I loved dogs my entire childhood. I drew them, studied them, and wanted about a hundred one day on a big plot of land. I was obsessed. Then, after a few years of working at a kennel, not so much. I still enjoy certain breeds but am very over my fascination with dogs. I have two toddlers of my own and am contemplating getting a puppy for them to raise. I am thinking of all that I have read from my Simon & Schuster’s dog book as a child. Which breed would best be suited for my boys?
If you have some land and space, the Labrador Retriever is a good choice. They are excellent with children and have a lot of energy. The drawback would be that sometimes they are too rambunctious. High strung would say it best! The Golden Retriever is a bit calmer and yet they have longer hair than the Lab. Both are popular dogs for kids. The Retrievers, in general, are good picks.
The German Shepherd is a very loyal choice. This is what I grew up with. They were pure bred and this seemed to mean they had decent temperaments. Sometimes people say the dog is AKC registered and they aren’t. This can mean the dog is poorly bred and has a poor temperament to go along with that. These dogs are highly intelligent and always need a job to do. Some people see them as terrifying because of instances where there was a German Shepherd attack. In my experience; however, this breed was not disappointing. In fact, our female chased away a robber one night. It is known that burglers fear the Shepherd as much as a Pitbull or Rottweiler. Nice protector for the family.
The Newfoundland, Great Pyranese, and St. Bernard are very large breeds. I have seen them in their environments and they need cooler temperatures. They tend to be hard workers and love children and people in general. Pay no attention to the horror film, “Kugo”, using a St. Bernard. Very unrealistic. These breeds are from cold climates abroad in Scandinavia and have been used as rescue breeds. They are large eaters but very loving. They do not have enormous amounts of energy due to their size and weight.
The Great Dane is one of the best dogs for kids. They are often seen with children in paintings and photographs. They are docile and mild in nature. They tend to need space to exercise because of their abundant health and energy. They are a loving breed.
The Dalmation is another good breed for children. The drawback with them would be that they shed, a lot. They were used to pull carts and work in fire halls. Seriously! They also like a job to do. Their spotted coats make them sort of a unique favorite among children as well.
As for smaller breeds, the poodle is a nice dog for youngsters. Of course, they yap a good bit sometimes and tend to be fragile. They have a lot of energy and have beautiful curly coats. Children love a poodle as much as the elderly.
The Shitzu, sheltie, and Collie are nice picks. The Collie can get pretty much Lassie size, or smaller versions are known as the Sheltie. The Shitzu is one of the most popular breeds out there. I think more people have these than any other, here in the States. They are docile, cute, and full of life. They tend to need a lot of affection. The Collie breeds tend to be very loyal and lovng. They are similar to the Shepherd in that they feel a responsibility to protect and guard their family.
Boxers tend to make nice family dogs. They are not as temperamental as the Doberman, Bulldog, or Mastiff. They are a similar breed but are more family-oriented. Very cute breed with a lot of energy. I would call them a robust or hardy sort of dog.
These are some of the breeds that stick out in my mind as being tolerant of children. Working at kennels and veterinarian offices allowed me to see the dogs that typically were not good with kids. Some of these were the Chow Chow, Pitbull, Doberman, Rottweiler, Terrier, Irish Setter, Schnauzers, and a lot of the little dogs like the Chiwawha. At times the German Shepherds were more questionable.
There are definitely exceptions to all these breeds. Even some of the better choice breeds can be the exception and be terribly temperamental and vicious with a child. As a rule; however, these breeds are often alike or similar in dispositions and characteristics. Consult your local vet as to what a good breed would be for your circumstances. They are professionals when it comes to canine advice!
