Are you preparing to
bring a dog home to your children? Did your
neighbor
tell you they have free puppies, all you have to do is come
over
and choose one? Or did your children see an adorable puppy in
the pet
store and are now begging you to let them bring it home? How
do you
select the best dog breed for children? Does it matter?
Since
having a dog is such a common thing, do you really need to
know
anything more than how much it costs?
Well,
how did you choose your car, or your home? Did you consider
the
cost, safety and suitability for your family? Of course you did.
If you
heard stories of a particular car that was susceptible to
causing
accidents or that a neighborhood was known for its rough
occupants
you would find something that was safer.
If the
car or home was too expensive to maintain, it would impact
your
decision, as would the size of the vehicle or how many bedrooms
the
house had.
However,
many people bring home a dog that they have spent no more
time in
choosing than selecting oranges at the grocery store.
Although
we hear stories of dogs attacking children and perhaps know
of
people who got rid of dogs after they grew too large for the
apartment
or destroyed property, as a group, parents still choose to
bring
dogs into their families with little instruction or research.
The
truth is, most families with a dog will never deal with the
terrible
situations we hear about on the news. Dogs love people.
Most
dogs love children. Children and adults love dogs and it is
very
doubtful that after thousands of years the connection between
canine
and humankind will be broken.
What
does need to be considered is how to make the best possible
environment
for your children and dog so that you don't need to
worry
about unexpected tragedy or the sad disappointment of giving
your
children's pet away.
There
are many experts with various views, but several points can be
generally
agreed upon when choosing a dog for your family.
Find a
dog that is good with children.
Don't
all dogs love children? The answer is simple – NO. Some
breeds,
and even individuals within a breed, are more or less
tolerant
of children and the rough handling that usually ensues.
Selecting
a breed that enjoys the rambunctious atmosphere of a
family
home will go far in ensuring that the children have a willing
playmate
and the dog is happy.
Choose
a dog that is the right size or energy level.
Do you
live in an apartment? Do you have a large, fenced yard?
Considering
the size of home or yard you have should influence your
choice
of dog. Some breeds are naturally larger than others. Some
smaller
breeds (like Jack Russell Terriers) are small but have an
enormous
amount of energy that can be difficult to control in a
small
home.
Decide
on a trained or untrained dog.
Perhaps
you plan to train the dog yourself. You may choose a puppy
so the
children participate in the training process. But how much do
you
know about training dogs? Are you ready for the hassles of
housebreaking
and obedience training? Perhaps selecting an older,
trained
dog might suit your family better.
The
decisions you make before bringing your dog home and selecting
the
best dog breed for children will help your family enjoy their
new pet
for a very long time.
Shannon
Emmanuel is a freelance writer and is the author of 'How to
Select
the Best Dog or Puppy for Children'. Find out more about
rasing
a safe family dog at http://www.best-dog-breed-for-
children.com
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