Children and then Dog or Dog and then children

Hi,

We don't have children yet, but have been planning. We would also like to get a dog. Which should come first?


We would like to get a mutt from spca ideally- but unsure how a dog (with mixed parentage, say unlike a lab) would react to having a baby around after it has been the center of attention. What are your experiences?

On the positive, studies show that babies who grow up around animals - do much better in terms of allergies - there are proven statistics that they do not have as many allergies as those babies who dont' grow up with pets.


I'd do whatever you felt comfortable with.


And this is more of an wives' tale than anything -


Koreans believe you should not have any pets if you have not conceived. IT seems stupid, but they believe that a dog or any pet for that matter, will prevent you from conceiving because you will be loving the pet more than the baby. SO no room. Whether I believe this or not - my friend had conception problems for 5 years, and it wasn't until the sent their dog to her mother in law's house for 6 months did she conceive.

Thanks for your replies, cara/ hkcc. We are very excited about getting a dog. I think having one would be good for us emotionally through this crazy period and otherwise as well!

hkchoichoi, I wonder if your friend somehow believed it and this affected her chance of getting pregnant. It's like the families who try for years, then adopt and as the adoption process ends, get pregnant. It's like they finally relax enough to get pg!


Do lots of research and get a dog that is good with kids...this will save a lot of heartache later on.

We also got a mutt (lab/spaniel) from the pound and then had a baby. The dog was and still is so greatful for a home that he will do anything to show his affection. Just get a dog that is VERY mild mannered. He is great with the baby, they're brothers.


However, you might want to make sure you get the right kind of dog for the city. We brought the dog with us when we moved from Florida and have found that there's not enough space/time to give him the exercise he needs. I guess it depends on your situation.


Good luck!

I have a two year old and just got a puppy and I think I am going to go insane! The chewing, the weeing, the doing everything they are not supposed to do and that is just the two year old! In my perfect world I would get a dog spend the time training it really well, then bring a child into the picture. I don't feel I can give our puppy all the attention he deserves because the baby demands so much of my time, I am sure it will all work out in the end though!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do :-)

Ha ha! Why tie yourself down with any pet at all, especially one (1) that will go crazy during the long hours you are at work, (2) that you have to make arrangements for when you travel, and (3) that has high exercise and maintenance needs on a several-times-per-day basis? What about a cat? They're very loving as well, easy to house train, and two kittens especially will keep each other company during the long hours you prob work. But if you insist, I agree with Charlie1. Get your dog well trained and wait until the puppy is a bit calmer, then have the baby after two or three years. It's a nightmare to try and deal with a large, active puppy that can knock the toddler over with one swipe of its tail. I've known many wonderful dogs that were banished to the outdoors or kept in kennels simply because their owners couldn't handle it all. If you do baby first, wait until he's about six to get a dog. On the other hand, one of our children had the fortune to be born when our last Golden retriever was very much adult and well trained dog. That dog doted on our child like a nana -- followed her around, cuddled up to her, and even stood there while the baby learned to walk holding onto its fur. Unfortunately, when the dog died it was so traumatic. Our youngest child grieved more than all the rest of us very sad people put together. From now on, one of my criteria is to get a smaller dog because they have a longer life expectancy. You can find a mutt with excellent personality (maybe even find one already trained).