Which dog breeds get along best with children?

To choose the right dog breeds for children, a family should consider their lifestyle, the dog’s size, and temperament. If the dog scores low in any of those three categories, it may not be the best companion for your kids.

When it comes to temperament, seek an agreeable dog that’s easy to train. That’s because impulses rule children. They tend to get excited, irritated, and hyped up in seconds. So, you’ll require a dog that is calm and patient.

Similarly, consider the dog’s energy level and size. If you’ve got an active family, you can handle a big, high-energy dog, then go ahead. But if not, consider a calmer dog that loves remaining indoors.

On that note, if you’ve got smaller children, i.e., four years or younger, then you should opt for smaller, calmer dogs. 

Consider these dog breeds for children:

1. Mutts

A mutt is a mixed-breed dog. There’s a wide variety of mutt breeds, and choosing one can be challenging.  

Consider these mixed-breeds:

• Border Collie-Sheltie
• Pomsky
• Siberian Retriever
• Cavachon

By adopting a mutt, you can get the traits you want. Most mixed-breed dogs exhibit the best traits of their parent breeds. 

The Border Collie-Sheltie is a particular favorite. The dog is empathetic, playful, and photogenic! They even love to pose for photos. Your kids would love to get their pet portraits and pictures with the dog. On that note, consider getting a pet portrait as soon as you get your family’s first pup. It will serve as a souvenir and help your children welcome the dog as a part of the family.

2. Golden Retriever

A Golden retriever is, perhaps, the best family dog. Its patient temperament makes it a good companion for growing kids. You’ll often find a Golden retriever lying protectively around a toddler or baby.

They love spending time with children and look out for danger. Unlike most breeds, a Golden retriever possesses a laid-back personality. The dogs are calm and rarely engage in destructive activities.

However, this doesn’t mean a Golden retriever won’t play. These dogs can be highly active too. They can play for hours.

As natural people-pleasers, Goldens work to keep their owners happy. Hence, you will also find it easier to train a Golden retriever.

3. Poodle

Poodles with their arresting cuteness are also a great option for your kids. Apart from being cute, these dogs are brilliant and caring. You can trust them to be loyal and guard the kids.

Plus, their extraordinary intelligence helps them become a helpful and understanding companion. You can rely on its instincts to get your kids out of trouble or at least alert you.

The poodles also have a very playful and adventurous nature. These pups will keep your children engaged and active.

4. Bichon Frise

A Bichon Frise is a medium-sized, adorable dog breed with a friendly temperament. It loves mingling with others. 

Although a Bichon Frise does not display protective behavior, it does enjoy people-pleasing and abiding by the rules. Hence, it can be an obedient and caring dog.

If you train this dog breed properly, there’s no way it will go against your commands. Plus, the dogs are reliable. The worst they do is jump around excitedly or scratch a bit. These fluffy white balls make excellent dogs for children.

5. Collie

Similar to the Border Collie-Sheltie, a Collie is brilliant and beautiful. These dogs have two sub-types, one with short coats and one with long, flowing, smooth coats.

Naturally, children prefer dogs with longer coats because their appearance is striking and appealing. That way, they are more worthy of showing off to their peers or putting pictures on Instagram.

So, considering your children’s interests, it’s an excellent choice. On the dog’s end, it’s playful and protective. Once accustomed to your children and trained well, they will prove to be the most responsible family member!

6. Bulldog

Most children have a bulldog in mind because they’re introduced to bulldogs in cartoons, stories, or movies.

By nature, bulldogs are sweet and affectionate. They may not be the sharpest and most active dogs. But they are loyal, sweet, and strong. 

Final thoughts on dog breeds for children

All in all, there are still loads more breeds that could suit your family’s needs, but start by considering these five dog breeds for children.

If you have specific needs, browse the complete list of dog breeds and look for those special traits. Good luck!

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical field has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.  

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