Good breed for child with ASD

[Strix]

I'm thinking about getting a dog. We rent and the lease says we can't have one. But I think it would be really good for my HF ASD (Aspergers) 8 year old to have a companion. Our house is quite small and we have a small garden. I don't like small yappy dogs, but can't realistically house a big dog in our little house. So I'm thinking...

medium size
low-to medium grooming/maintenance
moderate exercise requirement (can go for 1-2 mile walk to/from school everyday, and there is a smallish garden to run around in).

Any recommendations?

I like the Norwegian Elkhund but I think it needs a bigger house/garden.

The lease says you can’t have one? So don’t

Why would you get a dog if the lease forbids it?

What happens when the landlord finds out? As they will? You'll move the whole family somewhere you can have a dog or more than likely get rid of it?

Some landlords will consider if you have been good tenants and/or will provide an additional deposit. You need to have this conversation before even thinking about breeds.

What makes you think the landlord won’t find out?

And if they do, what makes you think you’ll find a new property easily?
It’s very very very difficult to find a rental property with a dog.

Your best bet is to flat out ask the landlord for permission while making it clear that you will pay for any damages.

And to answer your question.
None!
There is NO dog breed that is universally child friendly.
Not one.
Child friendliness is dependant on many factors like the dogs experiences with children, whether it was raised with children as a puppy, whether it was bred from confident, tolerant parents etc.

Basically we're out the house 8-9 hours a day so a dog walker would break this up by an hour or so daily.

This is not moderate exercise. This is very low exercise (for a dog). An Elkhound is designed to spend the entire day working outside. They will go absolutely bonkers with such a low amount of exercise.

I'm also going to add, as gently as I can, whilst I understand dogs can be brilliant for children with ASD and other conditions, I always get a bit nervous when I see someone want a dog for what it can do for their child. To me, you get a dog because you want a dog. You want to care for and look after and make the dog happy. Plus you enjoy them. You might also hope they help the child but are prepared for this NOT to happen and still want to put the work into keeping a dog well.

Plus, the lease thing is a massive issue but others have already pointed that out.

Sorry - my bold was the wrong cut and past. I meant

moderate exercise requirement (can go for 1-2 mile walk to/from school everyday, and there is a smallish garden to run around in).

Biteyshark and Wolfiefan, I will of course ask the landlord if we can have a dog after exploring the options and deciding if we want one. That's why I started this thread. I might decide it's not a good idea. Or I might decide its a great idea and then approach the landlord with the request and then I'd have to give her some information. Just starting to think about it.

Any dog needs more than a quick walk too and from school. I’ve just been out with mine off lead for an hour. That’s a short walk for us. They need to sniff and explore. Go different places.
No puppies are great with kids. They are bitey little buggers.

I still wouldn’t be asking for a child friendly breed recommendation. Because there isn’t one.

What you want, is a dog with a nice calm, tolerant temperament that is happy with a relatively small amount of exercise and is not double coated (massive shedder).
So you need to be looking at breeds that fit that criteria.

And when you’ve found a breed, if the mum and dad of the litter are nice tolerant, confident, friendly dogs and the puppies have been handled regularly by children then as long as you are careful to make the pup’s experiences with children pleasant the puppy should grow up to be child friendly.

And as wolfiefan says, it is a rare PUPPY that is good with children because they like to bite 👹 up to about 5 - 6 months old.

www.supportdogs.org.uk/autism-assistance

1-2 miles walk to school on a lead and a run about in the garden isn't much exercise tbh. Unless there is a reason not to most dogs benefit from a run about off lead.

Do you have the time to train, spend time, walk off lead, groom etc a dog?

Can you afford all the associated costs? (Not just dog lead, toys, beds and leads but worming/flea treatments, vaccinations/boosters, classes especially if you are a first time dog owner, insurance, grooming etc)

Whilst it might be good for your DC what if they aren't a good companion. Will you still take the responsibility of looking after the dog for it's lifetime?

What happens if your landlord says yes then sells? Are you happy to be restricted on rental options as lots won't allow dogs.

Don’t get a puppy ffs, you’re not around enough to train it and it will jump and bite and scratch and chew

Possibly Re home an adult rescue, so you know what sort of temperament you’re getting but if your lease says no, then I’d take that as a no. We have rental properties and make it clear we will consider pets, your landlord hasn’t

Well this was not constructive. Sorry I asked. I will research the idea elsewhere.

It’s been very constructive imho, maybe just not the answers you want

Researching breeds is a bit pointless unless all the other things are in place. It isn't that we are not being constructive it's more that your opening OP starts with a massive issue of housing so wondering if all the other things have been considered.

There are some great companion breeds, that is what you realistically looking for. Stay away from working / hunting type breeds. Their needs don ' t mach your criteria. (Stay away from popular x breeds, they are working/ hunting type dogs with endless energy.
As for the needs of your child, don't get a puppy, they are hard work! Think of a pup like a baby / uncontrollable toddler / land shark!
An older puppy or adult dog would be better. Best would be to research dog training as well as breeds. Your dog is ment to be a companion, best way to achieve this is by building a great relationship through training.

It wasn’t what you asked because you asked the wrong question. A dog isn’t the right sort of pet for you. You’re not able to provide what it needs.

🙄 and this is why I spend so much time home checking for rescue dogs that people got on a whim because they wouldn't listen to reason....

Not constructive 😂

Only been given a link for specialist autism dogs, advised to go for an older dog rather than a puppy, given some breed suggestions, been told that a dog would need more exercise that you want to provide and advised how difficult it can be to find a dog friendly rental...

Pretty constructive I would say!

I don’t think you would be irresponsible and selfish to get any dog

Labrador!! Definitely labrador

There was some constructive advice which I read after I typed that comment. A lot more rude and judgmental comments about things I haven't done and wouldn't do. Never mind.

I'm not really interested in the judge aggression. So forget I asked. And that's to those who were genuinely trying to be helpful.

So how much exercise and grooming and training would you be prepared to do each day?
You’ve basically said you will only walk to and from school. Only have a small garden. Named an unsuitable breed you like the look of. And said you’re not actually allowed dogs where you live.
I would say don’t get a dog would be the only sensible suggestion.

A puppy can be a huge source of anxiety and stress for children with an ASD, they’re unpredictable and bite...a lot...

Read the OP of the thread called something like ripped to shreds, would your DS cope well with months of that? Because potentially that’s what you’d be signing up for.