Looking for a dog that would be great for your kids? There are so many things to consider before making the decision. First, always be sure you have enough time to take care of a dog (of any age) and that your home allows for enough space for your dog. Don’t forget to take into account how old your kids are as the younger the kids, the more energetic they may be — which may not be suitable for some breeds of dogs. You should also take into account whether or not you want to adopt from a shelter or purchase a dog from a breeder — both have their pros and cons.
However, if you’re just starting out your search and aren’t quite sure what you’re looking for just yet, these breeds of dogs are a great place to start that would mesh well with your kids.
Dog Breeds Best for Children
- Golden Retrievers. You’ve probably heard from a number of sources that golden retrievers really are great with kids of all ages — especially young children. As one of the most popular dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are friendly, down-to-earth, smart and most of all easy to train.
- Labradore Retrievers. Another popular breed, Labs are full of energy, love the outdoors, and also easy to train. Their coats come in a number of different colors and are a go-to for those looking for medium to medium-large sized dogs.
- Beagles. Although they may have the (arguably) bad reputation for running away from their owners, what makes beagles the perfect dog for kids is both their size and their temper. Beagles are friendly, social-able and a great option for families wanting a smaller, yet still active, dog.
- Standard Poodles. The Standard Poodle isn’t your ordinary smaller poodle breed. These are the size of retrievers and tend to be much less yippy. The great thing about poodles is that they are hypo-allergenic, which is a great option for those with allergies.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs. Don’t let their large size intimidate you or your kids. The Bernese Mountain Dog is actually a love-able teddy bear in terms of personality. However, one thing to keep in mind is that they do need a lot of food and exercise, so make sure your family is active and you have a large yard.
- Mixed Breeds. Another more affordable option may be to adopt a mixed breed, for instance, a havanese breed, from a shelter. Although sometimes it may be difficult to determine the exact mix of the dog in question, you can at least ask the shelter if they do temperament testing so that you know the dog is a good fit for your family. Better yet, Canine College can professionally train any type of dog, including muts!
Interested in learning more about how we can train your new puppy? Have questions about a particular breed? Our dog training experts have handled and trained nearly every single breed of dog — which means we’ll give you our honest opinion regarding any breed you have your eye on. Contact us today!
