Can you help me decide? Bow wow.

[Laurajean1014]

I want to get a very young puppy for my DS (7). I have a 13 yo mutt (golden mix) who is a great dog, but ignores my son. So, I want to get him a dog of his own to be his best friend.

But what to get. I found a pure bred golden with most shots at 13 weeks old, very docile. I also found 4 lab mix puppies from a foster home, that I would have the pick from. These pups are 2 months old, with all shots and spayed.

Here's my rundown: Please help.

MUTT (Lab mix)

Give a needy dog a home
Cute??? (have not seen)
Choice of 4 pups
9 weeks old
$100 donation
All shots and spayed
labs are more active
More property damage

PURE BRED (golden)

Sure of a docile dog
Pretty
1 boy available
13 weeks old
$900
Most Shots
Not spayed or neutered
Goldens are less active
Less property damage
Which pup would you get for your terrific son?????

 

[MetalMasterC]

Ya know, it sounds just like when I picked out my dog. I have a pure bred Golden Retriever, and he is very wonderful to play with and is a great companion. But with Goldens, they shed all over the place if not kept up with. It also depends on how active your son is.

As for property damage, I wouldn't go by that. My dog was very bad in hid first year. He kept chewing the kitchen floor and other things (We had a linolium floor).

Personally, I would pick from the 4. They already had their shots, and, depending on your son, I don't think he'd care too much about cuteness. He just wants a loyal friend.

Good Luck, and keep us posted on what you pick.

 

[jamsmom]

I say go with the lab mix. But, it is because I always feel pure breds seem to find a home quicker than "mutts". No clue why I feel that way, just do.

Besides. you get a choice of 4.

 

[robinb]

I would look at a breed book and on the internet and decide what breed dog you really want. Once you know that you can find the right individual. Will a Lab or Lab Mix really work for you? Is an active dog really for you? Can you really walk a dog a couple times a day to wear him or her out? I have 2 freinds with lax mixes and both dogs will destroy the house if they are not walked regularly. What about a Golden? Can you deal with all the shedding?

I wouldn't jump at these particular dogs now unless they are exactly what you want. Dogs live a long time, even large breed dogs. My Japaense Akita will be 14 years old this summer. You don't want to make a mistake that you will live with for years. I also wouldn't be guilted into "saving a life" on a mixed breed, although many people do. I personally buy pure-bred animals so I can expect certain qualities and temperment.

 

[Serena]

To tell you the truth. I would have the dog that picks your son. From where ever you get one. Find a dog that for some unknown reason wants to be with your son.
See whatever dog you get, especially a second one, it may just become a friend to the other dog. Or to one of the other family members.

You could have all of your goldens' care being done by your son. Have your son feed, water, etc. Every thing the dog needs, he'll have to go to your son. It will help form a better attachment to him. Like sleeping in his room, whatever you can think of to make the dog rely on your son, will help the bond.

 

[Keli]

I personally would go with a golden. Goldens in general have a very mild personality which makes them a good pet for children. They also seem to have a very high tolerance for pain which is a good thing with kids because they endure being stepped on and fallen over etc with good grace and don't snap at the kid (or adult) that accidently hurt them.
I have to admit that I am not impartial in this though. We have an elderly golden that has been a wonderful dog for our family. If you guys only knew the things Ashli has put that dog through in the name of play and Shadow always accepted everything and came back for more. She has worn all manner of clothing and accessories (shoes, hats, hair bows etc), she has been put in strollers, buckled in car seats, worn capes, been used as a pillow, kissed, hugged, taught the stupidest tricks, and basically been a best friend for Ashli.

 

[Laurajean1014]

These have been great answers to my questions. ...... the verdict is still not in. So, if you have additional input, please post!!!! You are helping me decide....

 

[browneyes]

I'd have to see them to choose. When we got our Pom, I had a choice of him or a Spitz. He snuggled up to me and decided I was his, so I got him. Maybe introduce them to your son to see which one picks him?

 

[Laurajean1014]

We were not planning to show the dogs to my son. One is in NY and the other is about 2 hours from the first dog. We thought the ride and the decide, would kill my son. So, I was thinking of making the decision.

Everyone has a good point about Greg picking out his dog. We thought he would love any animal, but would the animal love him?

Keep the thoughts coming.... this is great stuff!

 

[Jomrog]

I think Serena was right about having the dog pick your son. I have heard stories on both sides of the pure-bred vs. mutt debate and I think it depends on the time you have to dedicate to training and such.

However, that being said, we are trying out the mutt side of the debate currently. Our last dog was a purebred lab and even at 4 years old was wild and extremely difficult to calm. Sadly, she learned how to escape every fence that we built for her and eventually got hit by a car and died (sorry about the sad story). I feel guilty to this day and that's why this time, with Kelsey, I am not taking any chances. So far, Kelsey (mutt) seems to have a calmer temperament than the pure-bred.

Good luck!

 

[tkd lisa]

I'd go with the lab mix. The comment on goldens having a high tolerance for pain/kids is also true of labs. The comment on goldents shedding is also very true. We had a lab and friends of ours had a golden. We dogsat over a holiday period, and the golden probably shed 3-4 times what the lab did, and since the hair was longer it was much harder to clean up.

Goldens are also somewhat sensitive to skin disorders. I do agree that they have a wonderful temperment, but our lab was just great with our kids. I miss him to this day, and he's been gone for nearly 4 years.

 

[tater bug]

Another vote for letting the dog pick your son. And just because the dog isn't a pure bred doesn't mean they can be any less wonderful or loyal.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Well, long story short.....

Our friends had an 'oops' litter with their lab. They offered us a puppy. Note, A PUPPY. Singular.

I went to see the puppies when they were about 12 hours old... came home and told my husband we were the proud owners of TWO PUPPIES. Out of the litter of eight, these two just screamed I AM YOURS. Yes, even at one day old.

We now have two 100 lb. one year old indoor male labs. They are walked two miles twice a day, are kennel trained, and were a breeze to house train. They are not purebred and we don't care!

Oh, and they were FREE. We couldn't ask for any better pets.

My advice.... go see the labs. If possible, take your son. There will be one that will pick you, as others have said.

Good luck!!

 

[Curly Q]

I would take your son to go see the 4 pups have him sit down near the pups not right next to and see which pup comes directly to him. Then touch the pups tail, paws, mouth and make sure the pup acts like he doesn't care your touching him and you've found your dog. If you decide you want the golden pup, do the same thing. Not all dogs and people get along!! Congratulations on deciding to get another dog!! I have a black lab mix. She LOVES most people and all dogs, but does not like kids. They frighten her! I have friends with a golden and a black lab golden mix (beautiful dog - long flowing black hair/ears/tail) and the golden is used as a play toy, ladder etc. and loves it. The black/golden mix will get away as fast as she can!

 

[Laurajean1014]

This is becoming a friendly debate! I love it.

I'm not afraid of the lab as a breed, just the mix part. Ginger, our current buddy with a tail, is mixed with shepard and I believe beagle ('cause she is only 47 lbs.). I am hesitant to terrier, chow or beagle 'cause of their aggression. But that can happen with any dog.

I'm getting a picture of the lab/mix pups. I can post once it arrives. I can pick up the dog on Tuesday if I want. The golden will be ready on Tuesday as well and I can view it this weekend. I was hesitating taking my son, 'cause he'll want all of them.

I was hoping to have my son come home and see the crate and present the dog to him.... how cool is that???

Still undecided.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I would go with the mix - give the needy dog a home.

Let you DS pick which one though.

We have "rescued" 5 dogs from homes that couldn't keep them and have never regretted any of them. Well maybe the terrier, cause they whine til they get their way. Sort of like my DH.

No we don't have 5 - 2 have gone to doggie heaven.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Okay! Went to see golden pup (nearest to home and owner available).

Two pups are available Pancho and Benji - Both males. The pups are beautiful, good coloring, hip, etc.

I met the grandmother and she is beautiful. Mother was very sweet, kind and lovable.

Very docile! On Animal Planet, they showed you how to see if a puppy is submissive and can be trained. You make a peace sign and position the dog on its back (either on the floor or in your arms). Put the peace sign between the pups collar and jaw bone (jugular area). Apply pressure. This will not hurt the pup, but if the pup tries to play bite or wiggle (he may have issues).

Well, Pancho and Benji were just laying there! I pretended to cut Pancho's nails and he just stayed there for me, not moving.. (yes, he was alive). Pancho liked to play with his brothers and sisters, tennis balls and leash.

My husband (the cynic) now just wants Pancho and not to see the mixes..... I am still undecided. I have pix's but they came out very dark - you will not be able to see clearly.

Trust me though, very fine pups both in appearance and temperment.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

If it were me i would go for the mix puppy,we have 2 dogs and we got them both when they were puppies and they were mixed breeds,we could not have any better pets than what we have.we have had a full blooded dog and it was a terror we give 450.00 dollars for her and had to give her away, she was unbelieveable.i also agree with letting the dog pick your son,that is how we done with both of ours.i will never pay that much money for a dog again,especially 900.00 dollars i just could not do it.your best dogs are mixed breeds in MHO.

 

[Lanshark]

We have a 12 year old golden we got when he was a year and a half old in a rescue situation. We also have a 2 year old we got as a puppy. Jake, the now 2 year old, absolutely loves my kids and follows them around like a shadow. I am very partial to goldens but as someone said make sure you have a good vacuum. They shed a lot but we have ours shaved down every 3 months or so during the warm weather. If possible, I agree with those who said let the puppy pick your son.

Here's Jake

Here's Max

 

[Cindyluwho]

Okay, I just gotta put in my two cents. I've had both labs and goldens and loved them both. The odd thing is our lab, who is now 5 years old, has never been the least bit hyper. We chose her from a batch of 14 puppies (2 moms), she was the most docile puppy in the pen. My sister in law has a lab as well, not from the same parents as ours, and it's just a big teddy bear, not the least bit wild. The golden we had when I was a kid was the same way, really loveable. I don't think you can go wrong either way, UNLESS the lab is crossed with an udesirable breed. I personally wouldn't want a lab mixed with pit bull or rotweiller or even some other breeds. What it's crossed with is VERY important.