Your child is dreaming of a dog. Give that dream a thoughtful beginning.

You can already picture it: the excited welcome at the door, the backyard adventures, the quiet companionship as your child grows. But before you bring a dog home, there’s one important question:

Which dog will fit the life your family actually lives?

The Right Dog for Your Child by Guy Harper helps you look beyond an adorable face and make a more informed, confident decision. This beautifully illustrated guide walks you through your child’s age, your household’s routine, and the care, activity, and attention a dog will need.

Across 18 approachable chapters, you’ll explore small dogs, larger companions, gentle giants, active breeds, quieter companions, and mixed-breed and rescue dogs. You’ll also learn what to ask breeders and rescue organizations, how to prepare for homecoming, and how to help children and dogs build a respectful relationship.

Turn “Can we get a dog?” into a practical family plan.

Three printable worksheets—spanning six pages—help you put what you learn into action:

• Family Readiness: Talk through daily care, adult responsibilities, supervision, expenses, and backup plans before making a commitment.

• Your Perfect Match: Identify your family’s essential needs and preferences, from activity levels and grooming to size and time away from home.

• Your Top Three: Compare potential dogs side by side, record unanswered questions, and decide what you need to learn next.

Feel better prepared for the decision—and the life that follows.

Use this guide to narrow your options, have more productive family conversations, and arrive at meetings with breeders or rescues knowing which questions matter. You’ll gain a clearer picture of what your family can offer a dog and what kind of companion may suit your home.

Every dog is an individual. This book helps you consider temperament, needs, and circumstances alongside breed tendencies, so you can approach the choice with both heart and understanding.

Your digital download includes:

• A 61-page illustrated PDF with expressive watercolor artwork

• 18 chapters covering selection, preparation, and family life with a dog

• Three printable worksheets across six pages

• A clickable table of contents

• Printer-friendly US Letter dimensions: 8.5 × 11 inches

Written for parents and caregivers. Worksheets can be printed and completed by hand or used as prompts in a notebook. This is a digital product; no physical book will be shipped.

The memories you’re imagining begin with the choice you make today. Download The Right Dog for Your Child and take the first thoughtful step toward welcoming a much-loved member of your family.