a petite mother, and a physically challenged father. Getting a dog will be a lot of work that both parties should agree they can handle.

I agree that in any one breed you can find the temperament or personality in a dog that you are looking for. Employing a knowledgable breeder to help temperament test/select a dog for their household is a good idea.

My preference would be for them to have a breed that is rated as being VERY obedient as both the father and mother might have difficulties handling a larger breed dog where obedience/compliance to commands is not automatic and/or would require a type of correction or constant vigilance that they may not be able to apply. Eg. My mother had MS. She could not physically position the dog into any command, nor reprimand it. By the time my dog was 6 months old she could give him a command and he would do it right away. My breed was listed "Very High/Excellent" in obedience. By definition here I mean obedience as "instant compliance with the owner's wishes/demands, with minimal force, no challenging of authority". That is what I was looking for.

I would actually recommend a standard poodle as they meet all of the above requirements, and unlike some working or retrieving breeds are very calm and relaxed house dogs. Coat care is not for the faint of heart though. Either be prepared to shell out big $$$ or learn to do it yourself (which I did). It may be too much work for them.

It is already May and many puppies are spoken for by now. I would also recommend they spend the next few months researching breeds, defining what they really want in a dog and asking themselves some pertinent questions. Then they could get a pup next spring.

Raising children and working dogs is, by no means, impossible. I have been doing it for 3 1/2 years. I have two toddlers and have had many different GSDs in and out of our home and kennel. Never once did I have a problem. The working line dogs make the best pets in my opinion, if you can direct and control the higher levels of energy and activity. (even though, most of my dogs have been very calm in our home) Strong nerve, stability, hardness, and willingness are also the best qualities in a family pet. Where are you going to find those qualities most?

Working line dogs.

In this case with a little work and some help from an experienced dog person I am sure that it can work out. Also find the right dog, like Todd said. No big deal. If the person has diminished capacities then there are tools that can be used to make up for that. Can you say e-collar?

VanCamp, In a nutshell what I stated was that they should ask themselves some fundamental questions before getting a dog or deciding on a breed. Sure working dogs have great nerves, etc. and make very good pets. BUT their high energy high drive might not be a good idea for this household. It would be easier for them both not to get a dog that would require a "zap" in order to obey. Yes, there are tools that can help with the job, but if they get an easy going, intelligent and willing to please dog they would find the training to be much easier. The transition to happy and obedient family pet would be a smoother ride. That's what I meant.

Sometimes the best advice you can give someone is to tell them NOT to get your breed of dog. It's called being honest about your breeds drawbacks.

For a very experienced dog person I agree with VanCamp. Not so experienced dog person, Caniche is on the money.

Part of being honest also means admiting that in every breed there is a lesser drive lower dominance pup that will fit the family. If even the inexperienced is willing to do their homework and not buy the first cuddly little bear they see, they can and will find a perfect rottie for their situation. Heck I have 3 of them as students right now. They are out there.

This is a very big issue and it's also more of personal preference. I wouldn't do it, but then again I don't want children so it's not an issue.

From what I've seen and learned from Van Camp and Todd is that they've grown up in this. They had family that was very much into this before they were born. They probably see and know of ways to work around this. Many people in here have dealt with this or deal with it now.

If I had to give an answer the biggest point for someone in your friends situation, is they should first get all of the PROPER EQUIPMENT. They should build and set up a good KENNEL where they can control the environment of this at ALL times.

They should never leave their dog, regardless of protection breed alone with their child in the future OR with anyone but when they're around. This is what I've learned since I've been here.

Some will do this in the world whether they should or not, but if they're going to do it, I would recommend they do it 100%. They should get the right equipment and proper kennel. That is my opinion if I had to say. It's better to be safe then sorry. There may be a book about how to do this, and Ed may have written an article about it before. I don't know.

Statistically on a good note, most people that have problems with this are usually just people that get a dog like this and treat it like Beagle. So you can probably do this, if it's done correctly.

Todd also makes an excellent point as well.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I like it when I get noticed

Petite woman; challenged man and an infant.. the last thing they need is a dog at this stage of the baby's life. I know of people who have done this and it has worked. I also know of the opposite be they "experienced" owners or not.

The fact is; the majority of dog bites occur with young children. Recently there was a newspaper article stating a "trusty..good dog..Rottie" mauled and killed a toddler age child.

Many of us are "experienced" dog owners who have at one point in time rendered advice and assistance to those "first timers". For those I say..if you want a family dog..wait till the youngest is four; then evaluate your lifestyle, prepare and proceed with adequate containment..then call me to adopt a dog.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Barbara:
For those I say..if you want a family dog..wait till the youngest is four; then evaluate your lifestyle, prepare and proceed with adequate containment..then call me to adopt a dog.

Or wait till your child is 8, and then call me to adopt one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />