I have an infant and a 8 year old child, do you think we should get a chow chow?

Answer 1

Of course not. The breed has a reputation for not tolerating children. That might not be true for all of them, or even for most of them, but why in the world would you risk it?
Get a smaller dog who'll be easier for a busy mother to take care of. If you get one at least a year old, like from a rescue that uses foster families, you will have a better chance of finding a pet who'll be happy with children.

Answer 2

I have a 14 year old chow. My children were 7 and 8 years old when we got her as a puppy. She's been wonderful with them and with all four of my grandchildren. However, she was raised well and properly socialized. I don't know if it makes a difference to her temperment that she's a Canadian Chow, rather than a Chow Chow. However, there are other breeds that are known for being kid friendly and protective of kids, like labs, if you're worried.

Answer 3

Chows are known to be aggressive and don't socialise well... you have to socialise them from an early age, and they do better if you get them as puppies or have been to a dog behaviourist who specialises in socialising chows. I have a chow, had him since he was a puppy, but he grew up with other dogs. When I brought my 7 wk old home he took to the kid in a good way - I was really worried about that but he's doing very well with the baby... already extremely protective.

If you don't know dogs well, I suggest you go with a dog that's known for it's mild manner. Golden Retrievers and Labradors are good bets. German Shepherds are also good family dogs, despite their reputation. I suggest you go to www.petplanet.co.uk and look up the different types of dogs, then decide on one that will make a good family pet.

Again, Chows are great dogs, I love mine to bits, but they need proper training or you'll have your hands full. They are very stubborn, and do as they please, they need to know why they have to do something or they won't do it. On the upside, Chows are meticulous, and love to keep their 'homes' clean, so they are extremely easy to house train.

No matter what breed you decide on, always remember that all dogs have it in them to bite... even mild-tempered dogs, so never leave your kids alone with your dogs until they've been taught how to handle the dogs - especially the infant. When you get a dog for the first time you also have to 'train' your children.

Answer 4

Chows are notorious for not doing well w/ children. They can be snippy & agressive. Do your research and find a family dog. Stay away from pet stores and go to shelters. It would be terribly unfair for both your children and the dog to get an animal that doesn't blend well with the family and then have to get rid of the animal or put it down simply b/c of poor judgement.

Answer 5

Chows are aggressive dogs and have been known to turn on their owners. I'd say use your better judgment and avoid pets until the baby is older and choose a breed that is known for companionship and good with children. And always teach your children to be respectful of animals because any of them can misunderstand and nip at a family member.

Answer 6

Do some research. I haven't known any chows who had the appropriate temperament to tolerate toddlers (which your infant will soon be), but that doesn't mean there aren't any - I may have only met the wrong ones!

Answer 7

i dont see why not. i've had my chow chow for 10 years now and he was a really good dog. i suggest trying to get a puppy chow thought because then u can train him at an early age how to act. when i got mine, he was only 3 mo. and i was 9.

Answer 8

no way my aunt had a chow and it was so mean and they had kids ages 8 and 6 and 10 they played with it all the time it wasn't kept tied up or was never mistreated and one day the kids were just out and the dog attacked them for no reason so they got rid of it and got another one and one year later it attacked a neighbour kid and there dad and they were just walking by the drive way like they did every day. so i would say DO NOT HAVE THOSE DOGS AROUND YOUR KIDS

Answer 9

chows are typicaly aggressive dogs. they are known and known for biting anyone and everyone for no apparent reason, even their owners which they may have known for years and years. if you really want a chow, try to get a chow mixed with some kind of retriver, either ladrador or golden. they are always faithful and good family pets.

Answer 10

I love chows because they are so cute but I've heard they can be aggressive dogs and not very kid-friendly. I would check online (google) for good family dogs and consider going to the humane society or dog shelter and pick out a dog there. The people there could help you pick out a dog that would be right for your family. Good luck!