Training

Obedience training is absolutely essential! Make sure someone in the home can spend a lot of time training the new dog, especially if it is a puppy. If a child wishes to participate in training, it should be done under the supervision of an adult. In addition, the children in the household will need to be taught how to conduct themselves around dogs.

Age and Size

Think about the ages and activity levels of your children. Toddlers can be knocked over by an awkward, gangly puppy who does not know his own size. Bigger kids could crush a small dog if they are not always careful. You may wish to consider getting an adult dog that has been around children – a puppy needs a lot of extra attention.

Personality

A family with kids ideally needs an intelligent dog with a good temperament and moderate energy level. Certain breeds may be naturally good with kids. Here are just a few of many dog breeds that tend to do well with children:

• Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever: These breeds are usually great with kids and pretty smart, but they can be very hyperactive if they do not get enough exercise.
• Poodle: Believe it or not, the Poodle is extremely smart and has a great temperament. Plus, you have a size choice – toy, miniature, or standard. Regular grooming is necessary.
• Bichon Frise: This little cotton-balls breed loves to play, but is not usually too hyper. It is also a small dog, which is perfect for your little humans. Regular grooming is necessary.
• Beagle: These dogs are friendly, clever and not too big, making them very suitable for kids. Though some can be a bit high-strung, they typically respond very well to training.
• Collie and Shetland Sheepdog: These are both very calm, gentle and tolerant breeds that often do well with children of all ages and sizes – kind of like Lassie.
• German Shepherd Dog: This breed is extremely loyal and protective, but MUST be well-trained. The GSD does have a playful side, especially at younger ages.
• Mixed-breed dogs: Mutts are typically well-balanced and intelligent. Overall, they are truly amazing dogs! Plus, you can save a dog from life in a shelter.

Finding the Family Dog

When it is time to look for a dog, try visiting local rescue groups. Ask about dogs that have been in foster care. Their foster “parents” know and love them. Since they want the dogs to go to the right homes, they tend to be very honest about the dogs’ personalities and temperaments. You can ask the rescue workers to guide you towards dogs that fit your kids’ lifestyles. If you want a purebred dog, go to a reputable breed-specific rescue. Otherwise, you can go to a general rescue group with a good reputation.

If you choose to get a purebred dog from a breeder, thoroughly research the reputations of multiple breeders. Ask for references and talk to fellow dog lovers in your community. Your vet may also be able to advise you. Once you choose a breeder, spend a lot of time talking about the temperament and socialization history of the pups. A good breeder will know the pups and parents well and share information freely.

Home at Last

Congratulations, you have found a new dog for your family. Having a dog is a wonderful way to enrich your child’s development and create beautiful memories to be treasured for years to come. The bond between dogs and kids can be magical. Remember, though – your work is not done. In fact, it will never be. Training your dog and your children together is a life-long project. Responsible dog ownership goes hand-in-hand with responsible parenting. Good luck, and enjoy!

A dog has been reunited with his owners more than nine years after going missing from his Essex home.

Kenny, a cross bichon frise, was found wandering alone in Epping Forest by a passer-by. His owners were traced using a microchip.

He was aged two when he went missing and the dog’s owners presumed that he had been stolen.

Joshua Donnelly, Kenny’s owner’s son, said: “I had long since given up hope of ever seeing Kenny again.”

He added: “I was overjoyed to be reunited after such a long time.”

It is not known where Kenny spent his missing years.

The three-year-old had stayed at his master’s side and had barked and barked in a loyal effort to help him. Moja, whose name means ‘one’ in Swahili, was hailed a hero by Dr Drew’s grieving family. His widow Jenny and sons Barry, 24, Lawrence, 21 and Pip, 17, said the dog was ‘obviously a hero’. Speaking after her husband’s funeral last week, Mrs Drew said: ‘If it wasn’t for Moja, we’d still be looking.’ The pet, a terrier-rottweiler cross who has been with the family since a pup, sat alongside his master’s coffin for the service. Dr Drew, 53, an agricultural scientist, had taken Moja on a visit to farmers in north- eastern Australia when his Nissan 4×4 careered into the ditch. His wife raised the alarm the next day when he failed to return home or answer his mobile phone. Police and two helicopters began to search a 400-square mile area.

A spokesman for AGL Action Rescue, the Sunshine Coast rescue helicopter service, said the crashed vehicle, about 50 miles from Dr Drew’s home, was ‘impossible’ to see from the air. If it was not for the man’s dog, he may not have been found for some time because his truck was completely covered by trees and our helicopters couldn’t see it,’ he said. ‘This bloke heard the dog barking, it was sitting by the man’s side.’Dr Drew grew up in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and emigrated to Australia with his family in the 1990s.He lived in Palmwoods, Queensland, and ran a horticultural consultancy.’He died a happy man,’ said Mrs Drew. ‘He loved his family, loved life, loved his work and he loved a lot of people. ‘Henry loved Australia. He thought it was like winning the lotto when he was made a citizen. ‘He loved being on the farms and working with the farmers. He was able to get on with anyone.’ ‘Henry and I had just returned from a trip to Europe which we did because friends of ours recently lost a partner and Henry said we need to do these things while we could. He was like that. Money was not important. He spent a lot of time with his mum in England, helping with her house and garden. Doing little things. He was happy.’