The American Kennel Club recognizes 167 breeds of dogs, so you may think that choosing the best breed for your children is a little overwhelming. However, not all of those breeds are particularly good with children. There are some breeds that stand out as being exceptionally good with kids. Here are the most popular dog breeds for kids.
1. Labrador Retriever. Everybody’s favorite dog! The Labrador Retriever has been the number one dog in the United States for the last 20 years. And with good reason. Labradors make absolutely outstanding family dogs and they are wonderful with children. Labs can be a little wild and crazy as puppies (aren’t all puppies wild and crazy?), but they grow up to be calm, gentle, devoted, loyal, intelligent, and affectionate dogs. They are particularly gentle and devoted to children and they are somewhat protective of them. The only thing you may have to worry about is small children occasionally getting a thumping from a happy Labrador tail wagging. The Labrador Retriever is highly recommended as a dog for children.
Labs are medium-large dogs and they do need regular exercise. They are inclined to gain weight as they age. And they do shed quite a bit. Otherwise, they are wonderful.
2. Beagle. Beagles are cute and adorable but they are actually hunting dogs by nature. They come in two sizes: standing up to 13 inches at the shoulder; and standing up to 15 inches at the shoulder. Beagles have a sweet, gentle, merry temperament. They can be comical and they are very inquisitive. They like to play and they are excellent with children. Do make sure you have a good fence if you have a Beagle. They also like to dig. But they can be the perfect playmate for children.
Beagles are smaller dogs so they may be perfect for younger children. Beagles also like to eat and can gain weight as they age. And, they also shed a lot. They make great pets for children.
3. Golden Retriever. The Golden is the favorite dog for many Americans and they are excellent with children. They are playful, happy dogs. They can be perfect for older children who love to play with a dog. Goldens are quite active and they need exercise. They are loving, gentle, devoted dogs and they are very intelligent. Like many sporting dogs, they want to be with you, doing whatever you’re doing. They make wonderful companions for children.
The Golden requires regular brushing a couple of times per week. They are highly recommended as dogs for children.
4. Bulldog. Bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds in the United States, ranked 6th among all breeds in popularity, but many people don’t know that Bulldogs are great with kids. They are typically calm, gentle dogs and they can form strong bonds with children. They can be very protective of kids. They only need minimal exercise. They are very loving dogs.
The Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed (short-nosed) so they are sensitive to heat. Do not allow your Bulldog to overexert himself when it’s hot or humid.
5. Poodle. You may think of Poodles as frou-frou dogs but Poodles actually began as sporting dogs. They were originally water retrieving dogs from Germany (not France). Even today their fancy haircut is a leftover from the days when they had to jump into cold water. The tufts of hair were meant to offer some warmth and protection for their joints. Poodles are very smart, active, funny dogs who are devoted to their families. They get along great with kids, especially the larger Standard Poodles. Poodles make an especially good choice for families with older children.
Poodles do require some professional grooming, though you can get their coat cut in a puppy clip so it is easy to care for. Poodles are one of the breeds that are said to be good for people with allergies to dogs.
6. Pug. Pugs can make a wonderful pet if you have children. They are large for a Toy dog, weighing up to 18 pounds. They have a wonderful, even temperament. They are clownish and love to play. They are friendly, outgoing, and they are very gentle. Pugs love to be around people, and that includes children. Although they are rather sturdy for a Toy dog, you should teach your small children how to play with them gently so no one gets hurt.
Pugs do tend to shed a lot but regular brushing will solve the problem. They do tend to gain weight easily. They require minimal exercise.
These are just a few of the most popular dog breeds for children. There are many other breeds that are also good with kids. If you have particular needs, or likes and dislikes with dog breeds, browse through the list of AKC breeds and see if you find some breeds that may appeal to you and your family. <http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm> Be sure to talk to breeders and find out how the dogs are with children.
