Best Family Dogs

Searching for information about the best family dogs? If you're thinking of getting a dog and have children in the house, you might want to consider doing a little research on different dog breeds before making the new addition to the family. Every year, children are bitten, mauled, and even killed by family pets. You want to make sure you get an animal with a patient, even temperament. Of course, it's important to remember that every dog is an individual and cannot be completely defined by its breed. That said, however, basic temperaments are often common within a specific dog breed, in general. Below are my picks for the best dogs for kids.

One of the best family dog breeds is the Labrador Retriever. This breed seldom bites. In fact, it's ranked at the top of the list of non-biters. Labs are playful and love to romp with kids. Since they're rather large, they're not easily hurt by children, so they usually have no reason to bite in self defense. Most labs are natural retrievers, so it won't be hard to train them to play fetch or frisbee.

Another great dog for families is the Golden Retriever. They are similar in size and temperament to the lab and are usually ranked #2 on the non-biter list. They're big and cuddly, much like a teddy bear. They'll keep the kids busy in the back yard playing chase and fetch, and Dad can take the goldie hunting on the weekends. What more could you ask of family dogs?

Another big breed that functions well with kids is the Great Dane. These "gentle giants" have certainly earned their nickname. In general, Danes are not as energetic as labs and goldies, but they do enjoy a good romp. These dogs thrive on human interaction and do not do well as kennel dogs. They truly think they're part of the family and they love being family dogs! They actually seem to prefer children to adults, and they're very patient. In my opinion, Great Danes are the best dogs of all.

If you don't have room for a big dog, you might want to consider small dog breeds. While many small dogs are snappy, not all are. Consider the beagle. This little fellow isn't snappy like a lot of small dog breeds, and even though he might not be large, he has a sturdy build. Most beagles are calm and affectionate and enjoy playing with children. They're smart, too, and they always seem to be smiling from ear to floppy ear.

If your heart isn't set on a purebred, consider rescuing a puppy from an animal shelter. In fact, they often have purebreds, too. A rescued dog seems to somehow know that you saved it. If you choose an adult animal, be sure to learn its history before taking it home. If you get a puppy, it's very important that you have it checked by a vet before falling in love with it. Parvo, a deadly disease, often runs rampant through shelters.

Once you bring your new furkid home, teach your kids about proper respect for animals. They need to understand that owning a pet is a long commitment and that animals have feelings just like they do. Sometimes kids taunt and tease pets in play, not realizing that they might be terrorizing the animal. The best family dogs will be patient and understanding with kids.

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