should a family with little kids have a pet canine or is the money and hassle not worth it?

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Not worth it.

But maybe I'm not the one to answer, as I have no kids and have never owned a pet.

_________________

I say pro. Teaches kids responsibility. For the record, Kamps seems more like a cat guy, anyway.

_________________

It's an adjustment. Our dog was fine with my daughter until she became mobile a couple months ago. Now that she can chase him and grab him he's not a big fan. You just have to keep an eye and make sure the dog doesn't get too pissed at the kid or riled up when the are playing.

Not worth it. Tried it out a little while back. Had to get rid of the dog...

_________________
This is my signature...

We had to get rid of our dog when our son was born.

_________________

I've played with a lot of cats in my day.

_________________

Is that what the trannies told you?

_________________

Not even close to worth it.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

No, they told me that if I closed my eyes, it would feel like the real thing.

_________________

the kids are 8 and 5. I've pretty much always had a dog except for the past 8 years. seems like every "perfect American family" has a dog (ie the Romney's, Nixon's, Bush's etc).

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I was never a dog person, but the golden retriever the wife convinced me to buy has certainly proven to be a great addition. But we don't have kids so I don't know how that would mix, plus we live out here in the sticks and there's plenty of places to run the dog's energy out.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

If the kid and the dog don't get along you can always put the kid up for adoption. Much cheaper in the long run.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Yay, but get a breed that is good with kids. You can do some online research in that regard. At 5 and 8, the kids are old enough to know how rough they can play with the dog, and also old enough where they can share in a little bit of the work/clean up that goes along with it.

_________________

You should do it. Better to get a dog after having kids, so the dog will not be as territorial. Get a kid friendly breed like a retriever or a lab.

_________________

If you have a fenced-in yard, yes...

_________________
@audioidkid

I'm currently contemplating a black giant schnauzer.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

5 and 8 would be good ages. We have a one year old golden retriever. She has had some health issues and she is a little bit of a bully. She requires about 4-5 hours of attention a day, we're hoping that changes as she gets older. She is a chewer, smart, and is a great family dog but sometimes a little needy. It's really been great for my son. I love her.

If you get a puppy you don't really know what you are getting and they are a lot of time and work.

Needs 4-5 hours of attention and she is "a little needy"?

This is exactly why we do not have a dog. They take a lot of time, care, and money. Kids take enough on their own to raise, no need to include a dog in there as well. Plus then you are always left with what to do with the dog if you want to get away for a few days. No thanks.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I have a theory that if you grew up with a dog, you are automatically a "dog person" and vice versa. Did you have a dog as a kid?

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

yep, got one when I was in 1st grade and had her til college. I loved having her, but got to see first hand how much time and trouble they are.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

So is Bud Dude....in more ways than one.

_________________

my forefathers moved off the farm so they wouldn't have to share their living quarters with animals

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

_________________

_________________
This is my signature...

I thought dem chinamen ate cats and not dogs??

_________________

That is one aspect I'm not worried about. Thankfully the kids don't seem to show any signs of psychotic behavior.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Hate when people feel the need to brag about their kids...

_________________
This is my signature...