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Best for ages ten and up, according to the ASPCA. Other experts say it depends on your child’s temperament and maturity, the animal’s personality and size, and how much supervision you plan to provide. Still, if you’re dealing with toddler twins, this might not be the best time to bring home any animal, no matter how docile.
Before you commit Once you’ve decided to get a pooch, you still have a number of choices to make. Parents who work full-time will need a trustworthy dog-walker. A good one will cost on average $10 to $20 per daily walk, which—added to the expense of obedience school, trips to the vet, food, toys and treats—could make it feel more like you’ve invested in a car than a canine. Also keep in mind that just because your current apartment is dog-friendly doesn’t mean your next place will be. And while having kids can mean you’re less mobile, having to make arrangements for a pet sitter or find an animal-friendly getaway adds another wrinkle to vacation planning.
Puppies may seem like a good choice for kids, but with their boundless energy and need for house-training, they can be too much work for a family with young children. That’s why some experts recommend getting a dog that’s more than a year old; not only is a hound that age likely to be apartment-trained and calmer, but his personality will be well enough established for you to trust that he’ll be comfortable with little ones. A shelter worker or a breeder can help you find a dog of a size and temperament just right for your kids and lifestyle. One good bet: terriers. They come in a variety of sizes and are good with children, says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of the Animal Medical Center on 62nd Street at York.
Remember, there are benefits and hazards to having either small or big dogs around kids: Large breeds are more likely to knock over a toddler in play, but little- and medium-size pups can feel more threatened by a child, especially as kids get bigger.
After you commit Teach your child not to run up to the dog, jump on him, pull his tail or ears, hug him too tight, get right up in his face, bug him when he’s eating or take his food away. Tip: Use your old baby gate to keep little kids and pets separated when you can’t supervise closely.
