Choosing the Right Dog Breed For Your Kids and
Family
By J. E. Davidson and Deborah Moore
When choosing the best
dog for your child you must consider the breed’s
temperament, energy level and size. Your child may fall in love with
a breed of dog in a movie,
but that breed may not be the right choice for your child and
family. No one dog breed is the best; you must make the right fit
between your child and the dog. A child who is laid-back may not
appreciate a high-energy dog that needs lots of exercise, and a
child who loves rowdy play may cause a sensitive breed of dog to
become snappish around children.
Your children should be taught to respect dogs. Even the most
child-loving breed will learn to dislike children if they are
constantly tormented by them. Most dogs who are raised around
children will learn to tolerate them, but some popular breeds are
known to be especially fond of children.
Beagles
are energetic dogs that love children. They do not bite much and
love to run and play. They need daily outdoor exercise but need to
be leashed, or confined in the yard with a secure fence, since their
love for chasing rabbits may lead them astray! Beagles will grow to
13 or 15 inches, depending on the variety, and weigh 40 to 59
pounds.
Golden Retrievers are
easy to train, get along well with other dogs and are gentle with
children. They need lots of exercise and love to play with balls and
toys. Adult males stand 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 60 to 80
pounds; females may be slightly smaller.
And let's not forget the
Goldendoodle - a designer dog that is a hybrid breed - a mix
of Golden Retriever and Poodle.
Goldendoodles make wonderful family dogs, combining the
characteristics of both these excellent kid's breeds.
Labrador
Retrievers are popular family dogs. Lab puppies are very
rambunctious. As adults they are energetic and mischievous and often
require firm handling. They are good-natured and not prone to
difficult traits, love their families, and have a good reputation
with children. Adult males stand about 22 to 24 inches tall and
weigh 65 to 80 pounds with females slightly smaller.
Labradoodles, a careful
mix of Poodle and Labrador Retriever, are also exceptional family
dogs. They can also be a good choice for children with allergies to
pet dander, as it is a commonly held belief that Labradoodles are a
hypoallergenic dog breed.
Basset Hounds do not need a
lot of exercise and love children, but they may not be suited to
families with small children. They need to have their long backs
supported when they are picked up and an eager child may
accidentally injure them. They have a reputation as lazy dogs, but
they will run after a rabbit! Adults are about 14" tall and weigh 40
to 60 pounds.
The Boxer is strong high-spirited
dog. Powerful and needing plenty of exercise, this is a dog suited
for older children or teens. Boxers stand 25" at the shoulder and
weigh 65 to 80 pounds, with females slightly smaller.
Poodles come in a variety
of sizes; Toy Poodles,
Miniature Poodle and
Standard Poodles. Standard
poodles in particular are fond of children. Poodles are extremely
intelligent dogs and eager to please. When raised in a family they
don’t usually become “one-person” dogs. Athletic dogs, they need
lots of exercise.
English Bulldogs are
intelligent, affectionate dogs who are easily trained. Moderately
active, they enjoy a short daily walk and playtime. Today’s bulldogs
have had their aggressive tendencies bred out of them but they make
excellent watch dogs because of their intimidating appearance. Males
are 12 to 14 inches tall and weigh around 40 to 50 pounds.
Cairn Terriers are small
dogs that make good family pets. They are good with children who are
taught to handle them properly. They need a moderate amount of
exercise, a couple short walks daily and enjoy a fenced-in yard.
Cairns are about 10 inches tall and weigh about 13 pounds.
The Bichon Frise is a cuddly
little powderpuff of a dog. They are cheerful, intelligent, gentle
and playful, but more difficult to house train than other breeds.
They love to be the center of attention. Bichons are usually under
12 inches tall and weigh 10 to 18 pounds.
Pugs are affectionate,
even-tempered dogs who love being part of the family. Outgoing and
mischievous, they make playful companions for children. Pugs are
about 11 inches tall and 14 to 22 pounds.
Dominant and willful breeds such as
Rottweilers, Chow Chows,
Alaskan Malamutes, Black
and Tan Coonhounds, Border
Collies, Weimaraners and
Dachshunds have a tendency to try
to train their owners instead of the other way around. They are not
recommended as pets for young children although homes with older,
considerate children who have had experience with dogs may have
success with them.
Toy dog breeds are not
recommended for homes with very young children who may accidentally
hurt them with careless play. They are usually more temperamental
than larger breeds and may become snappish with children.
There
are many other breeds that make fine companions for children. Visit
the American Kennel club website
for a list of dog breeds and
their characteristics. Do your homework before settling on a
particular breed of dog for your child. Be aware that dogs are
individuals with their own personalities; there are good and bad
dogs of every breed and it is the time and effort the owner puts
into training and socializing his dog that makes it a good family
pet.
Whether you choose a Labrador Retriever, a Beagle, a Pug, or an
English Bulldog, one thing is certain: dog ownership will help your
child grow up to be a responsible, caring, empathetic and loving
person. Dogs and children go together like peanut butter and jam,
and providing your child with a dog is one of the best ways to
ensure that you are raising your child to be the best person they
can be!
More information on this subject is covered in another
informative article on Dog Breed Information
Central - "Should You Give Your
Child A Dog".
