Dogs are awesome! They can be faithful companions and fun friends at the same time, if they are treated right. However, there are certain dogs that tend to behave better around children and therefore are more suited for families with kids. We have compiled a list of 5 kid-friendly dog breeds so you can pick the one that you like the most.
Here are some of the most kid-friendly dog breeds:
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1. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a kid-friendly dog that can grow up to 270-300 cm long (11 inches to 1 foot) and can weigh between 7-12 kg (16 to 28 pounds). They usually live 11 to 14 years but they can live longer if you take care of them properly – lots of love and cuddles included.
Bulldogs are kind of lazy (#same), they drool everywhere and are prone to flatulence and shedding. Housetraining is also a bit of a problem early on, but it gets better. On the flipside, walking them once a day should be enough for them to get their daily workout. Once you get the hang of training your puppy, you will get yourself a disciplined pup.
The French Bulldog is a companion dog and should be treated as one. They are at their happiest when they are near humans, so don’t leave yours alone too long. It is also not advised to let this kind of dog live outside as it can have a negative impact on his mood.
2. Beagle
Beagles are kid-friendly dog for both kids and adults as they are small and hardy. They love to have fun and are very happy, but because of their good noses they are also considered hound dogs and can be stubborn. They require a special kind of training – patient and creative. Hunters originally used Beagles to track smaller animals like rabbits and in many countries they are still serving this purpose.
They are very loud dogs, therefore when a beagle is left alone in an enclosed space and gets bored, he will entertain himself by howling, digging or trying to escape. This is why a very large number of beagles are turned over to rescue groups, as their owners (or the owner’s neighbours) get tired of the constant howling and barking. Undergoing obedience training with a professional will definitely help.
Beagles are one of the prime targets for dog thieves as they can be sold to research labs for experiments, so make sure you supervise your dog. They are very friendly with everyone (hence the ease of stealing one) and since they think with their nose (mostly) they will tend to wander off if they whiff something of interest. Another reason why you should supervise your puppy.
This breed tends to eat a lot if it has the opportunity. You should carefully monitor your dog’s diet to make sure you are not turning him into an obese beagle.
3. Labrador Retriever
This is the number one breed registered with the American Kennel Club. It is warm and intelligent and so popular that almost everyone is able to recognize a Lab. It originated on the island of Newfoundland and was originally called the St. John’s dog. People bred these dogs to help the local fisherman. Labradors hauled nets, fetched ropes and retrieved fish. They were also kept as a family dog.
The Labradors are built for sport – they are muscular and athletic. Labs are also one of the most energetic and intelligent breeds. They are people-oriented dogs which make them great for families with children.
The Lab’s prime occupations (besides being the loving family dog he already is) are: being a therapy dog and an assistance dog for the handicapped. As a therapy dog, the Lab will visit homes for the elderly and hospitals. Because of his strong nose, athletic build and courageous nature he also makes an excellent hunter dog.
Labradors are very useful, versatile, and kid-friendly dogs, being one of the best companion dogs for humans. However, they can be terrible watchdogs. Because of their very friendly nature, they would probably greet the intruder and take him to the goods he is looking for.
All in all labs are great partners, great friends and usefull dogs. They require a little more care as they need a lot of exercise. Their diet also needs to be monitored to avoid obesity.
4. Golden Retriever
Another popular breed on our list is the Golden Retriever. The breed’s friendly and tolerant attitude makes them kid-friendly dog.
The Golden Retriever is also a jack of all trades when it comes to dog jobs. His intelligence make him a very capable hunting dog, as he excels at the retrieving game. Golden Retrievers are also used for tracking, sniffing out drugs, and as therapy and assistance dogs.
The defining traits of a Golden retriever are his intelligence, beauty, loyalty and friendliness. They are slow to mature and they keep their silly and playful personalities for a longer time – this is great news for those of you who wish your puppy wouldn’t grow up so fast. They can even keep some puppy traits into old age.
Golden Retrievers need physical and mental exercise. They also need to feel like they are part of the family – aka the “pack”. I don’t suggest getting a Golden unless you are willing to let him live in the house with you everyday.
The Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever share the same drawback: they make terrible watchdogs.
5. Collie
The Collie is a dog breed originally from Scotland. In the earlier days, people used them primarily as herding dogs. Although times have changed and now the breed is known for being sensitive, intelligent, and loyal. Collies have the amazing ability to foresee their owner’s needs and are still very capable herding dogs.
A lot of this breed’s intelligence is depicted in the 1950’s TV show “Lassie” where she would always come to the rescue when Timmy needed it most. But that is not all fiction as there are many true stories where Collies rescued people and animals.
Heroism aside, the Collie is a medium size dog and is very easy to train. This dog is protective of his family, but also very friendly with both the family members and with people outside the family.
Their playful and gentle nature she makes them great companions for children. Collies are also good watchdog – they will bark at any intruders – but are not aggressive at all.
If you are considering a Collie, you must be extremely careful from whom you purchase or adopt the puppy. You should only get a Collie from a reputable breeder, as some tend to breed them with no regard for temperament, health and confrontation, which can result in serious health and temperament issues.
Hopefully this article helps you make up your mind on which puppy to get – just remember that any choice is a good choice because all dogs are AWESOME!
This is supposed to be a memorable moment for your whole family so make sure you avoid any problems by puppy proofing your home beforehand. For more information you can check out our article.
