Dog at home. Which breed of dog to choose for a family with children?

A family dog will quickly become an important part of childhood memories. However, in order to fit the way of life of the whole family, it should be chosen really carefully. What kind of personality should it have? What to look for in order to find the right playmate for the youngest members of the household? Find out which breeds of dogs to choose for a family with children.

Purebred or shelter dog?

Have you decided on a dog whose origin you can’t say for sure? The biggest problem to be reckoned with if we welcome a small, shaggy mongrel home is that we have no idea how it will behave in the future. Sometimes it is difficult to predict not only its unique needs but also its character, temperament and attitude towards people or animals. Of course, even a non-pedigree dog, if treated with love, can quickly become the best friend of mum and dad, as well as the youngest members of the family. However, this does not change the fact that in the next few months, it may start to show unexpected, not necessarily satisfying characteristics that were passed down to it from its ancestors.

How to approach adopting a dog from a shelter? Plan a few familiarization walks first with the dog and your family. If you bond and the time spent together is enjoyable, make the decision to adopt. Remember that you may need the support of a behaviourist or shelter carer in the beginning. Reach for them to help the new family member adapt quickly.

Dog at home. Which breed of dog to choose for a family with children?

Purebred dogs, on the other hand, are much less of a surprise. Since each of them has its own official standard, we can carefully consider our expectations and then make sure that we will be able to meet its natural needs. A hint for future owners are not only detailed descriptions of the appearance, length of the coat or growth that it will reach in the future, but also the character, preferences and requirements related to exercise and care.

A child and a dog - what is worth remembering?

While the information below will certainly be helpful, don’t forget that these descriptions are general for each breed. Even within the same breed, we will not be able to meet two individuals with the same nature, psyche or temperament. Individual habits, reactions and preferences will therefore depend on the individual. Wondering which breed of dog to choose for a family with children? Bassets, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, West Highland White Terriers, Newfoundlands, Pomeranians, Miniature Schnauzers, Spaniels, Scottish Shepherds, Boston Terriers have enjoyed the best reputation for years. However, this does not mean that the child will not be happy and safe in the company of representatives of a completely different group. The responsibility rests on the shoulders of the parents, who must ensure that both parties treat each other with respect, friendship and understanding. The main thing is to carefully observe their behaviour from the very beginning. What is worth remembering?

Even during innocent, pleasant play, a child can unknowingly cause pain to a dog. Therefore, it is best to patiently explain during the first few interactions why it should not hit or stick fingers in his eye. The quadruped is tired, or maybe it’s time for a little snack? Make sure that the youngest member of the family will not disturb their furry friend if it is lying on its bed or eating. As part of basic training, it’s also a good idea to pass on some basic rules to your dog. If there is a small child in the house, it should learn, among other things, how to spend time alone with kids. You should be aware that such an arrangement can be a bit risky. Sometimes it is better to wait for the decision to buy a new pet until you are sure that you will not run out of time and energy to take care of it properly.

Before you make a decision

Specialists emphasize that in the case of animals with a pedigree, useful character traits are passed down from generation to generation. So it is much easier for us to decide which dog will be a nice addition to the family. First, however, you should think carefully about whether we will be able to meet its unique needs. Representatives of each breed will require a slightly different dose of exercise, care and training. Of course, the size of the family, the age of its youngest members and the conditions that you can provide for the pet are also important.

Wondering which breed of dog to choose for a family with children? The most important, obvious criterion will be, among others, the attitude to other animals, if you have them, as well as toward small children. What other characteristics should you look for? A gentle, cheerful and patient disposition is extremely important. A quadruped should not have a natural tendency to violent, aggressive behaviour. It is also better if the chosen breed has been used primarily for keeping company for generations and does not have a reputation as an individual who can cause problems. Have you chosen the breed that best suits your lifestyle and family situation? Also include your preferences, such as dog size or coat length.

Which breed of dog to choose for a family with children?

The dog will live with us for many years, so it is better to make the decision carefully. Which breed of dog to choose for a family with children? Below we present a short description of a few quadrupeds that are most often recommended in such a situation by specialists.

1. Maltese is a tiny, energetic, intelligent dog that the whole family will love. Usually, it does not measure more than 25 cm and weighs between 2 and 3 kg. Although it is alert, cheerful and brave, this breed also requires laborious care. The silky, snow-white, long coat needs both frequent bathing and careful brushing.
2. Havanese, like its predecessor, is a perfect dog for joint, interesting games and spending time with family. In most cases, this little fluffy ball turns out not only to be really joyful and energetic but also… gentle and uncomplicated. So it probably won’t start causing too much trouble if you can’t come up with new, exciting activities for it for some time. According to specialists, this is perfect for the first dog, it feels good in the apartment and is friendly to children.
3. Pug feels very good even in a small apartment located in the city centre, enjoys a quiet, family atmosphere, and is also balanced and cheerful. When it doesn’t like something, it can become a bit stubborn. Owners should not only take care of its training and upbringing but also provide it with enough exercise to keep it in a healthy condition. According to specialists, the pug can be sensitive to heat and is also prone to snoring and wheezing.
4. English Bulldog attaches to its owner very quickly, it has a cheerful disposition and is friendly towards other animals, children and adults. Its reputation is entirely undeserved: while this breed may seem threatening to some, deep down English Bulldogs remain gentle and devoted, yet brave companions. These features are also shared by French Bulldog.
5. Poodle is an intelligent dog and a great family companion. It will learn new tricks very quickly, and in interactions with others, it will maintain a natural self-confidence and cheerful disposition. Poodles are usually divided into three different breeds depending on their height: large, medium and miniature. Although their lush, thick coat may require a lot of grooming, such as regular clipping, they fortunately never shed.
6. Samoyed needs plenty of exercise in the great outdoors and has a long, thick coat that can also require some effort from owners. These dogs have quite a good temperament, they are friendly and sociable.
7. Labrador Retriever is an extremely clever student, that can also fetch from water and is perfect for dog therapy. This breed is usually chosen not only as a friend of the youngest family member but also of people with disabilities. It can become a gentle, obedient and devoted guide, as well as an ideal companion for younger children… of course if you provide it with the right dose of exercise, attention and love. Labradors do not like loneliness, they need a lot of exercises and tend to gain weight. Fortunately, however, their beautiful coat does not need any special care. Most of these characteristics are shared by the Golden Retriever, who can be quite a gourmand and is exceptionally playful.