Question: What is the most child-friendly dog? If you have very young children, you would not necessarily want to pick a dog in the toy breed category. These dogs tend to be a little too fragile for all the roughhousing your kids may want to do. If you have very young children, they could unknowingly hurt your dog by handling him too roughly.
You may want to stay away from extra-large breeds as well. Dogs in this category may not always know when they are playing too roughly with your children and could accidentally harm your child during play. They could also knock small children over when running and playing in your home.
The trick is picking a dog somewhere in between the toy and extra-large breeds with a friendly and tolerable nature. There are breeds that are well known for being the best dogs for kids as well as great companions for adults.
Here is my top 10 list of dogs good with kids:
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Beagle
Boston Terrier
English Bulldog
Cocker Spaniel
Boxer
Collie
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Bearded Collie
If you choose a dog from my top 10 list of Dogs Good With Kids you can rest assured that you made a good choice. All of these breeds are known to be dogs good with kids because of their playful and loving demeanor. Your kids will enjoy playing in your yard or at the park and teaching your dog different tricks. He will also be a comfort to your kids, keeping the “monsters” out of their bedrooms at night. Your dog will definitely be your kid’s best friend.
If you already have a dog and are worried about how he may react to the new addition to your family, don’t worry! Dogs are very social creatures and get used to change over time. The best thing you can do is allow your dog to get used to his surroundings at home before including him in all the fun activities that will be going on. Make sure he has a safe place where he can go to get away from all the noises and commotions when necessary. In time, your dog will feel comfortable in his new surroundings and love your children just as much as you do.
You can also introduce your dog to new experiences slowly. Take him places that are not too overwhelming with people, children, or other dogs.
By doing this, you are easing your dog into the new environment and making him feel more comfortable when faced with it again in the future. Your kids will give your dog plenty of affection which he loves! and things that may scare him. If you keep his new surroundings fun and relaxed, he will soon feel right at home.
Remember, your dog knows what is best for him in terms of how much attention he needs to feel comfortable with the changes… not always what we think he should be doing (i.e., if your dog doesn’t like the children, don’t force him to be around them- he is a dog and knows best). However, if your dog simply tolerates kids or doesn’t want anything to do with them whatsoever, it’s probably not a good choice for you.
In conclusion, before deciding on a new breed of dog for your family you should always research the breed thoroughly. If you already own a dog and are expecting children, your dog should be comfortable with them as well. Make sure your child knows how to properly interact with your dog.