Breed Suitable To Be Owned By Child

[dee136]

Sister in law is looking at getting a dog for her 4 kids. They range in age from 4-14, all boys. The kids used to live on a bit of land and have a fair bit of animal experience. They had a lovely female lab but she lives with their father. I was thinking possibly a cocker spaniel, jack russell, fox terrier?

Something small-medium that the older boys can walk themselves, with the energy to keep up with them but the patience not to get snappy. One child in particular is a complete animal lover and could possibly end up a farmer, very responsible, loves helping neighbors feed animals etc. The kids are mostly good with animals but they do wrestle and fight a lot amongst themselves, would like a dog that would take that in it's stride and not get overly excited. A dog that is easy to train would also be good.

It wouldn't solely be the kids dog, their mum is great with dogs and I imagine will do a lot of the training but I think she wants to give the boys a bit of responsibility.

I REALISE IT IS MOSTLY TRAINING, but are there certain breeds that would make a good starting point to work with? As the lab is so placid and put up with a lot when the boys were younger I'm inclined to think females may be more suitable than males, am I just being sexist?

Edited June 28, 2010 by dee136

[sheree_e4]

ok I may be biased but Im going to go with a Koolie

Awesome do anything breed, great with kids and other animals,happy to do whatever the family is doing and as long as it is either walked daily or has some training they are very happy in a backyard.

Also they come in a great range of coat lengths and colours

Info on koolies

Edited June 28, 2010 by sheree_e4

[poodlefan]

Inside or outside only dog?

What level of coat maintenance is the family willing to undertake?

Will the dog attend formal training?

How much of exercise will it get daily as an adult?

What are the house fences like - how high?

[Kavik]

I think something like a Cocker Spaniel might suit if they like hair or maybe a Staffy? if they prefer short hair. Some of the terriers might also suit.

From what I've seen of Koolies (and talked to lots of people that have them at agility) they seem to be quite variable in temperament and timidity/poor nerves can be an issue.

[lic_82]

Boys dog rough and tumble.. my first thought was a staffy except for the not get overly excited bit

[sheree_e4]

I think something like a Cocker Spaniel might suit if they like hair or maybe a Staffy? if they prefer short hair. Some of the terriers might also suit.

From what I've seen of Koolies (and talked to lots of people that have them at agility) they seem to be quite variable in temperament and timidity/poor nerves can be an issue.

It totally depends how much socialisation you give the pup and how its treated as to how nervous a dog will be..... Most koolies are level headed and fantastic with kids.

Rescue koolies depending on what they have been exposed to will obviously have different temperments as will all dog breeds

[dee136]

Inside or outside only dog?

What level of coat maintenance is the family willing to undertake?

Will the dog attend formal training?

How much of exercise will it get daily as an adult?

What are the house fences like - how high?

Mostly outside, but will be allowed in everyday.

Coat, brushed a couple of times a week, clipped if needed.

Not formal training

Walked once or twice daily and weekend trips to the property their dad lives on.

Fences are 7ft.

[dee136]

I worry a staffie will be too strong for them, especially the younger 2. I can just picture them getting bowled over and dragged down the street.

[poodlefan]

Inside or outside only dog?

What level of coat maintenance is the family willing to undertake?

Will the dog attend formal training?

How much of exercise will it get daily as an adult?

What are the house fences like - how high?

Mostly outside, but will be allowed in everyday.

Coat, brushed a couple of times a week, clipped if needed.

Not formal training

Walked once or twice daily and weekend trips to the property their dad lives on.

Fences are 7ft.

Mostly outside and no formal training rule out the breeds I'd have recommended.

[SpikesPuppy]

IMO no child under 18 should be allowed to walk alone with any dog, just in case there is an incident with thedog or a fight etc.

If the dog were to be more inside than outside (ie; with the family) I would suggest looking at the Border terrier 4 of my 6 pups went to families with kids- the youngest being 18 months and the oldest 18 with quite a few teens.

[Greytmate]

I think something like a Cocker Spaniel might suit if they like hair or maybe a Staffy? if they prefer short hair. Some of the terriers might also suit.

From what I've seen of Koolies (and talked to lots of people that have them at agility) they seem to be quite variable in temperament and timidity/poor nerves can be an issue.

It totally depends how much socialisation you give the pup and how its treated as to how nervous a dog will be..... Most koolies are level headed and fantastic with kids.

Rescue koolies depending on what they have been exposed to will obviously have different temperments as will all dog breeds

No. Genetics will mostly determine how nervous the dog will be. The socialisation people do will only have a limited effect on that. The temperament of rescue koolies is also most strongly influenced by genetics.

[dee136]

I AGREE it would be more responsible to formally train the dog and not let the children walk it alone but the reality is they live in rural Vic and are country people. They have trained all their past dogs, don't agree with the need to pay to do what they feel they can do themselves. Also the older 2 ride dirt bikes by themselves and do a number of country boy things. The fact is the boys will take the dog out themselves to go fishing or whatever else. Which is why if something were to happen I think a staffie would be too strong for them. I can't rule out anything happening but by suggesting something they can manage I'm hoping I can reduce the risk.

[dandybrush]

im gonna go with sheree with koolie or koolie x as they love to play/wrestle and exercise (being walked by the boys they would love) of course socialisation plays a big and major role as does training but they are such responsive dogs and would love the stimulation of 4 boys

[geo]

I grew up with a mongrel who was a great dog, then had boxers from about 7 onwards.. they are mega boystrous.. so maybe you should start crossing off breeds that you don't want, then go to the pound take the boys and see if there is a suitable dog there. At least the boys get to meet the dog and see how it will beahve with them.

[SpikesPuppy]

I'm talkingmore about any legal repercussions when I say I don't agree with minors being responsible for the animal and anything it may do. My opinion has nothing to do with how they handle the animal

But yes, being rural does have different rules and legal requirements.

I also don't agree that formal training is necessary in all cases- many of the best behaved dogs I know are that way because the owner is a clear and concise leader.

[ellz]

A Stafford would be suitable for the older children under most circumstances PROVIDED it were well trained. People need to remember that a Stafford from a good breeder which has been reared properly will not START something (but most would not let something go unfinished). The standard states "bold, fearless and totally reliable".

My biggest concern for a Stafford would be the mostly outside situation. Staffords NEED human companionship. It's a not-negotiable thing. The vast majority of Staffords that become problem children are those which are not with their humans for most of their days/nights. Yeah, there are the minority who cope admirably with being outdoors all the time and don't become a problem, but as a breeder, I wouldn't be letting my dogs go into such a situation anyway.

[Kavik]

The people who I have talked to about Koolies are very good trainers, and do compete with their dogs. I was looking into Koolies as a potential next agility dog. Genetics has a lot to do with drive/nerves/timidity etc. While training and socialisation can do some, it still cannot alter the genetic tendency of the animal.

I also think Koolies may be too much for a child to handle. They are a herding breed as are Kelpies and Border Collies, and while they can be great family dogs, I think they are too much dog for a child to handle. If the children are going to be actually walking the dog, then I would go a smaller breed that is more easily handled. Maybe a terrier?

[dee136]

Without much knowledge on these breeds, through a bit of research I'm thinking possibly-

Jack russell

Fox terrier

Aust. terrier

Cocker spaniel

Wheaten terrier

Cairn terrier

Beagle

Collie

Any opinions as to why any of the above would or would not be a good choice? Also what about my bias that a female may be calmer? (their pet will be desexed)

[ellz]

Personally I'd rule a Cocker out. Unless they are in a position to do their own grooming, and the reality is that MOST pet homes with children don't after the initial settling in period, the coat will become an issue. I would also say that a Cocker would be more suited to an indoor mostly home for that reason. Outdoor dogs will grow more hair and what they grow will get dirty quickly and if the adults don't like dirty dog smell, they would soon get tired of dirty Cocker.

[SpikesPuppy]

Rough collies require regular grooming and if outdoors will collect lots of matts and burrs. Overall they are very much family dogs though and should be with their people as much as possible (obviously it is okay for them to be outside when the family is not home). They also come in a smooth variety which requires very minimal grooming - but again, they are FAMILY dogs.

We own a smoothie and she is fine in the yard when we are at work but must be inside when we are.

I generally recommend males as pets- in my experience they are more easy going/ less moody than bitches and easier to train.

Eta- wheatens require very regular grooming to maintain their trademark soft coat.

Do consider the Border however if they are willing to allow the dog to be part of the family- easy to groom and burrs and the like don't tend to stick in the coat. For example my puppy was thrown into a mud puddle this afternoon by the smoothie, half her body was covered in mud. Once the mud dried, it brushed out with a stiff bristle brush in about 30 seconds. It's like Teflon

Edited June 28, 2010 by SpikesPuppy