Selecting the Best Dog Breed for Children Articles | Dogs

By: Kelvin Ho

Having a child and a dog in the same house may seem like something out of a Lassie movie, but it can be something out of a terror movie if you select the wrong breed.

Some breeds are better suited for children because they are:

• friendlier,
• more adaptable, and
• tolerant.

If you have young children, picking an aggressive, boisterous dog may not be the best choice when selecting a dog breed for children.

Leading the most popular dog breed for children is the Labrador Retriever. The Lab is a playful, mild mannered dog. It is not aggressive and is good-natured. The Golden Retriever is also a popular dog breed for children. It is very similar to the Labrador’s personality. It is kind and also gets along well with other pets. It is intelligent and easy to train and enjoys being with people.

Another good dog breed for children is the Beagle. It is a friendly dog and a good watchdog. The Poodle is another good dog breed for children. They love to play and thrive on companionship. The Basset Hound, although tired looking, will love to run and play with the children.

The Boxer Dog might not look like a good dog breed for children, but this dog is actually very sweet and friendly. The Pug can be a playful companion for your child, and the Collie seems like it was bred with children in mind. Some more popular dog breeds for children would be the Cocker Spaniel, Belgian Sheepdog, Dalmation, Old English Sheepdog, Cairn Terrier, Samoyed Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, St. Bernard, and Dachshund.

The key to finding a good dog breed for children is to look for a calm dog. Since dogs act instinctively to situations, training is important to change this. Training is also needed for the child, so they understand how to treat the dog and how to show it mutual respect. The dog should be tolerant enough to put up with some ear pulling, poking and tumbling, but the child should also be taught not to abuse the animal.

A child’s age is also a consideration when looking for a good dog breed for children. If you have very small children, then a large, active dog may not be able to coexist with them. They could easily knock over or step on the child making it not the best choice of dog breed for children of a young age. Older children would be more suited for this energetic dog. They could run and play with each other all day. Supervision is always key with younger children. This is necessary since a child can’t interpret a dog’s warning signs like an adult can. With supervision, the adult is close by to intercede an impending dangerous situation.

By following these guidelines and the suggestions above, you can have a happy child-dog relationship as you make a choice of dog breed for children. You can also research different breeds and consider their temperaments and sizes, as you match this with your child’s age and demeanor to get the perfect dog breed for children for your family.