Dogs for children: here are the most suitable breeds for families
All children want a dog but not all breeds are recommended, especially if the children are a few years old. There are dogs that are more suitable for living indoors due to their temperament and size and, when deciding to take an animal, we must also consider the space we have available and the time we can devote to it. But how does a dog communicate? Find out in the video below.
How to choose the most suitable breed for your baby
Bringing an animal into the family is a wonderful opportunity for enrichment but, especially if we have young children, we must pay some attention in choosing this playmate. Depending on how much space we have in the house (for example if we can use or less than a garden) or if there are family members allergic to hair, we can already exclude many dog breeds.
In addition, there are some types of dogs that, due to their physical conformation and character, need to do a lot of physical movement every day. If we are used to lounging on the sofa at the weekend while the dog we would like to adopt is known to be an active animal, perhaps we should review our desires and focus on a more sedentary breed.
Although there is no bad dog by definition, some types are known to be less prone to sociability. A good training from a specialized dog operator can, in most cases, work wonders, however, if we are not willing to invest time and money to train our four-legged friend, it will be better to opt for a type with a peaceful and playful character. . There are, in fact, some breeds more inclined to spend time next to their master, while others show more difficulty in "obeying the rules: knowing which dogs are best suited to family life can help you make an informed choice.
Deciding which will be the playmate of our child is never easy, in general, however, it is common opinion that large dogs, such as the Golden Retriever, the Saint Bernard or the Newfoundland, are the most suitable alternative for families with small children. These dogs, in fact, are animals with a robust build and a calm character that do not react aggressively if the child, during the game, pulls his tail or ears. On the contrary, small dogs size like Chihuahuas, they may feel threatened by excessively lively activities, and, feeling fearful, they may become defensive by adopting aggressive behavior towards the child.
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The best large breed dogs
Among the large dogs most suitable for a family with children we find the Golden Retriever breed, which with its sweetness makes adults and children fall in love. It is a very intelligent dog who loves to play in the open air, moreover, it is very patient, reliable and has a peaceful nature. It loves to run and for this reason it is recommended for those who have an active lifestyle or have a large garden where is free to run around.
Another of the best dogs for children is definitely the Irish Setter: with its beautiful tawny and shiny coat it will keep the whole house company. It is a very active and lively dog, also recommended as a companion animal for the little ones because it is intelligent and balanced.
A large dog breed with a spectacular and majestic appearance is the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. It is a pure white fur ball with a heart of gold that is characterized by an innate instinct for protection towards puppies. man.
The German Shepherd is also an excellent choice for a dog that will live in the family: attentive, patient, intelligent and obedient, it is one of the most suitable breeds for children.
Making a list of the best four-legged friends is not an easy task, but the Border Collie certainly deserves a place of honor among the best dog breeds for families; it is a shepherd dog naturally inclined to protect the flock: for this reason, being also very intelligent, it is one of the most appreciated canine companions.
A true giant of goodness is the Great Dane: challenging to manage because it has an imposing size, it is actually an extremely docile and cuddly dog with little ones. Labrador Retriever, especially perfect if you have a large garden where you can let him run around.
The best medium-sized dogs
Among the medium-sized dog breeds best suited to family life, a place of honor belongs to the Pug. Although they are not very large in size, they have a fairly robust constitution which makes them resistant. They have a playful and lively character and, although they are not gifted. of a particular protective instinct, they are forgiven for their cheerfulness.
A not very widespread breed of dog that still suffers some prejudice from the common opinion is that of the Bull Terrier. This dog with such a particular appearance is a perfect playmate for the most active and lively children because it is able to lend itself even at high contact activities without ever becoming aggressive or annoying. If with strangers and with those who do not belong to the family nucleus he can be slightly suspicious and surly, with the members of his "pack" he demonstrates a strong instinct for protection, which makes him an ideal dog also for children.
The Boxer is also a true concentrate of tenderness very suitable for living with humans. He loves the game madly and is always lively, however, he has the disadvantage of losing a lot of drool. In general he is characterized by a high sense of responsibility that leads him to take care of the members of his family.
If the little one of the house has quicksilver on him and never stands still, the only breed that could stand up to him is the Beagle. It is a dog endowed with a curious intelligence that never backs down in front of a ball. Being a hound, he loves to run and chase prey but, in their absence, he is content to play with his family. How to forget one of the most popular breeds, made famous by the famous cartoon "The 101 Dalmatians"? The Dalmatian is an elegant and playful dog, with its characteristic spots makes young and old fall in love.
The best small breed dogs
If you don't have a lot of space in the house and are looking for a small dog to take with you at all times, the Poodle is one of the most popular breeds for families. Intelligent, lively, curious and a lover of company, this little dog has always been one of the most requested animals. In recent years, the Toy type has found favor with fashions ... Indeed it is difficult not to fall in love with it!
Other small dogs very present in Italian homes are the Maltese; this breed, which can reach a maximum of 4kg for an adult specimen, is characterized by liveliness: the Maltese, in fact, love to play but are also very well suited to apartment life.
Among the dogs most loved by children, then, can not miss the Corgi, the French Bulldog and the Cavalier King. The Welsh Corgi is an "excellent choice because, despite being an active and playful little dog, it has a serene and almost never impetuous character. Equally valid is the French Bulldog (or Bouledog): small and with a flattened nose that arouses an" innate sympathy, this dog will prove to be an excellent friend even for the little ones.
Although all of these breeds have easily adapted to domestic life and coexistence, it is also true that, in general, small dogs do not like being touched too roughly. While, in fact, large dogs like Labradors and German Shepherds bear childish restlessness with patience without showing signs of impatience, puppies can react with anger because they feel threatened. For this reason, it is important to never leave the house alone. animal with a child, especially if they are a few years old, but make sure that the game goes on without incidents.
Dogs and children: how to make their relationship safe
Whether you choose a small, medium or large dog, the important thing is to teach children that an animal is not a toy and that it must be treated with respect. No breed is absolutely not recommended and, if you are able to manage it, nothing prevents you from taking a Pitbull or a Rottweiler as a pet. However, be aware that a dog with a strong and independent disposition needs excellent training and constant attention.
Starting a training program to teach the dog to obey basic commands can be a great way to build a peaceful relationship with all family members; creating a routine of exercises (with the ball or slalom courses) to be performed with the help of children also strengthens the bond between them and makes clear to the animal the hierarchical relationship with the owner.
In general, even if the dog is not particularly large and behaves with docility, it is important never to leave him alone with the children. Often, in fact, this can suddenly become aggressive if his playmate makes him some spite (even involuntary) such as pulling his hair or sticking a finger in his eye. Normally the animal always gives some warning signal before attacking, for example by emitting a growl or making other noises, however children, especially if still very young, do not know how to recognize the danger of these alarm bells and continue to annoy the animal putting itself in danger.
It is important, in addition to guaranteeing one's presence constantly, to educate our children to treat their four-legged friends with love and respect. If we manage to establish a peaceful relationship between the two, we will have created a special friendship that will last a lifetime.
