Dogs and kids often become good companions even in a short span of time. For this relationship to work out in the best possible manner, the breed of the dog plays an important role. Certain breeds come with inherent qualities of calm and tolerant nature. The size, strength, and level of activity of the dog are also some of the vital points to consider during your search for the best breed dog for kids. Though, a lot depends on the personality of the dog as well as the personality of the child.
Apart from the fact that kids find their best buddies in dogs, their relationship with the pet also inculcates in them, a sense of responsibility, compassion, tolerance and other such important qualities. So, in a way, dogs can act as good guides for your children and it is your responsibility to choose the best breed of dog for your children, not only from the point of view of your child but also from the point of view of the dog’s safety too. It is often recommended not to leave your kid and dog together for long periods of time in the absence of an adult.
Here is a list of some of the best breed dogs for kids.
Labrador retriever or Golden retriever: This is considered the best breed dog for families engaged in a lot of outdoor activities. In the early 1800s, Golden retrievers were popular as hunting dogs in Scotland. They are intelligent, easy to train and have a well round temperament. For this reason, they are also regarded as good guide dogs for blind, deaf or other handicapped people.
Retrievers are extremely loving and playful medium sized dogs. They can accompany your child in playful activities on land as well as water. They are known to mix well with other pets too.
Bichon Frise: This breed is small in size and extremely gentle, sensitive, loving and friendly in nature. It is not a hyperactive breed though you will have to pay attention to its grooming requirements as its coat tends to become matted quite frequently. Due to its gentle nature, it is considered as the best dog for home environment.
Poodle: This breed of dogs is considered best breed dog for kids on account of its even and reliable temperament with occasional cheeky behavior. They make for excellent watchdogs too. They are safe for small children because they generally do not show signs of aggressive behavior. They come in different sizes, that is, toy size, miniature size or standard size.
Great Dane: Though this breed of dogs is large in size, still it is one of the most peaceful breed of dogs. It is also known as German Mastiff. It is particularly caring towards the kids and is hence considered as the best breed dog for children. Though, its large size and huge weight could create unintended problems at times. They make for good guard dogs. Unlike Poodles, they do not bark unnecessarily and thus help maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere at home.
Beagle: Beagles are energetic, outgoing, friendly, and not too big in size. But, at times, they can be stubborn. Their occasion stubborn behavior might make the task of training a bit difficult. Also, you will have to be particularly careful about their security as they might go on occasional exploratory walks without being aware of the way back home.
Pug: These wrinkled dogs with a flat muzzle and large eyes are quite popular dogs for families with small children. In fact, Pugs were originally bred for human companionship. Their playful, cheerful, affectionate and loyal nature helps them to mix with kids easily without causing any harm to them. Therefore, this breed is considered the best breed dog for kids. Though, you will have to instruct your kids not to feed too much food to their companions as they have a fairly large appetite which tends to make them overweight.
The Collie: The breed is also referred to as curly lap dog. This is a smart, calm, gentle, tolerant and protective breed that is easy to train. They are quite delicate and hence require proper handling by the children. They are medium sized herding dogs with a light built though with good stamina and are well suited for active sports like disc dog, fly ball, dog agility etc.
Boxer: The dogs of this breed show an affectionate and high spirited temperament. They could be medium or large in size, have short hair and need a high level of activity. They are less messy in terms of cleanliness and are often considered harmless. Hence, Boxer is considered a good breed of dogs for kids
Whippet: Whippets are lean and muscular dogs with typical whip like tails. They are a mix of greyhounds with terriers. They are medium in size and quiet and gentle in temperament and hence it’s no point giving them the job of part time guard dog at home. They are known to become quite attached to the owners and kids and hence regarded as best breed dog for kids.
