Asking the question what is the best dog breeds for families is like asking how long is a piece of string; there is no right or wrong answer. How do you decide which is the right puppy for you and your family we list a few suggestions below to help you make the right decision.
A question I’m often asked is: What is the best dog for families? There really is no answer to this question it is like asking how long is a piece of string. In theory, almost any dog has the potential to get along great with a growing family. The question What is the best dog breeds for families needs to be altered slightly I prefer to ask the question what is the best dog breed for ‘my’ family?. Here are several things that you will need to keep in mind before you get a family dog.
When choosing a dog for a family, there are important traits to keep in mind. Some breeds of dog are wonderful for families while others simply don’t have the proper temperament to deal with family life. They may be too rough with small children, to needy of their own space to deal with the incessant coming and going of a large family, or simply too naturally aggressive to respond well to a family setting. Other breeds are just perfect fits for family life. Based on experience here are my top ten best dog breeds for families with young children -
- labrador retriever,
- golden retriever,
- beagle,
- collie,
- bichon frise,
- cairn terrier,
- pug,
- coonhound,
- boxer,
- basset hound
As with all things in life size does matter when picking a puppy. If you live in an apartment, you can rule out large dogs like the retriever. Some dogs are wonderful for families while others simple don’t make the grade.
If you have children, you may want to rule out very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese. They are delicate and can be accidentally injured by young children.
Consider the amount of exercise you will be able to offer your new family member. If you live in a small house with little room to the back will the dog have to stay in all day, or if there is a good size back yard can you fence it in and let the animal stay out during the day. If the latter then you might be able to consider a larger breed of dog, or one that requires more exercise.
Consider also the grooming that the dog will need. Some breeds need only half an hour or so of grooming a week, while others require an hour a day. If you are short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese — unless you plan to take your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for people who don’t have time for a lot of grooming.
Obedience training is absolutely essential! Make sure someone in the home can spend a lot of time training the new dog, especially if it is a puppy. If a child wishes to participate in training, it should be done under the supervision of an adult. In addition, the children in the household will need to be taught how to conduct themselves around dogs.
When picking a puppy you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the appropriate breed. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies.
If you aren’t the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. In our opion this is most unwise as a great deal of these puppies come from dog farms and puppy mills and carry genetic and health defects. Pups from puppy farms often have bad temperaments and other social problems. Do yourself a favour and when picking a puppy go right to the source and buy from the breeder even though you may have to wait that little bit longer.
One of the main advantages over picking an older dog is that these dogs are usually housebroken and frequently have some obedience training. They are also less likely to be hyperactive and destructive. However, they can have behavioural problems or health problems that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.
Consider also when picking a puppy giving your local animal shelter or dog rescue centre a call. Good shelters and rescue centres will help you evaluate the dogs’ health and temperament before they will allow you to take the animal home.
Congratulations, you’ve carried out the research, done the leg work and discovered the answer to the question posed above: What is the best dog breeds for families or rather what is the best dog breed for your family. I’ve no doubt that your families life will be enriched because of the new addition to your home and that for years to come. The bond between a happy dog and a family is pure magic. Remember though you’ve taken on a big responsibility, responsible dog ownership goes hand in hand with responsibility parenting it really is a life long project.
Once you’ve decided on the breed you want, then the next and possibly the most enjoyable part of picking a puppy is to decide on a name – and that can be fun!
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