The Best Dog Breeds For Children
Puppies and children go together like PB and J - but knowing which are the best dog breeds for children is very important if you want your kids and your dog to get along. Some breeds have been proven over time to be more suitable for a home with children than others, and if you're looking for a furchild that will get along with your real children, it's worth considering one of these. Characteristics of Dog Breeds That Are Good With Children
A friendly, calm and tolerant temperament should be considered the number one priority, but there are other things to think about too. A list of the best dog breeds for children won't generally include high-energy, herding breeds such as Border Collies, or some of the smaller, snappy (sharp) terrier breeds such as Jack Russell Terriers. Some of the toy breeds (especially the very tiny ones that are sometimes called 'teacup' or 'miniature') aren't a good fit for families with very young children. Teeny-tiny dogs such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians or Yorkshire Terriers can easily be seriously hurt by a youngster. If dropped, stepped on, or even just roughly handled they can be injured and scared. But, if your children are past the toddler stage, and can be gentle and careful with the puppy, then a small breed could be considered among the best dog breeds for children - it's just a bit of a judgment call on the parents part! You can learn all about the different small dog breeds, and the pros and cons of each on my Types of Small Dogs page. Although several dog breeds that are good with children are fairly large, such as the Labrador Retriever, the large, strong guardian breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Akitas and Chows are not generally recommended (unless you're a very experienced and confident dog owner). Some large to giant breed dogs are very laid back, tolerant animals, but their sheer size makes them potentially hazardous to small/young children. A St. Bernard or Mastiff could easily knock down your toddler/small child while trying to play, or say 'hello'. Learn about extra large and giant dog breeds on my Extra Large Breed Dogs page. One other thing to think about when choosing a family dog, is whether or not allergies are going to be an issue. If you, or a member of your family, has allergies, choosing a pup from the more 'hypoallergenic' dog breeds makes sense. Poodles or any of the poodle-hybrids, such as Labradoodles, fall into this category, as do many other breeds that make great family pets. Check out my Hypoallergenic Dogs page to learn more about this.
The Best Dog Breeds For ChildrenAlthough it's important to take into account individual family circumstances, the age of the children, differing temperaments and personalities among dogs (even those of the same breed) and so on, certain breeds have proven themselves to be better family dogs than others.Some of the best dog breeds for children include....
There's pretty much something for everyone on this list, so if you're thinking of choosing a puppy to add to your family, any of the above breeds should fall into the 'best dog breeds for children' category! Check out my Choosing A Healthy Puppy page to help you make sure that the pup you take home is a healthy one. New puppy owners are often a little unsure of what to expect during the first few days with their new pup. To make sure that you know what's normal and what's not, and whether you need to worry, check out my Bringing Home A New Puppy and New Puppy Checklist pages. They will make those early days easier. Don't forget that there are also many wonderful dogs (and pups) in shelters and pounds across the country, who desperately need new homes and families of their very own. Adult dogs can make excellent pets for kids, especially if chosen from the best dog breeds for children, listed above. The added benefit to you is that you can usually skip the housetraining, chewing everything and running amok puppy stage!!
If you've added a new puppy to your family, these books are the perfect way to help your kids learn more about their new 'best friend'....... This is a great 'Puppy Owners Manual' for anyone who has kids and is wanting to add a dog to the mix (or vice versa!). An easy to follow, reader-friendly guide way, this book covers all the basics. Including showing new puppy owners how to learn about dog behavior, how to communicate with and socialize their new 'furchild', and help their children learn responsible dog ownership. If you have children and a new puppy, you need this book! This little book, written by top dog trainer Brian Kilcommon, contains tons of simple, down to earth and common sense advice to help you ensure a happy, healthy relationship between your dog and your child/ren. Step by step advice on choosing the best dog breeds for children, introducing a new baby to your resident dog, basic training, understanding your dogs' body language and safety issues. This book has it all. Dogs and Kids Bookstore
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