What makes a family complete? That’s right – a dog. But before you get a dog, you should not only ask yourself whether you are really made for a dog, but also take a close look at the dog breeds that are at the top of your wish list.
Am I / are we suitable for a dog?
One request beforehand: Be absolutely honest with yourself and your family about this question! A dog is a living creature that can possibly live to be 12 or even 15 years old. This means that you commit yourself to this animal for the next 12 – 15 years. In a marriage it would be “for better or for worse”. And it’s true – something can happen to a dog too.
It doesn’t just need daily food, a small (usually rather a large) walk – preferably 2, a few strokes and that’s it. No, a dog can get sick and then needs care. A dog will grow old and may then need not only care but also a lot of understanding and adjustment.
Answer honestly, from the bottom of your heart, whether you want to cope with this task for such a long time. Correct, the question is only up for debate if you have never lived with a dog. If you have also grown up with a dog, you already know the whole thing and what to expect.
Why should your child grow up with a dog?
It has been found that children who grow up with dogs are more social, less aggressive and more balanced. They are also more open to sporting activities in general. After all, they have no choice but to go outdoors with the dog on a regular basis. By the way, this frequent outdoor exercise also helps to build up a strong immune system.
The child always has his buddy by his side to comfort him and simply be there when someone is needed. In addition, with a dog it has to learn to recognise the needs of others without words, to adjust to them, to take responsibility and to accept and respect the limits of others.
Dogs are NOT gifts
Please remember that the dog is a living being that should not be put under the tree as a Christmas present. The decision to get a dog must be made consciously, with the whole family. Because, of course, the children will also have their dry spells and the dog will remain “attached” to the adults. This is perfectly normal under certain circumstances. Therefore, a pro and con list can make the decision easier. But please also inform the rest of the family.
What makes the family dog?
The ideal family dog loves his people and wants nothing more than to spend time with them and do lots of things with them. By the way, company for the dog also means being fed, cleaned and taken to the vet for check-ups or vaccinations. Why? Quite clearly – because it’s something he does together with his favourite people. And already it’s something great for the family dog that can only be good.
Ideally, the family dog has nerves of steel, especially if there are small children in the household who occasionally cross his personal boundaries. The family dog with a strong character is loving and caring with small children and also herds them a little. He is the perfect buddy for the child to grow up with. Nevertheless, you should establish concrete rules for dealing with the dog and also enforce them. This is the best way to avoid incidents.
At the same time, however, the family dog also loves to guard his family, his pack, and to protect it when necessary. No, this does not make him an aggressive dog. Even a terrier that stands barking loudly in front of an uninvited visitor is protecting and guarding its family. In this respect, every dog breed has its own peculiarities, which you can adjust to, which you have to accept.
The perfect family dog can also be left alone for a few hours so that the family can keep their appointments.
The dog’s urge to move should be rather low to medium if there are mainly small children in the household. With small children, it is not necessarily possible to go for long walks in every season. Also, when the children grow up, football training, ballet or music lessons and, of course, school are on the agenda, time can sometimes be short.
Low maintenance is an advantage. Dogs that require a lot of grooming for their coat can rarely be adequately cared for.
Rules for living with dogs and family
- Sanctuary dog basket: When the dog retreats to his basket, he wants to have his peace and quiet. Whether he is just resting or actually sleeping is irrelevant. The dog is not disturbed here. Full stop!
- Undisturbed eating: Certainly there will be eating times for the dog. But during this time the dog is not disturbed, no matter how long it takes him to eat.
- Non-violent handling: Of course, children are sometimes a bit rougher with the dog than we would like. BUT the dog’s fur, ears or tail are never pulled. For him, these are attacks that he would have to fend off.
- DO NOT stare into the eyes: Of course, the child is allowed to look at the dog. It should turn its head or at least its eyes away again quite quickly. But it is not appropriate to stare fixedly into the dog’s eyes. In dog language, this means “I am the stronger one, I am not afraid of you.” This could be interpreted as a threat, even an attack.
- Attention – pointed and sharp teeth: The child should learn from the beginning to stay away from the dog’s teeth. It can happen too quickly that the dog snaps completely unintentionally. It is important that the child can use the commands “off” and “no” correctly. And, of course, that the dog has already mastered them.
- Dog toys belong to the dog: Children should know the difference between playing with the dog and taking the toy away from the dog. The commands “Off”, “No”, “Give” are also necessary for playing. The child should know them as well as the dog. It is best to stay on site while playing until you are sure that both have mastered the lesson.
- Supervision: This always lies with the adult. Even if both the dog and the child agree to play, you should stay on site to be able to call out the appropriate command or intervene if necessary. By the way, this also applies if the baby is obviously sleeping quietly in the cradle and the dog is lying on the floor in front of it. It must never be forgotten that a dog is a dog and not a trained robot.
Which dog breeds are family dogs?
Strictly speaking, this is a trick question. Because every dog can develop into an optimal family dog for HIS family. But there are certainly some dog breeds that are already better suited as family dogs than others because of their nature, their potential.
- Golden Retriever: He is considered calm, intelligent, child-friendly, very patient. Both the guarding and the protective instincts are very low. On the other hand, they have a very pronounced play instinct that lasts until old age. The more colourful and turbulent it is in the house, the more they are in their element.
- Labrador Retriever: Not unlike the Golden Retriever. They are friendly and outgoing towards everyone. Their good nature seems to know no bounds. They literally rest in themselves and want one thing above all – to please their humans. As former retriever dogs, they are ideal partners for ball and throwing games.
- Dalmatian: Considered easier to train, this makes them an ideal candidate for a family owning a dog for the first time. Patient and playful as they are, they are the ideal playmates for children. In addition, they are absolutely easy to care for and uncomplicated.
- German Boxer: You are looking for the ideal, calm and balanced dog. Try the German Boxer. A lot has to happen before his patience snaps. Even though they love to play, they are content just to snooze near their loved ones.
- Collie: They can be trained well and are loyal to humans. Fond of children and intelligent, but also guarding and protecting – that’s how we know the Collie. However, he has quite a big urge to move around, which has to be met in order to keep him from getting into mischief.
- Beagle: The size is well adapted to children. He also shows a child-loving character. The centre of his people is his favourite place. Preferably he would go for an active family who likes to move around. Because he loves the movement.
- English Bulldog: You wouldn’t suspect it, but she is wonderfully calm and patient with children. She rests in herself and doesn’t seem to let anything upset her. You can’t go far wrong with the English Bulldog, even as a beginner, as long as the socialisation and basic training are right.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: You just can’t resist his loyal look. He loves not only to play, but also to go for walks. The more people he meets in a house, the better he does.
- Bernese Mountain Dog: You will not succeed in getting this dog out of his calmness even with a whole kindergarten group. They don’t need to be trained, because they feel quite at home in their environment. They are the rock in the surf and enjoy watching all the family hustle and bustle.
- Irish Red Setter: Open, cheerful and friendly, as if he wants to embrace everyone, this is how this dog meets every person. Loyal and willing to learn, he is the perfect family dog in his friendly way. However, he was bred as a hunting dog in the past and still carries this strong urge to move. He wants to be exercised not only physically but also mentally.
- Basset: Don’t be in a hurry. Because with the Basset, everything is calm, everything is cosy. Nevertheless, they find the hustle and bustle that children bring fantastic. Because there is one thing they don’t like at all – being alone. They adapt perfectly to the demands of their family.
- Newfoundland: These big, lovable bears are real teddies who fulfil children’s every wish. Besides the love of their humans, they only need one thing – lots of space. They are also not easy-care candidates with their fur. By the way, they love water very much.
- Border Terrier: They are all very active? Good, then the Border Terrier is ideal for you. Strong of nerve, enthusiastic, loves to move and very open-minded towards his humans, this dog is the persistent playmate every child wishes for. But beware – terriers can be quite stubborn.
- Bobtail: Are you ready to share as many exercise sessions with the dog as petting sessions? Then you can shortlist the Bobtail. He is a high-maintenance bundle of fur that loves to be cuddled and petted by the kids.
- Poodle: He is not only fond of children and friendly. He is also eager to learn, easy to train and ready to show it at any time. In terms of coat, however, he sometimes needs more time than it might seem at first glance. Nevertheless – an excellent family dog.
FAQ
What makes a good family dog?
He should have strong nerves, be stable, well-balanced, love children and be loyal to people. The family hustle and bustle should just bounce off him.
Every dog needs exercise. What if the dog has a great urge to move?
A dog’s urge to move must always be fulfilled so that it can feel good. If this is not given by the family routine, this dog is not to be shortlisted at the current time. One would not be able to do justice to him.
Is it better to get a puppy or an adult dog, possibly from a shelter?
A difficult question. It takes a lot of time and patience to train a puppy. Dog school is the order of the day, as is constant repetition at home and on walks. On the other hand, you can certainly be lucky and get a dog from the shelter that is first-class trained and brings nothing but joy to its owners. However, it can also be a surprise package that has its hooks and eyes. This decision can only be made individually. By the way, even with puppies, you can get the absolute bully of the litter without knowing it beforehand.
Where can I find support if things don’t work out with the dog at the beginning?
Anyone who has bought a puppy will always be able to count on the support of the reputable breeder. Likewise, the ladies and gentlemen of the animal shelter will also be on hand with advice and practical help to ensure that the dog does well in its new family. Of course, it is always advisable to visit a good dog training school if things don’t work out on your own. There, perhaps in regular lessons, dog and master will get on well together.
How do I teach my children the right way to handle a dog?
Take it step by step. Stay with the dog and child when they are playing together so that you can intervene if necessary. Show the child, but also the dog, what is required. Success will not be long in coming. Older children can also be taken to dog school. Courses for children and dogs are often offered.
