You may be looking to add a dog to your family but are not sure the best dogs for kids? Some breeds are known to have a good temperament. Other factors will depend on your household. These factors include the family’s activity level, the family’s energy level when they are home, and the living situation, such as the size of the house and if there is a yard or not.
Some breeds generally do well with a family. They are gentle, friendly, have the right attitude, and are easy to train. These dogs will be able to keep up with the family, and they can be taken on the go to family outings.
There are many friendly and well-behaved dog breeds out there. This may have your wondering how you are going to find the best one for your family. Some information follows that will help you learn about the different dog breeds and determine if that dog may fit into your household.
You need to remember that each dog has a unique personality, and they may fit into your home. While it is important to meet the dog before taking it into the home, these breeds are good places to start looking.
What Characteristics to Look for in Kid Friendly Dogs?
Size
Small dogs are often fragile and delicate. They may do well in homes with older children and not so much younger kids. Some large dogs may fit in with the children, and some of their rough play. Larger dogs need more exercise, and they will need a yard for them to run around. You will need to look at the size of your home, access to the outdoors, and your children’s ages and energy levels. Smaller dogs may be delicate, and it is important that a child is taught the proper way to treat a dog and how to play around the dog.
Energy
Some dogs want to run and play all day. Other dogs will want to sit around and cuddle with their owner. Which situation is best will depend on the family. If your family is active and looking to take a dog out and about, you want an active dog. If your family is more low key, you will want a dog to cuddle. The energy level will vary from pet to pet, but some breeds naturally have more energy than others.
Temperament
Does your family like to joke around and have fun? Is your family more serious? Dogs have personalities just like people. The dog should be able to fit in well with your family. The dog should be taken along on family outings and will need attention. It is important to find a dog that will do well and get along with everyone in the household.
Caring for the Dog
You need to think about the length of the dog’s hair and grooming needs. You need to decide who will walk the dog and take them outside to use the bathroom. You also need to think about what will make the future pet happy and if your home can provide them everything that they need. Even when assigning children to take care of the dog, the parent must supervise to make sure the dog is healthy and getting the proper care that is needed.
The Best Small Dog Breeds for Homes with Children
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Dachshund
These dogs are playful, and they are active. They enjoy cuddling, and they are responsive to training, and can learn pretty quickly. They do like to go out for a good walk and explore the different scents.
Something to know: These dogs may be little, but they enjoy a good chase. They like to chase vermin, so they do need to be watched when outdoors. They need regular exercise, and they enjoy playing. Some dachshunds do well with other pets, but some do not. They may not get along with other small dog breeds.
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French Bulldog
This dog has a sturdy bill. They are shout, and they like to play. This breed is known for being playful and wanting attention. They do make that cute snorting sound. They may be little, but they are full of energy.
Things to Know: These dogs do not need many exercises, and they do not need to be groomed often. This is due to their short nature. They do need to be watched when the weather turns hot as they can overheat. The French bulldog has cute wrinkles on their face. They will need to be cleaned with a damp rag.
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Havanese
This used to be a pet strictly for the upper class in Cuba. This dog is a great companion and is a great small dog that will be loving and loyal to families. The dogs are easy to train, affectionate, and short, but they are sturdy.
Something to note: These dogs are hypoallergenic. While this is good for people with allergies, it will need regular grooming and will need to be brushed 2 to 3 times a week to keep the coat healthy.
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Papillon
These dogs are eager to learn, so they are easy to train. They are friendly, and they are happy. These dogs are even gentle around children.
Something to know: If small dog breeds do well with older children; They are very small, and young children may not know how to be careful around the dog.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This dog needs a lot of attention and will want to be close to their human. They want to please their families. They are pretty good with other animals and are friendly to most people they meet.
Things to know: These dogs do not need a lot of exercises. They like to sniff and explore. They may need to be watched closely when outdoors if they pick up on ascent.
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Pug
These dogs and cute and silly; they are easy to train. They are one of the best dog breeds for homes with small children. They have patients, and they love to play.
Something to know: The pug has a very short nose, and they will need to be watched closely when the temperatures get high. They may not do well in extreme heat. These dogs may wheeze, and they will snore.
The Best Medium-Sized Dogs for Children
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Beagle
These dogs are sweet, and they make the top of the list for the best dogs to be owned by a family. They like the company, and they do well when they are in a pack. The pack can be a group of other dogs, or it can be their human family.
Something to know: Beagles have an instinct to follow their nose, so they need to be watched outdoors. They are going to need a lot of exercises. These dogs can be stubborn at times. They are not easy to distract if they have picked up on ascent and want to follow it.
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Poodle
The poodle is a very smart breed, they are great at learning and can be taught tricks. These dogs are obedient, and they are dignified as far as dogs go.
Something to know: While a dog cannot be 100 percent hypoallergenic, the poodle is a good dog for people with allergies. If the family likes to swim, these dogs love the water and will come right in.
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Vizsla
These dogs like the outdoors, and they like being busy. If the family is always doing some outdoor adventure, the dogs will want to come along. They are gentle and sensitive. These dogs like to go on a good adventure.
Something to know: The dogs are active, and they need plenty of room to run and play. They will need to get a lot of physical activity, and they need to exercise every day. They will do best with a family that has a big yard or a lot of property so they can run and play.
Best Larger Dogs for Kids
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Boxers
These dogs are patient, and they are protective. They love being around their humans and are among the best dogs to have in a household with children. These dogs have good manners, and they can get along with other pets in the home.
Something to know: boxers have a lot of energy, and they like to run. They are great for people that enjoy jogging and taking long walks. Boxers can be a bit stubborn at times, so keep that in mind.
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Collie
These dogs are gentle, and they have good manners. They want to be part of a family, and they are affectionate, especially with children. They have a lot of energy and will like to be around all of the family members.
Something to know: There is a difference between the collie and the border collie. The border collie has been a bit much for some children to handle, especially the younger ones. They have a strong, hard drive, and they may have trouble fitting into a household with smaller children.
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Golden Retriever
These dogs make great service dogs. They are gentle, they are smart, and they are willing to learn. They also like to play, which makes them great for a family with children.
This dog is strong and has an athletic build,they are active, and they will need to be in a home where they can get exercise.
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Irish Setter
These dogs have an athletic build, they are eager to learn, and they have a good temper. They are great for active families and want to be part of the fun.
Something to note: These dogs have a lot of energy, and they will need something to keep them busy. The dog will need to be exercised daily.
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Labrador Retriever
This breed makes a great service dog; They are playful, and they are smart; They like to exercise and be part of the family. There is nothing that a lab cannot do. These dogs are considered to be the best dogs for a family. They are one of the most popular and in-demand breeds in the United States.
Something to know: a lab is going to need exercise every day. They love to play fetch, and they love to swim. Their coats will be able to shed in the water, keeping some of the extra hair out of the home.
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Newfoundland
These dogs may be large, but they have a gentle and sweet nature. They are patient, which makes them good for a home with children. These dogs are calm. They like to play and a great around kids.
Something to know: These dogs are some of the largest dogs that are good with children. The dog can easily weigh 150 pounds or more. They will need plenty of room to run and do best in a home with a large yard to get the exercise they need and play. They also like to drool, so keep that in mind. Some people may find this messy, while others do not mind as much.
These are some of the best dogs for kids. There are some smaller dog breeds, some breeds that are midsized, and some larger dog breeds.
These dogs are gentle, and they have a good temperament. They do well in a home with children and make great family pets. While each dog will have its personality and temperament, if a family is looking to add a dog to their home and there are children, these breeds are a great place to research a dog that will fit into the home.