The perfect dog for your family will depend on your family’s lifestyle, temperament, and financial situation. A dog should get along with your family to provide everyone with a seamless transition and a joyful existence.
Sadly, euthanasia due to “poor behaviour” is the leading cause of mortality in young male canines.
Dogs make excellent friends, home security, and teaching tools for your children about caring for another living creature.
Adopting a dog is similar to bringing a new family member home. The majority of dog breeds make excellent pets for people.
However, the best breed for you will depend on your lifestyle and available space. Here are 10 tips to help you pick the perfect breed for your kids’ new pet!
1. The Age Of Your Kid
Look for canines that are calm with small children or an infant. Young toddlers could find a boisterous, high-energy dog to be too much.
Children may learn how to appreciate and connect with animals from calm dogs, making them a good choice for homes with small children.
A calm, understanding dog will tolerate these actions, lowering the possibility of an angry reaction.
You could wish to choose a more active breed if your children are a little older—at least eight years old.
There are breeds with higher energy levels than others, so it’s important to pick one that fits your surroundings and way of life.
2. Think About The Local Laws And Policies
Municipalities have different registration rules. However, some places demand registration for all breeds.
Breeds that are dangerous could also need more insurance. Whether you have a hazardous dog breed, ask your homeowner’s insurance provider if there are any extra costs or coverage requirements.
Unrestrained dogs may be dangerously distracting. A cage is an ideal alternative if you want to take your new family dog on vehicle journeys.
If you drive a tiny sedan, consider getting a smaller breed that is simple to carry in almost any car. The driving regulations in your area are a crucial additional factor.
3. The Age of The Pet
When it comes to housebreaking, an older dog is preferable to a puppy since it needs less exercise and care.
A puppy’s constant need for attention and boundless activity can make raising one feel like a full-time job sometimes.
Buying an older dog who is already housebroken and versed in basic instructions could be the wiser choice.
Potty training and crate training, two of the most time-consuming activities associated with getting a new pet, are unnecessary if you adopt an older dog.
A more senior dog may already be housebroken and crate-trained; even if they aren’t, it will probably pick up new skills more quickly. Adult dogs are more likely to have moved past their destructive gnawing stage.
4. How Much You Can Afford
In the long term, owning a dog may be very expensive, especially if you want a particular breed.
Labs and golden retrievers cost a few hundred dollars, but more expensive or unusual breeds might cost thousands of dollars.
For start-up expenses like vaccinations and spaying or neutering, some rescue organizations ask the adopter to contribute a couple of hundred dollars.
Large dogs can eat you out of the house and home, and premium dog food is pricey. Certain purebred canines are more prone to illness than the typical mongrel or “pound puppy.”
5. Check The Dog’s Temperament
Not all large dog breeds are noted for being unpleasant to children. Little terriers and spaniels are not recommended as pets if you have children.
Poodles, Chow Chows, Pinschers, and Schnauzers, aren’t either.
Some of the bigger dogs, even from the bully breeds, might be the friendliest to children. If given enough exercise, retrievers, known for their disposition, are wonderful family pets.
The list of dogs suitable for children includes hound dogs, boxers, collies, mastiffs, and St. Bernards. Spend a lot of time socializing your new pet, regardless of the breed.
6. Your Living Space
The size and condition of the family’s interior and outdoor living area should be considered when selecting a dog.
It is preferable to get a small size dog for tiny apartment dwellings. Smaller dogs need less area to run about, making them ideal for residences with limited space.
You can pick a large, active dog for your kids if you live in a large house in the country. Getting a medium or big dog that can offer companionship and security for larger homes and families is advisable.
Larger dogs could also be more suited for outdoor pursuits like running, fetching, and strolling.
7. Caring For The Pet
Your child should be given the comparatively simple tasks of caring for the dog. Dogs of various breeds require various kinds of care.
For a dog to fit into the social context, good grooming is necessary for both puppies and adults.
Your dog needs a clean, comfortable place to live and protection from the weather. Additionally, you should guarantee that the food is nutritious and high-quality.
There is certainly a tonne of high-fiber dog foods on the market so you may go online for a list of them.
8. Dog’s Activity Time
A dog needs a specific amount of time for routine walking. For their health, they also need to engage in physical activity like running, leaping, and fetching.
Therefore, if you want to bring a dog for your child, bear these things in mind.
For a higher possibility of bonding, you should schedule physical activities with your dog and educate your child to do the same.
Running, leaping, and fetching exercises are vital for the health and welfare of your dog. You must carve out the time to engage in these activities with your dog.
9. Allergies Among Your Family Members
The good news is that allergies to dogs are less prevalent than allergies to cats. Humans are sensitive to pet dander, which is present in both cats and dogs and is made up of dried proteins from skin secretions and saliva.
You may see this flaking skin on the fur of dogs and cats.
Consider selecting a pet that sheds less if you or your children have allergies to dog dander.
The American Kennel Club recommends the following breeds for those with allergies since they have less pet dander: Maltese, poodle, Bichon Frise, Bedlington terrier, and schnauzer are some examples of dogs.
10. Gender Of The Dog
When choosing a family dog, deciding whether you want a male or female dog is important.
Generally speaking, male dogs are more loving and require more care. Women are sometimes more autonomous and unpredictable with others.
Female dogs are more likely to appreciate their “alone time” than male canines.
Both male and female dogs may get along well with kids, although some people believe that female dogs are preferable because of their caring personalities.
Some male dogs never fully grow out of their puppylike characteristics, which tend to last longer in male dogs.
You shouldn’t have to worry about reproduction since, nowadays, it is the responsible thing to do to get your dog spayed or neutered.
Additional:
