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How to Pick the Perfect Pooch for Your Kids
Filed under: Adoption, Pets, Relationships, Expert Advice: Babies, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Big Kids, Expert Advice: Tweens
Look for tolerant breeds when picking a puppy to join your family. Credit: Susan.W.Patton, Flickr
When choosing a dog breed, there are certain traits you should look for: A good dog for children is friendly, calm and most of all, tolerant.
Before selecting a dog, consider the amount of space, time and energy you can offer this new member of your family. A very large, active dog is probably not well-suited for apartment-dwellers, and busy families should consider a breed that can adapt to being alone during the day. Families with very young children should avoid tiny dogs, as they can be easily injured if dropped or handled roughly.
To help you get started in your search for the perfect pooch, we've compiled a list of some of the best dogs for kids. Click on the links for more detailed information about each breed.
- Beagle: Beagles are friendly and easy-going. Their short hair and compact size make them easy to live with and they're good with other dogs, as well as humans. Bred to hunt, Beagles need plenty of exercise and activities to keep them out of trouble.
- Golden Retriever: A beautiful dog with a long, golden coat, Golden Retrievers are the most popular breed in the nation, according to the American Kennel Club. They are easily trained, have a sweet temperament and are known for their loyalty. This dog has lots of energy and needs room to roam.
- Pug: With their wrinkled faces and expressive eyes, Pugs are playful and even-tempered. Their short hair is easy to maintain and their exercise needs are minimal.
- Bichon Frise: As happy as it is beautiful, the fluffy white Bichon Frise is a playful dog who needs plenty of exercise. With fast-growing hair, the Bichon requires regular grooming. It doesn't shed and is well-suited for allergy sufferers.
- Labrador Retriever: Intelligent and friendly, this dog has a yellow, brown or black coat. Long a family favorite, a Lab is non-aggressive, eager to please and known to be quite adaptable.
- Poodle: Active and proud, the Poodle can sometimes be a little shy. Varying in color, the Poodle's coat is hypoallergenic and requires regular grooming. Despite their reputation as dumb, Poodles are actually quite intelligent.
- Great Dane: A gentle giant, the Great Dane needs a home that can accommodate its extremely large size and exercise needs. Sometimes referred to as the "king of dogs" the Great Dane's spirit and friendly disposition have made it a popular family pet.
- Samoyed: With light colored hair, black lips and blue eyes, the looks of a Samoyed are striking. A good-natured dog who enjoys the company of humans, the Samoyed requires patient and consistent training along with lots of exercise.
- Boston Terrier: Highly intelligent and determined, this made-in-America dog is actually a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. With a gentle disposition and moderate exercise needs, the Boston Terrier is easily trained and makes for a loyal companion.
- Mutt: Because its parentage can be unknown, adopting a mutt requires a little guesswork. While a mutt puppy's breed mix can sometimes be determined by its appearance, adopting an older mixed-breed dog whose behavior and size is already known might be a better choice.
Related: How dogs and toddlers are alike.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 5)
4-05-2010 @ 2:31PM
Geri said...I'm in my late 70s and have always had a dog. My family had 3 different collies while I was growing up. When one died after the grieving we got another one. Then after I had my own home I have had several different breeds and mutts. My all time favorite was a Boston Terrier. He didn't know he was a dog. He thought he was people.
Reply
4-05-2010 @ 2:36PM
k9sue said...Nicole, they do it because they love dogs and especially their favorite breed. They want to bring wanted, healthy animals in the world. Some people breed dogs for a purpose, i.e. service dogs, guide dogs, agility dogs, herding dogs, hunting dogs, military dogs, sled dogs, search and rescue dogs, bomb and drug sniffing dogs, etc. Purebred dogs have functions other than just pets and no, they are not abused. (Pets are abused every day you know.)
If everyone stops breeding dogs, there would be no pets. If that is what your goal is -elimination of all companion animals, then join an animal rights group. They will put a pet down rather than find it a home.
Better yet, why do we have children when they cost so much money and there are so many homeless people in the world? Do breeders think their dogs are "the best"? I don't know are your children "better" than others?
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4-05-2010 @ 4:18PM
Nicole said...Wow. I mean no disrespect for service dogs and the need for special breeding for such amazing purposes. I am referring to, and directing my comments toward, the article mentioned here. Pets as companion animals and the human fascination for purebred pups and such lists like this short, and missing info, article implies. There are more than enough shelter and rescue dogs (many often purebred) to fill our homes twice over, and I'm fairly certain people won't stop breeding dogs. If, however, the general public was more educated and more likely to rescue dogs as well as put pressure on authorities to prosecute puppy mills and irresponsible breeders then maybe, maybe we'd put a dent in the need for rescues. Finally, two points in direct response to the post: 1) I'm not an animal rights nut-job, but I am pretty sure even they don't want to kill animals. 2) As for the comment about my breeding my children...well, I sure do love 'em but I don't plan to breed them to sell their offspring and populate the world with my DNA as much as I tend to like them around. Pretty sure that is illegal. Sheesh. Seriously.
4-05-2010 @ 2:54PM
Nina said...NEVER BUY A PET STORE/PUPPY FARMED ANIMAL!! Samoyeds are wonderful protectors and defenders. They are more than great with families. Do your research among folk who have real knowledge of different breeds. We all have our biases :)
4 generations of our family have shared their homes and love with different Samys. Every breed's history and its modern applications are important when selecting any 'newer' family member. Most Sams are smarter than their family members give them credit. They become bored easily with mindless repetitions. Most folk with allergies are comfortable and safe with a Sam. Sams do not 'stink' and prefer to keep themselves tidy. The daily few minutes to brush our Sam calm our stresses and bond. We have HUGE respect for Samoyed rescue network :) They have worked with several of us to match individuals, family, location, household, etc., with the best Sam for them. We have shared our home with other breeds as well. When I want/need a loving, cheerful, safe companion for me & mine = Samoyed. In '02 a Samoyed alerted us something wrong with my chest = breast cancer still in stage 1... We have lots of other times where the Samy saved us... Happy researching, meetings, and loving :8-))
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5-25-2010 @ 1:52PM
nolefanlisa said...Cocker Spaniels are great too, mine absolutely loves kids and is so sweet she kisses them all over :-)
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