Help please, I Don't want to loose our pup

We actually had our last GS while my son was an infant.  Well we had our dog then our son came along. I would never had gotten him if our son was in the picture ahead of time but he was a gift to my husband from his mother long before we had plans for children. My parents always feared getting a GS with kids and they warned me find a new home for our GS when I got pregnant and I did considered it but I'm glad my husband told them we wouldn't. You couldn't have asked for a better behaved dog.
 
He was the most polite and well behaved dog one could ever ask for. Our GS loved our son so much. He'd pick up a dropped bottle and "hand" it back to my son. He'd fetch a favorite toy if my son started crying for any reason to cheer him up.  I never left the 2 alone together but I'm sure if I had done it my son would have been as safe as possible. 
 
When our son was 3 our GS developed some health issues and was gone shortly there after. We miss him very much. We waited a long time before getting another dog and though we knew we'd never have the same kind of match again it was rather disappointing to have a Golden that turned out to be the complete opposite.
 
When I was my son's age we had a collie that I adored which could have given Lassie a lesson or 2 but I can't seem to "see" a collie being part of our family now. I'm not sure why exactly, it just doesn't seem to click. 
 
I've been thinking about a poodle. My grandmother used to have a house full of poodles which we loved as kids (4 kids being licked to death by 4 poodles).  They were loving and had energy when needed but they also loved to just sit and be cuddled by anyone anytime. We lived 300 miles away so I didn't seem them all that often unfortunately.  Any thoughts?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Do consider a steady older mix from a shelter who has been tested OK with children and cats - this would probably be the best match for you.  If you decide on a pedigree puppy, then I think you are thinking along the right lines in choosing a small companion dog.  My advice would be to definately steer clear of all the terriers - most have a high prey drive which I'm not certain you're in a position to deal with if it were to be directed on to your cats or son. 

 
I think every breeder, vet, dog fancier and the like have echoed the same recommendation over the years. A terrier will never be on my dog list as long as I have a child.  I love the breeds but I don't think I could live with one. 
 
 

All puppies go through adolescence.  Training will always be essential regardless the size of the dog.  I never heard of a dog that didn't grow, develop and change a bit.  Even your human child will do this!!   
 
Funny when you go to shelters, a lot of the dogs are adolescents.  And so sad.  I have friends with adoptees, and they are beautiful adults.  If only their owners did do a little more, or waited til they had time to deal with that period of growth and development.   
 
I wouldn't get another dog til I had time to devote to the creature.  Not fair to get one if you cant train it with your time and effort constraints.  There is not a fortune teller around to tell you "it will be great if you get such and such kind of dog"  You have to be willing and able! 
 
Waiting is not so bad and it can give you time to read some helpful books.  Just like we do before we have a baby. 

I know that you probably have a bad taste in your mouth about Golden's right now, but a good Golden is as wonderful as the stereotype suggests.  From your comment that your puppy may have had brain damage, I think you know that his behavior is not what you should get from a Golden.  Most Goldens like cats and follow kids around only to kiss them or get some food.  A rescue Golden may be just the thing.

Carolyn

I'm no poodle expert but I do know that they were originally bred as retrievers to bring game from water.  I don't know how much or how little impact breeding has had since then to affect the drives necessary for that kind of work.  Others will be able to help more on that score.  I do know that they are highly intelligent and trainable.  The smaller versions of the poodle (miniature and toy) have been used a lot over here as hearing dogs because they are so bright, intelligent, easy to train and people orientated.

Poodles need regular grooming.  The hair doesn't shed, it keeps growing.  So regular brushing is necessary and regular trips to he groomers to be clipped (I think it's every 8 weeks or so).  If you don't like the frou frou look you can just get the teddy cut where only the feet and face are shaved and the rest of the coat clipped to a uniform length all over.  Some poodle lovers might want to jump in here and correct me or add more to it!

ORIGINAL: dogslife

All puppies go through adolescence.  Training will always be essential regardless the size of the dog. 

Hmmm, yes but not all dogs are the handful that Catka's Golden Retriever was. Dogs have very different personalities, levels of dominance, prey drive, energy levels, etc. which makes living with them a VERY different experience. []

Catka, I think one of the most important things in choosing your next dog will be to go through a reputable breeder, where you can meet the puppies in person. Ideally the puppies will be temperament tested or the breeder will know the puppies' personalities very well. I'd be sure to choose one with a low prey drive (for your kitty's sake) with a submissive temperament. A submissive puppy is going to be easier to deal with and won't be constantly trying to dominate your son. Definitely DON'T choose the first puppy to come running over; the one that jumps at your face is not necessarily the friendliest, more likely the most dominant. Don't choose one that's cowering in the corner either. But an in between puppy that has a slight reserve, gives gentle licks and soft eye contact will likely be very good for you. []

Something else to consider is that with German Shepherds there's a huge range in their personalities from extremely prey driven to very gentle and maternal with animals like babies and kittens. The lines the dog comes from (German working lines are very "hard" and prey driven) and the individual dog are the most important thing to consider.

Golden Retrievers and Labs are usually great family dogs. But they're so popular that they've been bred indiscriminately and I've met a lot of them that are very passive aggressive, pushy, etc. not the way they're supposed to be. A well bred Golden or Lab still might be a good choice for you.

I'd recommend avoiding a Lhasa Apso. They have very strong temperaments, are frequently dominant and strong willed. A similar breed that could be a great choice for you is the Shih Tzu. I can give you more info on them if you're interested.

Poodles are a wonderful, versatile breed. I do know that Standard Poodle puppies are very bouncy and energetic. They're also very smart and I think a little mischievious. I'm not sure they would be the best match for you, but it really depends on what you're looking for in a dog.

Anyway, didn't mean to write you a novel, but hopefully I was able to help.

I realize Loki wasn't a typical GR. I've had friends with wonderful GRs which is why we selected one in the first place. I never turn my back on a breed because of one bad experience. 
 
 In fact, as posted previously my teen years were with a Lasa who was a wonderful dog from puppy to adult. My mother owned his parents, a huge male Lasa and a petite female Lasa. All 3 were AKC registered, pure bred dogs but they were nothing a like.
 
Her male was nothing at all like mine. Her's was very agressive and territorial. I have to many scars to count from encounters  him.  The dog loved her and hated EVERYONE else. There were 4 of us kids and he would bite everyone of us if we even got close to my mother.  The female was as sweet as can be until she was in a bad mood then she was a vicious as a badger.  My dog would never so much as growl and was friendly with everyone and every other pet we had.
 
3 dogs, all raised in the same household, all the same breed, yet 3 different personalities. 
 
After he passed away from old age I got a Shih Tzu which was also very sweet. His sister on the other hand was a terror from what I'm told.  I don't know who adopted her but the breeder told me the girl was the sassiest she had ever raised.  My sweet Shih Tzu hated my boyfriend (husband now). I swear those 2 used to fight over the seat next to me.[]
 
Grooming is no problem, I love brushing my dogs until they glow. []  I want a nice calm cuddler who loves to play. I telecommute so I'm home most of the time working but I take plenty of breaks for training/play/brushing/exercise.  I don't really want an agressive or protective dog nor do I want a hyper or yappy dog. My dad had a minature pincher that was as cute as a button but was not a dog for me. He was a tiny bundle of energy that was so hyper he made me nervous. He couldn't hold still for even a second.  Even when he was sitting he was twitching around.  Very unsettling.

cat-killing is a very tough behavior to fix, and is often best cured by re-homing one of the critters.
 
To lurkers, though, it is NOT aggression, and dogs who kill cats are no more likely to harm children than are dogs who love cats.

I want a nice calm cuddler who loves to play.

Immediately I thought "greyhound" and then remembered.... "cats"  Oh well. 

I know a lady who has three greyhounds (she converted me[]), all rescues and she introduced them to her cats just fine, but she was a pro at it....

I've thought about a greyhound rescue before but I wouldn't want to bring a retired fellow into our active household. Perhaps when my son heads off to college and my husband and I retire ourselves. 
 
 

They would still be young at active at time of retiring..... thing is they run when you want to run, play when you want to play and are happy to snuggle and snooze most of the rest of the time.  They are quite laid back and adaptable, only thing is the cat-thing.... 

I think the cat would bring out the "chase" in a grayhound.
 
I'm currently leaning towards a poodle but I need to find some *good* poodle breeders to answer a few questions. I've found conflicting information with my research so far and I want to get the facts from someone who really knows the breed well.  Locally I've only found the "puppy mill" type breeders thus far.
 
 

I think you're right.... The lady I knew was a retired lady with endless time and patience to acclimitise the dogs to the cats gradually and provide the supervision, management and husbandry they needed to be set up for success.  Quiet lifestyle, no kids running around.... and she was very experienced at it too.

Good for you in doing the research and looking for a good breeder..... I hope it turns out well for you.

My inclination is to suggest that a family with a six year old does NOT need a puppy.  The best solution is often to find a dog from a reputable rescue group or shelter (one with a solid behavioral evaluation program) that is going to be tolerant of small children and other household pets.  Also, you need a dog with a lower energy level than a sporting or hunting breed, IMO.  Talk to a local positive reinforcement trainer about helping you choose the right dog, so that you aren't forced to dump another.  I think most people are clueless that many of the Goldens and Labs out there today are EXTREMELY mouthy as puppies.  Only by going to a truly reputable breeder who makes a temperament guarantee for life can you get the mellow pups that used to be a hallmark of both breeds.  And, next time, whether you get a pup or an adult dog, please go to class and learn how to train the dog.  This pup should not have been given freedom in the home without first learning basic commands and manners.  I have a high drive Aussie who does not chase my Yorkie.  Why? Because she learned "leave it" when she was 11 weeks old!!!
Find your next trainer at one of these sites:
www.clickertraining.com
www.peaceablepaws.com
www.ccpdt.com

It sounds like the OP is just doing some research into a breed they like at this stage.....  And good breeders are a good place to go for this info.  To the OP, most breeds have a breed rescue - they will also be able to offer you advice and information on the breed as well as its suitablilty for your home before you make up your mind.  And if you do decide on a poodle, consider a rescued adult.  Lots of dogs are surrendered to shelters or returned to their breeders through no fault of their own, are past the pesky puppy/adolescent stages and already have some basic training.

OTOH, I can appreciate why familes with young children hesitate to rescue.  Some have little or no history and not all owners are honest about their reasons for sureendering the dog.  There are pros and cons to both puppies and rescues I think.  Ultimately you have to go with what you feel comfortable with.