The best dog breeds for children

The best dog breeds for children come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and personalities. This page helps you pick the right one for your home and family.

Although there`s no definitive `list` that can tell you which dog is going to be perfect for you and your kids, there are some popular breeds which have, over time, proven that they make great family pets.

Let`s start off easy by taking a look at the Top 10 Family Dogs as approved by PetMD (then we`ll look at other breeds and the types of families they`re best suited to): 

The Bulldog

Gentle, affectionate, not overly energetic. Gets along well with most people and pets. May be bossy with other dogs if not trained or socialized properly.

Usually snores, can suffer from skin, breathing, eye and reproductive problems. More...

The Beagle

Happy, friendly, lively little dog who loves to be in on the `action`. Has an independent mind and can take off `chasing a scent`, so needs fenced yard.

Pretty robust, can suffer from mange, eye problems and some bone/joint problems. More...

The Bull Terrier

Throw away your preconceptions! This is a happy, friendly, active little dog who loves people. Tendency to be bossy if not trained/socialized properly.

Can experience heart problems, skin allergies, mange and occasional deafness.

The Shetland Sheepdog (Collie)

Bright, intelligent, active and affectionate. Like all herding breeds this one needs plenty of exercise and a job to do.

Can be a little nervous. Skin, eye, epilepsy and thyroid problems possible.

The Newfoundland

Video: Top 10 Kid-Friendly Small Dogs | Best Dog Breeds for Children

A huge dog with a big heart and gentle nature. Sweet, intelligent and trainable. Loves the water.

Definitely drools, and sheds. Can suffer from big-dog joint problems and skin issues.

The Vizsla

Lively, happy, energetic, loving and gentle. Needs plenty of exercise. Can be a little sensitive/anxious at times.

May be prone to allergies, cancer, eye problems and bone/joint issues.

The Irish Setter

Outgoing, friendly, lively and playful. Tons of energy and puppy playfulness even as an adult. Gets along well with dogs and people.

May suffer from eye problems, osteosarcoma and hip dysplasia.

Video: Top 10 Dog Breeds for Kids and Families - Amazing facts

The Poodle

Very smart breed, quick learners. Friendly and loving, but may be hesitant around strangers. Can be anxious/nervous/prone to loneliness.

May develop thyroid or bone/join issues, PRA, Cushings Disease. More...

The Labrador Retriever

Friendly, sociable and even-tempered. Active and easy to train. Gets along with most people, dogs and pets.

Can suffer from bone/joint disorders such as hip & elbow dysplasia and arthritis when older. More...

The Golden Retriever

Similar to the Lab - a friendly, happy, easy-going dog who likes to be active and is eager to please. 

In addition to bone/joint issues can suffer from heart and eye problems. More...

The Mixed-Breed Dog

Mixed breed dogs come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. They`re usually well-balanced, happy and friendly.

Generally considerably healthier overall than purebred dogs.

It pays to remember that every pup is unique and has their own, individual personality, and that just because your new pup is of a particular breed that doesn`t mean he`ll be exactly like any other pup of the same breed... or even from the same litter!

Look for a breed whose breed characteristics mesh with your family`s home and lifestyle and you`ll find that your two-legged and four-legged children build a happy, loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Although all the breeds featured above are likely to make a great pet for your family, there are lots of others that fit the bill as well.

But because all families are different, not every child-friendly breed is right for you. 

To help you sort it out, here`s a closer look at dog breeds and the type of family they`re most likely to suit:

Best Breeds For Families With Small Children

When you`re looking for the best dog breeds for children who are still toddlers, don`t assume a small or tiny breed fits the bill.

It may seem logical at first (ie small child therefore small dog), but many little dogs are very delicate and very young children can easily injure, or even kill, a tiny dog by dropping them, stepping (or falling!) on them, shutting them in a door etc.

Obviously totally accidental, but no less harmful. There are lots of different types of small dogs though, so don`t rule out a breed just because it weighs less than 10lbs or so - consider the whole package.

Conversely, the very large or giant breeds aren`t necessarily the best choice either.

Large breed puppies are pretty sturdy and robust and the scenario above is turned on it`s head, because some large to giant breed dogs are very laid back, easy going and tolerant pets but their sheer size can make them a potential hazard to very small/young children.

A Mastiff could quite easily knock down your toddler while trying to play, or say `hello`.

It`s difficult to stop very young childrenfrom poking, prodding or pulling at a puppy, or from smothering him(perhaps literally) with hugs and kisses.

A mid-sized breed known fortheir calm, confident and tolerant temperament is best.

These might include:

Best Dogs For Children Of School-Age & Older

Grade school kids are bigger, stronger and better co-ordinated than pre-schoolers plus they can understand and follow puppy-care guidelines and show empathy.

All in all, choosing the best dog breeds for children of this age is quite a bit easier!

You don`t need to rule out breeds on either end of the size scale, verysmall breeds and very large ones can both be suitable for a family withchildren aged from 6 - 18.

If your children are a bit older andyou have the room for a big dog there are lots of good choices, including popular breeds such Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds - plus those you might not see as much such as Great Pyrenees, Old English Sheepdogs, Great Danes or Mastiffs.

Inthis situation taking a close look at your family`s activity level,lifestyle and home are the best way to make sure that you make the rightdecision.

If you`re active as a family and enjoycamping/hiking/fishing/bike-riding/sports/horseback-riding etc., thenyou should can look at fairly high-energy breeds and working dogs.

Ifyou have grade-school to teenage children, have plenty of space andtime to exercise and `work` with a pup, and are interested indog-related sports such as Agility, Obedience, Flyball etc., then aBorder Collie puppy (or one from another energetic breed) could be theperfect match for you.

Other possibilities might include:

Video: The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Children

Ifyou`re a more laid-back, indoor-loving family then the lower energybreeds, or some of the smaller lap-dogs may be a better fit.

Video: Top 10 Best Dog Breeds for Kids

Try one ofthese on for size:

Best Dog Breeds For Kids With Allergies

There`s no such thing as an `allergy-free dog`, but there are certain breeds that are more suitable in this sort of situation.

People can be allergic todog hair, dog dander and dog saliva - so even hairless dog breeds canstill trigger a reaction, but less common and less likely to be severe.

There are only a handful of hairless dogs, these include American Hairless Terrier and the Chinese Crested, but there are also more `mainstream` dog breeds whose coat is considered to be hypoallergenic.

These include dog breeds with long silky hair, those with certain curly coats, and some hybrid or designer dog breeds.

Here are a few of the best dog breeds for children who have allergies.....

To get detailed info on any of the breeds listed (and many more) just >> CLICK HERE to the American Kennel Club website

Got A Shortlist? Here`s What Comes Next....

I`ve tried to find something for everyone on this page,so if you`ve managed to choose a breed (or ashortlist of several potential `winners`) it`s now time to move on tosearching for that perfect puppy!

Here are a few tips and hints to help you on your way................

It`s always important to be sure to buy your puppy from areputable breeder and always try to see the parents of the puppies to besure that they`re sound physically and temperamentally.

Then you needto know how to pick the right puppy and how to recognize a healthy puppy so that you don`t take home one who is sick... that`s a recipe for heartbreak all around.

If you`re a first-time puppy parent (or it`s been a while!) you might be a little unsure of what to expect during thefirst few days.

Visit my Bringing Home A New Puppypage to make those early days easier, and less worrying.

Don`t forget that there are also tons of wonderful dogs (and pups) in shelters and pounds across the country, who desperately need new homesand families of their very own.

Learn about puppy and dog adoption and consider it if you can, you will literally be saving a life. These dog rescue organizations are a great place to start.

Remember that adult dogs can also make excellent pets forkids too. They have the added benefit to you of skipping the house-training, chewing everything and running amok puppy stage!!

If you`re planning to add a new dog to your family (or already have!), here`s a really useful book will help you get everyone on the same page - pun fullyintended........

Raising Puppies & Kids Together: A Guide for Parents

This is a great `Puppy Owners Manual` for anyone who has kids and is wanting to add a dog to the mix (or vice versa!).

Aneasy to follow, reader-friendly guide which covers all thebasics. Including showing new puppy owners how to learn about dogbehavior, how to communicate with and socialize their new `furchild`,and help their children learn responsible dog ownership.

Choosingthe best dog breed isn`t the only task if you`re adding anew pup to your home, this book will guide you through the next stages.Recommended!

There are lots more excellent books that can help you and your kids prepare for dog ownership, and also explore training methods, tricks and other fun stuff.

Kids and dogs can make the very best partners, but it`s up to you to help them all learn how to show love and respect to each other.

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