How to choose a dog for children:Â
The dog is man’s best friend, but what you may not know is that it can also be the best friend of your children if you choose the right breed. A dog, far from being a hindrance, can be of great help when educating your children.
It is an affectionate and faithful companion, as well as being a very interactive and sociable animal with humans. Children will learn to communicate more instinctively and to understand the bases of communication from observing and listening to the needs of another living being that does not speak their language. Which is more necessary for the future than it often seems to us.
Below, from kidsrush.com, we explain how to choose a dog for children, so that you can enjoy the many benefits of the little ones growing up in the company of a pet.
How to choose a dog for children
The ideal dog breeds for children
Knowing that having a dog as a pet to accompany children in their development is one of the 10 reasons to have a dog, you should think about some things before choosing it. For example, you must take into account the size of your dog and your child, since if you are going to make him walk the dog mustn’t have more strength than the child, for obvious reasons.
The other point to take into account is our reception capacity at the level of space (which will determine if we can have a large or small dog) and dedication time (to decide whether it will be more active or less).
From here, we are going to show you 7 ideal dog breeds for children :
Bichon Maltese
It looks like a stuffed animal but it is not, and all members of the family must take it into account. From there, the Bichon Maltese is an ideal breed for children as it is playful, affectionate, and harmless as long as it runs long enough to get home tired. Also, it is one of the best dog breeds for apartment living.
Beagle
Very energetic and somewhat nervous, so in principle, they are ideal for moved children. They are protective and, if they are not well educated, they tend to bark a lot to warn us of anything. Of course, having solved the issue of walks and barking, they are the most fun option to have with children. Beagles are very cheerful and playful dogs, also respectful, affectionate, and patient. They will be a faithful friend for your child and a great companion for adventures and games.
Dalmatian
The big screen brought them fame thanks to the Walt Disney movie, but beyond that, the Dalmatian is truly an exceptional breed to deal with the little ones. They are faithful and energetic, but very careful with the masters, and attentive. They are also very sociable if they are educated correctly from positive reinforcement. These dogs are a good option if yours is a sports family that enjoys doing outdoor activities because they need a good dose of the field to satiate their energy.
Golden retriever or Labrador retriever
In general, Labradors and Golden Retrievers have a character that fits very well with family life. Although they grow a lot, they are affectionate and docile from day one, and they are dogs that have a special delicacy with children. Also, they are very obedient, patient, and easy to teach. They get along well with other dogs and are very sociable with people.
Saint Bernard and Bobtail
Saint bernard and bobtail are two different breeds but we put them together because they need similar care. Both are dogs that need a lot of space and time to run freely until they tire. They cannot bear living in an apartment unless they are taken out several times a day and exercised, and it is almost essential to living near the countryside or have a good garden for a coexistence without problems. Of course, they are both pure love: big, soft, hairy (you have to brush them often), and nothing aggressive or nervous. Ideal for living with children. Also, both breeds are the calmest dogs out there.
The characteristics of an ideal dog for children
In case you prefer to adopt a purebred dog or not, one of the most important aspects is that you make sure that the dog you are going to choose is patient and calm, but with a desire to play. Experts recommend that it does not exceed two years or be less than eight months. So that it does not give as much work as a puppy but is still in a playful age, which is when they are more fun and will show a special interest and ease in relating to children.
Another important characteristic is that it is not a very dominant or possessive dog, so as not to have problems with toys. Dogs with a strong hunting instinct are usually very jealous of their prey, even if it is a ball or a sock. Therefore, even if they are not aggressive, they can be grumpy if your children join the game of stealing their toys or the other way around.
In any case, the most important thing when choosing a dog for children is to do it with the children. Especially if you decide to adopt a kennel or animal shelter dog. The best thing to do is to all go together and be advised by the people who work there, who are the ones who best know the characters of the dogs they have.
You just have to take into account, before going, the time and care that you will be able to dedicate to your dog and speak honestly with the reception center so that they find the option that best suits your needs.
Benefits of growing up with a dog for children
A dog can be of great help when it comes to teaching children to assume responsibilities, since having a pet they will learn to take care of a living being just as their parents are doing with them.
It is not necessary to remember, also, that dogs are used a lot in therapies for children with emotional or physical difficulties since contact with these animals helps them improve their relationship with other beings and their motor coordination capacity.
And it is that, in reality, to take good care of a dog you have to be attentive to non-verbal language and get the most instinctive part of you because they do not speak the same language as humans but they do know, for example, when their master is happy or sad.
A dog is an animal that makes a lot of company, and this can help children to lose their fear, for example, of the dark, since the dog is always watching for him, and the child knows it. Growing up in the company of a dog will help you to feel confident in the outdoors and to be more confident thanks to your furry companion.
References