This article is written specifically for parents choosing a dog for their child. The author sincerely hopes that a few recommendations given below will help you make the right choice. So...
Which dogs are suitable for children?
First of all, they are not aggressive. The child is always playful, mobile, unbalanced and capable of impulsive actions, dictated by a momentary impulse. This is a feature of babies that must be considered first. A child can suddenly scream, make a sharp movement, strongly push the animal to itself, lie on it, sit on horseback. The list of such “pranks” is endless. But the list of breeds that can withstand such stormy emotions is quite small.
If you go over the pages of the Internet, you can come across shocking suggestions for choosing a dog for a family where there are already children. They offer to purchase Pekingese, Doberman, Malamute, German Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Irish Wolfhound and even Alabai. Perhaps such advertising is ordered by breeders in order to increase sales, or perhaps the authors post lists of breeds unknowingly. Your task is to find a dog for the child that will be deprived of aggression in principle.
Among the larger representatives, this may be Newfoundland (popularly just a "diver"), St. Petersburg. These are real lifeguards, bred specifically to help people.
Medium sized breeds - Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Collie. These dogs are most often chosen for the role of guide, which indicates excellent learning ability and a very stable psyche.
If you are interested in a small dog for a child, it is worth considering a beagle, a brown poodle, a French bulldog. These breeds are peaceful and very tolerant towards all children.
When choosing a dog for a child, do not stop at one option. You, like the whole family, must have a choice. Of course, first of all you get your friend a baby, but do not forget that the main responsibility will fall on your shoulders: cleaning, vaccinations, walking, visiting the clinic. In order for such work (and this is really work) to bring pleasure, the puppy should be liked by everyone, then caring for a new family member will not be a burden to anyone.
Having made a list of those dogs that, in your opinion, could be suitable, carefully examine each breed individually. Pay attention to:
- character;
- stability of the psyche (nervous system);
- demanding care (especially feeding, the need for haircuts or trimming, etc.);
- parameters (sizes).
All dog breeders once also had to deal with such a choice. Agree - the task is not easy: to take a dog of small size, with a genetically embedded love for children and at the same time capable of protecting both the child and private property, with minimal grooming requirements and capable of training.
Many had multiple trips to exhibitions and training grounds, consultations with veterinarians and breeders, and the study of pedigree features (moreover, several dogs at once). Responsible dog breeders were stopped by the understanding that thoughtlessly, in a hurry, a dog for a child should not be taken: an adult's mistake can turn into a serious psychological shock for the baby. Someone chose the St. Bernard - respectable formidable, but at the same time good-natured giant, and someone settled on a French bulldog, really adoring children, a very smart-natured kid, who is also a great guard.
Can't you consider other breeds? And if you still get, for example, a shepherd or a Doberman?
Can. Of course you can! But it is better to do this only to people who have solid experience in dog breeding. Service breeds are a great option, but they require compulsory training (a training course), the ability to feel a dog and respond with lightning speed to the slightest signs of aggression. And to react correctly. And not every dog breeder is capable of this.
Under the demonstration performances that you can sometimes watch at various events, there are years of hard work of instructors and guides (owners). Every honed movement is hard work. If you are ready for this, if you understand the specifics, then perhaps the service breeds should be considered too. If you are still a beginner, stop at the "diver", St. Bernard, Labrador, Collie, French Bulldog.
Important: before you bring the puppy to the house, take the allergy test with the whole family!