The Best Dog Breeds for Children

Couples with kids who also want to have a family pet need to consider the suitability of their choice of animal. Especially when it comes to picking a pet dog, factors such as size and temperament must be considered. With so many breeds to choose from, and with many different inherent traits, the right pet for every family can be found.

  1. Golden Retriever

    • Golden retrievers are very loving and good with kids.

      The golden retriever is a suitable dog to have with kids of most ages. It is, by nature, very loyal, friendly and trustworthy. Golden retrievers are active dogs that enjoy playing, so around younger children care should be taken to keep the dog from accidentally bumping into them. The breed is also very patient, which can be a plus when dealing with small children who might pull on ears and tails; goldens rarely are aggressive. These many positive traits have also cause the breed to be in demand as helper dogs for the visually impaired and the disabled.

    Vizsla

    • Hungarian vizslas are retrievers by nature.

      The vizsla is a dog that is a good fit for families with older kids. It is a very affectionate breed of dog and will often follow its owners around and always want to be near them. It is very active and energetic, so is always ready to play. Around toddlers it may be a little too rough, but is rarely deliberately aggressive. Vizslas are also intelligent and respond well to training and enjoy having tasks to perform, a trait that makes them a good agility-competition dog.

    Beagle

    • Beagles are a naturally curious breed.

      The beagle is a smaller type of dog which along with its friendly gentle temperament make it a good dog for kids of most ages. Beagles can be shy around strangers but are loyal to and protective of family members. The breed is very loving and enjoys being close to people, although they are easily distracted. Beagles can be tricky to train because of their short attention spans and also need to be watched to ensure they do not wander.

    English Bulldog

    • English bulldogs can be lazy.

      The English bulldog is a good breed for most ages of children. It is not a large breed and is generally sedate, friendly and gentle. The breed bonds well with children and is rarely aggressive, although it can be stubborn and hard to train. Bulldogs enjoy plenty of attention and affection but are not very active, so need little exercise. The breed tends to slobber.