wag the dog article: problem: choosing the right dog
Thursday, February 12, 2009 6:40 PM                
 

Problem: Choosing the right dog

Hello Shannon

We are in a situation where we can start from scratch with new pups, after the last of our veterans have passed on. We live on a small holding with lots of space.

We have a 3 year old daughter and plan to have more children. We love big dogs, but are thinking of a smaller breed for the children's sake.

We would like to have short-haired dogs this time around (had 3 German Shepherds before) and get 2 pups together. Some opinions are that we should not get a small and big breed together (typically a Labrador and normal sized Dachshund or Scottish Terrier - hair kept short), since apparently the large breed dog may hurt the smaller one. Also, we hear that children may hurt smaller dogs easier than larger dogs.

Also, we are quite confused about which sex/es to get, keeping in mind that our own family will grow while the dogs are growing up. We are not interested in breeding. We also would have no issues with getting the same breed and same sex.

Can you please make some suggestions as to good combinations of breed and sex, as well as information on when to get pups, and maybe direct me to a good site or articles on how to help pups and children adapt to and accept each other so that the parents do not have to live in perpetual fear of injury to either.

Thank you for your time.

Wanting to do it right

Dear Wanting to do it right

Yet again I am thrilled to find that there are people out there doing their homework prior to getting a dog. If all people were as sensible, my work would certainly be a lot easier.

It's very hard to make an exact recommendation as the temperament within a particular breed can vary quite a lot, although there are some general guidelines:

  • Sight hounds and Terriers should not be paired with smaller reactive dogs, as this could incite prey drive with disastrous consequences.
  • Terriers, as a rule, do best as the only Terrier in a household.
  • Large Working breeds can be boisterous with and intimidating to small children.
  • Herding breeds tend to be better with older children.
  • A biddable larger dog and a robust smaller dog can be a good recipe.
  • Gender is largely irrelevant if the breeds are a suitable combination.
  • Don't get two puppies at the same time. They will become far too attached to one another and it is that much harder to bring out their companion abilities. A puppy is not a good role model for another puppy.
I would think that your idea of a Labrador and a Scottie is a good choice. As I said before, gender is not a major issue, but a male Labrador might be a better option with a female Scottie.

The best way to educate yourselves, your children and your dogs about peaceful harmony is to attend a good puppy class, which welcomes the children and pays attention to teaching them how to behave with dogs in general. There are a number of good books available as well. One of our local veterinary behaviourists, Dr. Sonntag, recently published an excellent puppy book. I believe it is available through most retailers or you could contact Dr. Sonntag directly at www.edupet.co.za

Best of luck

Shannon

  
                       
         
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