I had a phone call today from a man looking for a golden retriever puppy, once I told him I have none due tried to point him in the right direction with regards to breders and breed clubs, he told me that he hasnt found any breeders who would sell him a puppy as he has children!!.
Now I spoke to him asking wether the breeders had asked any questions with regards to experiece with dogs and how the children are with dogs ect and he told me as soon as he told the breeders about his family he was cut short and told ' we dont sell to homes with children' the breeders didnt even ask how old the children are ot even asked for the family to come and visit.
This man had even considered going to a kennel { one of the ones that sells many different breeds} to try and get a puppy.
I told him not to and told him all the reasons why and helped him find someone with a litter due who does allow their puppies to be sold with children.

Now why oh why do people advertise NO HOMES WITH CHILDREN without even asking the ages of them ,experience the family has had or even arranging a visit for the family.
I know we all want the best for our puppies but surely we must give families a chance or they are going to continue buying for unreputable sources.
Before everyone shouts at me I agree some breeds may not be suitable for families, some dogs may be too big for young children , although I know of a family with 2 children who have a large great dane and have not problems.
But selling to people without children dosn't guarentee its safety or the best upbringing,I have had one dog returned to me due to an owner having a stroke.

I always vet all my potential puppy owners and that includes families with children and I have turned down 2 families with children as I felt the parents lacked in controlling their children but have sold many more to families who have enjoyed many happy years with their dog.

Their is nothing better than seeing the love between a dog and child and thank my lucky stars that the breeder who sold me my first dog wasn't as fussy as some owners as I had a 2 year old son at the time who now has a very good respect for dogs even more so my 3 year old daughter who has the best manners with dogs and even asks owners if she can stroke their dog!!! :) :)

I have also found that dogs who live in a family with children are far better behaved when they encounter a child as my daughter has been send flying by sooooo many dogs who have not been used to them only to be told by the owner' sorry he/she loves children' .
yes he/she may love children but dosnt know how to behave around them!
I dont mind nor does my daughter but other non-doggy people simply would not.
I am honestly not looking for an argument but after eceiving this phone call today it really made me think....
emma xx

I have to say that the biggest reason /excuse that we get dogs in our lab rescue is because =the child is allergic/the dog is too boisterous with the children/ my husband is working long hours and I cant walk the dog because the children are young.
Having said That my children were brought up with Labradors and I never had a problem but we are now questioning wether to put dogs with families with young children because of the way their circumstances change we often do rehome with children over five due to the boisterousness of the breed,Also some Golden Retreiver temperaments are not suitable for children.
Its the Breeders who decide who they sell their puppies to and entirely up to them in the end.

Mattie I totally agree with you about the rescue.
I run part of the golden retriever rescue and also see alot of young dogs come in due to knocking children over.
When I sell any of mine I can almost be accused of putting people off with regards to puppies knocking children over, chewing any toys left lying around, dog hairs in kids dinners!!! :( :) children standing in dog poo in the garden ect.......
And I have had a few people decide to wait a little longer for a puppy but never had a puppy returned yet due to children!
I always get the wife to come round too, I had a family come round about a year ago without the wife who was 'too busy to come round' no reasonable excuse other than that.
mmmmmmm They didnt get a puppy......
With regards to temprement the ones that come into rescue with these problems have nearly always been puppyfarm bred....... poor doggies
xxxxxxxxxx

Hi
I have 4 children aged 13,12,11 and 9 and I have my staff and my 2 elkhounds which are my 'little bit of sanity'.I work aswell but before I had my dogs I felt that I was a wife ,cook,money earner,taxi......but there was no me!!
My husband suggested I buy a dog for showing as I had enjoyed dabbling years ago and now I couldn't be happier.My children are well behaved and respectful and I know they learn much from being raised with animals.My 9 yr old daughter does very well with my 2 yr old male elkie in junior handling with one judge approaching me after she gave Kim Best JH and telling me she could see how much the dog loved her!!!By the way my daughter has severe hearing loss.
What I guess I'm trying to say is that I have ever reason a person shouldn't sell a puppy to but I thank god I found two well known respectable breeders who allowed me to take home their babies and I believe I have proved them right-my dogs are happy,healthy and very much loved and I wouldn't part with them for the world so before judging someone who has kids look at the whole picture.
Archer

I was like you in some ways Archer, relieved that my breeder didn't hold my young children, and my lone parent staus against me. The kids were under 4 and 14 months at the time.

I have sold pups to both families, and couples without children who have come back, and in other cases found excellent homes with people who on might be considered to have marks against them. I don't make blanket rules. Two of my pups live in a flat with their childless couple owners, and I couldn't wish for a better home. They were so committed to making dog ownership work, and had all manner of contingency plans in case of barking while they were out etc. They also realised that housetraining would take a lot longer.

I do try and make people realise how much work a dog is for at least two years, before it is grown up. I have refused pups to families with toatlly unrealisticf expectations, but have also come unstuck with couples who want to give the dog up as have decided to start a family!

My favourite puppy buyers are experienced successful dog owning families (preferably with a not too old dog resident). I then know that dog ownereship is second nature, and they are unlikely to be taken off balance by what owning a puppy may throw at them. All owners need to have a first dog though, and I am happy for them to have a puppy, but have learnt through experience to not assume any knowledge at all.

I like to take doggy virgins out with my lot for a walk and to spend some hours with them in the dogs company so they can get a feel for this dog owning, and I a feel for them.

I had one family come and stay with me overnight between Christmas and Vew Year, as they lived a long way away. The kids were lovely, and the bitch has a wonderful home.

I have 2 children and they have always had a dog, i am 31 and can not remember never having a dog, i see children run and hide when they see a dog and it makes me so mad, to me every child should have a dog, or a pet, that way they learn respect.

I would prefer my pups to go to a home with children. At any age.

Debbie and the gang

I have two young children and could not imagine what life would be like without my two GSD's. But I do feel that it is down to the breeders own descretion whether they let dogs go to a family with children or not. I know of a family who last year bought a beautiful Golden Retriever. They both worked full time, husband done shift work. The poor creature spends all day locked up in the kitchen, even when they are in and is never walked. He has not been socialised and their excuse is that they have to much of a hectic lifestyle. The mother has spent 6 months not working and could still not find the time to walk him. Does this sound hectic to anyone? If my breeder had told me that she would not let me have a pup without even letting me explain my situation then I would be put out, but I think you know by instinct if your pups will be going to a good home or not.

I think I said that my children were brought up with dogs I had custody of my grandaughter from when she was two and she also fitted in its all down to the people and how sensible they are lets face it children follow their parents lead but the final say is with the breeder and thats that.
I personally think children and dogs are a good mix but then I get people saying to me when bringing a dog in I ask what they are like with children and they say oh wonderful the kids can sit on him,pull his ears and he is fine well im sorry it makes me so annoyed why should a dog prove his worth by allowing children to do that? yes sensible well brought up kids should share their life with a dog but the others no way :(

I HATE kids that sit on dog and pulls it about!
then when the dogs growls the parents give it to us in rescue!!

I think its like raising dogs you get what you put in!!!!
I think I raised my daughter like she was a dog BUT then she is very well behaved {most of the times} so I cant have gone too wrong :) :) xxxxx

I, like Archer, have my dogs to give a bit of "me time" as well as them being part of the family. I have three children aged 6,8 & 10 and they have grown up with having dogs around and respect them, unlike a lot of children that don't grow up with dogs. We have five dogs, four of which are Great Danes, so I am very glad their breeders didn't turn their noses up at the thought of children and dogs :) I think it does also teach the dogs to respect little people as well!
I think a lot of it is down to the individual, and each family has to be judged on it's own merits. I do agree Emma, and have said before, that the reason these places that sell lots of breeds are so popular (IMO) is that people can walk in, no questions asked, and walk out with a puppy.
Grace

Hi All,

The breeder of our new puppy has two small children herself and encouraged me to take my boys round when I went to the the puppies. From my point of view, it was brilliant because I saw how the mum was with other children and puppies and must say that she was brilliant!
She had been brought up with children around her and that must go a long way towards the temperament of the puppies.
As a 'buyer', I would preferably buy a puppy from a breeder that has her own children....after my recent experiences!

Ruth

Its always helpful to meet the children along with the parents. Some children are fine and some are not. I always remember one little angel who was outside the patio door with my dog and out of the corner of my eye I saw him aim a kick at the dog. Now I am not sure whether contact was made or not but the action was there for sure. Needless to say they went away without the sniff of a puppy.

I find it depends on the individual and their children..my youngest is 4 and I keep an eye on her with the pup as she is not allowed to lift the pup but sit on the floor with her on her lap ..she listens to this but, the other day her friend 6 months younger was a bit rough and not listening so I had to put the pup away.Depends on the child..my kids have such love for their pup in one month..yesterday she (the dog)bit something ..my fault as I forgot it out and I said I am not talking to the pup to my daughter..she said awww mum will you talk to her by the morning ! :) Actually I think she gets more excited to see the kids over me even though I do all the feeding...

I have always had dogs and my parents had dogs before I was born so I grew up with them (Labs and Retrievers). I think it is good for dogs to have children to play with and vice versa, as adults can sometimes be tired and children have that everlasting energy to play with dogs.

Obviously each case is different, but as long as the children are supervised until they can be trusted to behave correctly with the dog(s) then I think it is an excellent relationship that a dog and child can have!!!

And if the dog has been bought up with the children from when it is a puppy it won't know any different.

I think even if there are no children in the family, it doesn't necessarily mean the dog will have a good home. I have three children, ages 2, 8 and 11, and the important thing is that I have brought them up from day one to have respect for animals. I was happy to take them to meet the breeder of my puppy, so that she could see they loved dogs, but most importantly knew how to behave around them. And now almost 8 months on, our puppy is confident with children, but not dominant, so it has been good for him as well!! Upon meeting a prospective owner family, a breeder would soon know whether the children were 'all right' or not, but they shouldn't judge everyone the same.

Its nice to hear so many possitive comments on children with dogs.
Its also nice to know that many other people think the same with regards that breeders should judge each family as individuals rather than a blanket ban on homes with children, yes there will always be they few families whose children come round and run riot and parents without control but why ruin it for families who can offer such a loving family home but refussing all puppies to homes with children.

I noticed someone post about dogs coming into rescue after a baby has been born and YES I have seen this soooo many times but how many of us think to ask a couple if they are going to have children, I DO especially after I had my daughter 3 years ago when i felt this urge to protect her from any germs hairs ect, dont get me wrong I love my dogs and they were not pushed out and this feeling soon passed BUT for many new mothers who have not been brought up around dogs the first thing that happens is the dog is rehomed.
I would be VERY VERY unsure about selling to a family who was expecting a baby and always ask and tell people why i ask if they are planning on having children or any more.

Even better reason to have a family that has already has had children and not planning on any more.
emma xxxxx

But isnt bringing a puppy into a home with children introducing the pup to lots of diffrent people and that can only be a good thing ?
Gus absolutely ADORES children .Especially younger children . He will stop on his walk when any pass and he stops and you can just see him yearning to play with them . But he has been introduced to a good selection of people - young, old , quiet ,playful . I think as long as people teach children to be respectful with pup there should be no issues .
with our last dog we brought him home when my eldest son was just a year old and they grew up together and had such a strong bond - it was lovely . They played and grew together and that is extremely special
Lel

I always ask potential new owners to bring their children along..if there's ' the little girl who wants to carry puppy around in her arms...half dropping it and half strangling it' ( you know the ones..) I watch and see the response of the parents, if they laugh,smile or ignore..they go home puppy less...if you get the little boy who thinks it's great fun to make loud noises in the pups face and half scare it to death..they go home puppy less...Only well behaved and well dog educated kids get to go home with mine...I thinks kids and dogs make for a life long friendship, it's just a shame that more kids aren't educated to respect their animals.I have homed many pups with kids in the family and it's worked out great, so Im all for it. :)

Tracey

My family has always had a dog. When I got my own place, I tried living without one and couldn't.

The dog I found was advertised in the local shops. It turned out that he had been kicked out of his original home because of a new baby. The home he then went to kept him 2 weeks before finding him too much - he was a 5 year old chocolate lab.

I took him on and never had a problem with him of any sort. Even when at 11 years I presented him with "his own" baby. The 2 middle dogs just accepted Christopher as a hairless part of the pack.

When I went for a new puppy, we went as a family, even the dogs came too so the breeder could she who we were. Christopher was allowed in the pen with the puppies under strict supervision, as they got bigger he was allowed to play with them on the lawn. The one I chose was the one who chewed him first. We went back every two weeks to see them until Ash came home.

He loves going walkies with them, and helps me feed. A trip to buy dog food is a good way to spend a wet Saturday as far as he is concerned. He is not allowed to climb on them, sit on them etc. We did have a short stage of teasing the puppy, but after it nipped his willy he stopped. He will happily curl up in their beds and they will on his. I use the same words to control him as I do the dogs. I even whistle him back!!

Christopher is now 3. The dogs are 9,6,5 and 10 months.

Some children aren't fit to be near animals, but breeders shouldn't right us all off without discussions, and preferably a visit.

Julia
its not really the children who shouldnt be near dogs its their idiot parents . All parents should teach their children how to react and behave around any animal - and treat the animal with respect .
I agree though that maybe it is better for the breeder to see the children that pup will grow up with is a good idea too .
Because I know my children know how to treat any animal I suppose I expect all children to know but sadly they dont .
When I think about it I suppose I would worry too about where my pup was going to live .
Lel

Someone on a whippet list recently said that when she re-married she 'inherited' a little girl who thought it was fun to poke sticks at the dog when in their crate. She put said child in the crate and poked sticks at her. Child never did it again.

She'd probably get done for child cruelty now, but I personally thought it a great idea. Kids need to learn respect for animals.

On the other side of the coin though are kids who are terrified because of a parent's fear or because parents don't teach them animals AREN'T evil - I find that sad (actually I find it tragic). Last July we were walking the dogs in town and an 11'ish year old boy walked out of a store. We were a good 5-6 feet away from him - he saw the dogs, threw his hands in the air and screamed and raced back into the store. My dogs hadn't even LOOKED at him. He just panicked because they were there. That just broke my heart.

Wendy

Hi Wendy
know what you mean about kids not being educated re dogs and being petrified of them..I actually take the bull by the horns now and ask parents if their children bite as I didn't understand why they pull them away from the dogs... :) cheeky yes but have had some laughs and got the children to pet the dogs.
Tracey

I think that's a great repsponse to the problem

My two dogs ADORE kids, so when I see a little one looking longingly at the doggies I usually ask the parents if it's okay to let them stroke the dogs. I don't mind stopping for a few minutes to make the dogs and kids smile.

VERY sad person that I am, the weekend before Christmas we dressed the dogs up in reindeer costumes and took them out to sit in the city centre for a couple of hours. I think the parents enjoyed it more than the kids did. but I know the dogs LOVED the attention!

Wendy

Just remembered something on kids the negative side...my local paper had a story a couple months ago. It was a readers letter about her going to the parks and seeing kids walking the dogs for the parents with their friends ..they were dragging the dogs..poking them generally making fun of them etc...she was telling parents to know their child and not send the dogs for a 'walk' if they suspected their children could be teasing the family pet..would you believe this goes on ?! Not only does a breeder have to see the children behave properly but look to see if the child has a 'wicked streak' in him/her ...then one can understand if some breeders have heard of stories like this why they are so against homes with kids .There are always those that have to ruin it for others !

I think that it is illegal for a child under 14 to walk a dog unsupervised :(

Daisy