Children and dogs???

Question

do i get a puppy or rescue dog? pedigree or not?? i have a 5 year old son and want a dog/puppy. But not sure i have the chance of a puppy which is a german shepherd or a dog from a rescue centre. i know its always best to try and rescue dogs etc. but i have a 5 year old and am abit weary, like the saying said you cant teach an old dog new tricks, at least is i get a puppy i could train it myself and it will be used to my son. any ideas/thoughts on this?

Answer 1

For a five year old try to find a small dog.It doesn't matter if it's a pedigreed dog as long as it's healthy.A german shepard or a large type dog will quickly out grow the five year old so find a small type dog and both will be happy.

Answer 2

I don't trust any dogs of any size or breed around my kids.  They're too unpredictable.  Maybe if my kids were teenagers.  

Answer 3

Having raised several puppies myself, I can tell you that they are a LOT of work for 18-24 months. After that they can be absolute gems, or complete idiots. It depends on the dog. But all puppies are crazy - sweet, adorable, loveable - but crazy. They chew everything they can get their paws on.

Rescue dogs are all different. We rescued a dog that was brought to a shelter after Hurricane Katrina, and it's taken a long time to get him to settle down. He still behaves like an idiot quite often, but he is calming down.

Depending on the dog's history, a rescue can be equally hard to handle.

Either way, be prepared for a lot of work! (and love of course too - I'm dog crazy and would have 20 of them if I could!)

Answer 4

You can always take your son with you to check out the interaction between him and a rescue dog you have your eye on.  Watch the dog carefully - there's plenty of really good dogs in shelters in need of a home.

But I do agree with you that you won't know for sure.  If you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, you have the hugely important advantage of being able to see your puppy's parents and their temperaments, especially the mom's, play a huge role in your puppy's temperament.  Along with how he's raised, of course.  

The other advantage is that all reputable breeders are always available to answer questions and give advice to new puppy owners.  

If it was me with a 5 year old, I'd go for the puppy.

Answer 5

personally a puppy but you can get some fantastic rescue dogs but take your son with you to see how he reacts with the dog

Answer 6

If you are a bit weary, don't think for a second that a puppy is going to be easy! Puppies are extremely challenging! You will be starting from scratch on housebreaking, obedience, etc. If you get a puppy, your bond will be very strong since you are raising him from a very young age. An older dog may be more difficult in some ways, but he will also be easier in some ways. Depending on the dog breed and the age of the older dog, he will probably be less incline to chew, he will probably be more relaxed, etc. A puppy will be extremely high energy once it reaches about 4-5 months. However, an older dog may be significantly more difficult to housebreak. I am a firm believer in that every dog can be trained, no matter the age. It just depends on the techniques that you use to train him, and how consistent you are with him. Also, just because it is an older dog, it could still be very good with children. As a german shepherd owner, I know that as puppies they have a tendency to nip. Either way, there will be challenges, so I think you should go with your gut feeling. Choose the dog that you have the best feeling about when you meet them. Good Luck!

Answer 7

you can find young dogs at the rescue places too, you should at least go to check it out. go alone first, and if you see one you like, go back with your 5 year old to see if they hit it off or not before you decide.

Answer 8

A GSD puppy can not and should never be left alone with a child, no puppy should.

A GSD is going to be a large rambuncious pup and it may very well knock your child down and play to rough. Puppies are like that.

Many rescues will not adopt dogs to people with young children.

Getting a puppy is fine as long as you have the time to train and work with the pup and you can make sure the child and pup are supervised.

Getting a rescue dog also can be a good way to go. Our rescue behavior tests each dog very care full to make sure they are ok with kids. Some are great and love kids some are not. Depending on the rescue and how they test their dogs they can be easier as most are housebroken and have at least basic house manners something a puppy does not.

Make your decision carefully and make sure you have the time to train and groom and exercise the dog and that the breed you choose has needs that fit into your lifestyle. Do not go for very active breeds if your home is more laid back type as bored dogs are destructive dogs.

Answer 9

If you go for a pup from a breeder, make sure you put a lot of time and effort into finding a truly responsible one.  Be prepared to spend a bit of money.  Find someone who breeds for proper temperament- not just looks, color, size or money.  Make sure all appropriate health tests, etc. have been performed on the parents.  

A pup is not always a sure thing.  Pups with questionable genetics can grow up into questionable dogs, even with the best training.  There is no reason to rush into purchasing (or adopting) a dog....it's a choice that'll live with you for 10-15 years, so take your time.  

Rescue centers do get puppies in, even entire litters complete with Mom.   And in some cases, you will find adult dogs who have been evaluated around kids, or who came from families with kids and did fine (and were given up for some other reason- moving, new job, allergies, etc).  

Another way of looking at an adult rescue is knowing his temperament is already developed, and what you see is what you get.  Provided he's been evaluated or there is some kind of history available on him, you should be able to adopt a kid-friendly dog with no problems.  Good luck.  

Answer 10

The rescue centre would not give you an unsuitable dog, they observe all dogs in their care. Some dogs would settle better with older children, some would love younger ones, and many prefer their rescue dogs go to an adult family only. They are also vet inspected, and given any necessary inoculations. Why don`t you go along yourself and have a look, you will know right away which one you would have.

Answer 11

Firstly, I admire you for considering rescuing a dog :)

I would say if you were having doubts, go to to a rescue centre where they may have dogs completely suitable for being around young children, and they even have abandoned puppies too, so you could still train a puppy yourself to be good around children.

As to pedigree/mongrel's I think that although breed does have something to do with behaiviours, (labradors are notorious for being good with children), it's more to do with a dogs upbringing - if its not been socialised with children then it would probably be unwise to risk having this dog around your son.

Try the kennel clubs website for more help - http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ - I highly recommend the Discover Dogs Show, which is the 8th and 9th November this year, at Earls court - you can go around and meet different breeds of dogs, talk to breeders and owners, and you can collect lots of information leaflets.

Hope this helps!  

Answer 12

there are loads of puppies in rescue centres, don't just think they are for old dogs. please give one a home.

Answer 13

you nailed it,every thing you wrote would have been my answer,because your main concern is for your child.please DO NOT rescue a dog unless you can rescue a puppy dog,that would be killing 2 birds with 1 stone,any way I hope every thing works out for you and your child and your new puppy.

Answer 14

Children don't really care about pedigrees. They would probably prefer a cute, friendly puppy. But old dogs are ok too. Just make sure they're friendly :D

Answer 15

Hi becky.  There are dog breeds compatible with kids. Just make sure your son should always be supervised by an adult.  And, the dog you will get should also be trained on how to get along with kids. You can visit this site for more dog breeds you can get for your son.  

http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteri...

Answer 16

I'd try and get a rescue dog if possible,remember too,that they're not all old dogs,many pregnant and nursing b*****s are taken in too and these pups will also need rehoming,they'll be sure to be the first to go though!!

Consider an older dog though,research your breeds,the rescue centre will vet all dogs and advise you on the right choice.

When my little girl was two,a friend of my brothers was getting rid of his big Rottie dog because she was pregnant (and generally a bit scared as he was a biggie!!).He gave him to us for nothing,and we had another 14 wonderful years with the biggest,softest lump you could ever imagine.

Answer 17

It would be ideal to get a puppy if you have a young child, but the thing is you have to be consistent with the puppy if you're to train it, I know a couple that got a puppy and they have a 6 year old daughter but they got lazy and now the dog is pretty wild, it jumps up on people all the time, pees in the kitchen all the time, and it was a pedigree!! Just remember that there's alot involved when getting a dog

Answer 18

From my experiences mixed breed/Heinz 57/mutts/rescue dogs are all around better dogs. The purebreds tend to have more inbreeding, temperament problems, and genetic problems. If you rescue, you are saving a life and I believe the dog knows it and is grateful to you.

As for interactions with children, it depends on the dog's personality and also how you teach your child to interact with animals.

Answer 19

you need to be careful when getting a dog if you have a young child, not all breeds of dogs are good with children and some children like to pull a dogs tail and ears, which some dogs wont like and others will just sit there happily while the child does this.  

Answer 20

I'd definitely go for a puppy for the sake of safety.

Answer 21

If you can, get a puppy.  Try to get a dog that's a good family dog, like a lab, retriever, etc..  If you get a rescue dog, ask the people who have the dog and ask them if the dog has any people or children issues, and if the dog is a "social" dog.  They should know the dog's  background and history.

Good luck on getting a puppy!  Whether it's a purebred or mixed, it will be great.      

Answer 22

While the dog needs to be kid friendly the kid needs to be dog friendly. I am currently doing a foster for a dog who was apparently a bait dog. When i found him... he was out in the middle of traffic... his mouth was taped, and his feet had tape on them. he had torn up ears and his jowls were tore up. I managed to catch him... he saw the vet and when he gains 20 pounds he will be neutered! he has 10 stapes or stiches holding his jowls closed and he is earless... But... he is near my son and with my 3 pound chi on a daily basis. the only thing i watch out for is he is a bit food and toy agressive. but he is being worked with. My son knows (at 2 years old) that he doesnot mess with the dogs when they are eating or messing with toys. I do keep close eye considering i know he is agressive. Generally when my son nears the rescue dog he walks away. It all depends on the animal. I am not saying that they will all have the same temperment, If a child learns to respect them they they will all work out to be awesome. I would try to get a younger dog... they seem to be better with adjusting to children then an older dog.

hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 23

I'd Probably go for a rescue puppy. german Shepard's are quite big for a 5 year old, but you would have to make sure that if you get a rescue dog that it will be okay round your little one. and maybe don't go for big dogs,

hope i could help.

X

Answer 24

Go for a puppy it will grow up around your child and learn to protect a child.

Answer 25

rescuing any dog from the shelter gives them a chance to show you that they appreciate a second chance.  dogs are always learning and can be taught at any age.  just time and patience and you will get the dog you are looking for.  

visit several places before making your decision.  

good luck

Answer 26

I would definitely get a puppy. I have a 20 month old daughter and a 5 month old staffordshire bull terrier. They get on brilliantly. I think it is important for the dog to grow up with the child. It is also important for the child to know when the dog wants to be left alone. If you decide to get a rescued dog, ask the rescue centre if the dog has grown up with kids.  

Answer 27

With a young child I would suggest you go for the puppy - it does not really matter about the breed but I know from experience that German Shepherds are wonderful dogs, great fun to train and will grow to be your sons best mate and guardian. They are very intelligent and not too "hyper".

When getting a rescue you don't really know its history and it may have "quirks" you are not aware of. With a pup you know that its behaviour is totally down to how you bring it up.