There are so many different breeds and variations on breeds of dog it is always difficult to choose if seeking a family pet however just a few of the good breeds to consider when you have children include -
Labradoodle
Easy to train labradoodles are crosses of Labradors and poodles. They can be bred to be any size depending on the mix. A breed with a standard poodle will give a larger dog (about 20 kg), breeding with a medium poodle will give you an approximate 10-15 kg size labradoodle and of course breeding with a miniature poodle will give you a labradoodle more in the region of 6-10 kg.
Labradoodles are good as they don’t shed, or only very lightly. This is not only good for the household but also if anyone in the home suffers from any allergies. Occasional grooming may be required but this is good for maintenance.
Labradoodles have amazing personalities as they are highly intelligent, family friendly, great with kids and easy to train depending on their size however keep in mind that they can require good proper exercise.
Labrador Retriever
Black, yellow and chocolate Labs are the three recognized colours for this breed. One drawback is they do shed a lot but if you are prepared to brush daily and vacuum regularly this is not a problem. The Labrador puts up with a lot of the pushing, pulling and excitement you get particularly with smaller children. While the dog will need to be taught how to handle kids and the kids will need to be taught how to handle the dog, the Lab is usually a great mix for young and old children alike.
Labs are usually easily trained to accept other dog breeds, cat or other small pets. They can become overweight (just like nearly any other dog breed) when fed excessively without proper exercise and can be susceptible to several genetic diseases that can be passed through their bloodlines, but are generally healthy dogs.
The Lab’s eagerness to please and friendly nature makes them a very well-loved dog breed.
Bichon Frise
Happy-go-lucky and vivacious, the energetic Bichon puts a smile on the face of everyone it meets. Fluffy white and puffy fur will need constant grooming, but the lack of shedding and sweet nature of this dog make it an ideal pet for families with children.
It is important to note small dogs can easily develop Small Dog Syndrome when they believe they are the head of the pack and should have rules to keep them from developing this. They can become snappy, obsessive and form separation anxiety if Small Dog Syndrome is allowed to develop. With children and small dogs this is always a concern, so allow older children to be part of the training process and very young children shouldn’t be unsupervised.
Bichon Frise can live in an apartment, but should be frequently exercised to keep them from getting bored or displaying behaviour problems. The Bichon Frise cannot live as an outdoor dog, but does require lively games, a romp in the yard or short leash-led walks on a daily basis. Brushing and combing will be also be necessary to keep the puffball fur dirt-free and un-matted.
Beagle
The Beagle is a floppy-eared dog that is well-known by children in the form of Snoopy, Garfield’s pal Odie or Shiloh. These dogs were bred to be hunters, so may not handle other, smaller pets around the house very well. They are, however wonderful with children. They must be regularly exercised, and their food intake carefully monitored to avoid obesity.
The setback to owning a Beagle with children is the Beagle’s love for food and great sense of smell to root it out – passing table scraps will be tempting, but children must be taught that this could cause unhealthy weight gain and behavioural habits. The Beagle is an average shedder which means not too much of a mess for a kid’s pet. Easy to care for, but ears must be watched for infection. Sweet, gentle and loving with children – happy to be around people and typically good with other dogs.
Collie
What more can prove the undying position of the collie in the home of a child than the name “Lassie”? You remember the fluffy dog, always faithful to his owner. This great childhood dog is smart and predictable by nature. They love children and may lovingly try to herd them as they play.
It is important to remember that the Collie can be quite a large dog and does require a great deal of exercise and entertainment. Do not consider a collie if you are going to have to leave the dog locked up a lot. Collies love to be around people, they are loyal and sensitive. The Collie is well-known for being easy to train and, despite their heavy shedding, are very clean dogs
The Collie will also make a great watch dog. They are not aggressive, but they will bark a warning and protect if attacked. With children they are gentle and loving, and their stable personality makes them ideal for the young or old.
A great breed for a kid’s pet.
