Problem:
Right age for kids to have puppies
Hi
Shannon
Please note that I have been considering getting a dog
for my two boys aged 18 months and 3 years. In my research
and discussions with many people including breeders,
pet shops, friends, etc, I have come across a variety
of opinions. Some have suggested that it's good to raise
such young kids with dogs and it's never been a problem
for them and some would say that we should wait until
at least the youngest is about 5 years old whereafter
he will have some reasoning abilities in terms of how
to treat a dog and also be able to partake in the feeding,
paying, etc.
Initially, we were going to get a Labrador or Golden
Retriever because of its temperament and being good
with kids. Lately, we were considering a small breed
like a Jack Russel.
Please note that I grew up with Dobermanns at home.
We also had a number of litters. I had to clean and
feed the dogs for years. However, I later on developed
what I term "dog phobia" - not being able
to face any other dog/being scared of any dog. It is
for this reason that I thought getting a puppy would
not only deal with my issue but ensure that the boys
are not deprived of a companionship that a dog can provide.
Two Minds
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Dear
Two Minds
Let me start by congratulating you on your rational
thought process and giving this important decision the
gravity it deserves. You also have my admiration in
dealing with your "dog phobia" in such an
honest and forthright manner.
With regard to the age of your children it would perhaps
be better to wait until the youngest child is older.
Two toddlers are not for the fainthearted to start with
and adding a busy pup to the mix could be quite daunting.
Waiting until the youngest child is about five or six
years old would indeed be the most sensible option,
but it would not be a disaster if you decided to get
a pup in the near future.
In terms of breed choice for your family I would suggest
keeping away from terriers. Terriers are fantastic dogs,
but they can be quite demanding in terms of the mental
fortitude required to deal with their feisty temperaments.
With a predisposition to being somewhat insecure around
dogs, a terrier may reinforce your fears. Terriers and
young boys are also not the best match as they tend
to set one another off due to the vicious circle of
the high activity of the children and the terrier's
heightened prey drive.
Labradors and Golden Retrievers are wonderful dogs but
they do have high energy (particularly Labradors) and
their size may also prove a bit intimidating.
I would suggest a medium small dog, which is easy going
and fairly low maintenance. There are two breeds that
spring to mind, a Beagle and a Pug. Beagles can make
the most delightful family companions. On the down side
they can be more challenging to train due to their inherent
behaviour of scenting. Once they get a scent in their
nostrils it can be hard to get their attention on anything
else. In my experience I have found Beagles to be gentle
pets and their "puppy like" morphology even
when mature may make you feel more confident. Pugs can
also be fabulous family pets. They are fairly hardy
and not prone to barking. Their size may however be
too small for two young boys.
I suggest you carry on with your research, go to some
shows, visit breeders and spend some time with their
dogs. Most breeders are happy to share their knowledge
of their breed (once they start talking it's often hard
to get them to stop!). A reputable breeder will give
you advice on whether a particular breed would be suitable
for your family, but they can sometimes give a slightly
skewed opinion of their breed. So speak to trainers,
vets and groomers as well for the "real scoop".
It goes without saying that your pup should only be
obtained from a reputable breeder who breeds to "improve
and not just increase numbers". Contact the relevant
breed club for advice in this respect.
Best
of luck!
Shannon
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