best kids toys 2006 image
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Generally- Low matinence, good with younger and older kids, easy to train and all around easy to own.
Any breeds in mind?
Answer
There are lots of great breeds and dogs out there. But for a first time owner?
1. The single most important issue for you isn't the breed, it's the Volhard scores. The Volhard is a dog temperament test. It scores from 1-5. A dog that scores "3's" is a dog that is ideal for a first time owner--it won't be too dominant or submissive, isn't too independent, too sensitive to pain. Don't get a dog unless you (or someone else) administers the Volhard for you. Because all dogs are individuals and even from the same litter you'll get different scores.
2. A lot of the breeds recommended are very nice dogs. But how well they are for you depends upon what you mean with "low maintanence."
--I'd skip the beagle. Superb hunting dog, great nose. But difficult to train and it is a barker.
--labs and goldens: very popular dogs. But I have two concerns about them. Both (especially the lab) really need a lot of activity. Not as much as a Border Collie but you ought to assume that a lab should get 45-60 minutes of good physical exercise every day. Is that your definition of "low maintanance"? Also, both dogs shed. And while they're good with younger kids, they're big dogs which mean they can inadvertantly run over or pull a small child.
--Jack Russell: great if you're hunting foxes or want a dog that goes to ground or to do tricks in a dog circus, but basically always bouncing off the ways, an extremely high energy dog.
You need to be clear how much physical activity you're willing to put into a dog (because some breeds will become destructive or mischievous without enough activity). You probably need a very tolerant dog that doesn't over-react to the sometimes aggressive or painful play by a young child (who might unknowingly grab a fistful of fur or step on a tail). And you need to decide how you feel about shedding because some of these breeds crank out the fur and dander.
I'd stay away from all herding, working and toy group dogs. They probably demand too much energy for what you can give if you've got a busy family or are too fragile. Too many terriers will be too energetic for your family I suspect.
Here is my short list of dogs that do a great job playing with children, are very trainable and probably good fits:
--Leonberger: huge dog, incredible with kids--better with young children than any other group, not very active, short-life span.
--Border Terrier: very happy, uncomplicated, hardy dog that maxes out at 15 pounds, easy care. Indoor dog that loves time outdoors. Think "Benji" in the movie.
--West Highland White Terriervery hardy, great personality--view life as a game, loves to play but doesn't overreact to "rough play" by youngsters, give 'em 30 minute walk and some play and they'll be fine.
--St. Bernard: short life-span, a bit of a bull-in-a-china-shop issue here but almost as good as a Leonberger when it comes to kids, definitely a gentle giant. Also not big demands on activity--far less than a lab or golden.
--Rat Terrier: very athletic, very hardy, loves to be around people and is good with kids, short-haired, smart and great with tricks. What it loves most is cuddling next to people. Comes in 4 different sizes (toy, miniature, standard and decker), most books and websites don't list it because they use AKC standards and AKC didn't recognize rat terriers until 2006.
--Greyhound Rescue: walk it for 20 minutes each day, play with it a little in the house (tricks or obedience training) and otherwise it's content to either lay at your feet or find a sunny spot to nap in. Big dog (well, not as big as Leonberger or St. Bernard but you get the idea) but inside, has maybe the smallest footprint (in terms of space taken up and inside activity) of any dog I know. I can't speak for how it interacts with young kids and potentially rough play. But they're very mellow dogs, very easy to care for. Rescues from the track are already crate-trained and very good around people. There is one catch around kids--you cannot let a Greyhound outside unless it's on leash. So stuff like...keeping the backdoor gate latched is critical (but that's critical with young kids anyway).
There are lots of great breeds and dogs out there. But for a first time owner?
1. The single most important issue for you isn't the breed, it's the Volhard scores. The Volhard is a dog temperament test. It scores from 1-5. A dog that scores "3's" is a dog that is ideal for a first time owner--it won't be too dominant or submissive, isn't too independent, too sensitive to pain. Don't get a dog unless you (or someone else) administers the Volhard for you. Because all dogs are individuals and even from the same litter you'll get different scores.
2. A lot of the breeds recommended are very nice dogs. But how well they are for you depends upon what you mean with "low maintanence."
--I'd skip the beagle. Superb hunting dog, great nose. But difficult to train and it is a barker.
--labs and goldens: very popular dogs. But I have two concerns about them. Both (especially the lab) really need a lot of activity. Not as much as a Border Collie but you ought to assume that a lab should get 45-60 minutes of good physical exercise every day. Is that your definition of "low maintanance"? Also, both dogs shed. And while they're good with younger kids, they're big dogs which mean they can inadvertantly run over or pull a small child.
--Jack Russell: great if you're hunting foxes or want a dog that goes to ground or to do tricks in a dog circus, but basically always bouncing off the ways, an extremely high energy dog.
You need to be clear how much physical activity you're willing to put into a dog (because some breeds will become destructive or mischievous without enough activity). You probably need a very tolerant dog that doesn't over-react to the sometimes aggressive or painful play by a young child (who might unknowingly grab a fistful of fur or step on a tail). And you need to decide how you feel about shedding because some of these breeds crank out the fur and dander.
I'd stay away from all herding, working and toy group dogs. They probably demand too much energy for what you can give if you've got a busy family or are too fragile. Too many terriers will be too energetic for your family I suspect.
Here is my short list of dogs that do a great job playing with children, are very trainable and probably good fits:
--Leonberger: huge dog, incredible with kids--better with young children than any other group, not very active, short-life span.
--Border Terrier: very happy, uncomplicated, hardy dog that maxes out at 15 pounds, easy care. Indoor dog that loves time outdoors. Think "Benji" in the movie.
--West Highland White Terriervery hardy, great personality--view life as a game, loves to play but doesn't overreact to "rough play" by youngsters, give 'em 30 minute walk and some play and they'll be fine.
--St. Bernard: short life-span, a bit of a bull-in-a-china-shop issue here but almost as good as a Leonberger when it comes to kids, definitely a gentle giant. Also not big demands on activity--far less than a lab or golden.
--Rat Terrier: very athletic, very hardy, loves to be around people and is good with kids, short-haired, smart and great with tricks. What it loves most is cuddling next to people. Comes in 4 different sizes (toy, miniature, standard and decker), most books and websites don't list it because they use AKC standards and AKC didn't recognize rat terriers until 2006.
--Greyhound Rescue: walk it for 20 minutes each day, play with it a little in the house (tricks or obedience training) and otherwise it's content to either lay at your feet or find a sunny spot to nap in. Big dog (well, not as big as Leonberger or St. Bernard but you get the idea) but inside, has maybe the smallest footprint (in terms of space taken up and inside activity) of any dog I know. I can't speak for how it interacts with young kids and potentially rough play. But they're very mellow dogs, very easy to care for. Rescues from the track are already crate-trained and very good around people. There is one catch around kids--you cannot let a Greyhound outside unless it's on leash. So stuff like...keeping the backdoor gate latched is critical (but that's critical with young kids anyway).
What is the most sexist/gender stereotypical toy for kids?
Summer
I just came back from a Toys R Us and did you know they are marketing tiny little Mr.Clean cleaning supplies as toys for little girls? In 2006!!
What have you noticed?
Answer
You can stereotype a toy but I do not think they are particularly. I am a 51yr old woman & had one of the 1st GI Joes plus Barbies ,
cars, Easy Bake oven & etc.
I have bought my all grandsons vacuum cleaners, bears, & tiny brooms. I have bought my ganddaughters cars, army men ( my son is a Army Ranger), vacuums & tents.
Why are cleaning supplies for girls? One of my son in laws is a neat freak & cleans all the time, only he cleans bathrooms, no one else does it right. He is the most manly man I know.
My husband vacuums, & loads dishwasher. He is 6'3' 250lbs & all his employees show great respect - not girly in his cleaning just fairness. I did not get everything dirty..
We make them gender assigned not the kids.
You can stereotype a toy but I do not think they are particularly. I am a 51yr old woman & had one of the 1st GI Joes plus Barbies ,
cars, Easy Bake oven & etc.
I have bought my all grandsons vacuum cleaners, bears, & tiny brooms. I have bought my ganddaughters cars, army men ( my son is a Army Ranger), vacuums & tents.
Why are cleaning supplies for girls? One of my son in laws is a neat freak & cleans all the time, only he cleans bathrooms, no one else does it right. He is the most manly man I know.
My husband vacuums, & loads dishwasher. He is 6'3' 250lbs & all his employees show great respect - not girly in his cleaning just fairness. I did not get everything dirty..
We make them gender assigned not the kids.
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