black labs

Question
QUESTION: were looking for a new dog we had too put our 12yrold pitbull boxer cross down we need a dog that is good with kids , easy too train,and will come when its called as we like too use the the off leash areas in our city with our last dog we couldnt do that wood a blk lab be a good choice for a family with 2 boyss 11 and 15  thx

ANSWER: Some black Labs would be great in such a home and others a problem.  Lab personalities vary greatly. Some are as soft and manageable as a Golden. Others are very strong willed and can take hundreds of corrections for problem behaviors. Those same ones are very good at staying on task when they have been trained. You may have a dog that will excel in obedience and agility competition. Most Labs are friendly to both new people and dogs. Sometimes they can be overwhelming. Much of this depends on their early socialization. Going out in public and being petted is their way of life from the time mine are 2 months old. They never meet a stranger, only new friends. They love children. Your dog will be like its parents and also be the result of its early socialization.

One of the best sources for dogs with a predictable personality is the rescue dogs. These are dogs that lost their home, but were taken into a foster home to be retrained as necessary and placed in the right home for them. You may find a rescue near you starting at http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm The rescues charge a fee to help cover their expenses, but is much less than the price of a puppy plus all its medical expenses the first year.

With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea. In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year. Even many urban areas have 4-H. For info look in your phone book under government listings for extension or cooperative extension offices. Ask specifically about a dog or canine club. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

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QUESTION: what would be a good breed for us too have i know i need a medium sized dog

Answer
There isn't any breed you can count on being what you want.  Dogs are individuals and vary from one to the next within any breed.  While a puppy is likely to grow up to be liek its parents, you can't count on it.  That is part of the reason I suggest adopting an older dog.  if you like black labs, find a rescue and let them help you find the right dog.