When deciding on a dog that will fit into your family with young children, you need to consider more than which breeds of dogs tend to be friendly. A dog chosen specifically to be part of a family needs to have a stable personality, can handle common household activities, and can enjoy playing and interacting with children (as long as it is treated with respect).
At the same time, there isn’t one single breed that is completely “safe” under all circumstances. Individual dogs have their own personalities, so while some dogs might be very gentle, they could also growl, bite, or walk away from you if scared, hurt, overwhelmed, or if they feel like they’re being physically abused. Teaching children how to properly interact with pets and supervising those interactions is just as important as selecting the right breed of pet.
What Makes a Good Family Dog?
Family-friendly dogs will generally exhibit many positive qualities. These include being friendly, easy-going, playful, as well as able to tolerate excessive noise or household activity.
Temperament is an especially valuable quality for family-friendly dogs. If a dog has a tendency to become easily frightened by unexpected movement, it is likely to find living in a house with young children difficult. On the other hand, a calm, confident dog that can easily step away from unwanted interaction would probably fare better in a home with multiple people and lots of energy around them.
While the size of the dog does matter, both very small dogs can be physically vulnerable to accidental rough play when interacting with young children, and big, active dogs can inadvertently bump into a young child.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are very popular because of how social they are and, most of all, how gentle. Most families love having Golden Retrievers around for family activities, and they typically have a fun-loving personality that will fit right into your children’s lives. They are also one of the smartest breeds you’ll find and usually do very well with training. The reason training is so important is because every family needs some kind of structure and boundaries within their home.
However, Golden Retrievers are an active breed. Any family who wants a Golden Retriever would need to be ready to give their dog plenty of physical activity, train it regularly, and give it plenty of mental stimulation.
Because they are so friendly, never allow your children to climb on top of them or even to wake them up when they’re sleeping or eating.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are also a great option for very active families. They are generally friendly, outgoing, and want to engage with people. The trainability of Labs makes it easier to teach your kids how to act appropriately around your pet.
Young Labs are full of energy, and they will likely jump on you, chew up things in your house, get overexcited while playing, etc. Therefore, it is important to supervise young Labradors closely and provide consistent training, appropriate outlets for their energy and opportunities to rest.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small companion dogs that tend to be very people-oriented. Their size can also make them easier to manage in a family home compared with larger breeds. In addition, they often enjoy gentle play and being physically close to their owners.
However, their small size does not mean they are physically robust. Young children should always be supervised to reduce the risk of accidental injury from squeezing, dropping, rough handling, or other inappropriate physical contact.
Prospective owners should also be aware that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are predisposed to certain cardiac conditions, particularly mitral valve disease. Learning about heart disease in dogs and arranging regular veterinary check-ups can help owners recognize potential problems early and manage their dog’s health appropriately.
Therefore, if you have children who do not yet know how to interact gently with a dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may not be the best choice for your household.
Beagle
Individual Beagles can vary considerably in temperament, but the breed is generally active, social, and playful. They tend to be quite active, playful, and loving, so they fit well with many families who are looking for an active pet that will enjoy going on walks and playing interactive games. Since Beagles possess such a strong sense of smell as well, they will thoroughly enjoy “scent” based games.
However, since Beagles can be very stubborn and independent at times, training your Beagle may take some time, and you should always keep a close eye on them when outside in order to prevent them from running off after a smell they find interesting.
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are often described as being large in stature due to their physical size; however, they have a reputation of being one of the most gentle breeds of dogs. Their large stature can be an advantage as a family pet; however, it is also a consideration from a practical standpoint. The sheer size of these animals can result in unintentional accidents with children by simply stepping on or knocking over a child.
As such, families that consider acquiring a Newfoundland need to understand the necessity of having adequate living space for the dog, the necessary time required for proper grooming, and the commitment to provide ongoing daily care.
Poodle
Poodles can be a wonderful addition to families who understand their emotional and physical needs. The Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles are all very different sizes and have some differences as far as temperament goes. They are highly intelligent and trainable.
Poodles are mentally active, so they require games, training, and daily exercise. Without sufficient physical and mental stimulation, some Poodles may develop unwanted behaviors associated with boredom or frustration.
Mixed-Breed Dogs Can Be Excellent Family Companions
Families should never disregard mixed-breed dogs. Because an adult mixed-breed dog has had time for its temperament to develop and be established; therefore you will find that it is much easier to evaluate how your dog will act with children, or in relation to strangers, as well as with other pets.
It is a misconception to think that a dog’s physical characteristics will dictate how the dog acts. The early life of a dog, the training he receives, his prior exposure to various stimuli, the genetic makeup of the dog, and even the unique nature of each dog will play into how he reacts to humans.
Children Need Training Too
Even the most patient of dogs require some sort of boundaries.
Children need to be taught not to:
• Pull a dog’s tail or ears
• Ride or climb on the dog
• Disturb it while it is eating
• Take away the dog’s food or toys
• Chase the dog when it wants to leave
• Hug or hold onto the dog when it does not want you to
• Put your face up next to the dog’s face
A quiet place for resting with no distractions should also be available for each dog.
Recognizing Stress Signals
A parent can tell when their pet dog is uncomfortable by looking for the earliest possible signs.
They might notice that the dog has turned its head away, is licking its lips, yawning, lowering its body, ears flattened on the side of its head, tail tucked in, frozen, growling, or trying to get away.
Rather than punishing a dog for growling because you find it displeasing, you need to look at growling as an opportunity for the dog to give you a warning that it is experiencing some level of discomfort. When you are faced with this situation, the best thing to do would be to remove whatever is causing your dog stress and allow them some time to relax before attempting to interact again.
Supervision Is Essential
Young children should always have adult supervision when interacting with a dog (no matter how long that dog has been part of your family) because both dogs and children can act in unpredictable ways. Dogs may react negatively due to being over-tired, ill, startled, or possessive about their food or personal belongings. If a normally tolerant dog suddenly becomes irritable, avoids touch, or reacts differently around children, a check-up with a veterinarian can help rule out pain or an underlying health problem.
Similarly, young children will sometimes do things we cannot predict. As an adult, you can intervene early enough so as to prevent an escalating situation from occurring.
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Beagles, Newfoundlands, and Poodles are all breeds that can make great family pets if they fit with your family. No matter what you choose, though, there is no way of knowing how a particular breed will react to each new or different situation. To create a positive experience between a child and dog, you have to pick an appropriate breed, socialize the animal properly, train it as well, keep an eye on both at all times, and teach your child about the importance of respecting the animal’s boundaries.
