Getting a dog can be a great way to give your kids a canine companion to have fun with around the house, in the garden, and on family excursions to the park or beach. However, some dog breeds are better than others in terms of kid-friendliness, with factors like temperament, size, and typical rambunctiousness being key factors to consider. While you might think that opting for any kind of lap dog is the best route, you can’t judge a dog by size alone because there are some small dogs who have a reputation for being aggressive or violent (i.e. – Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas). To help you choose the right furry friend for your family, here are the top three dog breeds that are usually great with kids:
1. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are often recommended as the best family dogs because they possess an abundance of great traits, including top-notch loyalty, high intelligence, and a general kindness that is apparent by the smile that seems to permanently sit on their faces when they pant. They’re also absurdly obedient to the point of being able to walk around without a leash at their owner’s side; rarely will a well-trained Golden Retriever disobey your commands. Statistically, Golden Retrievers are also some of the healthiest and safest breeds, but will still need insurance. If you need pet insurance, check out this website – https://www.everypaw.com – it offers insurance for dogs, and also cat insurance policies.
2. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds for a reason – they’re kind, loving, protective, smart, and extremely easy to make happy. They also come in three colour variations – black, chocolate, and yellow, with some having intermediate markings as well. Furthermore, if you ever decide to make your own hybrid breed by crossing two family dogs, the Labrador’s good temperament will show up in a high percentage of their offspring.
3. Bulldog
Anyone who’s ever seen the fat, funny-looking face of a bulldog knows that these cute and chubby critters usually don’t mean any harm to anyone. Their kind-spirited nature and friendly demeanour make them great family dogs. Plus, they can do really cool tricks – queue the skateboarding bulldog. Their only downside is that they tend to drool quite a bit and they begin to lack mobility as they get older, which happens relatively fast for this breed. Let’s not forget their squishy, pug-like faces that kids love to squeeze and adore. Yet, they’re known to be even friendlier than pugs, who have a bad reputation for developing bad temperaments and breathing problems as they age.
Consider an Adoption or Re-Homing
While it’s tempting to go with a brand new puppy for your kids, there are many friendly-family dogs who need to be adopted or re-homed. Many of them already know tricks and have been potty trained, so those are some extra perks that might influence your decision to go the rescue route instead of buying a pup.
