Want To Get First Dog...advice Please

[dave88 1,565]

Looking to get a dog for the family...would primarily be a pet so would be living indoors but also to mooch around with me when I go out with my catapult at weekends. The reason I'm asking for advice is I have 3 small children, 2 of which are autistic so they are very grabby and boisterous monkeys. I know that no dog really wants to have their ears or tails pulled but am just after advice on a breed to get that would maybe be a bit more tolerant of this? Apologies if I'm asking a stupid question lol

[Aussie Whip 4,142]

My old staff bitch was bombproof with kids,small enough to be inside and loved hunting.

[bird 9,971]

Looking to get a dog for the family...would primarily be a pet so would be living indoors but also to mooch around with me when I go out with my catapult at weekends. The reason I'm asking for advice is I have 3 small children, 2 of which are autistic so they are very grabby and boisterous monkeys. I know that no dog really wants to have their ears or tails pulled but am just after advice on a breed to get that would maybe be a bit more tolerant of this? Apologies if I'm asking a stupid question lol

well 1st, i would wait till the kids are bit older, so they realize dog are not toys to be messed about having there ears ,tail etc pulled . you carnt keep a eye on them all the while, and any dog will bite if it being rough handled all the while , so its the kids you want to sort out 1st , if you carnt dont get a dog . if you do wait and teach your kids to respect the pup, then a nice little breed and nice temp are border terriers , i had a male great family dog , small and ok for mooching about. wait till the kids are older , more so with there prob

[desertbred 5,490]

Seen a lot of breeds around kids with difficulties strange most of the Dogs hav a sixth sense and undestand maybe better than we do. Study as many breeds as you can ,by reading and hands on contact. Then have a good long hard think then think some more, good luck to you and your kids whatever you decide.

[stumfelter 3,034]

To be honest mate I'd give it a miss or build a kennel,too much of a risk in my opinion whatever the breed...

[Dead Eyes 681]

I'd second staffies, but you don't want that hanging over you if it goes wrong

[dave88 1,565]

I'd second staffies, but you don't want that hanging over you if it goes wrong

Missus has already ruled out a staffy...doesn't want a dog that she can't control if something was to go wrong.

[dave88 1,565]

Thanks for the advice...think i'll do a shit load more research and if it's best to wait a few more years then I'll wait...cheers again

[Corkman 944]

You would need to be really careful in what dog you choose around children with authism or other special needs. A working terrier certainly wouldn't be a choice I'd go for or a terrier type either - unless kennelled.

You can get dogs specially trained for kids with authism and they specifically bred and trained for good temperaments. My brother had such a dog and he was great with the family. He also got a mongrel Pom x Russell thingy from a local pet farm which was handled by hundreds of kids daily and his temperament well tested before he got him..... which was needed believe me!

Good luck with your search.

[rob284 1,682]

 

I'd second staffies, but you don't want that hanging over you if it goes wrong

Missus has already ruled out a staffy...doesn't want a dog that she can't control if something was to go wrong.

I wouldn't get a terrier with the kids, they can be snappy or sensitive to being wound up. I've always found the whippets very chilled out and laid back.

[peterhunter86 8,627]

If I was you I'd kennel the dog if your getting one I've a five year old with autism my old lurcher birch was terrified of him he throws his toys and stuff around I ended up putting her outside and only let them in when kids are in bed.Good luck whatever you choose.

[dave88 1,565]

Surely there are folk thst can offer better advice than us, please forgive my ignor8as i aint ever had deal with a kid with autism, but aint there any groups or that with other parents in same situation, maybe they got pets, an will know. My only advice would be rsmember even tho all breeds have different traits an quality's, that even within a litter there are different personalities

Nothing to forgive mate...I don't fully understand autism and I have two kids with it. I've looked into assistance dogs recently but they only have a certain amount a year and you have to basically prove you need one.

The reason I ask on here is cos I'm completely clueless and I could read info online till the cows come home but I'd rather hear from blokes who have kept and bred these dogs themselves. I've gathered by the comments on here that a terrier of any breed is a no-no. I had heard that whippets were a good choice from a few other people but as you say every dog is different.

I'll have to look in to building a kennel but didn't really want to...wanted to kill 2 birds with 1 stone as they say and get a pet/ mooching dog for me but if it isn't a good idea them I'll have to have a rethink

[dave88 1,565]

If I was you I'd kennel the dog if your getting one I've a five year old with autism my old lurcher birch was terrified of him he throws his toys and stuff around I ended up putting her outside and only let them in when kids are in bed.Good luck whatever you choose.

Did you have any problems with your child trying to grab the dog or getting a bit heavy handed?

[leethedog 3,071]

No terrier get a cocker

[timmy k 591]

Everyone ones saying every dogs different which is true, but every type of autism is different which is why it's called autistic spectrum disorder (asd). My daughters autistic and whilst she's good with my dogs and my dogs good with her I wouldn't leave any dog with any child unaccompanied. Build a kennel it's alot easier and that way you have piece of mind