Choosing a dog for a family with children requires an especially careful approach and taking into account many nuances. A miscalculation can lead to the fact that the dog will become not a friend for the child, but a rival in the struggle for a place in the family hierarchy, begin to show aggression towards him or be forgotten by the child as an unnecessary toy. It depends on the right choice whether the new pet will become everyone's favorite and family member, or will bring a lot of trouble and trouble.
Convenience of content as the main criterion
When choosing a dog, parents should take into account that most of the hassle associated with care and education will fall on their shoulders. Therefore, you should not stop choosing a breed that requires significant labor costs - for example, a long-haired dog will need to be brushed and washed regularly, and service and fighting dogs need strict education, frequent and long walks and good training.
Although decorative dogs seem to be an excellent option for a family with children, do not forget that a child, especially a small one, may not be careful enough and can seriously injure a fragile dog while playing. In addition, small dogs often do not like increased attention to themselves and can bark or even bite a child if he begins to treat them disrespectfully - drag them in their arms, pull their ears and paws.
Allergy in a child does not mean a categorical prohibition on the presence of a dog in the house, but the choice of breed will have to be approached even more carefully. Ideal options for children with allergies are the friendly and active poodle, the playful Bedlington Terrier, and the Bichon Frize. Molting in these dogs is rare, while the dead hair does not fall out, but is separated when combing or pinching (trimming).
If you plan that the child will participate in the care of the dog and its upbringing, be guided by the weight of the child - it should be no less than the weight of an adult representative of the breed, otherwise your offspring will not be able to keep an actively moving dog for a walk or during washing.
Choosing a friend
Absolutely contraindicated for families with children, especially small ones, are dogs characterized by a high level of intra-family aggression, striving to dominate the family and hardly giving up the positions they have won. These include Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.
It is best if the character of the child matches the character of the pet - active and mobile children will be bored with phlegmatic pugs or calm collies, and if your child is thoughtful and prefers to move slowly, it will be difficult for him to find a common language with an energetic beagle or Labrador.
For a family with small (up to 5-7 years old) children, it is better to choose a small and medium-sized dog, not too active, balanced and calm disposition. Representatives of such breeds as Pug, French Bulldog, Bichon Frize, Welsh Corgi are suitable. The teenager is already able to cope with the collie and the agile and cheerful Irish setter. Excellent companions - Labradors, Golden Retrievers.
If you are not intimidated by the prospect of caring for the animal's fur, opt for a friendly Maltese lapdog or Yorkshire terrier, older children will be interested in communicating with a Newfoundland or St. Bernard. In addition, the Newfoundland, St. Bernard or Airedale terrier can serve as excellent defenders and will not hurt either themselves or their young owner.
