Child friendly dogs can make fantastic family members
Hungarian Vizslas, like Ollie, can make really child friendly dogs but are all individuals
If you are considering adding a furry member to your family you will undoubtedly be wondering, which are the best child friendly dogs? At Barking Mad Dog Care, with twenty years of experience as dog care professionals under our belts, we believe that the answer to that question is more complicated than it might at first appear.
The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and welfare of all dogs, states:
“Three examples of breeds that can be particularly suited to families with children, because of their loyal and affectionate nature, are the Labrador, Boxer and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, however, there are many more that are particularly good with children.”
It is important to realise though that every dog, no matter what their breed, is an individual. Below we will explore what you should consider when choosing to bring a dog into your family home.
Are your children ready to share their home with a dog?
You may have consulted the internet to find out which are the best child friendly dogs, but have you spent time making sure that your children understand how to be dog friendly? It’s important to encourage children to see the world from a dog’s point of view. They need to learn to always question if their attentions are welcome, to ensure a happy home for everybody.
The Blue Cross are keen to help us understand dog body language and advise:
“There are over seven million dogs in the U.K and many of them are bought for companionship as fhttps://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/be-safe-dogsamily pets. It is important that children understand how to behave around the dogs in their homes and in their community so they can enjoy their company and remain safe.”
Which is the right dog breed for YOUR family?
When choosing a dog or puppy for your family, it’s important to choose the right breed for your individual circumstances. You should spend some time researching the temperaments of different breeds and the care that each require, questioning if they are suitable for your lifestyle.
Good points to consider are:
- What size is your home?
- Are any of your family members sensitive to fur?
- How much spare time does your family have and what are their activity levels?
Many types of dog have easy going temperaments with intelligent and playful character traits. Such dogs can thrive in a family environment with plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, attention and training. However, please note that young children should always be supervised around any breed of dogs and appropriate care should be taken.
Child friendly dogs are well trained and socialised
Well trained and socialised canines can have real benefits for responsible dog owning families with children. Any dog, if trained and socialised properly, can make a wonderful family pet. Therefore, when thinking about getting a dog, you should also think about what training they will need. Reputable dog training classes in your local area can be found by visiting the Association of Pet Dog Trainers’ website.
http://www.apdt.co.uk/
Hosting for Barking Mad is a great activity for families with school age children who love dogs
What are the benefits of sharing your home with child friendly dogs?
- Children with pets are said to have better self esteem,empathy and social skills
- A dog can be a very loyal best friend for your child
- Dogs can be good for your child’s health. Research has shown that there is a reduced chance of allergies and asthma when a baby has a cat or dog in the home in their first year of life. There are also benefits for the immune system.
- Stroking a dog can reduce anxiety and owning a pet can aid relaxation. Later in life, dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, suffering from fewer medical problems generally.
- Walking your dog and caring for them is good exercise for your child too
- Pets can teach children about responsibility, respect and compassion
Are there any alternatives to full time dog ownership?
If, after careful consideration, you decide that you are not able to commit to owning a child friendly dog on a full time basis – there is another option. We are currently seeking more hosts in your local area to care for dogs whose owners are away, as part of our dog home boarding service. This is an ideal opportunity for families, or teaching professionals, who can’t commit to full time dog ownership during term-time, to experience the joy and life enhancing benefits of canine companionship, at a time to suit them. Having a dog to stay encourages everyone in the family to venture out into the great outdoors and take more exercise too.
Barking Mad witnesses many families whose leisure time is transformed by visiting dogs. Canine visitors arrive with all their own food, bedding, toys and treats. We take care of all the insurance, administration and transport. Your local dog sitting professional will be on hand 24 hours a day to provide support in person.
What do I need to be a Barking Mad host?
Our host families need to have secure a property and an outside space for their doggy guests. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer our hosting opportunity to families who have children under the age of five, or any pets of their own that wouldn’t be appropriate for visiting dogs.
There is no need to provide anything other than your time and affection and a loving home environment. If you are real dog lovers and have some free time, we would love to hear from you! You can call us on 015242 20202 or visit www.barkingmad.uk.com/become-a-dog-sitter to find out more.
Please note, our information about child friendly dogs is a brief summary for the benefit of our website visitors. TWe would advise carrying out lots of research, both online and in person (such as with your local vet) before making a decision to purchase or adopt a puppy or adult dog.
