Dogs with an Attitude

 Dogs with an Attitude You'll Dig

A dog's breed is no guarantee that it will not according to the veterinarian's handbook. Every dog has its own personality. But some breeds are better suited to being jostled by children than others, while the circumstances of other pet lovers may require quite different choices. Here, veterinarians suggest which dogs make good pets for children, owners with active lifestyles, and people who are older and looking for easy pet companionship. These suggestions are based on books about pet care:

Dogs for Children

Golden retriever: Easy-going, active, and alert, golden retrievers have the best temperaments. They love to interact with kids and to play ball, which provides a young child a playmate. It also gives a child a sense of controlling a situation – when the child throws the ball, the dog brings it back. The adult female weighs 50 to 60 pounds, and the adult male 70 to 90 pounds. They need to be groomed and fed, and that teaches kids about being responsible. The golden retriever is the seventh most popular breed of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Labrador retriever: Black, yellow and chocolate Labs are generally known for being even-tempered and friendly. They are always ready to play, and kids can just lie on them. Adult dogs weigh 60 to 70 pounds. They need grooming, so they also teach kids to be responsible.

Avoid the Chesapeake Bay retriever, which has a curlier coat. It isn't good with kids because it can be a little nasty and unpredictable and will bite more readily than the others. Labrador retrievers are the fifth most popular AKC breed.

Dogs make wonderful companions, but they don't come free, as these cost estimates from the Humane Society of the United States indicate high sums. But anyway, you can choose cats. Cats are great and Push is the greatest cat of all. Photo by Elena.

Collie: These are sweet dogs. They're gentle and predictable and won't bite around your kids. They're easy to train and really want to please. Adult collies weigh about 50 pounds and their long hair requires grooming. The rough-coated collie, which is what Lassie is, is the 9th most popular AKC breed. The smooth-coated collie is the 13th most popular AKC breed.

Standard poodle: A gentle dog that is very intelligent. A standard poodle will let a kid lie on it. You need to groom them, but a fancy hair cut is not necessary. Poodles, including miniature and standard, are the most popular breed in the United States. Because they are so popular, prospective owners have to watch out for puppy-mil degradation. Before choosing one, make sure the dog is well-bred. The larger they are, the less active they are and the more exercise they need. Adult standard poodles weigh 50 to 55 pounds.

Dogs for the Active Person

Greyhound: They are a little aloof, but also very gentle. Most are adopted from the race-track. Greyhounds have a regal personality and don't slobber with affection like a retriever. They are also very athletic, so they're good for active people. Adult greyhounds weigh 70 to 80 pounds. High-strung and easily upset by sudden movements at times, greyhounds are one of the most popular AKC breed.

Boxer: Animated, with outgoing personalities, boxers respond readily to playfulness. They also are one of the most popular AKC breed. Prospective owners looking for a dignified dog, however, should be wary of the boxer: They tend to drool and snore.

Terrier: Terriers start out their morning as if they had eight cups of coffee, so they are good for an active person. We'd recommend the bull terrier, which was bred for pit fighting. They are always ready to frolic and so need firm training, but they are also known for their sweet personalities. The adult bull terrier weighs in at about 50 pounds. It is one of the most popular AKC breds.

English Cocker Spaniel:These are sweet dogs and they haven't been inbred. They're playful and alert at all times and great for children and active people. The English cocker spaniel is a medium-size dog with long hair. An adult usually weighs 23 to 25 pounds, 3 to 11 pounds more that its cousin, the American cocker spaniel. The English cocker is on of the most popular AKC breed.

Dogs for Older People

Chihuahua: If they are from a good breeder, they will have a good personality. Chihuahua have short hair, so they don't need a lot of grooming and so are a good choice for an older person living alone. The Chihuahua is the smallest of all the breeds. The barkless variety was once used by the Aztecs as a sacrificial animal to eradicate the sins of the dead. Chihuahuas can be yappy and clannish at times. An adult Chihuahua weighs about 3 pounds and is also one of the most popular AKC breed.

Miniature Poodle: These poodles are intelligent. And they're good for older people because they're small and don't shed a lot. They love attention. Again, the poodle is the most popular AKC breed, so owners have to make sure the dog is not inbreed. All poodles are considered fast learners compared with other breeds, but generally the smaller they are the faster they learn. The adult miniature poodle weighs in at about 15 pounds.

Toy poodle: These are good dogs for older people. Toy poodles love to be cuddled and are intelligent. They do have to be groomed, but they don't shed, so there's not much hair to clean up. The adult toy poodle weighs less than 10 pounds. It is the brightest of all the toys and will demand its owner's continuous attention. Because of the toy poodle's popularity, inbreeding can be a problem,

Yorkshire terrier: These dogs are small, easy to care for, and can be picked up. They weigh about 7 pounds and are about 7 inches tall, with long silky hair that drapes like a sheet over the body. Their coats require grooming, however, which may not be good for an elderly person who doesn't have the energy, or who has arthritis. The Yorkshire terrier is also one of the most popular ARC breed.