Lifestyles

Dear Dog Talk: Our two oldest girls, ages 14 and 12, have been asking (begging) for a dog for at least six years. My husband and I have been unrelenting in our decision against the request.

My husband doesn't want a dog barking all the time and jumping up on people, and I don't like dog hair on everything. We don't live in the country where we could keep a dog outside, either.

Lately, however, I'm wondering whether maybe we're making a mistake by not allowing the girls the experience of owning a dog. My husband and I both enjoyed having dogs growing up. Too soon our children (we also have a son, age 11, and another daughter, 8) will be grown and gone.

Do you have any suggestions for a dog that is good with kids, easy-going, easy to train, doesn't shed (much) and is medium-sized? I'd appreciate any advice you can give us. Thank you.

Dear Just Say No?: The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a breed that fits your criteria. It is my opinion that Cavaliers probably are the easiest breed of dog to live with. Typically, these guys are calm and quiet. They shed, but not too much. They are smart and easy to train. A Cavalier might not be considered medium-size: They weigh only about 16 pounds. However, they don't seem like a small breed. They are extremely cute dogs.

Now, with that said, I'm not sure that you should get a dog. Even though children might want a dog, it ultimately is the responsibility of adults in the family to care for and train the dog. Kids beg and make promises -- but I've seen it a hundred times: parents end up taking care of the dog.

So my advice is, if you and your husband do not want the responsibility of raising a dog, just say no. My 12-year-old daughter has begged for a Chihuahua at least once a week for the past three years. I already have a dog, and I don't want another one. If I gave in, there would be another dog in my household that I would be training.

Of course, I could nag her and threaten to take away privileges if she didn't take care of her dog. But all that would do is add stress to my life, and I'd still end up taking care of the Chihuahua. In our household, her responsibility as a 12-year-old is to learn to take care of herself, get plenty of rest, do her homework, play sports, etc. She helps with dog care (and cat care, too) and does a good job, but the ultimate responsibility is mine.

So, I'm not giving in. I tell her, "When I'm dead, you can get six Chihuahuas!"

If you and your husband are not into being good dog owners, don't do it. Are you denying your children a great life experience? Maybe. Will it ruin their lives? I doubt it. There are lots of great life experiences that kids miss out on, and they still turn out fine.

For the record, my family had dogs when I was a kid. I hardly bothered with them. Although, as a child I liked dogs, I developed my passion for the beasts as a young adult.

Think about it. Of course, if you do want a dog, go for it. And read "Puppy Preschool" to get off to a great start.

Dear Dog Talk: Some time ago, you permitted me to raise the issue of the effect of secondhand smoke on dogs, and you stated that you would ask readers for comment. Nothing was ever printed about the issue after that.

I thought you might find this interesting. Veterinarian Dr. Mike Hutchinson, the host of a popular Saturday morning call-in radio show in the Pittsburgh area, "The Pet Vet", noted on his June 2 program that dogs have a 60 percent higher risk of contracting lung cancer in homes where there is a smoker. Also, dogs with long noses, like collies, have double the normal risk of nasal cancers.

If we know that secondhand smoke harms human beings, it would follow that it harms those creatures with even smaller bodies and organs than us. I would suggest that the individual who is smoker has an obligation not to subject their pets to secondhand smoke. Thank you.

Dear Right As Rain: I agree with you. Thanks for sharing that. I did not receive any responses to your previous letter. One never knows what topic will spark a response with Dog Talk readers. These days, smokers are a pretty maligned group. I doubt that any smoker wants to write in and defend the act of subjecting pets to secondhand smoke.

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