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Choosing a Dog For Children

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When choosing a dog for children, the most important thing to keep in mind is that each dog has its own personality and distinct temperament. There are well behaved and misbehaved dogs in every breed, however, some dog breeds are more highly recommended than others. Undecided which dog is best for your kids? Shannon Emmanual has put together interesting data about choosing a dog for children. You might want to read this before making your final decision.

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What Characteristics Do You Look For When Choosing Dogs For Children?

Children with high energy does not make a good reason for owning high energy dogs. High energy dogs such as Dalmations and Irish Setters or aggressive guard dogs such as Pit Bulls may not tolerate the unpredictable actions of a child and can become problematic, increasing the risks of dog attacks or bites. Sometimes frequent barking can frighten a child. Dogs can sense this fear and may become confused and aggressive. It is always best to choose dogs that tend to be child friendly to avoid these kinds of situations and much needed attention should be given to an aggressive-type dog's training needs.

Toddlers With Puppies and Dogs

For young children such as toddlers, even smaller dogs may be problematic. Some small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas are prone to biting. Due to the delicacy of these smaller dogs, if children are unsure of how to be delicate with them, these dogs can easily be hurt. Dogs have unique personalities but some breeds are more kid friendly than others. Keep in mind that any dog could be problematic if untrained and unsocialized.

Choosing a dog for your children can be an awesome task.

TIP: Deciding which dog is right for a family with children is much easier once you have read about the breeds. The ages of your children is a big deciding factor as well as their maturity when making your final decision. Always ask a breeder or professional how certain dog breeds react to children and don't forget to mention their ages and personalities as well. Dogs come with different personality traits just like we do!

So where can you start? Visit our list of child friendly dogs and learn which dog breeds are best to choose from... as well as which to avoid!

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Remember to always supervise any interaction between your children and your new dog. Be especially watchful with young toddlers. One should never leave them alone with a new dog. Along with supervision, it is always wise to teach any dog obedience and rules. Children should be taught rules to minimize the risk of any dog bites, thereby creating a safe atmosphere at home.

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