Choosing The Best Puppy - Good Family Dog Breeds For Homes With Young Children

Choosing a puppy for any family is a very important decision. With so many dog breeds to choose from you really need to look at the different temperaments and backgrounds before you bring a new puppy into your home. The most important thing to remember is that a cute little puppy will not be a puppy for long. Make sure you know what breed of dogs will make the best pet for years to come. 

The best puppy breeds for children:

Golden Retriever and Labradors

The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are both a medium size dog that is great with children. They are friendly and very gentle and make wonderful companions. For the best training results, dog training and grooming practices should start early with both of these breeds.

The Golden Retriever is known for being patient with children and ranks fourth place in intelligence according to Stanley Coren's "The Intelligence of Dogs." Since they are an intelligent breed they are often used as guide dogs for the blind and work as search and rescue dogs, so of course they are a highly trainable breed.

Labrador Retrievers are athletic dogs who have webbed paws, making them excellent swimmers. This athletic dog loves to swim and play. Labrador Retrievers are good with young children and are perfect for energetic families.

The Australian Shepherd

Usually good with children, loyal, the Australian Shepherd is very intelligent, full of energy and reserved around strangers. The Australian Shepard makes a kind and loving family pet, provided it is treated well. This breed needs plenty of attention so it is a better choice for families with older children. The loyal breed is protective of its owners and property and must be assured that any new people coming into the home are friendly visitors.

The Australian Shepherd is a high energy dog that enjoys plenty of exercise and play. If the dog does not get enough exercise or becomes bored with his environment, he may turn destructive. The Australian Shepherd requires a great deal of attention from its owners. If a family is not willing to give their dog at least 2-3 hours of exercise and attention each day, this dog breed is not a good choice for them. Those who have plenty of time to devote to a dog and have a place where the dog can run free will likely find the Australian Shepherd to be a wonderful family companion.

The English Bulldog

Good watchdogs, best in a mild climate, friendly, the cuddly English Bulldog makes a great family dog. The English Bulldog is also know as the British Bulldog. The English Bulldog dog breed does have several health issues due to flat faces and may have breathing problems. Multiple trips to the vets often may be required and the folds on their faces must be washed daily.

The English Bulldog starts out as a super energetic puppy and grows into a relaxed adult. This breed does not require nearly as much exercise as other dog breeds, which makes them the ideal pet for people who live in a small house or apartment. Before someone decides to choose an English Bulldog as a family pet they need to do some research on what types of living conditions are best suited for the breed.

The Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier has a gentle temperament and even though they are rather fearless, they are rarely aggressive. The small dogs love children and make great family pets. They also get along with other family pets provided they are introduced to them as a puppy. These confident dogs enjoy human companionship and expect to receive a good amount of attention. Norfolk Terriers can bark quite a bit, so potential owners should consider the noise factor before choosing a Norfolk Terrier.

Standard and Miniature Poodles

These dogs are considered to be at the top of the list when it comes to smarts. The standard poodle is considered to be the second most intelligent dog breed (The Border Collie ranks #1). Poodles have an even temperament and love to be around humans. They come in many sizes and colors. There are toy, miniature and standard size poodles: the miniature and standard poodle are best for small children. Poodles love people and are usually easy to train and to housebreak. They are quite athletic and enjoy daily exercise and play.

Other Dogs That Are Great With Kids

There are many other breeds that are very good with children. Boston Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Pugs and Labradoodles are just some of the other dog breeds that make great family pets. For any dog to be a safe pet, they need to be treated well, and properly trained and brought up. A dog's temperament may reflect what its parents were like, the breeder that the dog was brought from and how much love attention and training the owner gives it. Even a gentle breed of dog can become vicious if it is neglected and mistreated. To be on the safe side, no matter how much someone trusts their family pet, they should never leave a dog alone with a small child.