You have a child andnow want to adopt a dog? Great idea! Your child anddog will most certainly be inseparable playmates! Butwhich dog fora child? We've selected ten breeds of dogs foryou to choose from, thatcould be a good match foryour child!
Disclaimer!
Beforestarting onthe breeds of dogs adapted to children, it seemed essential forus to remind two orthree fundamentals to avoid mistakes andaccidents! It will certainly seem obvious to you butit is better to be warned twice ratherthanonce!
#1 A dog is not a toy!
Keep inmind thatadopting a dog – let alone a puppy – will take time. You'll need to take him out, feed him, play with him. Evenifyour child wants a dog atall costs today, don't forget thathe/she may get tired of him ornot want to take him out inthe rain: asan adult, you're responsible forthe dog thatcomes into your family. Get a dog foryour child butalso foryourself!
#2 Teach your child to interact with your dog
A child is a clumsy little being. Althoughhe/she doesn't necessarily want to hurt orfrighten the dog thatwill join your family, it can happen: tail orear pulled, dog mistaken fora horse, dog awakened instartle…
Inthe first few months of your dog's arrival inthe family, take the time to explain to your child the right behaviors to adopt. A dog, no matter how patient he is, can make a bad move ifhe's woken up instartle, forexample! These warnings are essential to facilitate the relationship.
Asa general rule, avoid leaving your dog andyour child under 7 years old alone (or evenabove ifyour child tends to be boisterous andcareless).
Characteristics of a child-friendly dog
The following breeds have been selected according to several criteria. They are dogs thatare:
- dynamic andplayful – to keep up with your child's play;
- patient – to support your child's impulses;
- not very independent – to prevent your dog from being too withdrawn andannoyed by your child.
Be careful though: race-related characteristics can always differ from one specimen to another. Some dogs may thus have personalities thatare far removed from their breed, due to their experience andcharacter. Get to know your dog aswell aspossible to facilitate the relationship he will have with your child!
Do you have children orfamily members inyour house whoare begging andpleading foryou to get a dog?
Ifthis is the case, you may have found yourself quite overwhelmed by the idea.
Plus, you will want the dog to easily fit into your home andadapt well to your environment. You might want to know ifit's the best dog breed forkids. Similarly, you will want your family to feel safe around the dog.
Don't worry; it's perfectly normal to feel like this.
But, there are many dogs whocan swiftly fit into families easily andare safe to own.
To make your choices easier today, we're going to provide you with an insight into the 15 best family dogs to choose from.
The best dogs forfamilies andchildren
1. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium to large family dog with a genial temperament. They are not aggressive andare full of fun; it loves to play. They are also tolerant andcan be trained easily.
This dog breed is one of the most popular inthe world due to how well they bond with humans, especially kids. Alongside this, they're loyal to the humans they live with anddisplay lots of amounts of affection. They're renowned fortheir long golden double coat andare gorgeous to look at.
2. Labrador Retriever
Another brilliant pooch foryour home is the Labrador Retriever. They have a gorgeous short anddense coat thatcomes ina range of colors. The personality of a Labrador Retriever is trusting andkind, making them easy to bond with. They're non-aggressive andlove to play, making them a fun playmate forenergy-filled kids. Labrador Retrievers are very outgoing, making them fun to take onwalks with the family.
3. Pug
Ifyou're looking fora small household member, you may want to opt forthe Chinese origin breed, the Pug. This gorgeous toy breed is not aggressive andhas a cute-looking face thatwill melt the heart of almost any family member.
This dog has a short-muzzled face andis very expressive with humans. They are calm andlove to climb inpeople's laps fora good cuddle andfun. They're also slightly mischievous, whichmakes them hard not to be loved by anyone. Due to their small nature, they can quickly adapt to any sized home, whetherit's an apartment ora mansion.
4. Border Collie
The Border Collie is a stunning black andwhite dog thatoriginates from Scotland. They were formerly a working dog butnow are owned by many families across the globe. They're highly active dogs, whichmakes them perfect forplaytime. Similarly, they are graceful, making them pleasant to bond with children. The Border Collie is also easy to train, making them a breed thatcan learn house etiquette from a young age.
5. Beagle
The Beagle is a medium sized dog breed thatthrives off companionship. They love to play andhave a goofy personality, making them a breed perfect forfamilies with kids.
Beagles are always excited andare a joy to come home to aftera long day atwork orschool. They're renowned fortheir smooth, dense double coat andtheir brown andblack coat markings. Most importantly, Beagle's aren't aggressive; they have a gentle nature.
6. Irish Settler
Do you love to go out with your family andplay games inthe park? Ifso, then the Irish Settler may be the dog you're looking to own. This is a highly energetic dog thatloves to play a game of fetch orfrisbee. They come from Ireland andare friendly towards most humans they see.
Due to their high energy, they do require many walks, sothey're perfect ifyou live ina large house andwant to divide walking duties. The Irish Settler is renowned forits red chestnut coat color, whichis moderately long inlength. They're medium-sized dogs, whichmeans they're best suited to a larger home with a yard.
7. Boxer
A Boxer is a dog thatwill make all your family feel protected andsupported. They're an intelligent breed making them quick to respond to commands, andthey love to play also. Due to their protective instinct, they get along well with children making them suitable forall generations. A Boxer is a medium to large sized breed andis renowned forits muscular, stocky body.
8. Bichon Frise
Ifyou wish to have a dog thatdoes not shed a lot athome, then you might want to get a Bichon Frise. This dog is stunning to look atbecause of its medium length white coat, andthey love to wag their tail inexcitement from most humans.
There's not an aggressive bone inthe Bichon Frise's body; they're sosweet they will shower any family member with their love andplayfulness. They're also small insize, making them a breed that's great to live inhomes inthe city.
9. Poodle
Do you have any family members inyour home thathave allergies? Ifso, then the Poodle might be a good breed to own asthey are close to being hypoallergenic, meaning they don't shed much. Plus, they come inthree sizes: toy, miniature, andstandard. It's also easy to train due to its intelligent nature, asthey were oncebred to be waterfowl dogs. They're not aggressive animals, andthey love to play.
10.Havanese
The Havanese is a dog coming from Cuba. They're small insize, making them ideal to adapt to any sized home. The Havanese has a charming personality andloves to bond with humans of any age. They're not a breed thatlikes rough play, butthey do love a good cuddle andto be stroked. Plus, they're responsive, making them an obedient breed andwill listen to your commands easily.
11. co*cker Spaniel
co*cker Spaniels love to be around children andplay with them. They have a gorgeous wavy coat with floppy ears andcome ina range of colors to choose from. They're quiet andnot a noisy dog, whichmeans they won't disturb anyone's sleep oryour neighbors! co*cker Spaniels double up asfantastic therapy dogs, making them comfortable andloving forany anxious family member.
12. Newfoundland
Newfoundland's are commonly referred to asnanny dogs. Their gorgeous large heavy coated dog thatcomes ina range of colors. They are sweet, gentle, andhave a protective nature making them bond well with kids.
They're not aggressive either iftrained from an early age. They generally have a low energy level making them good breeds forthose wholive inapartments. Newfoundlands also love to cuddle with those intheir home, making them a great companion forTV watching.
13. French Bulldog
Another charming toy breed to have inyour home is the French Bulldog, also commonly known asthe Frenchie. They're a small size dog making them a fantastic breed to have forany sized home.
They are highly sociable, whichmeans they're not just great around family members butalso friendly to other guests inyour home. Frenchie's are easy going, athletic andmischievous. They are also cute due to their pointy triangular ears, heavy, wrinkled face, andshort nose.
14. Dachshund
A Dachshund is a dog thatdoes not require much exercise, making them ideal forapartments. They love kids andare playful, aslongasthey're socialized well from an early age.
A Daschund is often nicknamed a sausage dog due to its wiener body shape andshort, stocky legs. This is a breed thatloves to play games andwill is never be boring. Dachshunds are extremely loyal dogs andthey get attached to family members easily.
15. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a crossbreed between the Poodle andLabrador. They're considered large breed dogs andneed a house with a yard to play around.
Labradoodles have a wide range of coat variations andhave low shedding coats. They have high energy andare an easy-going breed to be around. Plus, they devote themselves a lot to family andbecome a great companion to have inyour home.
16. The German Spitz
The Pomeranian is the dwarf version of the German Spitz. A very playful ball of hair, this breed has the big advantage of being a very small dog.
Cute, they will be a good companion foryour child andtheir small size will allow you to easily take them with you.
Be careful though: with less than1.5 kilos, this dog remains fragile… it's better ifyour child is already a few years old (7-8 years old) sothatthe Pomeranian doesn't risk hurting him by playing with him!
17. The West Highland White Terrier
Also known asa Westie, the West Highland White Terrier is a very hardy andstrong white dog. A Scottish hunting dog, they're dynamic andplayful, whichcould make them your child's best friend! What's more, they're the dog of Caesar's brand andit's a Westie whoplays Dogmatix inObelix andAsterix movies: thatshould be an argument inhis favour!
18. Coton de Tuléar
Their crazy white hair andshaggy face should make you andyour child fall forthis breed! The Coton de Tuléar is a dynamic andcuddly little dog thatmakes a perfect family dog. Ifyou are inan apartment, this could be the breed foryou!
19. The Boykin Spaniel
A much less known breed thanthe others, the Boykin Spaniel results from a cross between a co*cker anda spaniel. From this mix comes out a sort of big co*cker spaniel with drooping ears andsad eyes. They're absolutely very cute! Playful andcuddly, the Boykin Spaniel will join your family with joy!
20. The Dalmatian
Kind, cuddly anddynamic, the Dalmatian is a family dog par excellence! Bonus: thanks to Disney, the Dalmatian will always be popular with children! Ready to adopt a Pongo ora Perdita?
Be careful though: like the Boxer (and the dogs thatfollow inthis list), the Dalmatian is a big dog – whichimplies some adjustments inyour life!
21. The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a big teddy bear with brown, white andblack fur. Oncea sheepdog, they nowguard the couch more thansheep. They're a calm andplacid dog thatwill easily adapt to a family life. Nevertheless, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a playful dog whowill enjoy going forwalks andplaying with your child.
So, what dog breeds are you going to choose foryour family?
