Getting a dog while you have toddlers or preschoolers could seem like a bad decision for some people. However, if you take the time to inform yourself about the various dog breeds that are great around children, then the truth is that you could get a four-legged friend for life. It is important to note that searching for a puppy is a crucial phase, especially since the new furry member of the family needs to suit your family’s lifestyle. Following is a list of dog breeds that have a good disposition, ideal stamina, energy levels and are great around kids.
1. The Golden Retriever
Perhaps the quality that recommends the Golden Retriever as an ideal pet for families with children the most is its tremendous patience. Since kids will be kids and they will need to burn out a huge amount of energy, you can rely on your Golden Retriever to help you with this task, especially because they really enjoy playing. In addition to patience, this breed is also known for its non-aggressiveness, loyalty and confidence.
2. The Labrador Retriever
In the eventuality that you live in a home with a large backyard, then an equally good choice for a pet would be the Labrador Retriever. Slightly bigger than the Golden Retriever, the Labrador is a very popular pet due to its loving personality, patience, protective nature and good looks. In addition, according to pet owners the Labradors are quite adorable because they will always try to impress you by showing off with the tricks they learn. And yes, they do tend to learn new tricks really fast.
3. The Poodle
It is important to note that the Poodles we are referring to here are the standard breed and not the small ones, which could become aggressive since they are not raised with the same discipline as a large dog. Or, it could perhaps be caused by the fact they simply hate those ridiculous haircuts given to them by their owners. The standard poodles on the other hand are gentle and smart dogs, not to mention excellent playmates for children. Moreover, because they shed less fur compared to other breeds, they are the right pet for kids with allergies.
4. The Irish Setter
Similar to the Labradors, the Irish Setter is an ideal pet for families with large backyards. While they might appear calm and lazy due to their majestic red coat, the truth is that these dogs are extremely playful and will require a lot of exercise. In short, if you have a very energetic child, the Irish Setter would be perfect for them. On a side note, unfortunately this breed has the shortest lifespan, as very few live up to 15 years.
5. The Vizsla
In case you really want a pet for your kids, but plan to keep that unmistakable doggy smell off your furbishing, then the Vizsla is the perfect breed to get. Found mostly in Hungary, the Vizslas have been used as hunting dogs for centuries due to their excellent nose and high trainability. Even though they can be dubbed as the best hunting dogs, it is necessary to mention that they get very attached to their adoptive family, with whom they prefer to spend most their time.
6. The Newfoundland
In spite of its relatively large size, the Newfoundland is actually known for its gentle, protective and loving personality. Even though it is a large dog, interestingly enough these are not very fond of “nature” and prefer to spend most of their time indoors, with people. Furthermore, they have been known to save lives in emergency situations. The only trouble you can expect from Newfoundland dogs is related to their excessive drooling and fur shed.
7. The Border Collie
Irrespective of age, anyone who has seen Lassie or the reruns for that matter will automatically fall in love with the Border Collie. Just like in the film, this breed is known for its high intelligence and trainability, so you can certainly rely on it if you are ever in an emergency. And yes, you can train it to bark to alert you whenever your kids are in trouble. The Collie is a great pet to have for families with small children due to their herding capabilities, a feature that could prove very useful overall. The downside of being a proud “Lassie” owner is that it shed a lot and you will need to groom it very often.
8. The Bull Terrier
Since there are high chances you are surprised to see the Bull Terrier in a list of child friendly dogs, we want to clarify that Hollywood motion pictures have been wrongfully branding them as aggressive animals for years. In fact, they were actually bred to become a loving and loyal companion dog. Because of their high energy levels, they are considered most suitable for large families with two or more kids. In addition, they are quite resistant to pain, a feature that makes it a great first-time pet that will surely teach children how to treat a dog properly.
9. The Beagle
Just like the Bull Terrier, the Beagle is a well-framed dog with “childproof” capabilities. Frankly, you couldn’t have guessed that given its overall cuteness, particularly as puppies with big ears and paws and those sad adorable eyes. Not to mention some unusual habits – like howling all of a sudden – which is probably an imprinted memory from the times when they were used as hunting dogs. In addition to being great with kids and families, the Beagle is also known to get along with other pets in your home.
10. The Bull Dog
Despite the fact that the Bull Dog is not as energetic as the rest of the breeds in this list, they are friendly and loyal companions that are great with kids, adults and other furry or feathery friends you have in your home. Moreover, these dogs are not very pretentious when it comes to the available space and can adjust well to your large home or small condo.
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