7 impractical dog breeds for kids

At some point, your child will start asking for a pet. When you feel you are ready to take on this commitment, you might be confused as to which dog breed to choose, since there is such a wide choice in the local pet shop these days,

No single dog breed is definitively bad for your children. A lot depends on the dog’s individual temperament and breeding. But there are some dog breeds that are generally more practical to have as pets than others.

We list down seven of the most ill-advised dog breeds to get your kids.

Chinese Shar-Pei

Once a rare breed, the Chinese Shar-Pei has been extensively bred in the last decade to feed its growing popularity amongst pet owners.

However, the Shar-pei suffers from such a huge array of disorders unique to its breed that owning one could result in the owners shelling out a lot of money for vet fees and time in caring for them.

While its practically hairless coat makes it an easy dog to groom, the coat is also very rough making it a very unsuitable recipient of warm cuddles that children love to bestow on their pets. The wrinkles and excess skin are a hotspot for bacteria and can be prone to infection.

By nature stubborn and independent, the Shar-Pei is not suited for the novice dog owner. Without the right training, the Shar-Pei can become threatening to both children and other canines.

Alaskan Malamute

Malamutes were initially bred to pull sleds in extreme freezing temperatures for long distances but in recent years they have become popular pets, even in tropical Singapore.

Malamutes are huge dogs with cheerful and buoyant dispositions. Their oversized "happiness" and enthusiasm can pose a problem for little kids who can be hurt by the overenthusiastic welcome these pets may display.

There is little chance of children walking a Malamute until they have reached adulthood (and even then, some adults struggle with walking malamutes, who adore outdoor adventures) because the Malamute’s instinct for pulling sleds will have him putting his back and brute force into anything that might be on the other end of his leash.

Their size and strength apart, Malamutes have very thick fur coats which require intensive grooming and maintenance. Their massive annual shedding could also lead to the development of childhood allergies.

Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is a dog whose physical strength can only be matched by his emotional depth.

A true working dog, this breed originates from Germany where it was used to drive cattle and pull carts for farmers and butchers. That heritage is reflected in the Rottie's broad chest and heavily muscled body.

Rotties have a natural instinct to protect their families and can be ferocious in their defense. That might make them sound like the perfect family dog to you but the problem arises when they become overly protective and are not able to discriminate between real and perceived danger. While most large dogs can be dangerous for children simply because of their size, Rottweilers stand out for their single-mindedness and strength in their attacks.

The last thing you want is having to explain to very angry (and understandably so) parents why their little son was attacked by your dog when he was just play-fighting with your child. Add to that scene the fact that Rottweilers are huge and strong with powerful jaws and you could very well have a family disaster waiting to happen

Australian Sheepdog

As its name suggests, the mid-sized Australian Sheepdog was bred exclusively to herd sheep. Given the requirements of their job, the Aussie (as it is affectionately called) has huge stores of energy that require loads of exercise to work off.

They are hardly easy maintenance for already-harassed parents of young children with competing demands on their time.

It is almost impossible to wean them off the herding instinct that has been hard-wired into them through the years of selective breeding, causing this breed to frequently engage in rough play with young children in an attempt to herd them too!

Akita

Akitas will tolerate and even be fiercely protective of the family’s children but usually will not accept other children. Visitors to the house must be introduced with caution as the Akita can become ferocious guard dogs towards outsiders.

The Akita sheds heavily throughout the year, possibly a trigger for childhood respiratory sensitivities.

Akitas can be difficult to train because they have a strong will and do not have a natural desire to please.

Jack Russell Terrier (JRT)

Initially used for fox hunting, the JRT has become a popular family pet because of their intelligence, short and easily maintained coat and effervescent personality.

However, because of their origins, like the Aussie, Jack Russells require high amounts of exercise and mental stimulation.

JRTs like nothing better than a good chase and will actively seek out smaller animals, occasionally leaving a trail of destruction during the mad chase. Some will even pick fights with other dogs twice their size.

In spite of their small size, their aggression, muscular compact build and single-mindedness can make them almost impossible for children to manage.

Pekingese

Pekingese are small and stocky dogs with saucer-large eyes.

This small breed has a tendency to develop into an obstinate, snappish and barky dog – a behavioural pattern associated with smaller breeds called Small Dog Syndrome. This happens because their adorable looks often lead them to be patted to the point that they believe they are the pack leaders and might find it difficult to accept another small human to share the attention with it.

Their long silky fur coat might be a real joy to touch and see but require sensitive shampoo and daily brushing to maintain.

Written by

Leigh Fan

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