Need help picking Breed?

I have to pipe up here about the "You never hear about Labs biting in the news" comment.  I am here to tell you: it DOES Happen--MORE than with Pitties. Did you hear about the world's first face transplant in France?  The lady was mauled in the face...by a LAB.  That's right, American's favorite sweetheart breed can do plenty of damage as well.

I have been involved with bull breeds since 1982 and have never had so muchas a lip lifted at me by a bull breed.  Labs, OTOH?  PLENTY of times.  I volunteer at our local shelter, do obedience training and spend hundreds of hours a year doing breed PR with my Am Staff, Gyspy. I have worked with more dogs than the average person will ever see, let alone OWN and can tell you this:  all breeds can bite; unfortunately, we only hear about the "big, bad" breed of the moment.

All of this aside, you might look at the  STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER.  Do not confuse these with the American Staffordshire Terrier (my breed).  They are smaller and very, very sturdy.  In Great Britain, they are known as the "nanny dog" since they are sooo  good with kids! Am Staffs (my breed) are wonderful with kids, but they are not good for first-time owners.

As for the price of a dog (I know you said this wasn't an issue, but it may be in issue down the line), remember: in dogs, you DO get what you pay for.  If you plan to adopt a pound puppy, PLEASE check them out!  These can be your very best bargains in the pet world.  My cats are both rescues and I wouldn't trade them for the world. However, if you are buying from a breeder, make sure to go to a reputable one, not a so-called "back yard breeder". What is a BYB?  This is a person who advertises in the paper or on the net who will sell a puppy to ANYONE that has the cash with NO pre-screening whatsoever. A reputable breeder will make getting a puppy as difficult as adopting a human child! He/she will grill you unmercifully, until you feel very defensive about your home life, living habits, vacations, income, etc. Thsi si NOT because they are being nosy; they simply want to make sure that you have adequate resources of money and time for your new baby.  Also, they want to make certain that you won't be getting one of their babies that will end up an unruly, ill-mannered beast that is relegated to the back yard because you were unwilling to take the time to make sure your puppy turned into a productive and happy member of canine society.

Reputable breeders actually charge LESS than  pet stores.  For example, a well bred Boston Terrier in my neck of the woods will go for about $1000.00.  A pet store may well charge DOUBLE that and you will have a puppy from parents with little or no health/genetic testing, possible behavior problems as a result of little socializations and the possible heartache of euthanising a young dog because of some genetic defect (severe hip dysplasia, for example). OTOH, you may find a "bargain" puppy out of the newspapaer for $300.00 and discover that the same issues will pop up.

This is a great time of year to go to the local dog shows.  Talk with owners of breeds you are interested in.  However, DON'T ask them as they are about to go into the ring!  Wait until they are done and they will be happy to chat with you.  You can also see several specimens of the breed(s) you are interested in and ask about each breed.

Keep us posted!  We love new puppy pictures and INSIST that you post them! Good luck in your search and feel free to ask more questions.

I wish more people, in general, thought like you on that.
 
I also understand when someone wants a particular breed and they're willing to pay for it. But education always helps.
 

ORIGINAL: AlwaysPugged

pug pup should NEVER have outward turned budging eyes.. this is a genetic disorder causing mental retardation...

A little OT: I did NOT know that! I knew it was wrong for their eyes to be all googly and on the outside of the head.

That makes me so sad though b/c I see soooo many pugs and boston's like that.

Pugs, Frenchies and Boston Terriers are sturdy and definitely should be fine with kids. When people recommend against having a small dog with kids, it's more like Yorkies, Min Pins, Italian Greyhounds, etc. The ones that are more fine boned and fragile. And the Bulldog isn't even a small breed. They're short, but can be around 50 pounds.
 
So basically, all 4 of the breeds are your list should be just fine with kids. (And I happen to LOVE those breeds)! The things I would keep in mind are:
 
-The breeds above can NOT handle heat very well at all. They should not be exercised during the hottest part of the day, must be kept in air conditioning and have to be monitored for overheating on outings. They can easily have a heatstroke, which can be fatal.
 
-The Boston Terrier is probably the most active on your list and the Bulldog is generally the most inactive. I think Pugs and Frenchies are somwhere in between. I would be more concerned about the kids making the dog over exert itself than the dog getting enough exercise (with the breeds above).
 
-All of the breeds have easy care short coats.
 
-They're all very pricey (around $1,800-2,500 for a pet quality Frenchie or Bulldog) and I'm thinking about half that for the Pug and Boston Terrier.
 
-They're prone to LOTS of health problems compared to other breeds. You should be willing to potentially spend a ton of money for various problems. A good breeder should test for- (in Frenchies, because I know the most about them) hearts, elbows, eyes, spines, hips and patellas.
 
-They all have a stubborn streak, but a ton of personality!
 
I know that personally I searched for the "right" breed for almost 20 years (since I was 8 years old). I STILL can't choose one perfect breed and I'm soooo envious of people who can! lol I just like so many breeds that it's almost impossible to choose. Shih Tzu are definitely in my top 3 favorite breeds; the only thing I don't like about them is the grooming. I think the "right" breed is one that fits your lifestyle. I had a Cocker Spaniel before and he was just completely wrong for my couch potato lifestyle and my 1 bedroom apartment. As cute as he was, my patience started to wear thin and he wasn't happy either. After trying for over a year to fit a square peg in a round hole, I finally took him back to his breeder. He's in the perfect home for him now and everyone is much happier. So, I learned the hard way that the most important thing is to find a breed whose personality and energy level is compatible with your personality and lifestyle.