5 Reasons Your Kid Needs a Hunting Dog

It should come as no surprise that we'd encourage everyone to have a dog. They're pretty much the foundation of everything we do, and we love it. Most of us have had dogs since we were kids. A lot of us would tell you that our dog was one of the best parts of growing up. That's not just because our dogs were our top mates in the field or best buddies at home, though granted that's a huge part of it. Dogs teach kids heaps about life and the world. How?

1. Responsibility – This is probably the main reason anyone can give for getting a dog for your kid...and it's likely the top reason they reckon you should get them a dog. We've all heard it: “I'll clean up after him,” “I'll feed her,” and “He or she will be my sole responsibility”. Is that true? Nah. Dogs are a responsibility for the whole household and with school, sports, and extracurricular activities the chances are your kid won't be the 'only' one doing everything. Sometimes you're even gonna have to remind them to do anything, but that's part of the process. Your kid will learn that it's important for them to do 'their bit' or the dog they're so fond of is gonna cop it.

2. Compassion – Dogs get us humans. They can pick up on when we're stoked, gutted, crook, or fit as a fiddle and they react accordingly. It's a ripper way for a kid to learn these signals. The payoff of their doggo giving a lick on the face when they're down or going off like a frog in a sock when they bolt through the door with top-notch news from school just goes to show the benefits of compassion for kids.

3. Forgiveness – This can be a concept that’s hard for adolescents to truly embrace. When hormones are high grudges can be long lasting. But you know who you can’t stay mad at? Your dog. Your mom, dad, sister, best friend…most pre and early teens can go days being livid at any one of those, but not that dog they’ve had since they were too young to even remember. Rover may make them angry in a moment and they may react, but that anger fades quickly when those puppy-dog eyes come out…and vice-versa. A teen is going to misplace some angst onto their dog (and everyone else) and their dog is going to let it Kids and Dogsgo as soon as an honest apology in the form of a belly rub or head pat is issued.

4. Fitness – That old saying 'if your dog's overweight then you're not exercising enough'...well that's pretty true. Dogs won't let your kid be a couch potato. There'll be walks, training, hunting, games of fetch and more to keep your kid active. Heck, even just keeping them fed and watered involves getting off the couch. In a time when 66% of Aussie school kids are overweight, this is a pretty huge benefit for a child.

5. Hunting – You probably guessed this one was on the cards. After all, hunting and dogs are pretty much our bread and butter, so it's no shocker it's on the list, but that doesn't make it any less fair dinkum. Hunting is a top-notch activity for kids. It keeps your nipper outdoors, appreciating nature and wildlife instead of getting up to some dodgy activities. Hunting is a blast, but it's heaps better with a dog. It's not just bonza to spend that time with your best mate on four legs, it's also ripper to see all the hard yakka and training you've done with them pay off. It's one of the most rewarding experiences your kid can have, watching their hunting dog in action.