We are considering a dog, and have two children who are six and eight. We want a dog that is no more than thirty pounds. I would like an easy going dog that doesn’t bark a lot, doesn’t go crazy when people come to the door, and is easy to train. We went to the dog show in San Francisco last year, and were considering the West Highland Terrier, or a spaniel of some sort (King Charles?). I want a lap dog that has a good disposition, and one that will be a great companion.

Also, how does one locate a good breeder?

Thanks for your guidance, because this is such an important decision

From: Linda, in California

Dear Linda,

Thanks for writing. Your question worries me a little, because the qualities you want in a dog are not ones that are “guaranteed” by any particular breed.

You want a small, snuggly dog, and certainly a Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a loving and adorable breed -- but they can also have significant digestive issues, and some other health concerns.

Of course, there are some personality traits associated with different breeds, but “going crazy at the door” can happen with any dog on the planet if they’re not taught to handle themselves. Being “easy to train” is another myth. You have a six-year-old and an eight-year-old; I doubt either of them was born with good manners, or excellent social skills, or even the ability to make their beds well! And even if one of them leans in that direction -- they’re your kids, who I assume grew up in the same household -- it’s really about how you manage your family and household that shapes their behavior.

Sorry to be long-winded, but there are two things I urge you to do:

1. Get a copy of THE DOG BIBLE, to get a better grasp of what raising a puppy entails, and how to make the experience successful; and

2. Consider adopting from a shelter before seeking out a specific breed. Just go look. No obligation. If you were listening to me live on the Pete Wilson show on KGO the day after Thanksgiving, and you live in the San Francisco area, I beseech you to go to the Marin Humane Society, and see what dogs and puppies they have. Every dog there has been evaluated for kid-friendliness, trainability, etc., as INDIVIDUALS -- not as representatives of their breed.

3. If you don’t want to adopt, or go there and are not “grabbed” by a dog, then by all means, seek out a good breeder. I don’t have time in this reply to go into the very long list of ways to find a respectable breeder, but there is a very detailed section on that very issue in THE DOG BIBLE that will really help.

I wish you lots of luck, and I really want to hear what lucky dog joins your family!

Tracie