What should you look out for when getting a dog?

Ciara Kelly (0:00)

The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman. On Newstalk, with Ciara.

Now, On Post has revealed that animal attacks on On Post workers have risen by 19% with 118 incidents recorded this year so far alone. And one of the most serious involved two Labradors, a breed that usually is known for its nice temperament. But it shows that any dog can be unpredictable. So what signs should you look out for when buying a dog when it comes to temperament? Joining me now is Dr. Claire Corrigan, Director of the Irish Blue Cross Vet and Expert in Animal Behaviour. Good evening to you, Claire. First of all, is there sort of truisms about various breeds that some breeds like people say small dogs are a bit yappy and snappy and people do say things like Labradors and Retrievers and doodles, et cetera, are gentle. But does that hold true broadly or not?

Claire Corrigan (0:54)

Not really, not really at all.

I think it's a really important question because I'm forever being asked, what is a dog that is safe to be around my family and my children? And the answer is that there's no dog that we can 100% guarantee is going to be safer in children or anybody else. And particularly people coming into their territory to deliver the post or the parcels or the exciting things to the house every day. But there are a number of things that people can do to try and ensure that whatever dog they're requiring at whatever age they are is going to be suitable for the life that they need them to lead.

Ciara Kelly (1:35)

I think a lot of people who get a dog are people with children. They want to familiarise their children with animals, maybe make sure that they're not growing up afraid of dogs or what have you. So if you are going to a rescue place or if indeed if you're if you're purchasing a puppy, because that's another way people do get dogs, what should you look for in terms of, I suppose, the nature of the dog to try and make it that it's the least likely dog to turn on you?

Claire Corrigan (1:59)

Okay. Well, again, it's a really important question.

I'm going to split it into two if that's okay. If you're going for a rescue dog, it's very, very different from going to look at a puppy. There are some amazing dogs that end up in rescue for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes people go in to hospital or unfortunately, sometimes owners die and then those dogs have been fabulous pets and then they're looking for a new home. So get as much information as you can about what life that dog has had prior to going into the rescue.

That will give you a lot of information about what kind of people they've lived with, what age, if they've been exposed to kids, what age of children are they comfortable with? Have they met cats before? Have they lived out in the countryside? Are they used to in their city living and listening to bin lorries and sirens and fireworks and all that stuff going on? If you're going to look at a puppy, it's a very different ball game. And to be honest, we don't really know a huge amount about the puppy themselves. What we can do is look at who their parents are. Ideally, we would get to see both parents. And we sometimes get to see mom. It's really important that if she's there, we do get to see mom. Sometimes we're relying on information about the dad. If you can see dad as well, then great.

Behavior at the moment only tells you about that moment. It doesn't tell you what they're going to be like in different scenarios. Around unfamiliar people are scary events. But if mom and dad are really cool, kind of collected, interested in people, friendly, then there's a good possibility that your puppy is going to be that way too.

And then we have to have to look after mom. It's so important that mom is relaxed and happy throughout the pregnancy, if those puppies are going to come out ready for the big bad world. If mom is looked after and used to handling and good around people, the puppies are much more likely to come out that way and also learn from her. For the seven or eight weeks, they're going to be with her after they're born. If mom's relaxed around people, the puppies are much more likely to be the same way. Inrespective of what breed or size or type of dog they are, mom is absolutely vital. So we need to know mom's been looked after properly. And that's why, oh, sorry.