choosing a dog

Question
QUESTION: I am interested in a dog for my family.  My children are 10 and 12 years old and it will really "belong" to the 12-year old.  I would like a mixed breed that 1. doesn't shed too much 2. Can be alone for 6-7 hours a day a few days a week 3. playful and good with kids.  I was thinking a poodle, but am not sure.

ANSWER: May as well go with a Poodle.  There is an excellent supply of Poodles and Poodle mixes.  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.  Even more at www.petfinders.com

It is never good to rush getting a dog, but you might check how soon 4-H Starts.
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/.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are their any other breeds (or mixes) you could recommend?  Also, if I get a dog from a rescue, which I am planning, is there a age that is "too old" as far as training is concerned?  In other words, can you teach an old dog new tricks?

Answer
There are many nice dogs out there.  I like the Goldens.  If you were thinking of a smaller dog, I think the Shelties are great.  Of all the smaller dogs I have seen, they do the best at 4-H.  Plenty of good Australian Shepherds that aren't real big.

I would try to stick to a 1-2 year old dog.  You can train older dogs, it just takes a little longer.  One big problem is dog's short life span.  Get too old of a dog, and you will lose it before the 10 year old is ready for that.