We’ve considered getting another family pet I don’t know how many times, and I just know that as the boys get older they will undoubtedly raise their game even more and start hounding us for a cat, guinea pig, fish and so on.

I know it’s just on the horizon, so I’ve been thinking about the kinds of pets that would work for us. I mean, how do you go about choosing one that’s family-friendly that you know you can trust your children around? How do you even know the right animal for you?

If you’re wondering the same thing, here are just three steps to take that should help you answer these questions...

If you really want a new addition to the family, the first step is to hold a meeting and talk about the kind of pet that you want. This isn’t about getting the kids excited, but about considering the kind of lifestyle you have, how much time you can dedicate to them, how much room you have and so on. These are all things that will help you narrow down the kind of animal that will suit you. If you’re outdoors people, a dog will probably fit into your active lifestyle, but if you’re couch potatoes that like to use their evenings for relaxation, perhaps an affectionate feline would be more your style. 

Once you’ve decided on the kind of animal that will suit your home and budget, it’s time to start looking at breeds. There are without a doubt breeds that are more suited to being around children than others, so with the right research, you’ll know right from the off that you’re picking one that can be trusted. I’ve recently had a look at some Labrador puppies for sale in Lancashire; aside from being a loving and playful breed that’s good with children, they’re also known for taking well to training, so again, it’s another way of knowing that you can control their behaviour. We already have a lhasa apso at home that is very well behaved and has grown up around the kids.

After you’ve decided on the breed for you, you must ensure that you go to a reputable breeder for two reasons. On the one hand, by choosing one that is registered with all the right organisations, you’re making sure that your puppy has been well taken care of, and came from somewhere that provides regular health checks and vaccinations.

On the other hand, you can also check the parentage of your puppy. Go and meet the mother and father dogs and see what their temperament is like for yourself. There is no better way to tell if your new pet will be family-friendly, than to let your children meet them for yourself before you sign on the dotted line.

I hope you found this blog post useful, and that it provides you with some guidance for buying your first family pet. Please leave a comment if you have any other suggestions for ensuring you make the right choice.