What type of dog is best for children?

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  1. skylergreene profile image59
    skylergreeneposted 12 years ago

    What type of dog is best for children?

  2. Thelma Alberts profile image95
    Thelma Albertsposted 12 years ago

    https://usercontent1.hubstatic.com/5458092_f260.jpg

    I think Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog is best for children because it is easy to handle, obedient, loyal, a lap dog and a beautiful one.

    1. Dubuquedogtrainer profile image60
      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Nice dogs - too bad they are prone to some serious health problems. Havenese are another small breed I would recommend - durable and resilient, good tempered - but require professional grooming!

  3. IRISH NELSON profile image39
    IRISH NELSONposted 12 years ago

    Pug or Dash may be the best ever for children

    1. Dubuquedogtrainer profile image60
      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Pugs make good family pets - I don't think dachshunds are the best choice, although dogs are individuals and if a dachshund is raised correctly, socialized properly and trained positively and supervised around children it may be ok.

  4. Rosie writes profile image84
    Rosie writesposted 12 years ago

    Many years ago, I bought a book that told how to look for a dog that would be a good pet for children .  It said to observe the dogs behaviors and to avoid dogs that were nervous, aggressive, and protective of their food.  It said that even as puppies, these behaviors can be indicators of future problems.  We were getting ready to have a baby, so we used this advice.  Our dog was a "mutt" from the Detroit Animal Shelter.  He was a German Shepherd/Collie mix (we think) and he was 7 weeks old.  He passed away last February at over 14 years of age, never had any health problems and was incredibly wonderful with our children.  So, I don't think the "type" of dog is as important as the characteristics the dog displays.

  5. landscapeartist profile image60
    landscapeartistposted 12 years ago

    There really is no set type of dog that is best for children.  It is all in the attitude and demeanor that sets a dog apart from the others.  Labradors are forever funloving and playful.  You can throw a dozen children at them and they will play with them and even allow the child to climb all over it, pull on the ears and tug at its tail.  A lab will even let puppies to that to them.  They are a midsize dog that is the best companion that anyone could ask for. 
    However;  my cousin has a pitbull that has the same attitude and demeanor as what I just described.  His pitbull 'Diamond' was previously abused by one of her last owners and would normally be the kind of dog people would worry about having, but she proves that the theory about pitbulls isn't necessarily true.
    Little dogs can also be good companions for children.
    It's the individuality of the dog, the way it sees itself and the world around it, that determines how it is going to treat others.  For a dog, it's in a world that is as big as its own yard.

  6. brackenb profile image73
    brackenbposted 12 years ago

    I don' t think it's possible to specify a breed - it really depends on the individual dog's nature.  Probably best to avoid breeds that are guard type dogs as they are often loyal to one person.  As a terrier owner I know they can be unpredictable at times so I would be cautious about getting one for a child. I'd suggest something not too big, not too young and with a kind nature.

  7. Petfriends profile image60
    Petfriendsposted 12 years ago

    I think its really a personal choice.  My sisters and I grew up with an English Sheep Dog and she was fantastic.  Very playful and made a great pillow when we'd lay around watching TV. Now, my nephews are growing up with Chihuahuas and they have a blast with them.  I think it comes down to the nature of the dog(s) and preparing them for the little ones. Some tips from the Humane Society: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/re … abies.html

    1. Dubuquedogtrainer profile image60
      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Chihuahuas are touchy - not a breed I would recommend for children. They are fragile and can be aggressive if not socialized and trained properly using positive reinforcement. A U of PA study found them to be one of the top breeds for aggression.

  8. bamuscarella profile image73
    bamuscarellaposted 12 years ago

    Take your child to a shelter and allow her to interact with the dogs there.  Usually the shelter will give a brief bio of the dog that will let you know if the dog doesn't get along with children, adults, other dogs, cats, or other pets, and will clue you into the dog's energy level and activity needs. 

    It's important to choose a dog who will want to play with your child so that your child doesn't get bored with the pet, but also a dog whom the child can help train and teach commands and tricks.  You also don't want a dog who's too high-energy because your child might not be able to give the dog all the exercise he needs. 

    Mixed breed dogs can be easy to train; some pure breeds like Dachshunds are very difficult to train and are not good for children.  They can also be very aggressive and, surprisingly, small dogs can do just as much damage when they're aggressive as can big dogs.  While I always advocate for people to adopt a shelter dog, if you're insistent upon a purebred, I'd go with a Beagle or a Golden Retriever.  Both have mild tempers, are easy to train, have moderate energy levels, and love to sniff, walk, and play—all good characteristics for a child's best friend.

    1. Dubuquedogtrainer profile image60
      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good points - dachshunds were found to be the most aggressive to other dogs and people in a study done at the University of Pa. They are not as resilient as breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Beagles are nice family dogs as well.

  9. DrMark1961 profile image99
    DrMark1961posted 12 years ago

    Hi Skyler I just wrote a hub on this yesterday, as I think it is not the breed so much as finding a good dog to suit your family. You might have several people recommend Goldens but I have seen some of that breed aggressive with children, some others might recommend little breeds since the bite will not be as severe if it does happen. I taught my kids never to pull the dogs hair and we had a Maltese when they were little, but even a Maltese if maltreated will bite your children. Take a look at my hub before choosing
    http://drmark1961.hubpages.com/hub/Matc … ersonality

  10. Kristen Haynie profile image92
    Kristen Haynieposted 12 years ago

    I agree completely with bamuscarella's answer! It's very difficult to pick one breed that is best for children. Even if you could single out one breed, not all dogs of the same breed share the same in temperament and personality. I think going to the shelter is your best bet. Rescues always turn out to be amazing dogs, and the shelter can help you out with picking the right one. I bet you'll find one that's just perfect for your whole family!

    Good luck!

  11. habee profile image93
    habeeposted 12 years ago

    https://usercontent2.hubstatic.com/6442251_f260.jpg

    Great Dane, believe it or not! They really are "gentle giants," and they adore kids.

    1. Petfriends profile image60
      Petfriendsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Great Danes are great, just need the home for them.  A friend had 2 of them (along with 4 kids) and I often dog sat. We had two incidents, a broken window from a happy wagging dog tail and a broken toilet from a very thirsty dog. Funny now.

  12. Dubuquedogtrainer profile image60
    Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

    A dog that has been well socialized as a puppy and well trained using non-aversive reward-based training under the direction of a qualified trainer. That said, Golden Retrievers, if well bred, make pretty durable family pets. They need kids to keep them busy and kids need Golden Retrievers - it's a win-win situation!

  13. profile image0
    screamingposted 12 years ago

    I would say a golden retriever. Excellent breed for all ages. If your children are real young stay away from small dogs, they often nip and can be easily hurt by the kids. Again, if your children are young, stay away from the big dogs. A large dog can jump on a child or hurt a child by something as simple as wagging of the tail. Plus many with large dogs think riding a large dog is safe. It's definately not.

  14. profile image0
    Marntzuposted 12 years ago

    I have had several boxers and all 3 have been great with little kids. but it is more on the dog itself.

  15. Becky Katz profile image83
    Becky Katzposted 12 years ago

    Many breeds of dogs are really good with kids. I had a chow mix that was excellent with mine. I have also had labs. Watch where you get a dog. You do not want one from a puppy mill. They do not care what they are breeding, they just want the money. Rescues are good places to find a good dog. The smaller dogs are generally too fragile or temperamental for kids. Not always but common. I have seen a chihuahua get his leg broken by playing with kids. They fell on him.
    A lot of the Mid-size breeds are good. The bigger dogs are good, we used to ride our friends Saint Bernard and Great Dane around the yard. My aunt had a German Shepherd that would stay with the little ones when we were out camping and wouldn' t let them into the water above their knees. She also picked them up by their t-shirts when they fell down.
    Most dogs have the ability to be great kids dogs. It is mostly how you train them and their temperament.

  16. afriqnet profile image64
    afriqnetposted 12 years ago

    I think Labs are very good with Children. I would recommend labs as the best dogs for children.

  17. Laci Ledbetter profile image38
    Laci Ledbetterposted 12 years ago

    Lab.  If you're going for pure bred.  But I got my sweet little Ladybug at the local animal shelter.  She was on death row because she was so timid that no one wanted to adopt her.  I gave her a home and she's like my 3rd born.  She is literally my best friend and a best friend to my children.  She is so protective of them.  She's just a random mix breed.  You just have to find the dog that is right for you!  : )

 
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