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We’ve all seen adorable photos of kids sitting on the backs of giant dogs or babies riding smaller sized dogs. Everyone laughs and oohs and ahhs over the adorable photo. But the truth is this can be extremely dangerous for the dog. We recently read a story about a dog that became paralyzed after a kid was riding him like a horse. Even if you have a small dog such as an English Bulldog, these dangers are real and something you, as a dog owner, need to be aware of.
Although large breed dogs are usually the ones that kids are eager to ride like a horse, smaller dogs can be subject to this as well. How cute would it be if your baby was riding around on the back of your English Bulldog puppy? Not very cute when your puppy can end up with back problems or even paralyzed.
Many people may think “That child was too big for that dog. That’s why he got injured” but that’s not necessarily true. Dogs do not have the back muscles or shape to support extra weight on top of them. Horses are built specifically for this, with their flat back and long, strong, sturdy legs. Horse are meant and perfectly able to carry weight that’s at least have of their own weight. Dogs, on the other hand, are not meant for this, especially English Bulldogs.
English Bulldog puppies have are short and stout in their stature with short, stubby legs that are not able or suitable for supporting extra weight. Huskies, on the other hand, have long, powerful legs meant for pulling. No dog breed has ever been bred for carrying anything of significant weight on their backs.
The pressure from the extra weight, such as a child, causes their spine to bow and their vertebrae to stretch or compact in unnatural ways, making sever injuries imminent.
So, now you know! The next time a child is thinking about riding a dog or an adult fantasying about how cute it would be for their baby to ride along on the back of their dog, you can inform them of the dangers involved!
