| Are you preparing to bring a dog home to your | | | | unexpected tragedy or the sad disappointment of |
| children? Did yourneighbor tell you they have free | | | | givingyour children's pet away. |
| puppies, all you have to do is comeover and choose | | | | There are many experts with various views, but |
| one? Or did your children see an adorable puppy inthe | | | | several points can begenerally agreed upon when |
| pet store and are now begging you to let them bring | | | | choosing a dog for your family. |
| it home? Howdo you select the best dog breed for | | | | Find a dog that is good with children. |
| children? Does it matter? | | | | Don't all dogs love children? The answer is simple - |
| Since having a dog is such a common thing, do you | | | | NO. Somebreeds, and even individuals within a breed, |
| really need toknow anything more than how much it | | | | are more or lesstolerant of children and the rough |
| costs? | | | | handling that usually ensues. |
| Well, how did you choose your car, or your home? | | | | Selecting a breed that enjoys the rambunctious |
| Did you considerthe cost, safety and suitability for | | | | atmosphere of afamily home will go far in ensuring |
| your family? Of course you did. | | | | that the children have a willingplaymate and the dog |
| If you heard stories of a particular car that was | | | | is happy. |
| susceptible tocausing accidents or that a | | | | Choose a dog that is the right size or energy level. |
| neighborhood was known for its roughoccupants you | | | | Do you live in an apartment? Do you have a large, |
| would find something that was safer. | | | | fenced yard? |
| If the car or home was too expensive to maintain, it | | | | Considering the size of home or yard you have |
| would impactyour decision, as would the size of the | | | | should influence yourchoice of dog. Some breeds are |
| vehicle or how many bedroomsthe house had. | | | | naturally larger than others. Somesmaller breeds (like |
| However, many people bring home a dog that they | | | | Jack Russell Terriers) are small but have anenormous |
| have spent no moretime in choosing than selecting | | | | amount of energy that can be difficult to control in |
| oranges at the grocery store. | | | | asmall home. |
| Although we hear stories of dogs attacking children | | | | Decide on a trained or untrained dog. |
| and perhaps knowof people who got rid of dogs | | | | Perhaps you plan to train the dog yourself. You may |
| after they grew too large for theapartment or | | | | choose a puppyso the children participate in the |
| destroyed property, as a group, parents still choose | | | | training process. But how much doyou know about |
| tobring dogs into their families with little instruction or | | | | training dogs? Are you ready for the hassles |
| research. | | | | ofhousebreaking and obedience training? Perhaps |
| The truth is, most families with a dog will never deal | | | | selecting an older,trained dog might suit your family |
| with theterrible situations we hear about on the | | | | better. |
| news. Dogs love people. | | | | The decisions you make before bringing your dog |
| Most dogs love children. Children and adults love dogs | | | | home and selectingthe best dog breed for children will |
| and it isvery doubtful that after thousands of years | | | | help your family enjoy theirnew pet for a very long |
| the connection betweencanine and humankind will be | | | | time. |
| broken. | | | | Shannon Emmanuel is a freelance writer and is the |
| What does need to be considered is how to make | | | | author of 'How to |
| the best possibleenvironment for your children and | | | | Select the Best Dog or Puppy for Children'. |
| dog so that you don't need toworry about | | | | |