small dogs

[wee-janine]

hi all
my son wants a puppy for his 8th birthday. I am looking for ideas for the best breed. We want something small so my son can take its lead when we go out. However my husband (6ft and 18 stone) will be walking it too so it can't be so it can't to sissy. We thought of a jack russell but heard they can snappy. Any suggestions would be greatfully received. One last thing I know a puppy will become a dog and they are not just for Christmas/birthdays it will be a member of the family thanks

[Snappy]

CKCS have a lot of health probs, you need to research your chosen breed thoroughly before getting it. Labs (which i breed) are the same, please go to a breeder with a good reputation and make sure all the health checks have been done, dont just go out and buy a lab from the paper. Chocolate labs are notorious for agression problems due to bad breeding! You should expect a good breeder to have a waiting list for puppies as they only breed to strengthen the lines

[meltoadhall]

we got a red setter for our girls aged 6,8 and 10 just after christmas and we now have a 9 month old wonderful boy, excellent with the girls and other animals, placid, soft as butter, he does need a firm hand when training but after that he is brilliant.

[LaLa1705]

Hi unless you're very experienced dog owners I wouldn't go for a puppy ... too many people are churning out puppies just for the money, you can't believe a word some of these so called breeders say.... and I have seen both ends of the spectrum of behaviour from most breeds in my work as a vet nurse for 26 years.Puppies need SO MUCH TIME to socialise them properly,it's a huge step to have a puppy. I've seen Jack Russels so sweet and cuddly and I've seen some downright evil ones but then it's the same in all breeds. The worst dog I've ever seen was.... a Golden Retriever! It wanted to kill people, an example of puppy farms for sure. So my advice to you would be to go to a rescue centre such as Dogs Trust,not some backyard outfit,Dogs Trust temperament test and all the health needs will have been taken care of. To have survived long enough to be in rescue for adoption then that is evidence of decent health and temperament or they would have been euthanized on arrival. The more people who buy puppies the more poor puppies will be produced to replace them.I wish this country would outlaw ALL dog breeding for 12 months then the rescue centres would empty and puppy farmers would move onto the next 'business'. Nice,caring breeders wouldn't mind waiting a year to breed a litter if it meant the end of puppy farms surely??!! So I hope you find a nice healthy companion,please please go to a rescue centre you won't regret it.