Dog temperament-Can I have a baby while I have an OES?
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| Asking if they are good with very small children is going to bring about differening opinions. In addition, each dog and each situation is different, some have personalities that are better suited for children than others.
They are big dogs and especially as younger dogs (through age 3) are very puppy like and tend to be a little clumsy. They can knock over children of any age. Yes, buying from a great breeder should help. Not only will they be able to select a puppy with a temperament suited for your needs, but they should be there to help you should that dog ultimately not be the right one for you. Personally, I'm not sure I'd want to have any larger dog around infants, although I know some people right here on this forum have had great experiences, but that's my own opinion. Ok, everyone else jump in and tell me I'm worng! I can handle it!  |
| We have had about every size dog around our kids, from infancy to starting over with a grandchild who lives nearby.
I agree with most of Ron's post -especially the parts about it all depends on the individuals and getting one from a good breeder who will be there to help you through all the questions you will have with your new dog. We were definitely more dog -experienced than child-experienced when we started our (human) family. I grew up with Brittanys, my parents raised them. We were always around the dogs, going to shows and field trials as a family. We had a basset and a german shepherd when our 1st (twins) were born. Both dogs were wonderful with them. Both were obedience trained and well socialized, 1 and 2 yrs. old when the girls were born. The girls went to their 1st dog show when they were 4 months old, and have never stopped! Our son who is 3 yrs younger just joined right in. We have had labs, Min Pins, bassets, as well as OES's over the years. Some were gotten as puppies, some as adults through rescues and humane societies. The kids all had their personal favorite dogs, but they all did well with each other. |
| Whatever you do, go to a reputable breeder. Ask questions and make
sure your breeder does testing. Ask for their vet info and check up on it. Nobody can say x breed is reliable with children. There have been unfortunate situations with every single breed. In the case of any dog or breed, puppy, adult, or senior dog, the temperment is a result of upbringing and training. In a very few cases is a dog just bad. I guess it does happen, but good breeding could weed many of those cases out. My suggestion would be to have a puppy goining through teething and general crazy puppydom while you have an infant may not be the best idea for an inexperienced OES owner. Many of us have done it, and it isn't impossible. Bravo to you for asking first! But since you are planning ahead, you may want to try to avoid combining the first year with a puppy and an infant. It can be a lot of work with either, and with both it can be downright hectic. Please take it seriously when we say not to let a small child alone with any dog, accidents happen. It may not even be intentional, but small children can topple so easily with a dog in the house. Thank you so much for planning ahead! You wouldn't believe how many bad situations could be avoided if people had only thought ahead like this! Shellie |
| Yes you can, but rescarch out the parents and the breeder first! |
| I think it depends a lot on the dog as many people have said. It also depends A LOT on you. What are your priorities when it comes to a big slobbery jumpy AND sweet dog running all over your house while you have little one(s) crawling around? It would be a challenge for sure.
If you're willing to embrace that challenge and know the issues that you'll deal with ahead of you than YES it can be done. If you'd rather not have all those issues all at once, than wait. I am planning on having children and we have a 14 week old OES right now. At the moment I am grateful I don't have an infant to take care of at the same time. However, Bingley will still be in that OES puppy stage for at least three years, and I plan to have children by then! It's just what YOU decide is right for your family.
Just remember that the decision you make it the one you'll live with. For me, that includes children with a young OES around. For others it may not. Good luck in your decision!  |
| Why would you want kids if you could have an OES? It's like having a kid only without any of there begging for money, staying out late or other annoying child things. You get a perpetually sweet baby that loves you no matter what with a sheepdog! |
| Knowing what I know now, I would not suggest it in a million years. I have a 9 week old puppy. He's normal in every sense, but the "normal" things a very large puppy does would be a challenge with a new baby too. They are clumsy and they are teething and mouthy - they put everything in their mouth to see 'what it is'. I have little scratches all over me and my pants all have holes. His teeth are very, very sharp.
Point being that I am an adult and am training him, but a baby can not do this or fend a large puppy off if needed (not that you'd leave them alone, but it only takes 2 minutes). Also, I am spending a ton of time on him and I can't imagine having to divide time between an infant and a puppy - it would be overwhelming, unless you have a superman for a husband. Have you considered adopting a 2-3 year old oes? I did this long ago and she was perfection with kids, babies, small animals - you name it. Sweet, docile and tender. She lives with my Mom now and is 11 yrs. old and is still a gentle giant. It takes a few years to get to the good stuff though. The good stuff now is the first five minutes after puppy is sleeping or after a walk when he's tired. LOL Also the cute face. Outside that they can be demons. |
| I wouldn't have a puppy (of any kind) and a baby at the same time. In fact, we delayed getting the puppy I promised my sons when I became pregnant with my youngest child and only daughter. I knew I couldn't handle both puppy and baby and other young kids and I didn't want to try.
If I were getting a dog first, I'd wait until my OES was about 3 or so--much more settled down than the exuberant, clumbsy puppy stage. No matter what, go to a good breeder who selects FOR TEMPERMENT. You want to see both parents, who should be calm around you. You also want to make sure that your dog is well socialized with other dogs, other people of ALL ages, especially children. You'll want to do some preparation if you are expecting--getting the dog used to baby smells and making sure that the dog knows that some areas are for baby only. We didn't get a puppy until my daughter was 4--for a lot of reasons that had nothing to do with puppy vs toddler, but in retrospect, I thought that was just about right. She had 3 noisy, boisterous brothers, so it wasn't as though she wasn't used to being knocked around a bit. And an OES will accidentally knock down a small child at some point. It simply will happen. The dog isn't being bad--it's just bouncy. Anyways, my daughter thought nothing of this bouncy, boisterous puppy, which she carried every where for about 4 weeks or so, when he outgrew her doll blankest and her arm strength. She used to come home from kindergarden, find a book, put her head on the dog as a pillow, and read a book and suck her thumb in lieu of a nap. I currently have a 7 year old OES and 2 6 month old OES puppies. My first, who grew up with my children, has since passed away. ALL of my dogs, including the puppies, have loved children and been very good with them. They seem to instinctively tailor their activity level to the age and activity level of the child. They are also somewhat protective of children, so that's something to keep in mind. |
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