Following on from another thread I would be interested to find out how many of you out there will sell a puppy to a home with children and if you have children yourself :)

I know there are many factors eg. experience of the new prospective owners, ages etc but interested to find out your views :)

In my view if and when I ever have another litter I would home one of my pups to a home with children but would be more inclined if the new owner had experience of dogs but even if a person was new to dog owning I would still consider if I felt that they had the commitment and knowledge to be able to cope with the new addition by the questions they asked and the answers to my questions :)

Lucy
xx

Yes, and I have only ever come unstuck twice.  Had Jozi back in 2000 and arranged a new home for a pup of 6 months when wife had to go to work as hubby made redundant and new job less money. 

Other than that my families have been great, needing support through puppy hood and adolescence on occasion. 

I have actually been let down far more times by older experienced owners who had forgotten how much work a pup was and a couple who didn't want children, but then had a baby and the dog was then not wanted at 3 1/2.

I'm not a breeder but here's a twist for your poll Lucy. If you don't home to families with small children do you only sell to older childless couples? (like me and the OH, 45-50, no kids and no chance of kids) I ask because I've heard a couple of behaviourists say they think there were less problems when people got the kids first then the dogs rather than dogs first. If the dogs came first there were problems with them being treated as surrogate children rather than dogs, being given away when children came for various reasons, or the dogs had problems switching from being the highest priority to the lowest when the baby came. Families that had children already tended to treat the dogs as they meant to go, so less problems as the dogs knew where they stood and nothing changed on them.

Yes one of the breeders of one of my dogs has publicly stated that she will not sell to young married couples that don't have children yet.

Hmm, good questions. I have children, and grandchildren. I would let my son have a puppy, but not my daughter. I let my daughter have one a few years ago and took him back as she couldn't cope. my gut feelings at the time were that I shouldn't let her take him, but was persuaded. Fool me. I have sold to people with older children, older people living in a flat, people who haven't started a family but TBH I don't think I would sell to someone with very young children (babies or toddlers) Babies. toddlers and puppies all need a lot of time and energy and I know some people can cope (I had 6 dogs and a 12 year old when my youngest daughter was born ;) ) but still wouldn't sell unless I really knew the people involved, and was happy with them.

Is that even if they are young married couples who have stated categorically that they do not ever want children?  (Accidents can happen of course, but not exclusively to the married!)  Just wondered.

I had a dog back from such a couple when they ended up having a baby, and had passed the dog onto parents and teenage sister because they thought him jelous of the baby as they had treated him as such, sister went to Uni and I had a mixed up boy back at 3 1/2.

Yes, my pups have gone to homes with children, and we have 4 children ourselves, never had a problem as long as I meet the family and can meet the children and can see that they respect and aren't scared of the pup, then that's fine.

I have no children of my own but i have and would in future sell pups i bred to people with children.

I import children from friends to come and help socialise my puppies.

So far as selling to people with children, I consider these people the same as I would any other person interested in a puppy.  Everyone has to be judged on their own merits.  My main proviso for even considering someone is that I must meet everyone who is to be living with or taking a major role in caring for the puppy.

As a general rule, if the parents can't control their children when visiting then they won't be able to control/train a puppy. 

I've turned people down who happen to have children, not because of the children, but because I didn't think they were suitable, one family however, were turned down when despite parents and 2 of the children being keen and showing all the right responses the youngest child screamed anytime so much as her mother tried to put her on the floor her mother said it was because she was over tired, but one fo the other kids let on that she was scared of the dogs.

In the same vein i've turned down an elderly couple, who whilst they might have been able for the next few years to give the dog a nice home, it wouldn't be a forever home due to their age and the length of time the breed lives for.  Had they had adequate provision for what would happen if they couldn't walk/care for the dog i'd have rethought but they were adamant that in their late 70's early 80's that they would be fine to cope for 12 - 14 years.

I've worked with breed rescue for several years and homed dogs to families with children - again after meeting all the family and seeing how they react with all of my dogs.

You can only do your best to place puppies in suitable homes, and yes occasionally it won't work out.  I, like most breeders on the board, would take any puppy back when it didn't work out but, so far, i've been lucky enough never to hae been in this position.

K

yes i will do if the family as a whole seems suitable.

Well, you know my opinion already, ;-)

I won't sell to anyone generally with a child under 7, children are great with dogs over that age, they both learn so much from each other, appreciate each other and will hopefully be forever friends. :-)

I had an exception a couple of years ago from a couple with a 4.5 year old daughter at first it was no, no, no, but they impressed me so much, the couple had researched which breed they wanted for 2 years, knew so much and had come via a breeder friend, I agreed to meet them basically to let them down gently, the child was extremely bright and to be honest impressed me even more than the parents, she was articulate, asked questions, was very interested in the workings of a puppy and my last test was for her reaction to my girl and the pups, she handled them well, was calm and patient and very well behaved with my girl.  She won me over she was 4 going on 40 :-D and they are beautiful together, she phones me up constantly to tell me what my now grown up pup is up to, they are inseperable.

So, even I can be won over, but generally it is a no, for all the factors of under 7's and puppies, I've witnessed enough to know young children and puppies are generally not well matched together. And it is usually the pup that comes off worse.

I must admit I won't sell even to families with over 7's if the child/children are immature and silly, it works both ways, the parents and children need to impress on me that my pup will be well cared for, trained properly, exercised and loved, love is just not enough, puppies are not toys.

I don't have a problem selling to couples who are planning a family, as long as it is a good 2 years after the pup is taken, by then the pup is a mature adult who has had training and is obediant, then the parents just have to train the child to be good with the dog. :-P And of course only with supervision and segregation when not in the room.

I took a break from dog ownership when I was planning children myself and introduced my girl into my home when my children were over 7, and I am certainly experienced in dogs, I just felt personally that all my efforts should be on my children, getting them ahead academically, socialising them with people and introducing a dog and all it entails when they were old enough to appreciate and learn to train her with me, it was much more fun and they are all the more closer as they were a part in making her the dog she is today. :-)

Hi Jenna

Why 7

I have a 4 year old that is trained with the dogs and kittens and knows how to handle them and treat them and not with to much intensive training  ;) :D

I took a break from dog ownership when I was planning children myself and introduced my girl into my home when my children were over 7,

Sorry to be honest I fell this is a bit bizarre

Please feel free to reply by PM if helps but is there something that has happened when you were young that has influenced how you have done things? :)

Lucy
xx

My children have had the benefits of canine companionship from birth or from a year of age, so they don't remember ever being without dogs. 

Because of this they have always known how to be safe around dogs and other animals.

They both had dogs with who they were particularly bonded.  both now find dogs a bit irrelevant in their lives at 16 and 20, the older one often moaning as she tends to leave food or chewables around and gets cross when they are taken. 

They deny it now, but I am pretty sure they will be dog owners when they have their own homes and families.

((Please feel free to reply by PM if helps but is there something that has happened when you were young that has influenced how you have done things))

No need to PM I am very open and honest with my opinions and am happy for everyone to read my reasons. :-)

I took the 7 rule from rescues whom I felt were experienced enough with the homing of dogs to know what they are talking about, at age 7 children are much more responsible, much more understanding of others feelings, not at the screaming and hopefully rough stage, much more likely to listen and understand a parents instructions all in all more grown up.  We're talking of puppies here not adult dogs, puppies need responsibility and understanding.  Exceptions as with myself are made if a family are to come across exceptionally mature.

Now when many of you talk of growing up with a dog, that's fine, they were dogs when most of you came along, not puppies.

I grew up with 2 beautiful Rough Collies, whom were by the time we 6 children came along, were all but retired from the show world, trained well behaved with beautiful temperaments to match, they were our best friends, but no way would my mother have bought puppies when we were toddlers.

Dogs are a tie to your life, whether as a working dog, show dog or just a pet, puppies need a lot of time a lot of effort as do adult dogs, when you have young children for me, I wanted to be able to come and go as I pleased, to be able to go away for weekends, to not have to worry about who was going to look after the dog, or we were having to rush home for the dog.  Having children for me was what I wanted to focus on, to be honest a dog at the time, would have stopped me doing so much that I did with my boys.

But, I knew I also wanted to share the joy of a dog with my boys too, and all it entails, so when they were settled in school giving me lots of free time for training, when I knew they would help to care and train a dog with me, (for me that brings the most joy) I spent a few years looking for a good breeder, looking into breeding etc and which dog suited our lifestyle.

There is no rush in getting a pup, and I strongly believe that it needs to be at the right time for everyone.

For some it is as though a child is missing out on something if they have a puppy after the age of 7, which is very silly and completley untrue.  My boys had a close relationship with me and all I wanted to teach them for 7 years, they learnt to love and care for others which transpired to our dog, my boys remember their puppy and all the fun they had teaching her things, not just a dog being there through childhood, they had a greater gift in raising her.  Toddlers don't remember their dog as a puppy. But I bet lots of puppies, sure remember the toddler. :-(

I admire your opinion on this and can understand your views but still do not 100% agree on them :)

It has been very interesting reading all replies on this :)

Lucy
xx

No problem Lucy, no one has to agree with anyone. There are different breeders, different owners and different lifestyles from all of us on the board, as long as everyone is happy with what they are doing then that is fine. ;-) 

I know I am very happy with the over 7's rule (with the one very special little girl excepetion)  and have never had a pup not go to the right home, which is what it is all about for me the happiness and forever homes of my pups, who will grow to be well balanced and have great temperaments through their breeding and being brought up well. The ones that have gone to families are very much loved by those children and I know the pups love them back. :-)

That is what it is all about for me, trial and error I could not do.

My first two dogs came along when I had one toddler then a pre school child and toddler, and my first litter were born when my son was 4 and daughter 7, he watched the pups being born, and helped fetch and carry and socialise pups.  Because dogs were part of the furniture so to speak he wasn't over curious wanting to pick them up etc as a child that might visit would, or an older child who had not been raised with dogs and puppies.

I actually think the younger child forms a more natural bond with the dogs than an older one, but it is more work for the parents keeping them supervised.

Just an angle from someone who was that prospective owner.  As you know I have 4 children and when we first contacted Misty's breeder, they were 7, 7, 5 and 2.  I was working part time (Mon to Fri) but it only meant that the puppy would only be on their own for an hour, two max if hubby was late home.  I had only had one dog before and I got him when I was 11 so it was a while ago. Hubby had a few over the years but none for 10 years.

Misty's breeder was lovely.  She too had a toddler and 3 other children as well as 4 large dogs.  She didnt once question whether I could cope with the 4 children and a puppy.  We seemed to talk about everything other than dogs but she did ask a lot of questions.  Thinking back, I suppose she was just seeing how I answered.  She kept her other 3 dogs in the kitchen when we visited the first time but we said it would be fine.  Needless to say, we had 2 other goldens and a mastiff in a elizabethan collar charge!!  Knocked me flying. :D :D  It certainly helped break the ice!!

Although Misty has had her moments :rolleyes: I can honestly say, getting her was one of the best things we have done as a family.  The girls were wary to start with, especially with the teeth and claws but it only took a week or so.  Archie (now 3) has formed the strongest bond with Misty and you can guarantee if there is mischief to be had, both of them are thick as thieves! :)

I certainly dont regret doing it this way and would do it again at a drop of a hat and am considering getting another.... ;) :D

Kerri x

I don't breed but if I had a litter & was to decide what homes were suitable, I would treat each family separately as everyone's different. Some families with young children already have pets & I don't see how they would not be able to treat a puppy well..

Depends what pets they have as if they had a goldfish then would question that ;) :)

Well, yes.

Anyway, proof that age means nothing when looking at children & animals is Bindi Irwin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindi_Irwin

:)

Wonder where this has come from!! Goodness my first week on the board and im starting debates all ready LOL!!

My views are simple, it is the ADULTS responsibility to take on a dog, just like it was to have my children.  I grew up with dogs my whole life, in fact my favorite photo of my childhood is me curled up on a rug with my dog Zoe..... snuggled together, i was about 2 and she was 3.  We grew up incredibly close and when she died 10 years ago i felt as upset as i would have if i had lost a sibling, because in a way that is what she was.... she was there for me my whole life..... my best friend..... and granted she might have had a bit of tail pulling, or wanting some space, but i guarentee you no dog ever loved a kid as much as she loved me, and it was definantly mutal..... and if i can my kids that memory, and that ability to have such a respect and an attachement for an animal, then i think im doing a pretty shit hot job as a parent!!!! :D

I have a different tale to tell here, we got a dog when we were young (a spaniel cross)and my mother said if we did not clean up and help, the dog would go, suffice to say the dog went after too many poo's in the house (mother was a house proud lady who could detect a smell from 12 paces) but looking at the lady who could not stand a doggy smell at one point can now see it as a relaxing family scent and when i ask her if she can smell dog in my house she tells me she can smell happiness (sometimes, think she does not want to upset the grandkids but hey hoy) i would never ever deprive my kids of the love of a dog or my dogs the love of a child ,(an educated doggy friendly child that is ) My little girl was bit on the face by a neighbours dog (she had to have plastic surgeon to stitch her up)and the first thing she did when she came home was hug all our dogs and tell them she knew they would never hurt her and that the dog that bit her only did it cos he was scared cos he wasn't loved like they were. she was 4 at the time and it is me that was scared not her ,(i thouht she would be wary and i thought i would have to rehome my dogs ,which if she was frightened i would have have to do , as she is mine and the dogs would have adapted my daughter would not have )but i think cos she was brought up with dogs she realised the dog that bit her (a golden cross) had really had a bad time cos she never once blamed the dog just the owner. soory for long post but kids and dogs belong together

hmm this is a tough one. I won't sell to people who have multiple children under 7, I prefer the 7 + age to be honest myself.  Ie   one at 7 and one at 9.

There may be an exception if the family present themselves in a responsible way and the children also. Families of say a 3 year old, 5 year old and a 7 year old are no nos on my list I am afraid :-)

I also took a few years between one dog passing away and buying another when my daughter was young. I think my daughter was 4 or 5 when I got my next dog.

I don't understand why people are making blanket assumtions about families with children. Why don't you treat them and vet them just like everyone else, on an individual basis?

I have three boys aged 11, 7 and 3 3/4. I have just bred and successfulyl reared my first litter of 9. All pups are sold, but we still have 4 here. They are 8 weeks and 2 days old. As well as all the standard socialization you'd expect in that time, I have managed to take each one individually on the school run, take them all to the vet to be checked over, and they were all pretty much toilet trained when they left. The 4 are now living in my living room, allowed free run of the downstairs during the day, in their crate with free access to their puppy pen at night and no accidents on the carpet for two days. I leave the pen open, so if they can't get outside, they go on their newspaper.

I'm not superwoman, but the dogs are as important to me as the children and are prioritised in the same way an extra child would be, so everything is in order of need. I onyl agreed ot the dog because everyone else wanted one, even though I knew I'd do the looking after. I wouldn't be without her now, and roll on next year when we are having another.

For the "over 7's" breeders here :)

Can i ask what makes it be 7?? for me that would be a worst age really :) because the chances are higher that the puppy is being bought to be looked after BY the child..... and supposed to have sole responsibility..... and very few 7 year olds are capable of that for more than a few months.....

I dont understand it, i really dont.... if i had 2 children (as i do ;)) and one was 4, and one was 2...... and i wanted another child would you say "Oh no you cant do that?? you wont be able to manage??" of course you woudln't!! yet you feel quite able (as im reading it) to say that i couldn't cope with a dog...... !!!

I honestly thing you are depriving your dogs of a FUN loving home by refusing to home dogs to people that you have never met just because they dont meet your "critera". 

I have to say I dont have a problem selling to families with children.  For me the main issue is meeting all the family and getting an idea of there lifestyle, there home and if a pup will fit in.  If someone had a newborn baby or a very difficult child then I would express my concern but I dont feel it fair to single out people with children.  I think its best to look at the whole picture. 

Just curious, Jackson :)
roll on next year when we are having another.

Does that mean you aren't keeping one of these pups?

I'm not keeping one this time, no. We did consider it, but as we will now be moving in April, and had a sufficient waiting list of suitable homes for all pups, we decided it was probably best not to keep one this time. We will possibly breed another litter at the end of next year/beginning of 2009 and keep a pup then, or we'll buy a pup.

I'm not keeping one this time, no. We did consider it

Then why did you breed?

When we mated our bitch we had thought we would keep one, but my Fiances work plans then changed (army) which meant we would be moving.

However, that said, one of the main reasons I bred was for my own pleasure, and that will probably be the main reason I bred again. I don't see the problem with that really. My bitch is health tested with good results, has a wonderful temprement, good working ability and a joy to own. All pups are healthy and happy, homes have been carefully chosen and I am as certain as I can be that they will be forever. If for some reason anyone can't keep a pup (or adult dog) I have bred, I will take it back, either to keep myself, or re-home carefully.

I don't really see what the problem is with that. If there is no, or little, supply of properly, responsibly bred pups, all that is left are pups from puppy farmers and idiots.

Hmm, sorry jackson, but I find your post very alarming as highlighted below :(

>When we mated our bitch we had thought we would keep one

So not exactly certain even at the mating stage   My first thought was perhaps this was such a valuable and endangered breeding line of exemplary show and / or working lines that it was surely then only for the betterment of the breed and it's gene pool that such a mating was carried out (also presuming that it was with the encouragement of your breeder/mentor :rolleyes: )

>that said, one of the main reasons I bred was for my own pleasure, and that will probably be the main reason I bred again.

But then you clarified with the above - an all too familiar a stance unfortunately   I very much doubt if any dedicated enthusiast of a breed has embarked on producing a litter for that reason at all never mind solely :(   Your bitch could have had all sorts of complications and possibly even have died - something to the forefront of any of us who breed for *non commercial* reasons. 

FWIW I don't know many respected breeders who would describe breeding as a "pleasure" at all - more huge relief when our bitches have safe deliveries, constant anxiety over her continuing health status and of course by then for the pups too - enjoyment really only arriving when the last to go has been settled in it's new forever home and we've been updated by it's new owners to that end.

>My bitch is health tested with good results, has a wonderful temprement, good working ability and a joy to own

so ideally would every pet dog be - however that is not IMO a good enough reason to embark on breeding your bitch with all the possible traumas and complications that can so easily go with it.

>If there is no, or little, supply of properly, responsibly bred pups, all that is left are pups from puppy farmers and idiots

puppy farmers and idiots come in all guises - IMO the only reasons to have a litter are for the betterment of a breed, furthering and/or continuing a successfully established line for health, character, type and working ability where applicable and even then only when either the breeder is keeping something for themself, placing one on terms or providing an equally suitable enthusiast with the opportunity to branch on said successful and established lines.

Teri

Please could you keep this thread on topic - Jackson's reasons for breeding have nothing to do with this thread ;-)

Thankyou. I respect your opinion.

However, this is not something I have entered into lightly. I was well aware of the possible impications to my bitch. My breed is an easy whelping one, and I did what I could to make things as safe as it is ever possible for her. I have had the support of her breeder (who, after all, had to lift endorsements on her papers) and the stud dog owner, who is well known and extremely highly respected within the breed and very successful in the show ring.

I personally cannot see what is 'alarming' about breeding from a bitch that is a good example of her breed, has good, well known and sought after bloodlines, (as does the pup's sire) is health tested with good results, correctly cared for and looked after, as are the pups, homes for the pups carefully vetted, and new families have been visiting their pups 2-3 times a week from birth, despite not being allowed in with the pups until 4 weeks, when I am fully prepared to take any pup bred back at any time of their lives if things do not work out. (Obviously I have done as much as possibel to ensure this doesn't happen!)

The pups are happy, healthy (they have been checked by my vet the day after whelping, as was my bitch, and again at 6 weeks old) and well-adjusted. All have gone with a puppy pack including 'The Perfect Puppy' 'Book Of The Bitch' with the girls, 3KG of food, loads of toys and extras, and a comprehensive information folder containing everything they need to know and more. Not one has cried at night in it's new home, and 3 so far of the new owners vets have commented that they wish all breeders went to the lengths I have done.

I'm not adding to rescue centres (in as much as anyone can ever be sure thye are not!) and I am doing everything that is possible to improve the breed and have healthy pups. I don't think I am going that far wrong.

I am also highly offended by the implication that I might have done it to make money. This time we have been 'lucky', we have a large litter and have covered our costs, plus some left over. But no expense has been spared, the bitch and pups have had the best of everything at every stage. We could just have easily lost a lot of money.

As the moderator has requested

>Jackson's reasons for breeding have nothing to do with this thread

I dont intend to comment further on your reasons for breeding under this thread :)  There are a miriad of similarly covered ones throughout the site and easily found using the search facility, not least the first thread on this forum (although certainly not exclusively).

Teri

This quite  a tough Q in a lot of ways as apart from an array of members quite naturally holding different opinions (which will in some circumstances have developed through previous positive and negative experiences), there are doubtless many breeds which are characteristically better suited to different situations - and all that BEFORE meeting and vetting prospective owners :)

In an ideal world it would be great to have no hard and fast rules but then in an ideal world no breed of dog or individual within a breed would have issues with anything in life and let's face facts, that is simply not the case and certainly not something anyone can guarantee.

Perhaps some breeders are over cautious about allowing their much loved extended pet family to go into an environment that equally responsible breeders of other breeds or differently natured individual dogs within a breed would thrive on :)  that certainly doesnt make anyone's choice (breeder or buyer) better or worse than anyone else - just different, as our dogs, breeds, expectations in all things in life are :)

FWIW, I'm pretty much but not exclusively in the same camp here as Carrington - I have a fairly strict criteria because IMO prevention is better than cure and so homes for my puppies have to appear - insofar as is humanly possible at the interview, home check and meet the pack stages - to be 100%!  Not realistic or foolproof either of course but I'd rather lose a seemingly potential good home and keep a puppy longer than take a risk with placing one of mine in a home where I'm not sufficiently convinced it will work for anyone. 

After all, we dont lavish love, attention and full time dedication to rearing our precious litters to then go on to homing them into a situation which we have doubts about - whatever the reasons for those doubts are!

HTH, Teri

I would also like to know,  if any of you who breed , would sell a puppy to someone, who has informed you they are going on holiday  within 6/7 wks of taking puppy home, and  have plans to put puppy into kennels.

I always offer to board pups in their first year. 

But would you sell a puppy , in the scenario,

I treat each family seperately and don't have blanket rules
As for a pup going in kennels within 6-7 weeks it would be a no, I have sold a puppy where the owners were going to their son's graduation overnight and I had the puppy back with me, but not to be put in kennels at such a young age.

Anyone who thought kennels were appropriate for a puppy of 15 weeks (unless going in with another family dog) I would have serious reservations about their empathy with the pup. 

I have on several occasions kept pups longer while the owners go on their holiday or had pup back several weeks after being homed so they can go on their holiday.  This works especially well as pup has settled in new home and I can then have pup back and stamp down on any negative little habits they have started to acquire, and on their return they usually find a better behaved pup that has had great fun staying with it's family..

Also most people forgo a holiday when they buy a puppy on the basis the pup is instead of a holiday and financially that is likely to be the case.

To be fair to the people who have bought pup, (first time owners)   they have taken direction from the breeder, who has not got a problem with it, in fact breeder had the pup jabbed with KC  vaccine along with first jabs   for the new owners.

to me, this  says more about  the breeder  and her ethics  , than anything else.

Also most people forgo a holiday when they buy a puppy on the basis the pup is instead of a holiday and financially that is likely to be the case.

Agree with that, I have another friend who has a 11 wk old pup, and she has cancelled her hols in March !

As the KC vaccine can cause eye and nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing for sometimes up to four weeks in young susceptible puppies, I'm not convinced that it's very wise to routinely give this to pups soon to be homed. The manufacturers also recommend that no other vaccine should be administered within 14 days before or after the KC vaccine.

Like Brainless, I offer to have them back to me if there is a need - TBH, I also make it clear that mine is not a breed which suits kennels at any stage of its life :)

Barring emergencies, such as being taken into hospital suddenly, I go out of my way to advise that new owners are better to have family or friends in happy agreement to board the dog during holidays if it's not going with them :)  I have also boarded one at just over two years - for less than a week - to allow his owners to go to a family wedding where he could have travelled with them but very naturally might have been problematic during the various preps and of course left much too long on his own on the "big day".

regards, Teri :)

I would also like to know,  if any of you who breed , would sell a puppy to someone, who has informed you they are going on holiday  within 6/7 wks of taking puppy home, and  have plans to put puppy into kennels.


There is no way, I would ever sell a pup to anyone whom was planning on putting it in kennels, even upto 6 months of age, these are the crucial training and socialising times to be put in kennels so early could potential upset the pups confidence and character! :-(

I have quite happily held onto a pup for a couple of extra weeks, I have no problem with that, I even held onto a pup for 6 weeks, the couple concerned had taken early retirement and had planned a 6 week cruise, they had approached me 2 years previous and we had done our best to work out the cruise plans, to fit in with the pups new ownership dates, unfortunately things did not go to plan, their dates had to be changed and so I agree to keep the pup, train and socialise it etc for them.

I must say though it was even more heartbreaking to let him go, he had bonded so closely to us, I said I would not keep one that long again.................... but never, say never. :-D

I have two children one 5 year old one 7 year old.
I have homed 3 of my pups to families with children, the youngest being 7 years old and the eldest 10 years old.
I made sure I spoke to the family and made them understand about the puppys needs and the puppy teething stage, nipping etc:
In my home made puppy pack I put a leaflet inside containing info on puppies and children, basically what I have already discussed with the protential owners.
One of the new owners with children had not had a dog before, apart from when they themselves where kids, so we stay in contact and meet up so I can help with any issues etc:  So far (touch wood) everything has gone smoothly with all the families they are all enjoying their new members of the family (now 8 months old!)
I have had people contact me looking for a puppy and they tell me that they are either expecting a baby or are planning to start a family, I try and advise them to wait until the baby is older before taking on a pup.

As the KC vaccine can cause eye and nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing for sometimes up to four weeks in young susceptible puppies, I'm not convinced that it's very wise to routinely give this to pups soon to be homed. The manufacturers also recommend that no other vaccine should be administered within 14 days before or after the KC vaccine

To be honest, I  was surprised when I  heard the puppy was to be vaccinated against KC ( the boarding kennel requests it)   for exactly the reasons you have given.....I did `nt know any kennels took such young pups,  for that reason  KC vaccine, and age  it was given,   I thought over 6 mths

very interesting post here
I myself have an 18 month old son and 2 dogs.
My son was 9 months old when I got my first girl then 14 months old when I got my second.
Yes it is hard work at times but watching how well my son has adjusted to the dogs shows me that I have made the right decision.

Im no breeder but if i ever did in the future I would have no problem letting the pups go the families with young children.
Obviously a lot of it depends on the induviduals but I would never not allow a family to have pup just because they have young children!

I feel children learn far better how to respect animals if they are brought up with them from a young age

I feel children learn far better how to respect animals if they are brought up with them from a young age

I wholeheartedly agree Huskygirl!

We already had two dogs when our son was born, (now aged 6) so for him it is the norm and although he has no fear of dogs he has a healthy respect for them and knows how to behave around them, he also knows that not all dogs are friendly and when we go to shows, or doggy houses he asks before stroking them. Also when he has friends round you can tell the ones that are used to being around dogs and those who are not! The ones who aren't tend to be a bit silly, screaming and waving arms about, which of course to a young dog means one thing, playtime!

I feel children learn far better how to respect animals if they are brought up with them from a young age


Ummm.... that is a statement that I often hear others say, not sure it is a true statement at all though.

Toddlers and young children learn respect/love etc from their parent/s not from a puppy, they don't really understand caring for things, they cuddle and treat things like toys, but don't truly understand what an older child does. 

If a child of any age is brought up well, by parents who install good values, it does not matter the age of the child with the puppy.  I know I would rather put a puppy of mine in the arms of a 10 year old brought up to respect than a 2/4 year old.

Growing up with animals does not make a child more respectful of them, it's what parents teach with or without an animal present. :-)