Children and dogs can be great companions, but what if your dog makes your child itch andsneeze? You can still own a dog in spite of your children’s allergy, but you just need to be more selective on what breed to choose.

The cause of your children’s allergy is usually either the dog’s saliva, hair or dander. Dander is the skin flakes and scurf that’s constantly shed from a dog’s skin. Symptoms of allergy to dogs include red and itchy eyes, a runny congested nose, sneezing and wheezing.

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In the presence of a friendly dog children can feel confident to try something new. Just look at the children at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library in Broomfield Colorado.

Shiva, being a trained therapy dog, relates well to the children and she is part of a program to help them learn to read. She spends an hour twice a week in the library, sitting at the feet of children as they read aloud.

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In the minds of most children dogs are warm furry cuddly companions who love to be hugged.

However, this isn’t always the case. All children need to learn how to treat dogs respectfully and this will help reduce the incidence of dog attacks on children.

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When it comes to child-friendly dog breeds, small dogs offer a lot of advantages. Children can walk and play with little dogs without fear of being knocked over and their size won’t intimidate shyer children. Small dogs are also easy for an older child to wash and groom. Here are a few dog breeds small enough to play gently with children, but not too small to stand up to a little rough-housing.

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With children, allergy problems related to dogs can become a real source of grief when your kids are begging you for a puppy. Kids and dogs go together so naturally it seems almost unfair to deprive your child of a pet just because of allergies. Fortunately, there are number of “hypoallergenic” dog breeds (also called low-allergy dogs or allergy-friendly dogs) available so your child can enjoy the companionship of a dog without added health problems.

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A lot of parents hesitate when their children ask to get a family dog. The truth is there are a lot of positive aspects to granting your child’s request. Dogs are a commitment, they take a great level of dedication, and this is why they could be the best thing to ever happen to your household. Read more »

When we as parents watch as our dog covers our little one with sloppy wet kisses, it is hard not to worry about what types of bacteria and dog germs there might be all over that tongue. Dogs as well as all other types of family pets carry germs, but is it something to worry about? Here are some tips you can use to cut down on dog germs in your home. Read more »

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photo credit: hdport

Kids and dogs are one of those things that just seem to go together, and as anyone who has experienced this unique type of friendship will tell you, there is nothing in this world like the loyalty of a good dog. Read more »

photo credit: wsilver

Children and puppies seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly–but how do you know if your child is ready for a puppy?

Today’s news story involving the four year old little boy who accidentally flushed his one week old puppy down the toilet made me wonder–when is a child old enough for a puppy? Read more »

Having kids and dogs share a bed can seem like a good idea to some. They may think that the dog and child will have a stronger bond or that the child will sleep easier knowing that they are safe with the dog close by. However, the truth is having children share their bed with any pet can cause a number of problems. Read more »