Yes I would agree 5 or 6 is a good age as the kids intend to understand more and want to get involved more in looking after the dog

I agree with Dr Harry – five or six years of age.

No idea who dr Harry is, but probably depends on the type of dog and the type of children you have.

Yeah, I don’t think they fully understand a dog is a living, breathing, feeling being and tend to not treat them kindly. Whatever age your kids are, be prepared to be the dogs primary carer regardless of promises made prior to getting one

I agree with Dr Harry for a number of reasons; you want your child to enjoy having a new pet, a lifelong friend and you’ll wan them to remember the entire experience! A child younger than 6 will have a hard time coping with the complex needs of a new puppy.

Depends. Kids do okay when a dog is already apart of the family before they are born so could be good either way

Just realised I’ve already posted a comment.

I agree with Dr Harry. No younger than around 6 years of age.

I would suggest no younger than 5. We got a puppy when child was 6. Younger children tend to grab handfuls of fur. By 5 the children can immediately help with training and take personal responsibilities for the puppy – such as feeding, holding the lead with walks, throwing toys, choosing special treats etc. Puppies need a LOT of attention, and you want your children to be old enough to be able to help!

the question is really… what age will the kids be before I am ready for all the responsibility and time a puppy takes??

It all depends. There are some helpful websites that can help with this!

I think it’s amazing to have a pet for the children to grow up with. We got a puppy when my son was 2 1/2 and they are honestly the best of friends. I think if the child can be taught to be gentle and kind towards the dog it’s fine and if you are willing to care for the dog then it’s fine. It is great for older kids to have a puppy from 6 onwards as it gives them the responsibility of training and looking after the puppy. but I don’t say there is an age that is perfect to bring a puppy into the household where kids are concerned.

My brother was only a tiny toddler but two other of us were older. It was a little dog but he always wanted to grab her and pull her tail and I don’t think the dog forgave him. It always preferred the older two of us, even when we were all grown up.

I think it’s really a personal opinion, if you feel you are ready or not. Puppy’s are like kids to and need training. Either way will work if you want to wait until their older to help with responsibility Than that’s fine. If you want a best friend for a bub or toddler that’s fine as well.

We got a dog when my daughter was 10 years old. But I actually regret not having taken a dog earlier. They would have grown up together.

We have dogs with our 1 year old but if I had kids asking for a dog and wanted them to help care… Probably a bit older. I wonder what Dr Harry meant? Dogs being around or children ‘owning’ the pet.

My youngest son was only 11mths when we got our first dog & he was fearful of the puppy at first but they became the best of friends once the puppy stage was over.

depends hey. a lot of people say that “you will be looking after the puppy”- which is really a given considering that you still care for your children, of course you will have to look after the dog. If i leave the care of an animal solely to my kids, we wouldn’t have one in a week! Your kids will learn how to react to your pet and take care of it, in time. They make great companions. I think that if you supervise your children around the pet, any age is ok.

When they are old enough to help with the responsibility of caring for and training a puppy. Puppys jump. Puppies nip and bite and they hurt and take a lot of work to train. They aren’t just cute and cuddly.so it depends on the children really

any age in my opinion