Many people feel that a dog is a great pet for a child and they are right. A dog will be a friend, a companion, and a great way to learn some responsibility. But first, you want to make sure that your child is the right age for a dog or you are pretty much just looking at a dog for yourself. A lot of people feel that five or six years old are a fine age to give a dog to a child. As long as the parent is able to do the training then this would be fine as children that age can easily find enjoyment in their furry friends and even learn a little bit about what chores and care taking are about.
If you are not up for training the dog yourself but still want your young child to have a dog then make sure that you are choosing one that is a little older then a pup and is already housebroken. This way, there will only be a small adjustment period and the dog will feel and act as though it is right at home. Make sure that you are being careful though when selecting your dog.
While it is okay to want to have the children in on the process of picking the right dog for him or her, you really have to have a few restrictions. Not all breeds are suitable for children. Some are okay with all ages, some with no child no matter what the age is, and others are fine with older children but just not younger ones. Make sure that you are taking some time to research the various breeds so that you are not allowing your child to pick one that would be the absolute worst choice. The last thing you want to do is to give your child a dog that will end up biting or wanting nothing to do with your child.
Select a breed that likes children and loves interaction. A social breed and one that loves to run around is best so that it can keep up with your child. If you are finding that you are a little confused, start reading dog books, magazines on dogs, and search the Internet high and low for all of the breed information you can get your hands on. This may take a little bit of time so it is probably a good idea to begin the research before you even mention to your child about getting a new dog. Otherwise, you will be hounded everyday with questions about when the dog is coming home.
It may also be a good idea to pick a breed that is going to be a suitable size for the child. A rough and tough boy may not have as much fun with a toy breed as he would something larger. And a little girl may enjoy a small toy dog better then a large breed. Just look over your options and think not only about what would be best for your child right now, but what would be suitable for the next ten to fifteen years.
You've either decided that your household is incomplete, or that you need a non-human companion in your home. You're about to shop for a puppy, but it suddenly dawns on you that either you have never had a dog before, or it's been so long since you've been around one that you just don't remember much about the experience. A question has just hit you right between the eyes. How do I go about choosing the right dog for my home? There is a lot for you to consider, but the basics tell you to perform a little due diligence and do some research into the different breeds that are out there.
The first thing that you have to be aware of is that everybody is different --- as different as all the breeds of dogs that are out there. I have always recommended to decide on the size of the dog before deciding on the breed. You need to figure out the type of owner you are. Do you spend more time outside or inside when you're at home? Do you want a dog that can keep up with your activity level, or one that calmly goes for daily walks with you? Do you want a lap dog, or one that gives you peace of mind that no one will mess with your home and its contents if you are away? I could fill pages with the types of questions you need to be answering when deciding on the breed you want.
Normally, when it comes to choosing the right dog for your home, what it normally comes down to is matching your personality characteristics with the dog's. Here is a list of suggestions to base your decision on.
1) Coat type --- long-hair or short-hair
2) Exercise needs --- can you handle a hyperactive breed or one that is mellow
3) Noise factors --- the barking issue couple with high the dog reacts to sounds in the surrounding neighborhood
4) Potential health problems --- definitely read about the breed you are thinking of getting; you may even want to consult a veterinarian, also
5) Size --- characteristically, dogs come in four size ranges --- small, medium, large, and ?Oh my God! That's not a dog --- that's a horse!!!?
6) Temperament --- definitely research this by reading and consulting a vet
7) Training issues --- if you're going to train the dog, you're going to want to select a breed that is easily trainable; not to be harsh, but there are breeds that are smarter than others
8) Yards and gardens --- if landscaping is your thing and you value your lawn and all those beautiful flowers that you spent lots of money on and toiled away planting, you definitely want to avoid a ?digger?
When it comes to choosing the right dog for your home, there are numerous considerations, but these by far are the primary ones. And not to be rude, but take your age range into consideration. Remember that the older a person gets, the less tolerant they are of events in their surroundings. As you get older, patience gets thinner.
Both Kelly Marshall & Alexey Baskakov are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kelly Marshall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Lose Weight and Bodybuilding Supplements. This article was written by Kelly Marshall of - the only place to shop for. Kelly Marshall's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.
Alexey Baskakov has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Pregnancy Problems and Puppies Dogs. Alexey Baskakov is a dedicated expert on pets and canine health. Check out his site for more information on how to keep your best friend healthy.. Alexey Baskakov's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.