Picking The Best Type of Dog For Your Child

Picking the correct breed of dog for your family
is an important decision. On the one hand you
may want to have security with a guard dog and
then if you have children you'll want peace of
mind that they will be safe if playing with the
dog. Firstly whichever type of dog you have or
choose please remember that leaving a youngster
alone with any pet is not advisable. Not only
should you take into account that the dog,
however easygoing, could turn aggressive, there
is also the worry that your child could
aggravate and annoy him enough that he then
attacks.

Naturally you probably see your child as a
complete angel, but there is always going to be
some new trick they haven't tried. Pulling the
dogs ears, feeding it crayons, trying to see if
he likes hanging by his tail, the list could go
on. Naturally children want to explore and learn
so teaching them animal care and pet
responsibility from a young age is a great idea.
Over time your dog will start to see your child
as part of the family pack if he is on the
receiving end of care and attention like being
watered and fed. Don't expect your dog to
tolerate having their sleep or bone chewing time
interrupted by anyone. It is your responsibility
to teach your child these things.

Personally I wouldn't have a small dog around
children as they can be quite snappy and a child
may be tempted to pick them up and play with them
as they're a manageable size.

I'm a big believer in rehoming rescue animals,
but this could pose a problem if your dog has
been through an abusive past. Regardless of how
relaxed and calm they might be, if they're hurt
by your child with their latest toy you never
know how they will respond. That's not to say
rescue animals shouldn't be in the company of
children, just that you should supervise and be
aware of these factors at all times. So let's
look at the different breeds of dogs and what
their traits and characteristics are towards
children.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Both of these breeds have similar temperaments,
loyal, protective and kind. The Retriever tends
to be a bit smaller than the Labrador, other
than that they both love to play and are usually
calm by nature. They also love affection which is
great for kids who want to cuddle their dog.
Labradors are more likely to be a bit more
aggressive towards other dogs where as Golden
Retrievers aim to get along with everyone.
Labradors have shorter hair so are easier to
groom but are more likely to get overweight as
they get older. They will be patient with
children which is good for when your child is
learning about their grooming routine. Both love
exercise which is perfect for kids and families.

Newfoundland

Nicknamed "natures nanny" this dog breed has a
huge reputation of being very loving towards
children and is also extremely protective.
They're big enough to withstand rough and tumble
playtime and docile enough not to get too
bothered when your kids get out of hand. These
gentle giants are also excellent guard dogs and
usually get on with other animals too. They do
need lots of exercise and grooming and also
drool a lot so be warned.

English Bulldog

Maybe not the most energetic of dogs, but
definitely one of the most affectionate. They
have a strong tendency towards protection of
anything that is smaller than them. If you tell
your kids off you might find that you're in the
doghouse for a while as they will feel you're
attacking something more vulnerable than them.
They are very sensitive so don't let their laid
back nature fool you, if you're upset they'll
come to look after you. They're at their most
content when they're owner and family is happy.
Not top of the list when it comes to guard dog
behaviour though.

Great Dane

They're big softies when it comes to children.
They are very patient with little ones and will
tolerate kids wanting to play with them. They
tend to forget their size and will most likely
try to get comfortable sitting on your lap. They
love to exercise (and need it) which is good for
kids and are another breed that is very
protective of their families and home. Sadly
their lifespan is usually under ten years, so
bear in mind how that may affect your family as
well.

Beagle

Full of energy and fun this breed is perfect for
a young family. They love cuddles and are
extremely affectionate. Being a sturdy dog they
can handle rough housing at playtime but like
any animal they won't tolerate children poking
or hurting them. Beagles are social animals by
nature they won't be loyal to just one member of
the household but will enjoy time with all the
family members.

Obviously every dog breed is different and a lot
has to do with how the dog has been socialised
from being a puppy. So always do your homework
and background check into the history of any
animal before you bring it into your family. One
last note as mentioned earlier, train your
children too, they need to respect the animal
member of the family and not treat them as a toy
to throw around.

----------------------------------------------------
Alex Kelly

As a pet owner, my articles are based on issues
I feel are important for fellow animal lovers.
Pet Promenade has everything you will need for
the furry member of the family. From pet food,
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