info about chows & kids

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:02 pm

Can anyone point me in the right direction to get some information about chows and kids and how they get along? My girlfriend and her husband after meeting our gorgeous new Wilbur and visiting the breeder with me, would like to consider a chow for their family pet, they have two young children. However my girlfriend has read somewhere already that chows and kids are a big no no!!! I would like to be able to provide her with some unbiased, correct info.
Sabina

Larry Harris · Post by **Larry Harris** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:17 pm

Here is a link on this site for some info and pictures. With proper socializing and adult supervision they should be fine.

We have 8 grandchildren 1 - 13 Y/O and a house full of Chows. Our Chows pick out one of the kids an follow them the entire time they are here

http://www.chowchow.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3377

Larry

cleopatra20043 · Post by **cleopatra20043** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:20 pm

I've got two chows, still pups though, and 4 kids. So far so good no problems here. IMO it would be more in the way they are raised as to how good they would be around children. Also make sure they check the temperment of the sire and dam to see if there are any aggression issues around children that would give them a better idea. I'm sure someone else will come along shortly that can give you a more informed opinion than I have since I am fairly new to chow chows. Hubby and his 4 brothers were raised around chow chows and they never had a problem either.

Julia

KathrynH · Post by **KathrynH** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:38 pm

My husband told me he wanted a chow around the time we got married, and I was 100% against it, because we want to have kids. BUT I did some research, and not once did I come across anything that said that Chows and kids are big no no's.In fact, everything I read said that they can be good with kids. Socializing a chow is incredibly important, but I think it's equally important for a parent to teach their children how to interact with any pet. Too many parents don't pay attention to their kids w/ their pets and next thing you know someone gets hurt. Little kids don't know to be gentle with pets unless they are taught how to treat them.

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:41 pm

Chows can make perfect family pets. I wasn't super young when I got my first but about 9. He was great and very gently with me. He knew who to play rough with and who not to. If they teach their kids properly their shouldn't be any problems. Butters is super protective of my nephew who was 7 when we got Butters. I think chows and kids can make great friends!!

Dogdad · Post by **Dogdad** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:56 pm

I did a search on chows and kids and chows and children, some are glowing others say no. Most of them say you must teach your children how to behave with the animal and also socialize your chow. It is rather common sense at least for most of us. The same can be said for any dog.
Yoshi did bite my son, they were playing, Yoshi was going after a chew toy that my son put infront of his face, he pulled it away, Yoshi bit. I don't blame Yoshi for it, or my son, I should have explained to him why we don't do things like that. I Thought it was common sense apparently what is common sense for adults isn't for a 12 year old. My son isn't afraid of Yoshi and continues to play with him and Yes I will defineatly get another chow once Yoshi or Maxwell cross the rainbow bridge
dogdad

Boggled · Post by **Boggled** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:27 pm

I was having the same concerns before I got Nikita. She is fine with my 5 year old, and his friends. The more you socialize the better - Ex: the more people they are around as a pup. I didn't do the socializing as consistant as I should have, so when she goes out to certain places she is fearful. But, when the kids come here I do not have a problem.
I have more problems with my pug and my 5 year old, than I do with Kita.
The breeder I got her from did have children around the pups, and the sire and dam came right up to greet us all including our then 4 year old.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:45 pm

Chows and kids should get along great as long as you know they are a Chow and not a Golden retriever or a Lab, Chow's won't take to well to hair pulling, kicking and punching, or bothering them while they are sleeping or eating like those two breeds will. The pictures you were referred to are from People that understand the breed and have taught their children proper behavior around Chows/dogs/ animals. They treat their Chows as a family members and not just a pet for the children. If your getting a puppy there shouldn't be a problem but an adult chow that has never been around kids might be a problem. It took months to get my 9 yr old chow at the time to get along with my 4 year old grandson, my Chow growled everytime he looked at her or moved. Now they get along great except for an occasional fight over who owns his bedroom.

coleywoley · Post by **coleywoley** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:58 pm

I think animal training the children is important and can be done from birth. Chows can be great with children. We had one growing up that was a wonderful playmate and fiercly protective of us. We now have a chow puppy who is my two year olds best friend.

CloudeSkie · Post by **CloudeSkie** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:44 pm

I have 3 and 4 year old girls and a 5 month old chow - we got her when she was almost 2 months old. And I agree with the supervision part - and it might have to be both ways to work. Our hurdle was these were preschoolers - they can't exactly understand what you are saying unless it happens to them or they see it happen. So you have to watch every move they make especially when they are together. You just have to be patient and consistent too with both the kids and the chowling.

The other night Yumi and my youngest (Iesha) played together - they were rolling on the floor, yumi licking my daughter (she is really ticklish) and she gets excited when Iesha giggles, then goes to another side of Iesha's body and licks her again. It was really cute to watch them play when during Yumi's first weeks with us, her zoomies freak them out

.

JH · Post by JH » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:41 pm

I think that all the posts on this thread are very well written and infomative. It is my experience that a chow chow can be a wonderful companion for children in the home. While we don't have children ourselves, my wife is a violinist and teaches the violin to young children from 3 to adults. Since she has her studio in our home, our chows have always been exposed to numerous children and came to love them. For years, the dogs used to actually lay on a bed in the corner of her studio throughout the day while she taught. They never demonstrated any aggression that gave us any cause for concern.

In this scenario, I would say that getting a good quality dog, bred for temperament from a reputable breeder rather than an animal whose past is questionable or whose pedigree is in question is critically important.

The points that have been made several times regarding properly socializing the animal, in addition to the correct behavior to teach the children when handling it are also of paramount importance.

Nonya249 · Post by **Nonya249** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:47 am

we don't have a problem with Alex and kids. We have a 10 year old and they "play" all the time. We also have a 1 year old nephew that lays on her and puts his fingers in to her mouth and she just rolls over on her back and lets him do it I am of course sitting beside Alex saying "be nice" and she just licks his fingers or his arm. It might also be because she is not full blooded chow.

luvchows · Post by **luvchows** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:23 am

Here is a link on this topic that may be helpful:

http://www.chowwelfare.com/cciw/dogkid.htm

You and your friend will find a wealth of info on the http://www.chowwelfare.com website as well.

Rowlee · Post by **Rowlee** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:52 pm

Thanks everyone who gave me info on this subject, it's been very helpful. I've passed it all on to my girlfriend Nicholle so she can now make an informed decision. The breeder we got Wilbur from is wonderful, her dogs are all so friendly and so well socialised and as this is where Nicholle and her family will be getting their chow from, I really can't see any problem temperament wise. I agree with all of you who pointed out that children need to be taught how to behave around dogs and Nicholle and Nick's children will be taught to respect and care for their chow. They are very well behaved respectful children and Nicholle and Nick are very responsible parents. Thanks again.
Sabina