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Ask Dr. Sue
CHOOSING A DOG
Dear Dr. Sue,
I have a four year old son, and I'm interested in buying
a dog. Can you tell me which breeds are recommended for
small children, and anything else I should consider
while looking for a dog?
Dear
Parent,
There are many things to consider when you start to think about
bringing home a dog. A dog will actually be a new family member, and
should be chosen with almost the same care you showed in choosing
your mate!
The first thing to think very carefully about is whether you and
your family are truly ready for this commitment. Many animal
professionals advise waiting to buy a dog for your child until he is
between seven and nine. This doesn't mean that you would be wrong to
proceed with your plans now, but it should make you give your idea a
second and then a third thought before proceeding.
Think about whether anyone in your family has allergies or asthma,
which certainly could be affected by adding a dog to the household.
Consider your lifestyle. You don't mention whether anyone in your
family stays home or whether the adults all work full-time. Puppies
in particular require a lot of time and energy to raise, not unlike
adding a new baby to the family. Puppies can only wait to go to the
bathroom for a maximum of 4 or 5 hours. Will someone have to come
home to walk the puppy? Who will have enough time to obedience train
him? Obedience training is essential if you want to be happy with
your dog. Puppies also need a lot of human interaction and exercise
every day in order to avoid behavioral problems. Many active breeds
need a lot of exercise even as adults. Do you have the necessary
time to provide this exercise?
Don't expect your child to consistently do all of the feeding, care
and exercising, either. Even an older child who has been begging for
a dog for years often loses interest in the day-to-day necessities
of care once the newness wears off. You must assume that the adults
will have the final responsibility for dog care.
Also consider the following, from Debbye Turner, DVM, the
veterinarian for the Early Show:
1. Dogs can live up to 20 years. So can cats. As she says, pets are
like raising kids, except the pet never goes to college and leaves
home!
2. Pet owners spend more than $11 billion a year on pet care. The
cost of veterinary care a year for a dog can run from $200 to $300
for a healthy pet. And what if yours becomes unhealthy?
3. The cost of dog food for a year is between $100 and $400. Then
remember to add the cost of grooming, training, toys, supplies and
boarding or pet sitting. All together the total can be several
hundred dollars yearly.
On the other hand, studies have shown repeatedly that having pets
has a positive influence on most children. One study, published in
2000 by child psychologist Robert E. Bierer, Ph.D. showed a marked
difference in empathy and self-esteem between preadolescents who
owned a dog and those who did not. A pet also helps teach your child
to understand nonverbal communication, and to learn nurturing
behavior and responsibility. And nowhere else in his life will your
child find the kind of unconditional love and acceptance provided by
a dog.
So if you've weighed the pros and cons and the balance comes out in
favor of getting a dog now, there are some breeds that are generally
considered to be better family dogs, especially when young children
are involved.
Small dogs might seem like a good choice since they are more
"child-sized." Many of them don't like a lot of people or noise or
fuss, however. They also are more easily injured by rambunctious
play.
Avoid herding dogs, who can be very intense at their herding
behavior and may tend to nip at your son's heels.
Avoid more aggressive and territorial breeds like Chows and
Rottweilers.
I strongly advise against buying a dog at a pet store. If you plan
to buy a dog, go to a reputable breeder for a dog whose temperament
and health is more likely to be predictable.
For a young child's first dog, I would strongly advise adopting a
mature dog rather than starting with a puppy. If you can find a dog
who has already been around young children and who is known to love
children, jump at the chance to adopt him. Check with local
veterinarians, who may know of such a dog who needs a home. Go to
the Humane Society. Ask to see adult dogs who came to the shelter
with some history (rather than strays with unknown backgrounds).
Adopting a dog from a shelter means saving a life. And mixed breed
dogs may have fewer health problems than some purebred dogs.
If you feel you must buy a purebred dog, the Progressive Animal
Welfare Society (PAWS) lists these breeds as the top choices for
families with children: Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Collie,
Corgi, Doberman, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Keeshond,
Labrador Retriever, Norwegian Elkhound, Pug.
Lists from other sources include the Poodle, a dog that is said to
be smart, sweet and gentle and usually quite good with children.
Avoid Miniature Poodles, for the reasons discussed above. Also
consider Pomeranians and Whippets for houses with older children.
PAWS suggests being extra cautious with the following breeds (I
would interpret that as DON'T buy for a home with a four-year-old
boy in it.): Afghan, Akita, American Eskimo, Chow Chow,
Dachshund, Dalmation, Great Dane, Llaso Apso, Most Small Terriers,
Any Herding Breed.
Wherever you get your dog, and whatever type you end up with, train
him well. Sign up for dog training classes and get the whole family
involved in practicing his lessons, so that everyone uses a similar
technique with him. Teach him never to nip at a hand that appears in
his food bowl, since you won't be able to guarantee that your son
will never reach out toward him while he's eating. (Ask how to teach
this at your dog training class.) If he ever growls or nips at your
child or any other, consult an animal behavior expert at once. Don't
ever leave him alone with a baby or toddler (important for you to
know in case you add one of those to your family, too!) Teach your
son to always wash his hands after playing with the dog.
Good books to read for further research:
About adopting dogs: Second Hand Dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin
Adopt the
Perfect Dog: A Practical Guide to Choosing and Training an Adult
Dog, by Gwen Bailey
About Purebred Dogs: The Right Dog for You, Choosing a Breed that
Matches Your Personality, Family and Lifestyle, by Daniel Tortora
Choosing a Dog for Life, by DePrisco, Johnson and DePrisco
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