We waited til our youngest was 8. They’re now 13, 15, 19, and while they love to cuddle the dog and have him in their rooms it is a constant battle to get them to feed him, bathe him or pick up his poo. They’ve never walked him. He’s a great dog and I love him but I sometimes wish we hadn’t got him and I’ll never get another dog again.

Honestly never.

Any age. But you have to be prepared to look after it yourself. I have 4 kids... Oldest 9 and youngest 1.5 and we've had a dog since before we had kids.

Never
Hate dogs

I have a dog and three kids, the dog is great, but i wish i never got him. When he dies i will never have another animal again.

it makes no difference what age your kid is (unless you have 3 newborns!) at the end of the day the dog is yours and your responsibility, you will be the one, feeding, walking and caring for it, yes, you will expect and try to get your kids to do all that as well, but they will never do it consistently, you will always have to remind them or end up doing it yourself.

So the question should be ‘do i want a dog?’

Please see the question that has just been posted regarding one womans experience with getting a dog..

It depends on the dog, the kid and your ability to look after it properly. And also adequately supervise your child around. We have always had dogs, my kids have been taught from a very young age how to treat them. But they still need to be reminded and watched.

What are you expectations?
It won’t be their dog at that age, it will be yours. They are a lot of work if you look after them properly. Daily walks and exercise, flea and worming medications, inoculations, vet visits when things go wrong.
Are you prepared, really prepared to have that level of supervision when the dog is around your child? Are you responses when your child hurts the pup and he nips your child going to be appropriate?

I saw someone say something about a great age to teach responsibility ... he’s 6, be realistic. Your teaching him appropriate behaviour and boundaries and how to treat another member of your family.

Perfect age. And it's a great idea to get your child to prepare the dogs food, and just take part in the care for it also. We've had a German Shepherd since our son was one and he's got a great relationship with the kids he's never hurt a fly and listens to the kids because we get them to help feed, play with him etc. Our most protective one is our jack Russell x she's only 1 but is very protective of our kids around people she doesn't know/ trust. Just make sure you research a breed. Don't get a working dog for a suburban yard etc because they get pent up. Don't get something just because it's cute because cute can fade. Make sure you get the right fit.

Why would it be too young? He's at a fantastic age to start teaching him responsibility 😊