For many, a dog is an essential part of the complete family picture, and nearly all children wish for a pet, often preferring a dog. Children associate a dog with a loyal companion with whom they can cuddle and play. However, many parents see the coexistence of children and dogs as a significant challenge. iHugDogs will reveal to you why the relationship between a child and a dog is so special and what needs to be considered to bring a suitable dog into the family.

Dogs Bring Happiness

Dog lovers have long known:

Dogs not only enrich our lives, but they also bring happiness. Being with our dog strengthens our immune system, recharges our souls, and keeps us outdoors and active. Dogs have a proven stress-reducing effect. Simultaneously, dogs act as social catalysts, helping to alleviate isolation. This is also a benefit of our assistance dogs for people with disabilities, regardless of the type of support.

The Special Opportunity of a Dog for Children

Being with a dog promotes the child’s development and social competence. Living with a dog teaches the child, at an early age and in line with their age, to take on responsibilities. Taking care of a dog requires regular walks, feeding, and consideration. Children learn through interaction with the dog to be empathetic and to treat living beings, whether human or animal, with respect. Dogs cannot express themselves through language to the child, and this fosters children’s empathy. At the same time, this strengthens a child’s self-esteem and relationship skills. According to a study from the University of Besançon in France, children who grow up with dogs are more agreeable and less aggressive than children without dogs.

Child and Dog, Especially in Crisis, a Very Special Relationship

In challenging situations, children develop a particularly close relationship and a deep bond with their own dog. Stressful situations for the child can include:

So, dogs also make children very happy! They provide them with security, self-assurance, and a positive outlook on life. Thus, dogs have a very special significance for children, offering them unique emotional support, especially during mood swings in adolescence.

The behavioral researcher Matt Cassels states, “It’s not surprising that these children turn to animals when seeking support in a crisis. What is particularly surprising, however, is that even though they know the animals don’t understand them, they are more likely to turn to their pets than their siblings.”

Source: Child’s best friend – University of Cambridge

Dr. Gail Melson from Purdue University in Indiana corroborated Cassels’ findings. She asked a group of five-year-olds with pets whom they would most likely turn to when sad, anxious, or angry and with whom they would be most likely to share a secret.

The result:

Over 40 percent of children immediately named their pets.

Why Playing with the Dog is Important for Children

Dogs are playmates for children, matching their need for movement, especially for restless children. The dog helps them expend excess energy, simultaneously calming the child. Scientists have found that playing with a dog increases the release of happiness hormones dopamine and serotonin. At the same time, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced. It’s particularly astonishing that a person perceives a stressful situation in the presence of a dog as less stressful than when another person is present.

Dogs Promote Social Contacts:

Dogs encourage children to come out of their shells. This was investigated by Kurt Kotrschal, a behavioral biologist at the Department of Neurobiology and Cognitive Research at the University of Vienna, with school dogs in 2003. The result is astounding: silent and reserved children suddenly engaged in more conversations, primarily about the dog. Shy children become more open and gain more self-confidence. At the same time, lively, loud children become calmer and take a back seat in class because they pay more attention to the dog.

Dogs Reduce the Allergy Risk:

Children who grow up with a dog develop fewer allergies and suffer less from infections. Exposure to dirt and germs from the dog strengthens their immune system. In a Finnish study from the University Hospital Kuopio in 2012, parents of almost 400 newborns were asked about their child’s well-being.

The result: if a dog or cat lived with the baby in the household, the children suffered less from ear infections, coughs, or colds and needed fewer antibiotics than children with no contact with animals. The first year of life is crucial for the development of the human immune system.

Dogs Alleviate Pain:

It is particularly beneficial for a child suffering from a chronic illness or recovering from surgery to have a dog by their side, as it promotes relaxation and reduces pain.

Examples of chronic illnesses include:

To cope with such illnesses, children often have to endure pain from an early age, undergo various examinations, and take medications. Additionally, lifestyle and dietary adjustments are frequently required.

Having a dog by one’s side, especially for those dealing with chronic illnesses or recovering from surgery, contributes to a sense of relaxation and a decrease in pain. Consequently, the patient may require fewer medications.

The Dog – An Enrichment for the Child

Children growing up with a dog tend to show a greater interest in physical activities and music compared to those without a dog. The positive impact of having a dog on academic performance is well-documented. As mentioned earlier, situations that induce stress, such as academic pressures, have been discussed. Children with dogs at home generally display higher concentration abilities and cope better with setbacks. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrated that children with reading difficulties improved their reading skills by 12% when reading to a dog.

The Own Dog – The Smarter Teacher?

Why does a dog succeed in achieving what teachers often struggle with despite their pedagogical training? With their dog, children have no fear of making mistakes. Even if they read something incorrectly, a dog will not reject, criticize, or punish them. The dog continues to listen without judgment. Through its patient nature, a dog does not pressure the child and never makes its affection contingent on performance. However, all these positive aspects arise only through consistent training, both for the dog and the child.

The Family Dog – Which dog is right for us?

Selecting the right family dog depends on the individual situation of the family. To narrow down your plan, consider the following questions:

When acquiring a dog, various factors about the dog and its breed also come into play. There is no one-size-fits-all family dog.

What a Family Dog Should Bring:

Which dog breed suits you now?

Retrievers and Search Dogs:

Examples: Spaniel, Retriever, Poodle.
Cooperative and enjoy retrieving and searching games.
Popular family dogs due to their adaptability.

Companion Dogs:

Examples: Pekingese, Pug, French Bulldog.
Not bred for a specific task.
People-oriented, friendly, and often good-natured.

Herding Guard Dogs:

Examples: Kangal.
Large, powerful dogs bred for herd protection.
Independent and self-reliant.

Farm and Guard Dogs:

Examples: Spitz, Hovawart, Mastiff.
Guard and protect property against strangers.
Intelligent, cautious, and attentive.

Herding Dogs:

Examples: Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, German Shepherd.
High work drive and very obedient.

Scent Hounds:

Examples: Beagle, Dalmatian, Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Friendly, sensitive, and possess a strong sense of smell.

Nordic Dogs:

Examples: Siberian Husky, Shiba Inu.
Resemble wolves in appearance.
Enduring, robust, intelligent, with a strong hunting instinct.

Terriers:

Active, fearless, and may be enthusiastic barkers.
Bred for hunting, they don’t easily back down.

Greyhounds:

Examples: Whippets.
Sensitive, independent, and specialized sight hunters.

Understanding the Task: Herding, Guarding, or Hunting?

This explanation serves as a general guide for each dog type. Delve into the specific tasks for which the dog was bred.

Consider Your Experience

Reflect on your own experience with dogs.

If the chosen dog type is not particularly headstrong and not bred for a specific task, beginners without prior dog experience can likely manage training with care and consistency.

Also, consider:

Is a breeder dog necessary, or could a shelter dog be a viable option for a family pet?

Feel free to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.