Have your kids been begging you to get a pet?
If so, here are 5 Kid-Friendly Pets For You Home which are not only interesting to children, but will offer enjoyment to the entire family.
Dogs
One of the most lovable of all pets is the dog. They love children, are very social, loyal, intelligent, offer unconditional love, and provide hours of enjoyment.
While most dogs are usually kept outdoors, they love the indoors as well. Care and maintenance of the dog is affordable. There are many at shelters who could really use a good home, especially given the present state of the economy
If you want to have a puppy of a specific breed, do your research and make sure you are not just basing your decision on looks. Make sure that the breed of dog you choose will fit in with your family’s lifestyle.
Ensure that any puppy you might get is acquired through a breeder, however, since most pet shops have puppies that originated from puppy mills.
If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you can easily trace its lineage online by checking its pedigree, to also make sure it has no health issues.
But in most cases, we do not recommend puppy mill puppies or buying a pet when there are so many dogs desperate for good homes, pedigree dogs that someone once paid top dollar for. There are dozens of breed rescue groups around the country which have dogs looking for good homes and dogs of all ages from puppies to adult dogs.
If you choose an adult dog, it is a good idea to ask the people at the shelter where the dog came from how it interacts with other animals, and its overall health. They usually give various behavioral tests which will let you know what to expect long before you take your new friend home with you. If you work with a breed rescue group, they will also do a careful behavioral assessment and will know what is typical of the breed and what is unnaturally timid and aggressive.
Dogs make a great family pet, but keep in mind that any dog, young or old, will require time, attention, training, and exercise.
In the next article, we will look at another child-friendly pet option for your home.
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