Good Dog for a 5 year old?

Question

I'm looking to get my little brother a puppy for his birthday and was wondering what everyone opinion was. He is five, something preferably small, it will be kept in the house, he is very active and loves to play outside. I don't want something that will over power him. I want to find him something that he can grow with and learn responsibility and how to take care of something, yeah I know he is five but I think it would be good for him!!

I have though about a Chihuahua but don't really know

Answer 1

A beagle!

Answer 2

Chihuahua are very cute small dogs,

but if you don't treat them right, they can become very aggressive

and trust me, they bark a lot :|  but then again it depends on the dog itself

a labrador is a perfect dog for a little kid

even though they grow up to be big, their always gonna be gentle

and protect your little brother, they listen very well to directions

but if you want a small dog, a beagle wouldn't be a bad idea :)

( it would be better if you get a dog that doesn't bark a lot )

Answer 3

Get him an aquarium. It can teach him responsibility without there any possibility the dog will get the short end of the stick.

Five years old is no where near old enough to learn to take care of another life, specially a puppy/dog. That's not fair to either the child or the puppy.

So yeah, I think an aquarium would be good. You can take him to buy the decorations, the food and let him pick out two or three fish. He's five, it'll be wondrous.

Answer 4

A stuffed dog.

Seriously..  pets are not a good choice for such young children!  If you get a dog, it should be planned to be a FAMILY pet..  not a pet for the child.  The 5 year old can assist with some chores.. such as assigning him to feed and water the dog daily.  You can give him a measured cup and show him how much to feed.

He would appreciate his "own" dog more when he's older.  At this age, he goes thru stages so quickly..  things quickly become forgotton novelty items.  He may even tire of the pup when its play biting and peeing on the floor.  By Christmas time he will be into wanting something else anyways..  like a bike or a basket ball hoop.

Young kids can learn responsability in other ways, a pet is not a necessity..  for example.. you put your bike away when you are done, otherwise it will get rusty or stolen.  You need to pick up your toys out of the yard, or they will get destroyed when dad mows the lawn, etc.

If you get a dog, get one that will be a FAMILY pet... that the whole family agrees upon taking care of.  I dont reccommend a tiny breed like a chihuahua.. many small breeds are actually too fragile for young kids..  small children like to try to pick dogs up and carry them like teddy bears, and the dog often ends up dropped or injured.  Go for something more "sturdy".. like a beagle.

Answer 5

Just remember the kid is five, he won't be paying anything towards it and it will end up being your parents responsibility. Ask them If its ok before you do anything. Dogs are very costly.

Some small dogs are not the best choice for small kids. A lot of them can be very yappy and some will bite at your heels. If you are planning on getting a dog around young kids I would recommend spaniels. A perfect one is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They have a great personality, small and are very loving.

http://www.pedigree.com.au/breeds/?b=48&...

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierking...

It would be even better if you could get one from a shelter or rescue. There are even Cavalier Rescues.

Answer 6

No puppy is good for a 5 year old unless someone is going to take full responsibility for this pup & monitor both of them together constantly!  Either one could get hurt & if the dog is small breed, it generally is the dog.  If you search shelters, they generally won't even adopt a small breed puppy to anyone with very young children (under 10 or 12).  Sorry, 5 years old is too young to understand that the puppy nips hands, toes, legs for play and can bite rather hard.  They chase & can get stepped on easily.  Animals are not toys and cannot be treated or trusted as such.  It is just not a safe environment for both of them!

Usually the dog is blamed & sent to the pound or shelter, and it's just not fair!

I own a chihuahua & although mine is quite calm, she can still growl at my older children when irritated.  Many chihuahua's are thought to be high-strung, yappy & quick to be on the defensive.  

Get him a goldfish & let him learn to feed it and gain pet responsibility....

Sorry, I'm a multiple dog owner & parent & have experienced these things first hand & the only time I was willing to adopt a dog, was when I COULD COMMIT TO THE DOG MYSELF.  And this is a 12 year + obligation and can be expensive.

Believe me, Get a goldfish...it will save you all alot of headache & heartache...

Good Luck!

Answer 7

Have to agree with most of the responses especially deedee32...

A pet is a HUGE RESPONSIBILTY...

In this disposable society we live in it is the pet that pays the

ultimate price when boredom, lack of time or patience, fustrations

of puppyhood or choosing the wrong breed takes over...the

pet is given away, dumped, or destroyed...

One important aspect that I feel has been overlooked

is finding a reputable breeder if one choses to get a

purebred...not a pet store/puppy miller, or a backyard

breeder...all of the above are concerned with only one

thing...making money...temperament, genetics, health

issues do not concern them...and they care even

less about the pups or where they go..

A reputable breeder will always take back a pup of their

breeding for whatever reason, they will interview you

to see if you are right for their pup, if you have the

time, the money, if you rent or own your own home...

they will not be offended if you ask them questions...

They are usually involved in rescue involving their

breed, they show, they do not breed alot, they have

health checks done on their breeding stock, they

get involved in doggy activities...they are always

trying to improve the health and structure of their

chosen breed...

And a reputable breeder will have a contract with

you concerning the health of the pup as well as

making sure you NEUTER or SPAY your dog...

I too agree that a plush dog for your little brother would

be the best route to go...

If you do chose to get a dog then please take your time,

the whole familly has to be involved as it will be your

parents who take care of it...there are alot of rescue

organizations out there for both purebred and mixes...

Again make sure these organizations are experienced,

have taken the time to get to know what these rescues

are like...many rescues place abandoned/abused dogs

in foster care so their temperaments can be closely

monitered...

They will know if the dog is child/pet friendly, dog

aggressive, likes or dislikes men/women, has

fear issues, is dominant or laid back, etc...

Answer 8

Chihuahuas are not good with small children.

Most "toy" breeds do better in adult homes.  Skip them.

Go to a shelter.  There are plenty of dogs that will be amazingly gentle with your brother.  Just because they're medium to large in size doesn't mean they will over power him.

Also, they can be TRAINED to respect him.

If you want a pure breed, consider:

Cocker spaniels  (any of the spaniel breeds are good)

Poodles

Golden Retreivers

Labradors

Please note:

At 5, he shouldn't be expected to remember or care for the dog all on his own.  He'll need to be coached and helped and reminded every day, every chore.  

Yes, dogs are great for children.  BUT!  An adult needs to take primary responsibility.

Also:

Puppies are over rated.

Having to house break a puppy with a 5 year old could be difficult and frusterating for you and your parents.  The 5 year old can't do it.  Again, a parent will have to step up.

Consider a 6 month old.  I'm just saying a little bladder control is a good thing in a pet.

Answer 9

I've grown up around Miniature Schnauzers and they have always been great dogs.

Answer 10

well if there's a local animal shelter go check them out take your little brother too. Unless this is a b-day gift or something.. They usually have a wide selection of mixed breed dogs that are in need of good homes as well as puppies. there you can let him play with all sorts of puppies and pick out what he likes.You'll be saving a life.!!  

Answer 11

Do you have permission from the parents? Do they want a 12+ year costly responsibility?

Don't get anything too small, it will be too fragile to withstand a 5 year old and the cost of surgery for all the broken legs will be a lot. A cocker spaniel would be a great choice.

Oh yes, a labrador, great suggestion. Getting a dog that can give the child a black eye by wagging its tail and of course will knock the child out every time it gets excited (every ten seconds). Real great option, not!

Answer 12

No reputable breeder will sell a dog as a present. Let your mom go get the dog and pay her back.

www.petfinder.com has many dogs available.  

Answer 13

Get a pug! I would say beagle or a spaniel, but because their ears are so long, you have to deal with LOTS of ear-cleaning. Chihuahuas are always good. lol :)