re: Getting a dog for my 7 year old boy? Suggestions?

Rescue dog or kill yourself.

Signed,

The OT

Goldens are great dogs but have to agree w the shedding. It can be down right crazy.

We ended up with an Aussie doodle for our 6 yr old. She is smart as shite and quick as lightning, but her herding instinct is strong and with the poodle size she is sometimes to much for him to handle. She favors the Aussie more and her heel nipping is sometimes out of control when her herding Instinct kicks in. Incredibly sweet and loving though.

Kinda wish we would have gone full golden or golden doodle.

Wife and I had labs forever and got one for our daughter, he was a great kid dog and literally saved her from a snake in our back yard when she was 5. He died of cancer three years ago, and the boy wanted a big dog, we somewhat regret not getting another lab.

Golden doodle. We have 2 that are great with our kids and they don't shed. Very smart and very attentive to the children. They play well together, one has to go upstairs and put them to bed with me at night.

Even great with our newborn.

Go to the pound and get him a medium sized pup that they can grow up together and bond with. Seriously, why spend the money on a pure bred that more than likely is going to have issues with unless you’re gonna spend north on $1,500. DO NOT purchase from a pet store. Those typically have more problems than most

Mutts are typically more docile and not as high strung. If you get a lab, you’re gonna go through a minimum of $2k in shoes, cushions, and other household items before it turns 2. Same w/ Goldens

Get a golden retriever. You'll have a great new member of the family.

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Had a variety of dogs all my life, never owned a lab until I was in my 40s. Best damned dog I’ve ever owned.

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Ditto. Perfect combination of smart, loving, and docile.

We thought the Aussie doodles would be like the golden doodles and not shed. We were wrong. We are constantly chasing black and grey tumbleweeds around with the broom.

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If you get a lab, you’re gonna go through a minimum of $2k in shoes, cushions, and other household items before it turns 2. Same w/ Goldens

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I’ll second that one. We got our first lab right after we were married, he ate a couch one day while we were at work. Literally shredded both arms down to the cardboard/wood. That was after he ate through the baby gate keeping him in the kitchen.

Aussie doodle has now racked up, two push mower pull cords, all or our back yard sprinkler heads, one vacuum cleaner cord, one little tikes riding toy, countless baseballs, 3 dog beds (she sleeps on the tile floor now), several aluminum cans, two gardenias, every potted plant on our patio, 2 collars (we have no idea how), 3 snakes, 1 football, one soccer ball, and a stainless dog bowl we still can not find.
The boy finally realized they if he leaves anything it the backyard it will be destroyed.

If you can afford one, get an English Bulldog. Absolutely wonderful pets. They love companionships and are gentle with children

How much room do you have for the dog? Be careful getting a high energy dog with no place for them to burn it off.

I know this may be off the wall a bit but a Ladner Black Mouth Cur is one of the smartest loyal breeds I've ever owned. They can do just about anything and live to please their master.