Many of us have a fairytale image of a child and his dog, best friends forever. Think of Lassie and Timmy, Dorothy and Toto, or Snoopy and Charlie Brown. You probably have fond memories of your own beloved childhood pet. But are children and dogs a perfect match? It depends.

As of 2010, over 45% of households in the United States owned at least one dog, making canines the most popular family pet in the country.¹ Children are naturally drawn to dogs, and many dogs seem to genuinely enjoy interacting with kids. Raising children with pets provides many benefits. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, pets can:

• Teach empathy and compassion
• Provide love, loyalty and affection
• Foster self esteem
• Promote physical activity
• Teach responsibility
• Provide valuable life lessons
• Provide a connection to nature.²

Children who live with pets learn positive lessons that last a lifetime. What dog lover wouldn’t want this for their child?

But according to the CDC, about 800,000 Americans per year are treated for dog bites, and more than half of the victims are children.³ Children are much more likely than adults to be bitten in the face, head and neck. Dog aggression can have severe consequences for children, both physical and psychological. A child can learn to fear dogs for life. Proper awareness and education are needed to prevent this.

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