Does temperament vary much between breeds of dog? We were wondering whether certain breeds might be better with children than others.

Over the years, different breeds of dogs were developed to perform specific tasks (e.g. guarding, hunting, herding), and consequently, as well as developing a characteristic appearance, they also developed variations in temperament.

The gundog breeds (retrievers and setters), although inclined to be boisterous, are essentially good-natured and easy to train. The majority of guide dogs for the blind (seeing-eye dogs) are Labrador Retrievers. Also very even tempered are the smaller spaniels (King Charles, known in North America as the English Toy Spaniel, and Cavalier King Charles), and, while rather playful and slow at learning, most Beagles have an easy-going disposition. The large streamlined dogs which hunt by sight (Afghan Hound, Saluki, Borzoi and Greyhound), often prove difficult to control, particularly if allowed off the lead. Collies develop a strong loyalty to members of the family and are rather wary of strangers. Border Collies have a strong herding instinct and, with nothing to occupy them, they can become frustrated to the point of hysteria. Given the opportunity, they will chase sheep and even try to herd people. Probably better for a family would be the smaller breeds of these two types, the Whippet and Shetland Sheepdog. Both are very good with children if not handled too roughly.

The Bulldog is a placid breed but its habits of slobbering and snoring can be tiresome and many people would prefer the Bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. These breeds are not to be trusted with strange dogs, which they will usually want to fight, though they are very affectionate towards people, including children, and make first-class family pets.

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It is better not to visit your dog if the period of hospitalization is going to be comparatively short. An animal is usually very pleased to see its owner again and naturally believes that they will be permanently reunited. Consequently, when the owner leaves again after only a few minutes, the dog feels rejected.

Fortunately, the feelings of most pet animals seem to be more objective than subjective and whilst the owner is absent they usually do not pine or fret as the owners anticipate, particularly if there is a certain amount of activity in the hospital to occupy their attention.

On the other hand, if hospitalization is unduly prolonged for whatever reason, then the question of the advisability of visiting should be discussed with the vet in charge of the case.

One advantage of a pedigree animal is that you know more or less what to expect; for example, how big a puppy will grow and what type

of temperament and other characteristics it will possess. Secondly, by buying directly from a breeder you can reduce the likelihood of a puppy contracting some disease. And if you want to show your dog, or breed from it professionally, only a pedigree animal will do.

About half the dog population of Britain is composed of pedigree animals, and there are around 200 breeds to choose from. If you are not aware of the range of breeds available, it is a good idea to look through a book which illustrates and describes various dog breeds (often to be found in the Public Library) before making a decision. In addition, there are books devoted to each of the most popular breeds, though you must allow for each author’s exuberance in describing his or her own favorite breed as the best possible choice.

Sometimes there is so much variation between individual dogs within a breed, that the breed is not officially recognized as a separate entity; instead, these animals are referred to as ‘typed dogs’; for example in Britain the Jack Russell Terrier and the Lurcher. With cross-bred dogs, which result from a mating between pedigree dogs of two different breeds, there is more scope for variation, although the influence of the parents is discernible.

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When treatment of an illness is in progress, the vet’s instructions should always be carefully followed. Most owners will do this to the best of their ability but there are some who vary the treatment as they see fit and may discontinue a course of tablets if they feel the animal has improved sufficiently, not realizing that by so doing they risk the animal relapsing. On the other hand, if the animal has entirely recovered from a condition and the vet has advised stopping treatment, it could be harmful to prolong drug therapy. Some owners even obtain drugs from other sources and give them indiscriminately, thereby damaging the health of their pet.

Well, the first thing to be absolutely sure about is that everybody in the family (or household) really does want a dog. The care and disciplining of a dog are frequent causes of disputes, and certainly its presence is going to mean more work for whoever is in charge of the normal day-to-day running of the household; in most families that will be the wife and mother. There are almost certainly going to be some muddy footprints on the kitchen floor and hair on the carpets and in general having a dog around means more wear and tear on your garden and on your furniture. You will obviously have to provide somewhere for the dog to sleep; often a corner of the kitchen or utility room is used. The animal will need regular feeding, exercising and grooming, and may restrict your freedom to go away for weekend visits or holidays. If the dog is not able to accompany you on holiday, alternative arrangements have to be made for it to be looked after.

Although children often request a dog, and love to play with it, they may quickly tire of the novelty of feeding, training and exercising it. This means that children cannot be put in sole charge of the animal’s care, especially a child under seven or eight years old. An adult mllst assume responsibility for the dog’s welfare, supervising and guiding the child.

The proper training and exercising of a dog will be time consuming; it is not enough simply to turn it loose in the garden, although for all dogs possession of a garden in which they can roam at will is very desirable. However, make sure that any area to which they have access is escape-proof, i. e. that gates are fastened securely and that fences are sound and both high enough and low enough (some dogs are particularly good at tunnelling) to keep them in.

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Yes, occasionally they may get bitten when, in an unguarded moment, a dog snaps because it resents being handled, or a painful area is touched. Fortunately, most vets have sufficient experience, and common sense, to avoid injury from the few really vicious dogs which can inflict quite horrifying damage. Such animals are often mentally deranged, and most are much worse in their own territory; another reason why vets prefer to treat animals at their practice premises.

If you know that your dog is difficult to handle, the nurses and vets would appreciate learning this fact beforehand so that they can take any necessary precaution in dealing with it.

In the treatment of many canine conditions it is usually not necessary to hospitalize the animal. But there are circumstances in which hospitalization of a dog is desirable to ensure efficient diagnosis and therapy, and in some situations it is essential to increase the animal’s chances of survival.

A critically ill animal, suffering from such conditions as massive blood loss, severe shock, difficulty in breathing or maintaining normal heart action, unconsciousness, extensive injuries or acute pain, is obviously best hospitalized because of its need for continuing expert treatment and nursing. This may involve blood transfusions or intravenous fluid therapy, the administration of oxygen, the use of special heating devices and heart monitors, and of course the injection of drugs including painkillers. This type of intensive care simply could not be provided at home.

It is also imperative that animals receiving general anaesthesia should be hospitalized until they are sufficiently recovered to be allowed home. Animals requiring general anaesthesia prior to radiography or the performance of some comparatively straightforward procedure can often be discharged later the same day, or on the following day. Those that have undergone major surgical operations should stay in hospital until they are sufficiently improved and this period can vary from a few days upwards, depending upon the animal’s response.

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