If you have kids and are considering bringing a new dog into your home, you may be wondering which dog breeds are best with children. While individual temperaments will differ, here are a few dog breeds our Westfield vets suggest for families with kids.
Choosing The Right Dog for Your Family
When trying to decide on the right breed of dog for your family, it's important to look beyond the cuteness factor and consider more important factors such as how much space and exercise the breed needs, and their overall temperament. Take your time to find a dog that suits the space you live in, as well as the energy level of your family, and how much time each family member is willing to commit to training your new furbaby. To get you off to a good, here are a few of our favourite dog breeds that are known to be great with kids:
Newfoundland
If you've got a large home and want a dog to help you fill it, the huge Newfoundland might be right for your family. Nicknamed 'Nature's babysitter', these sweet natured, intelligent dogs love to be around kids. Water-loving and friendly Newfoundlands can make excellent family pets.
Irish Setter
Weighing around 65 lbs, this breed is more than just strikingly beautiful! These dogs are lively, intelligent and have a great sense of mischief. Irish Setters love to chase balls, go for long runs, but also enjoy playing in the back yard with kids. High-energy kids will love spending time with this breed.
Golden Retriever
If you have kids that will love throwing a ball around and playing with a dog, the Golden Retriever could be the best dog for a family with kids. Ranging in weight from 55-75 lbs Golden Retrievers are confident, friendly, smart, kind, and loyal, making them perfect for family life.
English Bulldog
Less energetic, this breed weighs in at about 50-55 lbs, making it suitable for smaller homes and apartments. These dogs seek out social interactions with their people and love cuddling up with their family to watch a movie and relax. English bulldogs make sweet, gentle, and dependable family pets.
Beagle
At between 18-30 lbs this medium sized breed craves spending time with its people, playing games, and going for walks. These smart dogs can make very loving family pets when provided with plenty of family interaction and exercise. This is not the best breed for families who are out of the house a lot.
Boston Terrier
Checking in at just under 25 pounds, these people-loving dogs come with their own easy to care for "tuxedo" coats. Content to play with the kids and go for short walks this charming dog breed adapts well to apartment living and makes a great companion for children. Boston terriers are full of personality your kids will love.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
At between 10-18 lbs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the best small dog breeds for kids. The portable size of this lively but gentle breed makes it ideal for smaller homes or apartments. Cavaliers get along well with kids as well as other dogs, loving to play and snuggle in equal measure. These sweet natured dogs can be great pets for kids of many energy levels and ages.
Pug
These adorable little characters love to eat and sleep. If your kids are small, or lower energy and would appreciate a dog that will play indoors then curl up with them and watch tv, a pug may be the right breed for your family. At around 15 lbs, this is a breed that doesn't need much space just a couple of short walks each day.
The Mutt
Mutts are mixed-breed dogs that can be fantastic family dogs! These dogs often come equipped with the best traits of many kid-friendly breeds such as a gentle loving nature and loyalty. These dogs can be as good with children as purebred dogs, and tend to be less susceptible to genetic diseases, and less expensive. The perfect breed for your child may be waiting for you at your local animal shelter.
