How to choose a child-friendly dog
Our four-legged friends from childhood taught us so many things: unconditional love, responsibility, respect, and also about loss. Mostly they taught us how to live life to the fullest, one day at a time, while having as much fun (and treats) as possible.
A lot has been said about the positive effects of having a pet dog as a child, but parents should consider a few points before embarking on this relationship that will influence the whole family.
Your family structure
Do you have babies, young children or perhaps elderly people in your family? This influence the choice of dog with regards to size. A big or high energy dog might unintentionally bump over or hurt small kids or elderly people.
Do you have other pets? Choose a breed that will get along with other dogs and smaller animals.
Your Lifestyle
Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle, don’t get a high energy dog if you are a couch potato or the other way round.
Living space: most dogs will adapt to smaller living spaces as long as they get frequent exercise and enough attention.
Available time: Do you have enough time to give a dog the attention it deserves. Grooming of some breeds require a fair amount of time and effort while others are easy to take care of.
The expected role of the dog in the family
Do you need a playmate for the children, a family companion or a companion and guard dog? If you only want a guard dog – get an electric fence and beams!
Dogs want to be a part of the family and if that won’t work for you, don’t get a dog.
Training School
Benefits of taking your dog to training school include: obedience and socializing with humans and other animals. For information on puppy training in Rustenburg, click here.
Teach children to respect animals
Also teach children from a young age to respect dogs and animals in general.
Ear and tail pulling should never be allowed and teach children to never approach a dog while it is eating or sleeping.
They should also ask permission from owners of unfamiliar dogs before touching them.
Breeds
Do research on a specific dog breed or ask advise from your Vet. For information on Rustenburg Vets, click here.
A short summary of some child friendly breeds:
The Pug
This even-tempered and playful breed is one of the oldest breeds of dog, and have been around since before 400BC.
Pugs can adapt to smaller living spaces and live for 12 to 15 years. They are excellent with children and get along with other pets.
They need little maintenance, but does shed and the wrinkles on the face need to be kept clean and dry.
Pugs have minimal exercise needs and love to eat, their diet should thus be monitored to keep them from getting overweight.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
This breed was developed from crossing the Bulldog with various Terriers for Bull and bear baiting and later on dog fighting. Even though this dog breed comes from violent origins, the Staffie loves his family and is great with children.
Staffies today are not vicious at all and is even-tempered, fun-loving, pleasing dogs. They are patient and protective towards children.
Lifespan is 10 to 14 years.
They can adapt to a smaller living space, but are energetic and need exercise on a regular basis.
They are good with other pets provided that they receive the correct training from puppyhood.They are easy to maintain and doesn’t require much grooming.
The Staffie is extremely reliable and the brave-heart of dogs.
The Beagle
A happy-go-lucky family friend that is part of the Hound group. Beagles are excellent with children and get along with other pets. They are high-energy dogs that need regular exercise and preferably lots of space.
Feed your Beagle a well-balanced diet to keep him from becoming overweight. Beagles do shed and need regular brushing.
Trim their nails to avoid overgrowing and cracking and check their ears for wax build-up and dirt.
Beagles are intelligent and outgoing and have a kind and affectionate nature, the perfect combination for a child companion.
The Bulldog
This breed also originates from breeding mastiff-type dogs for bull- and bear-baiting which was very popular in England in the early 1800s until it was made illegal by the Cruelty to Animal Act 1835.
Today the temperament of a Bulldog as described by the standards of the American Kennel Club should be: equable and kind, resolute and courageous, not at all vicious or aggressive. They are known to get along with children, other dogs and pets. They become very attached to their family members.
Even though they get along with children, they are quite lazy and will only engage in play and energetic activities for a short while at a time.
Bulldog’s are prone to health problems, mainly respiratory and joint difficulties and their weight should be monitored.
Their low to moderate energy levels makes them suitable for apartment living but please bear in mind that they do not tolerate heat and humidity.
They are average shedders and grooming includes: brushing, nail and dental care and keeping the wrinkles on their faces clean.
Their average lifespan is 8 years.
The Labrador Retriever
This retriever-gun dog originating from Canada was bred to be a friendly companion and worker dog.
This sweet-natured breed is friendly with people and other animal which makes them unsuitable as guard dogs, but excellent companions.
They are intelligent and easy to train, but needs a lot of attention as not to revert to digging and chewing. Definitely not a dog to be left alone in the back yard.
They are high energy worker dogs and, thus need regular exercise to avoid obesity. Keep in mind that they should not do strenuous exercise on hard surfaces until 6 months of age, to allow their joint muscles to become strong enough.
Labrador retrievers shed a lot and daily brushing is recommended. A bath once every 2 months and teeth and nail grooming is important. Ears should be checked and smelly ears are indicative of infection.
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years.
Labs love children and will be happy to join in whatever adventures the kids are up to.
Labrador retrievers are fun loving, boisterous with a lack of fear and will be a loving companion and wonderful addition to any family.
The Golden Retriever
This large-sized gun dog was bred in Scotland in the mid 19th century by breeding spaniels with retrievers. Hunting of ducks and water fowl was very popular and these dogs were able to retrieve the hunted birds without damaging them.
Golden Retrievers have a natural love for water, are intelligent and easy to train. They are also described as being loyal, playful, kind, friendly, confident, active and fun-loving. They love children and get along with other dogs and pets.
Their average lifespan is 11 to 12 years.
They are prone to genetic disorders e.g. hip dysplasia, cataracts and elbow dysplasia.
They need grooming once a week and even once a day at periods of heavy shedding (twice a year).
With obedience training at a young age, enough attention and ample toys to keep this intelligent dog busy, he will make the perfect family pet.
The Weimaraner
A descendant from the Bloodhound, the Weimaraner is a large gun dog that was originally bred for hunting large game. They date back to the late 18th and early 19th century.
They have a happy, lively temperament and is also described as brave, protective and loyal.
Weimaraners are energetic dogs that need regular exercise and will be best suited for active owners.
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years.
They are lovable towards their family members but because of their size, might bump small children or elderly people over. They love human companionship and is not suited for outdoor kennel life. They tend to get separation anxiety when left alone for too long and revert to barking, whining, howling, digging and destructive behaviour.
Being a hunting dog, Weimaraners don’t tolerate cats and might chase and kill other smaller animals.
They are watchful with strangers which makes them good watchdogs.
Weimaraners are average shedders and have an easy carefree coat. Brush and bath in mild soap when necessary.
They are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat and meals should be divided into 2 or 3 small meals rather than 1 large meal per day.
Although above mentioned dog breeds are believed to be fine with children it is always important to remember that an individual dogs upbringing , experiences and personality may cause it to behave differently than the standard for the breed and therefore children should never be left unsupervised with dogs.
Support the SPCA and Shelters
It is great fun to raise a puppy or to get a purebred from a breeder but it might in some instances be beneficial to give a shelter dog or one from the SPCA a chance.
This way your child gets to choose the dog and if it is an adult dog, the shelter or SPCA personnel will be able to provide information on the dogs temperament. There are numerous dogs from popular breeds at the SPCA longing to become a part of your family.
Visit the Rustenburg SPCA or contact them on: 014 592 3181
If you as a parent are up to the challenge of some extra responsibility, get your children a dog and give them the gift of unconditional four-legged friendship!