It's not an easy task choosing the first dog your child will own. You can think of it as putting two hyperactive pups together in a sandbox and finding out how they'll react. You obviously don't want a pet that might hurt your child, but you don't want the reverse, either. The first step is to be careful about which breed you choose.
Some rules of thumb won't vary. For one thing, it's a good idea to steer clear of toy breeds altogether. Children are clumsy and don't know their own strength. Nor do they understand when they're causing pain. A little boy or girl could seriously hurt a very small dog. Repeated infliction of pain, even by accident, can impede the pet's socialization to the child.
You should look for a breed that is physical and rugged, able to handle, even welcome, a degree of rough play. A bulldog, for instance, makes a wonderful companion for a young master. Here's a four-legged friend who can take pretty much anything a little boy or girl is likely to do.
Just as important, the bulldog will take it with equanimity. Bull terriers are also sturdy, relatively insensate to pain, but tend to have a higher energy level and love to play. Don't confuse either with the now-notorious pit bull.
Dogs such as the pit bull, which come with a bad reputation, are sometimes questionable for reasons other than what you might suspect. Doberman Pinschers, for instance, are fine with any child they grow up with from puppy-hood. The problem here is that they're fiercely loyal to one owner, and might regard any other person as a threat to their owner. That's not good news if your child wants to have friends visit.
Some breeds are just plain friendly. This would include both the golden and the Labrador retriever, neither of which seems to have a bad bone in its body. Now, however, you enter the territory of dogs who need space and a lot of exercise. Perhaps even more exercise than is likely to be provided by a very small child. They make excellent companions for your grade-schoolers, though.
It goes without saying that any of the breeds traditionally bred for guard dog duty, like a pit bull or German Shepard, isn't generally going to be your first choice to serve as your small child's four-legged buddy. These animals are frequently so strong even an adult can't handle them. They also tend to be independent minded and, appropriately, extremely territorial. Other breeds of this sort include Presa Canarios and Rottweilers.
Some dogs are simply peculiar. They have traits that might be annoying, but aren't dangerous. Chihuahuas are very dominant in their behavior and might bite when defied or even just surprised. The Collie meanwhile makes a generally fine companion, but is a herding animal and might attempt to herd your children. Most parents find this unacceptable, but it might tickle your funny bone. In the final analysis, you are well advised to research breeds very carefully before making that final decision . Then you'll be in the best shape to decide among dogs for your children.
Some rules of thumb won't vary. For one thing, it's a good idea to steer clear of toy breeds altogether. Children are clumsy and don't know their own strength. Nor do they understand when they're causing pain. A little boy or girl could seriously hurt a very small dog. Repeated infliction of pain, even by accident, can impede the pet's socialization to the child.
You should look for a breed that is physical and rugged, able to handle, even welcome, a degree of rough play. A bulldog, for instance, makes a wonderful companion for a young master. Here's a four-legged friend who can take pretty much anything a little boy or girl is likely to do.
Just as important, the bulldog will take it with equanimity. Bull terriers are also sturdy, relatively insensate to pain, but tend to have a higher energy level and love to play. Don't confuse either with the now-notorious pit bull.
Dogs such as the pit bull, which come with a bad reputation, are sometimes questionable for reasons other than what you might suspect. Doberman Pinschers, for instance, are fine with any child they grow up with from puppy-hood. The problem here is that they're fiercely loyal to one owner, and might regard any other person as a threat to their owner. That's not good news if your child wants to have friends visit.
Some breeds are just plain friendly. This would include both the golden and the Labrador retriever, neither of which seems to have a bad bone in its body. Now, however, you enter the territory of dogs who need space and a lot of exercise. Perhaps even more exercise than is likely to be provided by a very small child. They make excellent companions for your grade-schoolers, though.
It goes without saying that any of the breeds traditionally bred for guard dog duty, like a pit bull or German Shepard, isn't generally going to be your first choice to serve as your small child's four-legged buddy. These animals are frequently so strong even an adult can't handle them. They also tend to be independent minded and, appropriately, extremely territorial. Other breeds of this sort include Presa Canarios and Rottweilers.
Some dogs are simply peculiar. They have traits that might be annoying, but aren't dangerous. Chihuahuas are very dominant in their behavior and might bite when defied or even just surprised. The Collie meanwhile makes a generally fine companion, but is a herding animal and might attempt to herd your children. Most parents find this unacceptable, but it might tickle your funny bone. In the final analysis, you are well advised to research breeds very carefully before making that final decision . Then you'll be in the best shape to decide among dogs for your children.
About the Author:
Safe and trustworthy puppy training is something that is taken very seriously. Allow these friendly and experienced specialists to provide the best dog training Kelowna for your dog. Bark Busters in Home Dog Training Toronto, ON (416) 988-3169 +1 866-418-4584
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