Which dog would suit our family?

What should parents look out for when keeping dogs with children in the household?

The whole family has to get behind it. Every dog owner must also realise that a dog, like a child in need of care, remains dependent on its owner for its entire life. This means that at least one adult in the family must take responsibility for the dog. The dog needs two to three walks a day, it needs training, attention and care. Children think going for a walk is great today, but tomorrow they forget. And there are two other aspects that you need to think about carefully.

What would they be?

The holiday place for the dog must be organised before it is purchased. Families want to travel and the dog may not always be able to join them. That's perfectly fine. It just means that the dog has to be acclimatised to the shelter or a foster home from an early age, for example. This usually works out well. Nowadays it is possible to have a dog and go on holiday overseas, for example. There are so many great pet holiday hotels or animal shelters that keep packs. But this costs money and has to be factored into the holiday budget.

Or you can organise a dog godfather ...

Honestly? As with childcare, this usually only works with grandmothers. Neighbours or friends tend to «forget» their offer again or are suddenly scheduled for other things. Only grandmothers are reliable, at least that's what I hear in our practice (laughs).

And the third aspect?

The dirt! If you're fussy, it's better not to get a dog. A dog wants to be in the living room, it is a social animal and always wants to be there. Like humans, they also like to lie on something soft and sometimes make themselves comfortable on the sofa. So if you don't let your dog into the living room, you're not a dog owner. There are very short-haired dogs or curly breeds, such as the Poodle, Lagotto or Perro de Agua Español (Spanish Water Dog), which shed little or no hair. But they do: Most dogs shed hair and you have to be able to deal with that.

What do you recommend: a dog from a shelter or a puppy from a breeder?

I experience both very successfully and less successfully. Ideally, the adult carer in the family should have experience with dogs. Or takes someone with them who knows the ropes. It is very difficult for a person with no knowledge of dog ownership to choose a dog - regardless of whether it is from a shelter or a breeder.

In general, are there a few simple pointers on how to choose a dog?

Dogs show very clearly whether they want to go with you. There has to be an attraction between the dog and the family, it simply has to fit. A dog should appeal to people visually, be the right size and breed, show affection and also generate it. You should also be clear about what function the future dog should have in the household: Guard dog, companion dog, family dog, lap dog or working dog?

And what do you need to bear in mind once the dog has joined the family?

After a familiarisation phase, during which the dog is usually very well-behaved and defensive, it begins to orientate itself. The dog is a rank and pack animal and naturally tries to gain a leading position in the pack. It should ideally take the last place in the family hierarchy, behind the youngest child. Parents should always bear this in mind.

How should one proceed in concrete terms?

This can be achieved very easily, for example, by the youngest child letting the dog do an exercise and then placing the food in front of it. The dog has to wait until the command is given that it can now eat. Whoever has the power over the food is almost automatically the boss in the dog's eyes. Parents must also bear this in mind: Dogs like to tussle and playfully establish their rank. When dogs play with children, the dog can quickly misunderstand something. This is because children like to have their hands bitten for fun. Or they leave toys for the dog - all signs for the four-legged friend that it is above the child in rank. Good and clear training of the dog is therefore essential for successful coexistence in the family.

And what should children be taught about handling dogs?

The children must also respect pack rules. If the dog wants to be left alone, nobody should disturb it. Small children in particular cannot judge the behaviour of a dog. For this reason, they should never be left alone with a dog. Nevertheless, in most cases a good relationship is established between the family and the dog. The great thing about dogs is that they love people. He is always happy to receive any kind of attention, no matter what mood you are in.

What vaccinations, worming etc. do you recommend, especially if the dogs are in contact with children a lot?

I highly recommend immunisation at all times, regardless of whether you have children or not. We have good vaccination coverage in Switzerland. With these vaccinations, dogs are protected against the most important canine diseases. Basically, the following applies: a good basic immunisation of 2-3 vaccinations at puppy age and 1 x at 1 year of age. After that, an annual check-up is recommended.

The children must also respect dog pack rules

Fleas are always an issue because they can also jump to humans.

This can also be the case with ticks. There are many effective preparations for dogs. A tablet against fleas, mites and ticks, for example, provides protection for three months. There are also well-known spot-on preparations or collars that still work well. The problem can still occur in a cold November. Fleas and ticks can survive in heated indoor spaces. If you are afraid of this, simply protect your dog all year round. The active ingredients in the tablets are highly recommended and rarely have any side effects.

There is much discussion about these side effects. They are said to trigger epileptic seizures.

What we consider to be false reporting by a major private broadcaster about a certain tick tablet has fuelled many fears. Unqualified comments on the Internet have also caused some misunderstandings. The tablet in question was tested by all legal authorities and was only launched in Switzerland one year after authorisation in the EU. In principle, any event or medication can trigger an epileptic seizure. However, this requires a predisposed, sensitive animal. The causal link is very difficult to prove.

Tapeworms or the notorious fox tapeworm, which dogs can transmit to humans, are a worry for parents.

Tapeworm infections are much more often caused by inadequate or unwashed food. We recommend deworming dogs every three months to eliminate the worms. Simple rules of hygiene when handling dogs also protect them: Don't touch your dog's rear end, don't let your dog lick your hands or face and wash your hands after every «critical» contact. And if you forget to wash your hands, parents should not panic. A good immune system usually fends off parasites well. In addition, cases of fox tapeworm infections are extremely rare.

Which dog breeds are particularly suitable as family dogs? Which ones are not?

This is a difficult question that cannot be answered in general terms. It depends on the individual character of the dog. The size and weight certainly play a role. For example, if the child is also to walk the dog, then I would say that 10 to 15 kilograms is the upper limit. Otherwise, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are of course lovely dogs. This breed wants to protect people - and they want to please.(For more on breeds suitable for families, see box at the end of the text).

They emphasise that when selecting a breed, the purpose for which it was originally bred should also be taken into account.

There are dogs that have a long breeding lineage focussed on hunting. Then there are, for example, those that were bred for territorial defence - such as German shepherds. The latter are not necessarily in good hands in a family. Sheepdogs are working dogs and guard dogs that need a job. However, if a dog is chosen, the parents must work with the animal constantly and ensure it is well trained from the outset. Guard dogs in particular need a lot of dog knowledge.

Certain dogs are very fashionable at the moment, such as Border Collies.

Yes, they definitely belong to the fashion dogs, which is a pity. Again: Border Collies are working dogs, bred to herd and drive sheep. They need a real task, also mentally, because they are eager to learn and intelligent. These breeds in particular become really depressed or develop disturbed behaviour if they are underchallenged.

Dogs are wonderful comforters.

Studies have repeatedly shown the positive effect that dogs have on people. For example, the risk of allergies in children who live with a dog in the household is said to be reduced.

A dog undoubtedly has a positive effect on children. It is a creature that brings children into contact with nature. Children's immune systems are also kept in good shape through exposure to fur and dirt. Ideally, children with a dog spend more time outdoors, which means that the dog takes the children away from the games console or smartphone. And anyone who likes dogs knows how relaxing stroking fur is.

Without a doubt. Studies also show this.

Dogs are wonderful comforters. A dog will lie down with a child when it senses that it is ill or feels sad or misunderstood. There are studies in human medicine that show that dog owners who have had a heart attack have a greater chance of survival in long-term therapy with a dog. A dog also relieves an enormous amount of tension in the family. I am always impressed by how much therapy work a dog can do.

Which breeds are suitable for a family with children?