Breed Suitable To Be Owned By Child

[mita]

. 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.

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?

Good on you & SIL for putting so much thought into getting a family dog. Good to know that the children are mostly good with animals.

I'd add that it's not only a case of training the dog, but also of doing extra training of the children, about a dog's behaviour. And how even the best of dogs can feel exactly the same as children do, sometimes, when their brothers or sisters step over the line & annoy or hurt them. Cranky! The children need to learn to give the dog a fair go....& to recognise the signs when the dog is uncomfortable and has had too much. They also need to learn some basic rules like not interfering with their dog when its eating & not to suddenly wake their sleeping dog. The dog also needs his/her own retreat place to go to when it wants its own space & time. And the children should respect that.

You can download fantastic material from the AWL Qld website....which is designed for parents to teach children how to give the family dog a fair go

Called the PetSense Program. They suggest parents put the tips up on the fridge & keep reminding the children about them. There's posters, activities sheets, & charts. All free from the website:

http://www.awlqld.com.au/PetSense-Program.html

If anyone here is a teacher, the material can be used in schools, too.

Edited June 29, 2010 by mita

[poodlefan]

Had a think about this overnight.

My recommendations:

Parson Russell Terrier - like a JRT on stilts.. nice dogs.

Smooth Fox Terrier

Miniature Bull Terrier

I reckon any three of those breeds would thrive in an active family of boys but the boys would need to learn that its their behaviour that would stir just about any dog up.

[Monah]

I have no recommendations. I have seen so many rescues, incl one I've had who have been fantastic kids dogs and great all round temperaments of varying breeds.

My GF rescued a bitzer, ACDx?? last year and she is fantastic too. I realise the background is not known of most of these dogs, but many are already a known quantity and desperate for homes, there are several in our sunday mail every week who would make a fab family pet, lots are under 12 months and several older, very stable dogs too.

IMO if the main priority is temp, kids etc. and they are not obsessed (like some of us :D ) with a certain breed, it is an ideal situation for a lovely rescue. An acd we rescued at 7 years of age went on to live to 16 and was the best dog ever, so an older dog can be given consideration re long life etc. too.

[Nekhbet]

I dont agree about a Koolie ... or most herding breeds. If there is no formal training, kids are going to be left in charge, a lot of prey items like dirt bikes, wrestling etc that will end in disaster.

I say the kids need a tough little JRT. Maybe one a bit older but they are not too active or hugle/strong like a staffy, are fairly owner orientated and love kids and dirt :D Plus they live forever on the smell of an oily rag ... I say go for a Jacky

[Greytmate]

I agree that jrt could be a good choice. :D

[BJ.]

My sister recently got a Lakeland Terrier for her kids (and her too), her children are 13,12,11 and 10. Roxie thinks the kids are the bees knees and vice versa. I too would be going with a Parson Jack Russell or a smooth Foxie. When I was growing up just about every kid had a Foxie who went every where with them.

[Monah]

My sister recently got a Lakeland Terrier for her kids (and her too), her children are 13,12,11 and 10. Roxie thinks the kids are the bees knees and vice versa. I too would be going with a Parson Jack Russell or a smooth Foxie. When I was growing up just about every kid had a Foxie who went every where with them.

any pics :D

My kids grew up with lakelands from ages (kids) 3 and 5 all the way to 20s!! They are fabulous dogs,

Mine went everywhere, and once when I was at the hairdressers, the kids had one in their lap and the hairdressers thought he was their toy

[Dogsfevr]

A cairn Terrier would also be a good kids breed BUT they will need work on there coat which is why they need tassess the grooming aspect

[mumof3]

Australian Cattle Dog from a breeder dedicated to producing excellent temperament.

Though a working breed, they have much less energy and lower excercise requirements than Collies and Kelpies.

Easily maintained coat, though they can shed quite a bit.

Generally a placid temperament not easily worked up once they are mature, though this does depend on the correct conditioning as a pup.

I've found them to be very biddable and companionable and thoroughly excellent family dogs for children of the ages you are talking about. Very suited to the lifestyle you outline, and as a mate for a bunch of rough and tumble boys. They take a hit well (ie if the kids hurt them accidentally), having a very tough constitution and somewhat high pain threshold. I've also found adult ACD's to be somewhat layabout lazybones. I reckon horses for courses, these country people would probably be happier with a meat and potatoes Australian country dog breed rather than some other flash breed. Many adult cattle dogs and cattle crosses are available through shelters. I'm a country person, too, and dislike the terrier temperament, and many of the "lap dog" breeds just seem a little prissy (no offence lap dog lovers, I'm not saying they ARE prissy, just that they are not for me). I'd be against the Staffy as every staffy that I have seen which has not received formal training is quite obstinant, pulls heavily on the lead and knocks people over.

[joelle]

JRT:) We have one for our boys and he has a great time with them. He is small enough to handle but big enough personality for anyone. Ideal choice of dog for young boys.

ETA my 12 yr old does obedience training with him and they graduated the beginners class last night :rolleyes: They do all kinds of tricks together and learned Hi 5 last night within 5 mins

Edited June 29, 2010 by joelle

[aussielover]

Australian Shepherd.

I got Clover when I was 11. She was the most perfect dog ever!

Aussies are smart, easy to train and get along well with kids and other dogs (if well socialised obviously).

They are pretty easy to groom- only needs a brush once a week and a comb through behind the ears (well thats what I found)

They are easily handled by an 11 year old, I was doing obedience with Clover at that age.

They can be trained to walk on a lead pretty easily and if they do pull, they are not overly strong (like a lab). The females tend to be smaller though.

Labs are great too, but very very few just come as your typical placid lab! It takes quite a bit of work to get them to that stage! I would say my lab puppy is about 100 times more work than my aussie

Also I thought maybe a springer spaniel (I love the welsh :rolleyes:)? I don'thave experience with these dogs but they seem like intelligent friendly family dogs! They are medium sized also.

[corvus]

I reckon a Corgi or a Swedish Vallhund. They are small and portable, but pretty tough and easy care. My first dog was a corgi and she was very good with the kiddies. I could let them take her leash and walk her and she'd be her usual angelic self. She would go for long hikes with me and she'd lie under my desk when I worked. Great little dog. Valls are similar, but probably a bit more outgoing and drivey and not as long and low in the body. Having said that, you can get drivey corgis and placid Valls.

JRT sounds like a good match, too. They don't always do what they're told, though! Corgis and Valls are herders, so a bit more biddable. Shelties are a good little dog, too, as long as you're careful where you get them. Vet says he's seen a lot of overly nervy Shelties.

[Loraine]

They need a fun Wire Haired Fox Terrier - heaps of energy, love playing, easy to groom.

[mackiemad]

wire haired foxy or jrt would be my bet.

[Austerra]

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)

Although biased of course, an Aussie terrier. Fun loving, good watch dog without being yappy, not nippy, easy to train (although being a terrier it can be a bit of selective hearing, especially if they get a scent of something more interesting!!), very happy to curl up on your lap in front of the telly, easy to groom as a pet just run a comb through couple of times a week. Take everything in their stride, big dog in small package.

Also, kelpies, which my kids grew up with over 25 years. Extremely easy to train, they seem to know what you want of them before you teach them, easy coat care, little to no doggy odour, run a brush over occassionally especially when shedding at change of seasons. Not too boisterous, but will play as long as the kids want to, no problems with them wandering off if gate accidently left open. Main thing is to train from the moment it comes to you, they need to feel that they have a job to do. Don't necessarily need acreage but need to be mentally stimulated.

[Baileys mum]

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)

Although biased of course, an Aussie terrier. Fun loving, good watch dog without being yappy, not nippy, easy to train (although being a terrier it can be a bit of selective hearing, especially if they get a scent of something more interesting!!), very happy to curl up on your lap in front of the telly, easy to groom as a pet just run a comb through couple of times a week. Take everything in their stride, big dog in small package.

Also, kelpies, which my kids grew up with over 25 years. Extremely easy to train, they seem to know what you want of them before you teach them, easy coat care, little to no doggy odour, run a brush over occassionally especially when shedding at change of seasons. Not too boisterous, but will play as long as the kids want to, no problems with them wandering off if gate accidently left open. Main thing is to train from the moment it comes to you, they need to feel that they have a job to do. Don't necessarily need acreage but need to be mentally stimulated.

Another vote for an Aussie terrier.!!

[Maverick]

JRT or Cocker..

We have both and all of them love our 14 mth old boy.. He will make his choice when he is older but both would suit your needs!

Make sure you go to a registered breeder who breeds for health and temperament.

I do know of some JRT puppies who will be available in the next 6mths in Orange NSW. Guaranteed temps. Related to our kids who are TV stars (Hyundai ads etc)

[dee136]

. 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.

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?

Good on you & SIL for putting so much thought into getting a family dog. Good to know that the children are mostly good with animals.

I'd add that it's not only a case of training the dog, but also of doing extra training of the children, about a dog's behaviour. And how even the best of dogs can feel exactly the same as children do, sometimes, when their brothers or sisters step over the line & annoy or hurt them. Cranky! The children need to learn to give the dog a fair go....& to recognise the signs when the dog is uncomfortable and has had too much. They also need to learn some basic rules like not interfering with their dog when its eating & not to suddenly wake their sleeping dog. The dog also needs his/her own retreat place to go to when it wants its own space & time. And the children should respect that.

You can download fantastic material from the AWL Qld website....which is designed for parents to teach children how to give the family dog a fair go

Called the PetSense Program. They suggest parents put the tips up on the fridge & keep reminding the children about them. There's posters, activities sheets, & charts. All free from the website:

http://www.awlqld.com.au/PetSense-Program.html

If anyone here is a teacher, the material can be used in schools, too.

SIL, gran, me and my other half are constantly training her kids re: dogs- what is appropriate and what is not. For example no my mal would not like you to blow air in his face with the foot pump for the air mattress. Nan's jack russell would not like you to give his bone to another dog. They are getting a lot better now though. They know not to go near a dog while they or it are eating. One problem I notice is even when I visit with my 2 and gran is there with the jack, there is still not enough dog for all the boys. If something fun is happening, eg getting the sibe to run and jump things, they all want to be part of it. They need to be told to wait their turn and not fight over who gets what dog to play with. That website is great, forwarded it to SIL.

[dee136]

Being country people I doubt they will go to a responsible breeder. I think a jack, kelpie, cattle dog, aust terrier or foxie would be a good fit, a typical farm dog. Being common breeds I'm hoping they can find a young adult at the pound so they avoid byb and the puppy stage, which I think might be a good idea for them.

[mita]

One problem I notice is even when I visit with my 2 and gran is there with the jack, there is still not enough dog for all the boys. If something fun is happening, eg getting the sibe to run and jump things, they all want to be part of it. They need to be told to wait their turn and not fight over who gets what dog to play with. That website is great, forwarded it to SIL.

I've noticed the same thing. The kids can be generally good with all the basic rules....& don't intentionally hurt the dogs.

BUT it's when they're being overenthusiastic....or even just giving big cuddles...that they don't notice the dog is getting a bit stroppy or unhappy.

Which is why I like that AWL program. It doesn't blame kids for being happy & loving with their dogs. It just teaches them to look out for the dog's signals that it's not too thrilled!!

Edited June 29, 2010 by mita