Dogs

Dogs can enrich your life and the life of your family in so many ways. They are loving, loyal creatures that can show the true meaning of unconditional love. And lucky for us, Austin is a GREAT place to own a dog.

Austin has a dozen dog parks, plenty of water to play in, and some of the coolest pet boutiques in the country. When you take a stroll downtown, you will see countless water bowls to help quench your pooch’s thirst.

Some families have their dogs before children, and others choose to get dogs after kids to complete their family. If you are considering adding a dog to your family, remember adoption is a GREAT choice. There are breed-specific rescues as well as shelters in Austin that you can visit (like Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Humane Society).

Here is a list of some of the best dogs to own if you have a family, as well as some of the AMB contributors’ sweetest moments between their fur and human babies:

Shitzu

We had Dreidel long before the baby so it took her some time to adjust. But, once Camilla started eating solids...they were best friends.

“We had Dreidel long before the baby so it took her some time to adjust. But, once Camilla started eating solids…they were best friends.”

Black Lab/Great Dane Mix

This is Beau Jackson with her 4-month-old sister.

“This is Beau Jackson with her 4-month-old sister.”

Boykin Spaniel

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“These two can’t get enough of each other. Our son loves following Winston around and giving him food from the high chair.”

Pug

Dexter is sweet and snuggles with our daughter. Very gentle and always willing to eat her leftovers she drops to him.

“Dexter is sweet and snuggles with our daughter. Very gentle and always willing to eat her leftovers she drops to him.”

Rescue Mix

Zoe was a rescue that came along before Mason, but she has taken him and all his curiosity better than we ever could have imagined.

“Zoe was a rescue that came along before Mason, but she has taken him and all his curiosity better than we ever could have imagined.”

American Bull Dog

Our Rigby just passed after Larkin was born... He was a 100 lb American bulldog and we had him before kids but I can't think of a better dog for our children!

“Our Rigby just passed after Larkin was born… We had him before kids but I can’t think of a better dog for our children!”

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Remington is very protective of the boys and will follow them wherever they go. You often will find her laying at the top of the stairs when they are in bed.

“Remington is very protective of the boys and will follow them wherever they go. You often will find her laying at the top of the stairs when they are in bed.”

Chocolate Labrador

We adopted Mokey when our oldest was 3. Our youngest has been BFFs with Mokey since she was born. He eats her leftovers, she will wrestle with him and he allows it...just as long as she continues to give him snacks.

“We adopted Mokey when our oldest was 3. Our youngest has been BFFs with Mokey since she was born. He eats her leftovers, she will wrestle with him and he allows it…just as long as she continues to give him snacks.”

 Yellow Labrador

Riley - Yellow Lab

“Riley and Parker quickly became fast friends once Parker hit the “solids” phase and realized if he threw the food on the ground she’d eat it! Now we’re trying to teach him that when we’re out in public at a restaurant without Riley that doesn’t quite work. 🙂 He just learned to ‘throw’ the ball for her, too, so they’re basically inseparable.”

Husky/American Eskimo Rescue

Cookie was a gift for my son's 6th birthday. They're both so athletic and energetic and after going through a huge tragedy in my life, she gave me reason to get out of bed the mornings I didn't have my son.

“Cookie was a gift for my son’s 6th birthday. They’re both so athletic and energetic and after going through a huge tragedy in my life, she gave me reason to get out of bed the mornings I didn’t have my son.”

Red heeler / Border Collie mix

Brazos came along before my husband, and long before my son. He has always been my best friend, and he snuggled my belly all through my pregnancy (and he isn't a cuddly dog!). About a week before Braiden was born, Brazos spent every night sleeping in the empty nursery- it was very eerie. Now, he and Braiden are best buds!

“Brazos came along before my husband, and long before my son. He has always been my best friend, and he snuggled my belly all through my pregnancy (and he isn’t a cuddly dog!). About a week before Braiden was born, Brazos spent every night sleeping in the empty nursery — it was very eerie. Now, he and Braiden are best buds!”

Chihuahua Mix

“Lovin’ and snugglin’ with the girls.”

German Shepherd

We got both dogs before kids from the German Shepherd Rescue of Central Texas Site knowing they would be amazing with kids as German Shepherd are. We got her immediately.

“We got both dogs before kids from the German Shepherd Rescue of Central Texas Site knowing they would be amazing with kids as German Shepherds are and we fell in love immediately.”

The American Kennel Club also has a great list of family-friendly dogs here.

Please share with us your loyal companions and fur-family members in the comments below! 

:: Austin Moms Blog does not make any guarantee as to behavior, temperament or ultimate size of any animal. :: 

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