Dog- good for young children, first time owner and hiking

[Fadedbackpack]

Just basically as the title says!
I’ve always had cats and grew up with them. I love cats but I’m an avid hiker, have a 10 month old and would love for her to grow up with a pet and often think when we’re out on hikes how nice it would be to have a dog with us- and for my daughter to grow up with an extra family member!

Basically as a potential first time dog owner who has a baby and is very active, I’m just looking for some advice. I’ve looked into local shelters extensively but can’t find one who will rehome with children younger than 8- which I completely understand- so now I’m looking at private rehomers and puppies but just wanting some advice on breeds.

My advice is to wait until your child is older. We got a golden retriever when our youngest was five. Looking back, even five was a bit young. Young children can’t be trusted around dogs. They need to be old enough to understand to leave them be, when appropriate. A golden retriever is the ideal family dog.

If you ask MN to move this thread to The Doghouse board, you will get a lot more replies. Alternatively start a new thread there.

I would recommend avoiding private re-homers. They are a recipe for disaster.
If you want a puppy it's a minefield. Please go onto The Doghouse and look at puppy threads there. With a small child it is imperative that you get this right. You need to avoid puppy farmers and backstreet breeders, as a first time owner it is incredibly easy to be conned.
Once you decide on a breed, try contacting the breed clubs for breeder recommendations. There are still no guarantees but this is far safer than buying from an ad.

If you want to go hiking you are best to look for a small/medium dog, potentially a gundog breed or a herder although some of the terriers also have stamina. But the more active dogs also tend to be quite demanding and can be hard work. Don't opt for a large breed, they're not the best for long hikes and can struggle with heat. Also if they get an injury they are too big to carry to safety.

In truth, as a first time owner with a baby, you won't find dog ownership easy. It is a massive commitment. I'm inclined to agree with @Yachtingaroundtheworldiwish that it may be better to wait.

However, if your mind is made up then please don't put your baby at risk by getting a private re-home. Please seek advice from people within your chosen breed to make sure you get a sound dog from health tested parents of good temperament.

My advice is not to even consider a dog until your child is at school.

I agree @tumblingdowntherabbithole , but as we know only too well from these threads, once someone decides they want a first dog, they'll grab the first one they come across.

My advice is to wait until your child is older

This. Same as the pp, ds3 was 5 when we got ddog and it was still challenging at times. I can't think of much worse than having a crawling/toddling lo at the same time as a new dog and never being able to leave them for a second or take your eye off lo at all.

I had ddog before having dcs. My gorgeous boxer was fantastic with dc1. Sadly ddog died before dc2.

Puppies are very hard work so am glad I got ddog first.

Reported @k9sky

Wow Mumsnet were quick to delete them!

Definitely wait until your baby is older and you have finished having babies.

A puppy is a full time job and you just won’t have the time or headspace to focus on a puppy when you have a young baby.

Plus a baby is fairly portable but consider how easy it will be to take a grumpy 5/6 yo hiking 🤷‍♀️

That said when the timing is right it sounds like a spaniel or Labrador would be a good fit.

🤔 I had 2 abandoned puppies when youngest DC was around that age. Plus 2 adult dogs.
DC used to fall asleep in the dog crate with the 2 puppies - definitely not for the faint hearted!

Things to consider: how houseproud are you?
Are you working?
How sensitive/ lively is your DC
How safe is your garden?
Happy to do maximum of 10-12k hikes? (And a lot less until puppy is 12-18 months?)
.... and the time of year! Honestly getting a pup in spring/ summer is is a lot easier if you have child & dog secure garden.

So yeah if you are dead set on it, walk into this with your eyes wide open.

And don't forget , as a first time dog owner take 12-18 months of regular training classes- the KC good citizen dog is excellent for this. Don't dich formal training after the 8-10 week puppy class. See it like school for Dogs, they learn over time everything they need to know from puppy over adolescent to adulthood.

@Fadedbackpack no good breeder will sell to you with a child that young.

That means your options will be limited to either; puppy farms (and all the issues that come with it) or unscrupulous breeders (and all the issues that come with that).

And private re-homes when you have a child that young is nothing less than negligent parenting, being brutally honest.

I would suggest a small dog like a terrier; or to be honest any mixed breed small dog. Much easier to manage in and out of car, around house, on lead, etc etc and they will enjoy long walks exactly the same as a bigger dog.

Dont be disheartened by the rescue not considering you. If you are a first time owner, I would advise a puppy or a young dog; or a much older dog eg 6/7/8 years old; it really depends on the dog and their previous history ; you many find one who has already lived with a family etc. I absolutely wouldn’t buy one - I would find a rescue even if that means waiting and looking at charities further afield from you.

You will need a dog trainer whatever dog, whatever age. Find a good one and get that lined up and decide how to incorporate that. A well trained dog is essential to your success and to keeping your stress levels low for the next 15 years!!! Do not think you can manage without one. Life is wonderful with a dog who understands you and understands what’s expected of them.

best of luck in your search!

I will add if there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind; don’t go ahead. It’s a commitment until the end, and if you cannot do that, don’t commit for selfish reasons. Think about if you moved, changed hours etc etc. Can you make all that happen with dog still in your life? Whatever it takes is the attitude you need to have; anything less is cruel and being abandoned is incredibly traumatic for dogs so you need to be absolutely 100% sure you are all in and all in for life. Xx

Will you be able to keep the hikes up as your baby gets older? We were frequently hiking in the Lake District when DD was that age and it was a breeze. As soon as she out grew the carrier (which was surprisingly early as she is very tall) we then found any hikes very difficult as had to walk herself. We bought collies pre pregnancy as they would have really fit in with our lifestyle, however, knowing what I now know (and excusing the surprise pregnancy) I would not choose to have an active dog (or any dog) with a young child. It’s only now that she is 7 that we are starting to get more regular longer walks in - and as far as walkers go DD has been a much better hiker than most kids her age (or older)

Contrary to advice here (and popular belief), we got a dog when DD was 4 months and it was the BEST decision.
They're best mates and the dog is so sociable with children.

I'd recommend Lab or Retriever but they are super full on as pups, chew lots

We have a miniature Australian labradoodle, having grown up with golden retrievers and labs it’s similar but smaller and barely sheds. Is so lovely with the kids. Would have another if I could afford it!

I grew up with dogs from age 6 years and have a puppy now with children aged 12 and 15. I would wait. I found the baby and toddler years very difficult you may find toddler days harder than now with 10 month old. Having a puppy is like having an extra toddler in the house - constantly need eyes in the back of your head. Our puppy is large and boisterous and has caused injury through her size to me and both children. This is accidental but could be serious with a small child. Her litter mates have destroyed sofas, tables, eaten dangerous items and had several expensive emergency trips to the vet. Luckily our puppy doesn’t eat anything that she isn’t supposed to but that’s rare. We are training her every day. She can only walk 5 mins for each month of life so long walks won’t be a reality until she is maybe 2 years old. I love dogs and they’re wonderful for children but I would not consider it until youngest child is at least 5 years old. Everyone I know with younger children say the DC aren’t that bothered by the dog. Young children only have capacity for their own wants and interests. Our older DC adore the dog but the walking and poo pick ups fall to DH/me. They do play with puppy, do training, look after her when we are out. With our small 12 year old we decided too dangerous to rehome a dog so got a puppy. No way would i consider re homing an unpredictable dog with children in the house smaller than adult size.

10 month old baby is way too young to be getting a puppy. You'll tie yourself in knots coping with both.

I would definitely wait till your child is older before getting a puppy. Puppies are bitey little fuckers, and toddlers (and young children) have no impulse control. So there is a risk that either (a) the child will be put off the dog or become scared of it, or (b) the puppy will be grabbed and mauled around too much and develop unwanted or anxious behaviours because of it. Also puppies need a lot of company and attention to become confident, independent dogs, and when you've got a baby or toddler to look after there are lots of situations when you'd need to leave the dog in a different room or home alone for a bit, which isn't ideal in the first few months. Also as a PP says, there's a longish window of mobile toddler who won't stay in a carrier and you may not be able to do much hiking for a while. And you might want to have another baby.

We had a dog before having babies, and he's middle-aged and pretty chilled out now, but when DS1 was little we did have to be really careful to keep them separate most of the time, and never leave them alone together. And now DS2 is little and the dog is calmer, we still have to do a lot of management to stop the toddler wanting to grab the dog.

Why on earth would hiking be nicer with a dog?
Can't think of anything worse than a nice walk geing spoiled by a dog.

I love walking with my dog. I walk twice a day with her and she fills me with joy. She’s so happy and carefree and every walk is an adventure for her. I get immense vicarious pleasure out of watching her enjoy her walks.

This comment is hilarious!

Another one agreeing to wait until your child is older. This feels doable right now as your child isn’t particularly mobile. Believe me when I say you don’t want to be chasing a toddler off in one direction while your dog runs off in the other. I would say wait until at least 4 or 5.

Then, as long as you do PLENTY of research on training, breeders, health checks, exercise requirements of a growing athletic dog - a Labrador.

We are very experienced dog owners (dogs for my entire life, previously raised a dog from puppy stage as an adult) and even we waited until our youngest was 4 before taking on a new puppy.

OP, as someone who has always had dogs and loved having them, I would agree with others that having a puppy and small child is very difficult. Pups nip, chase and need a lot of training to become well adjusted. As others have said, once you have a child that is fully mobile and running around, combined with an adolescent dog, it can be very stressful. And unfortunately, usually the breeds of dog built for longer hikes with the energy levels for that are harder work than the lazier breeds.
That said, it's up to you to really research it and make your own decision. Only you really know the set you have at home and the spare time you have

We he an Australian Labradoodle which would be perfect, but I’d wait, our youngest was 6.