The holidays are almost here. Thousands of families around the world are seriously thinking about purchasing or rescuing a puppy or dog for the kids. If you are one of them, STOP! Do not make another move, until you do your homework.
It usually takes 6-10 months, for a dog owner to come to terms; they have the wrong dog for their family. They may have little girls, who hate to get dirty and love to play with dolls, rather than dogs. What breed of a dog do they get? An English Bulldog! Why? Because someone told them they are great with kids. It's true, they are wonderful with children, but, they need rough and tumble kind of kids, that don't mind being covered with Bulldog shlubl!
Then, there is just the opposite. The Type A family, that is always on the go, with a dog that prefers to stay home with a bowl of treats and the remote control.
Before you get your puppy or dog, know what you are getting into before getting into it! Factors to consider are:
Personality Type
What personality types are your children? Are they the prissy types that don't like to go outside, or get dirty? Or, are they the outdoor type, full of energy and always looking for a new adventure?
Size
Dogs come in all sizes! Breeds include: giant, large, medium, small, toy and teacup. Which size is right for your children?
Energy Level
On the energy scale, high means at least 1-hour daily of committed time to walk and serious exercise. Medium, a walk and a short romp in the yard are just fine. Low, a short walk and a nap thank you! Are you a high energy always on the go family or are you the couch potato type? If you are not honest with yourself here, your decision will make life miserable for you and for your dog. Let's face it; the majority of the responsibility for exercising the dog will most likely fall on you. How much time are YOU willing to commit to your dog's energy needs?
Health and Longevity
The general rule is, the smaller the dog, the longer they live! Giant breeds do not normally have the longevity of smaller breeds. Most are wonderful with children, but they tend to have serious health problems and shorter life spans. All breeds have inherent health problems. Find out what they are. How much are you willing to invest financially in your pet? How well can your children deal with the unexpected health problems and inevitable final experience?
Shedding or Non-Shedding
Certain breeds shed continually. They can't help it. Can you handle the ongoing chore of sweeping, vacuuming and dusting, without resentment? Do your children have allergies? If so, hypo-allergenic is the way to go!
Shlubbing vs. Non-Shlubbing
Are you ready and willing to walk around all day with a towel slung over your shoulder; always prepared to wipe doggie shlub, aka drool, off yourself, the kids, the in-laws, friends, walls, the cat, etc? Are you unperturbed enough not to freak out, just as you are heading out the door, noticing there it is, a shub the size of Texas is on your new suit or dress? Or, does just the thought give you the skevies?
Now that we have the business end of picking the perfect pet for your children out-of-the-way, here are 12 breeds that are generally considered wonderful dogs for children. So now, do your research. See which one is the right one for your family.
Don't forget the English Bulldog! They are terrific with kids...but they do shlub! In addition to them, here is a little background on the other top 12 breeds suggested for children.
Retriever - Golden and Labrador - High energy - need lots of exercise, medium to large in size. Intelligent, friendly and loves human attention. To stay out of trouble, you have to keep them busy or tired!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Small to medium in size. Playful. Low to medium on the energy scale. A walk and a short romp is more than enough to keep them happy.. Most like indoor activities, rather than being outdoors. Very affectionate.
Havanese - Small, doesn't shed, but requires a lot of grooming. Medium on the energy scale. Playful, clownish and smart. Loves to learn tricks. Lives to snuggle and cuddle. They love people, cats, other dogs...you name it! Fearlessly believes they are a "big" dog!
Mastiff - American and Old English - Gentle giants. Shlub a lot! Laid back, calm and low on the energy scale. A short walk and little exercise daily; followed by a long nap afterward, makes for a very happy Mastiff. An emotionally well-balanced Mastiff has never met anyone or thing they don't immediately love with every fiber of their being.
Boxer - Medium - large in size. Loves to play...sometimes a little rough. High energy and lots of fun. Would rather be outdoors, than inside.
Boston Terrier - Small. Low to medium on the energy scale. They are happy with a walk and some free time in the yard...then right back inside for this dog!
Pug - Small. Laid back, but fun. A short walk and a little exercise is more than enough for this breed. The proverbial couch potato.
Poodle - Standard and Miniature - Intelligent, active, fun to train, loves attention. Originally bred to hunt, they are high energy! Usually quite good with other pets.
Whippet - Small. A sprinter when it comes to exercise. A short walk and romp few minutes a day, then it will blissfully snuggle up on a soft pillow for a nap. Loves attention.
Beagle - Small. Busy, busy, busy! They blow the top off the energy scale. Don't think this dog will be happy if it's kept indoors too long. It's a dog on a mission and the mission is fun, adventures and misadventures. Can keep up with active kids. But, heads up...they do make a lot a noise!
Basset Hound - Short, but long! You need to take their pulse often. So laid back, you hardly know they are breathing! Very little exercise suits this breed. Lots of snuggling and cuddling is what they thrive on.
The All-American Mutt - Come in all shapes and sizes. Come in all energy levels. Some shlub, some don't. Some shed, some don't. Some love being outdoors, others don't like being too far from their food bowls and favorite pillow. The best thing to do is find one with a mix that suits your life-style. A little from column A and a little from column B could make the perfect pet for your kids.
Bottom line: Do not give a puppy or dog as a holiday gift! It is not the right time to introduce them to their new home and family. Before making the emotional and financial investment in a family dog, do your homework! Stay away from flea market and pet store puppies. Odds are they are from puppy mills and will have serious health and behavior issues. The same holds true for on-line puppies, unless they are from reputable breeders. Do more research the above breeds. See which one is the best fit to share a forever home with your children.
| Price : $66.24 | Post Date : May 07, 2012 04:15:06
