If you’ve decided that a dog would be a great addition to your family, you should consider what type of dog would be a good fit for your lifestyle. Consider the following: How often does your family home? How much exercise and space will the dog need? Will the dog be the right match for your child’s personality? Adding a family member who will hopefully be around for 15 years or more will have a great impact on your everyday life, so doing some initial research is worth the effort.
Dog Breeds For Children
While each dog is different and has its own personality, researching breed types is a good way to learn how that breed interacts with children on a general level. With information on more than 150 different breeds, the American Kennel Club website is a great place to start. There are numerous websites dedicated to specific breeds that provide you with more information. Here’s a head start on some of the best dog breeds for families with kids.
Golden Retriever
Due to their high energy level, these playful dogs require a lot of attention. Because of their loyalty, watchfulness, patience, and high energy level make excellent choices for families with children. This breed can grow quite large, so if you’re looking for a small dog, you might want to look elsewhere.
Beagle
While this small breed was originally sought after for their exceptional hunting abilities, they are also excellent family dogs. This breed of dog enjoys playing games, has a lot of energy, and yearns for the company and attention of the people they care about. This dog breed requires a lot of attention from the family, so if you’re always on the go, this is probably not the puppy for you.
Australian Shepherd
As its name suggests, this dog was bred to herd small animals on working farms and ranches. With the proper training, their loyalty and intelligence are limitless, and they require activity to keep them occupied. If you have a farm or enough space for them to run, this is a great breed. They are excellent with children, but they may try to herd them.
Collie
Another herding dog that gets along well with families, especially children, is the Collie. It is truly loyal and affectionate, making it an ideal companion for children. Although they will require weekly brushing to keep their coat in good shape, they are a very clean and odorless breed.
Labrador Retriever
These dogs have a very distinct temperament as one of the oldest recognized breeds. They make excellent companion dogs because they are intelligent, gentle, good-natured, and loving. They enjoy playing games like fetch with their families and spending time with them. However, labs can take 18 months to 3 years to mature and are very active during their puppy years, so be prepared to lavish attention on them. The benefits of having a trustworthy, knowledgeable companion are well worth the wait.
Conclusion
We made the mistake of adopting a dog on the advice of a relative, and it turned out to be the worst decision you’ve ever made as a family. But now, you can eventually find him a new home that is better suited to his personality and demands. So if you want to expand your family, carefully consider the dog breeds listed above.
