Want to get a dog

Melion

I want to get a dog and have been looking through the rescue sites and i have seen a few nice dogs. Only thing is though, i have a 10 month old daughter in the house. Is she too young at the moment to bring a dog into the house? What kind of breeds, if any, would be suitable?

amiable

Melion wrote: »

I want to get a dog and have been looking through the rescue sites and i have seen a few nice dogs. Only thing is though, i have a 10 month old daughter in the house. Is she too young at the moment to bring a dog into the house? What kind of breeds, if any, would be suitable?

There's plenty of dogs that may be suitable.
My advice would be to contact a good vet for advice and there are some really good shelters who give good family advice too. One being www.madra.ie
Good luck

dezzyd

just going on personal experience here - I have a male black lab, 4yrs old. Have a nephew and neice (7+2) who are always in my house. My dog is absolutely fantastic with them, very gentle, protective and sometimes tolerating - small neice thinks he is a horse sometimes! Again, this is just my own experience. Hope you find right dog

Melion

Funnily enough it was a lab i was thinking about.

What about a boxer?

amiable

Melion wrote: »

Funnily enough it was a lab i was thinking about.

What about a boxer?

A Boxer wouldn't be my choice but is supposed to be good with kids

dezzyd

Melion wrote: »

Funnily enough it was a lab i was thinking about.

What about a boxer?

I couldn't say about a boxer, never had one. My mum has a yorkie and he can be quite snappy around kids. But then again all dogs are different. I did hear before that if you are bringing a dog into a home with kids is, unless you know it's history, it should be introduced at puppy stage rather than a mature dog.

LavaLamp

Melion wrote: »

Funnily enough it was a lab i was thinking about.

What about a boxer?

I've had no experience with Boxers BUT, if you do a quick search on YouTube for Boxer's & babies or something similar you will see why people advocate them being the perfect dogs for children (far too many cute clips going on on there)

Melion

Jesus, ive never seen any videos like that

el rabitos

Melion wrote: »

Funnily enough it was a lab i was thinking about.

What about a boxer?

hey man, i've got a boxer and although he is great with kids, really playfull dog, he's got a brilliant temperment, having one would be like having another child.

he needs alot of attention, not very easy to train and he's very strong, he's only 1.

labradors are generally the perfect family dog. pretty laid back and easy enough to train. i've had a yorkie too, they can be a bit snappy and narky, so again, probably wouldnt be my first choice with a young child around.

Randomfriend

collies are brilliant too if you get a puppy

amiable

Randomfriend wrote: »

collies are brilliant too if you get a puppy

I think a collie cross would be better

Randomfriend

my girlfriend had a Pomeranian as well and she has a nephew and niece that are 1 month and 2.5 and he is great with the little boy, he is very well trained thou, he is very timid but I have come across a few nippy buggers as well.

when i as younger we had a Doberman, he was the most gentle dog I've ever come across, I want to get one again when I get my own place

Randomfriend

amiable wrote: »

I think a collie cross would be better

i have one lovely dog but afraid of her own shadow

Quality

I have 3 kids and a lab,Daisy, she is fantastic with the kids. My youngest is now 18 months and wasnt walking when we got Daisy.

So it was a good bit of work keeping the floors spotless for the baby to crawl on, especially with the house training for the Daisy.

Now that my baby is walking it is grand, I am not as fussy and also Daisy is house trained, it only took about 3 weeks to get her fully done.

My baby loves Daisy, will come up and pet her and talk to her, and sit beside her, pull her ears, and Daisy is very gentle.

But she does pull the food out of the babys hands when the baby is holding something. And sometimes if Daisy is running by the baby she will knock him over a bit.

Also sometimes it is difficult managing the buggy and the dog on the lead. But I am getting there!


Now, I am not trying to put you off, But just letting you know, my experiences. Best of luck with whatever you decide!:)

morganafay

I would just warn you, they are lovely dogs, but labs can be very big and strong, and boxers can be hyper and strong too. All dogs are different though so you could find one good for children of those breeds.

Good thing getting a rescue, as they should be able to advise you as to what dog there would be suitable for children and test the dog with your daughter first.

I think for temperament Golden Retrievers are brilliant, quite big, but most I've met were very calm once grown up, and quite lazy. I couldn't imagine them being aggressive ever.

Springer Spaniels are lovely too, and medium sized, so not too small, not too big. Kids couldn't hurt them easily, and if you get one at a rescue, then you can see if it's hyper before you get them (they can be hyper but tend to calm down after a few years). We had a really nice Springer growing up, and he was really good with babies and kids.

And I would definitely recommend a Greyhound, they're very very calm and sweet personalities. They're not vicious dogs, just some aren't good with small animals.

Whatever dog you get just remember not to leave it alone with your daughter at any time, just in case, any dog could accidentally hurt a child when playing or something.

Good luck finding a dog

peasant

With very few exceptions, almost any breed of dog can be trained to get along with children.
The key is training, no dog comes wit an automatic "I love children" gene.

Also, no matter how kind a dog you get, dogs and small children must never be left together unattended, not even for a few minutes.

You really need to look at your circumstances and figure out (honestly) if you would be able to cope with two children (in effect a dog is nothing else) that need to be constantly supervised and need a good bit of your attention and time.

I would then recommend to go to a good rescue and get a slightly older dog (a pup is just too much work on top of a toddler) that has a proven history of liking children and already has some basic training.

morganafay

peasant wrote: »

With very few exceptions, almost any breed of dog can be trained to get along with children.
The key is training, no dog comes wit an automatic "I love children" gene.

Yes this is true, but some dogs are genetically bred to have a certain temperament, that might make them very friendly and more likely to like children. Though there are always exceptions.

lrushe

If it were me I'd be more focused on the dogs personality than its breed, whether it be purebred or mutt their personalities can vary as much as people. Visit rescues with your child and see which dog takes to her best, I agree an older more settle dog would be best and as mentioned and goes without saying children and dogs should alway be supervised. Best of luck with your search.

padunne

I have a beautiful collie at home myself. Miss the fella during the week as away on placement in ennis at the min and home is galway.
Comment earlier about the collie cross is good as mine is basically a pure breed. No papers but both parents were working dogs. They need a lot of work or exercise as you can never tire him and he always wants to come with me wherever i go. Live on farm so have plenty of work for him and space.
Be careful though as i believe myself most dogs only truly listen to one master as such. I have full control over him without lead etc but my mother cant make him do anything but the basics. I dont know is this just me but they are a wonderful well tempered dog provided they get what they need.

suziwalsh

Personally I would think it is very very difficult to have a pup in the home with a young baby. With house training and a baby learning to walk it could be a disaster. There are a good few breeds I would stay clear of and obviously would always opt for a rescue as you will have back up, advice and should it not work out you will have someone to turn to. I would always advise someone to wait until their child is talking and walking before taking on a dog.

here is some good information

Children and Dogs: Important Information for Parents

Living with a dog can be beneficial to children. Dogs can enhance children’s self-esteem, teach them responsibility and help them to learn empathy. However, children and dogs may not always automatically start off with a wonderful relationship. Parents must be willing to teach the dog and the child acceptable limits of behaviour in order to make their interactions pleasant and safe.

Selecting a Dog
What age is best? Many people have a warm and fuzzy image of a puppy and a child growing up together. If you have a young child and are thinking of adopting a puppy (less than 1 year old), there are a few things you need to consider.

• Time and energy: Puppies require a lot of time, patience, training and supervision. They also require socialisation in order to become well-adjusted adult dogs. This means they need to be taken places and exposed to new things and new people. If you have a young child who already requires a lot of care and time, you should ask yourself if you will you have enough time to care for a puppy as well.

• Safety: Puppies, because they’re babies, are fragile creatures. A puppy may become frightened, or even injured, by a well-meaning, curious child who wants to constantly pick him up, hug him or explore his body by pulling on his tail or ears.

• Rough play: Puppies have sharp teeth and claws with which they may inadvertently injure a small child. Puppies also tend to jump up on small children and knock them down. All interactions between your child and puppy will need to be closely supervised in order to minimize the chances of injuries.

• Advantages of getting an adult dog: Adult dogs require less time and attention once they’ve adjusted to your family and household routine, although you’ll still need to spend time helping your new dog with the transition to his new home. You can better gauge how hardy and tolerant an adult dog will be of a child’s enthusiasm and you can work with your local animal shelter to adopt a dog that has previously lived with children.

As a general rule, if your child is under 6 years old, it’s best to adopt a dog that’s over 2 years old. Although puppies can be a lot of fun, and it’s exciting and rewarding to help them grow into wonderful companions, they do require significantly more time to train and supervise than an adult dog.

Who will care for the dog?
It’s unrealistic to expect a child, regardless of age, to have sole responsibility of caring for a dog. Dogs need basic things like food, water and shelter, but they also need to be played with, exercised and trained on a consistent basis. Teaching a dog the rules of the house and helping him become a good companion is too overwhelming for a young child. While responsible teenagers may be up to the task, they may not be willing to spend an adequate amount of time with the dog, as their desire to be with their friends usually takes over at this age. If you’re adopting a dog “for the kids,” you must be prepared and willing to be the dog’s primary caretaker.

Starting Off Right
Below are some guidelines to help you start off on the right foot. Remember, children should never be left alone with a dog or puppy without adult supervision.

Holding:
• It's safest for both your child and puppy if your child is sitting down whenever he wants to hold the puppy. Puppies are squirmy and wiggly and may easily fall out of a young child's arms and be injured. If held insecurely, a puppy may become frightened and snap or nip in response.

• Have your child offer the puppy a toy to chew while being petted. When puppies are teething, they tend to chew on everything, including hands and arms, so having a chew toy handy will divert the puppy’s teeth away from your child. An added benefit is that the puppy will come to associate pleasant consequences (getting a treat) with being held by your child.

• For larger dogs, have your child sit in your lap and let the dog approach both of you. This way you can control your child and not allow him to get carried away with pats that are too rough. You are also there to teach your new dog to treat your child gently.

Petting and giving affection: Children often want to hug dogs around the neck. Your dog may view this as a threatening gesture, rather than an affectionate one, and may react with a growl, snap or bite. You should teach your child to pet your dog from underneath the dog’s chin, rather than hugging him or reaching over his head. You should also teach your child to avoid staring at, or looking directly into, your dog’s eyes.

Giving Treats: Some children can become fearful when a dog tries to take a treat from their hand. This may cause them to jerk their hand away at the last second. The dog may then jump up or lunge to get the treat, which may result in the child being knocked down. Have your child place the treat in an open palm, rather than holding it in his fingers. You may want to place a hand underneath your child's hand to help guide him.

Supervising Play: Children run with quick, jerky movements and have high-pitched voices. These actions are highly stimulating to a dog. Consequently, your dog may respond by chasing or jumping up on your child. Encourage your child to play quietly around the new dog until both become more comfortable with each other. Your dog also needs to learn which behaviours are appropriate and which are not. Taking an obedience class together is a good way to teach your dog to respond to commands. Punishing your dog for inappropriate behaviour will not help. If he learns that being around children always results in “bad things” happening to him, he may become defensive in their presence.

Possessions: Your dog won’t know the difference between his toys and your child’s toys until you teach him.

• Your child must take responsibility for keeping his playthings out of your dog’s reach.

• If, and only if, you catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn't, interrupt the behaviour with a loud noise, then give him an acceptable chew toy and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth.

• Don't give your dog objects to play with that could cause confusion, such as old socks, old shoes or old children's toys that closely resemble items that are off limits. He can't tell the difference!

• Dogs can be possessive about their food, toys and space. Although it’s normal for a dog to growl or snap to protect these items, it’s not acceptable. At the same time, children need to learn to respect their dog as a living creature who is not to be teased or purposefully hurt and who needs time to himself.

If your dog is growling or snapping at your child for any reason, the situation needs IMMEDIATE attention. Punishing your dog is likely to make matters worse.

Vel

I agree with Suziwalsh re. pups. I have a 15 month old son. We already had two dogs when he was born and decided when he was 4 months old to adopt our third. We decided to give an older dog a home and ended up with a lovely 10 year spaniel x. He came house trained, lead trained and has great recall and we really didn't have to put much work into him. He is also great with our son.

There is just no way we would have had the time and energy to devote to training a pup properly along with looking after our son. In the next few months your child will be on the move and believe me you will need all your time to keep an eye on them, nevermind looking after a pup!

Wisco

I'd be less concerned about breed and more concerned about temperment, especially as many rescue dogs have unknown histories. Having said that, I'm definitely a fan of rescues rather than buying...but just be aware of possible pre-existing temperment problems.
And as said above, never leave child and dog alone together.

jap gt

we have an airedale and is excellent with kids of all ages

boxercreations

this is one of those threads that will have people defending their own choice of dog - it's an emotive subject.
We all love our dogs - for every Jack Russell I refuse to have, there will be 6 Jack Russell lovers singing their praises.
For me it would be a boxer over a lab, never a small spaniel breed, never a Rotty (love em myself just could not put em near my kids) and generally a bigger dog over a small one, also love Staffies around kids but would be wary of cross bulldog breeds and although perhaps the most popular breed in rural Ireland I wouldn't have a collie - v. loyal but usually to one person.
It is also essential to find out, if possible, why the dog has been placed into a shelter and to take it out, walk it and see if the "bond" is there.
Just don't rush it and think I'm getting a dog today - or feel obliged to take one - be prepared to say "thanks but no thanks", after all he/she will be with you for a long time.
And a final thought - is it to be an in or out dog? I'm allergic and could never have a long haired dog - even with boxer had anti-histimines all year long, you never know what allergies baby might have yet.
So for my vote? A boxer, a staffy, lurcher, a schnauzer for a low hair loss or a heinz 57 that you fall in love with.

padunne

boxercreations wrote: »

although perhaps the most popular breed in rural Ireland I wouldn't have a collie - v. loyal but usually to one person.
QUOTE]

Thats exactly what i meant i just went about it the long way. Great dogs with kids etc but unless you are watching them they could over step the line. My dog has also knocked my 5 year old nephew on occasion cause he gets too excited. Not his fault but just be there to watch them. Also be careful of some breeds like work dogs hunting etc. I never realised staffy were good with kids. Good to know.