Having a dog can help teach your children valuable lessons about responsibility, how to care for something, and how to give and receive unconditional love.
Some dog breeds are better with small children than others. Here are the 5 best dog breeds for children:
Boxer
Boxers are very playful, and are known to love children. They have a strong pack mentality, and are known to be protective of their child friends.
Boxers are big, so they’re best with kids who are large enough to handle a little rough housing and play. But, Boxers are trainable and can be taught to play gently even with small children.
Beagle
Beagles are almost never aggressive. They are playful. And, they very tolerant of kids sometimes too-rough behavior.
Beagles are very energetic, love to play, walk, and chase a ball.
Because of their sweet temperament, Beagles are the perfect dog for kids of all ages.
Mastiff
These gentle giants scare a lot of people, but aggression in Mastiffs is almost unheard of. Simply, Mastiffs seem to be aware of their size, and know that they have little need to bark or bite.
These dogs form a strong family bond, and will be very protective of their pack.
Labrador Retriever
Labs are one of the most gentle dog breeds on Earth. They are always eager to please and rarely aggressive. Like the Beagle, they are tolerant of behaviors that would set other breeds off.
Labs love to play. But, they also love to sleep next to pack members. They are high energy and love exercise, which makes them a great choice for high energy kids.
Newfoundland
Another gentle giant. These dogs are “work horses,” but that desire to work can be channeled into companionship for children. They love to pull kids through the snow on a sled, run next to them their bikes, and help them explore the yard.
Newfoundlands are incredibly affectionate. They are also known to be goofy, which makes them a great friend for small children.
Don’t forget about mixed breeds!
A dog doesn’t have to be purebred to be great with your kids. In fact, mixed breeds often have the best attributes of multiple breeds. If you are considering rescuing a mixed dog, meet with them to see their temperament. In general, most dogs are good with kids, so you can’t go wrong.
Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.
