All dogs are generally friendly canines, but certain breeds prove to be an excellent choice for being family pets. Choosing the right breed for children not only depends on the appearance of the pups, but it also depends on how they behave around kids.
If you’re bringing home a dog for young kids, they must have a patient temperament, be calm, and be ready to deal with energetic children. We have gathered 7 of the best family dogs who are loyal, easy to train, people-oriented, and enjoy the companionship of both adults and children.
Read on to learn more about who these kind canines are, what makes them stand out as child-friendly dogs, and how you can cater to their exercise and grooming needs to keep them healthy and wise.
Ideal Dog Breeds For Children’s Companionship And Safety
1. Boxer
They may look intimidating, but Boxers are the most energetic, loving, and highly people-oriented dogs that you will ever come across. These pups were originally bred as guard dogs in Germany, but now make the most amazing pets for a family with kids. These strong canines have a friendly nature and thrive on human companionship.
Boxers are smart dogs with a calm temperament. According to the American Kennel Club, their patience and loyalty show what an incredible choice of pet they are for kids. Boxers are high-energy dogs, which is why they need ample physical and mental stimulation to keep them in their best mood.
Boxers are big-time jumpers, which is why early socialization and training are essential. With proper training, these pups grow up to be alert, reliable, and protective dogs who will protect your kids no matter what. They don’t have a lot of grooming needs, but pet parents must make sure to keep them covered during harsh weather because of their short coat.
2. Poodle
Another great breed to adopt for a house with kids, Poodles are smart, energetic, people-oriented, and truly friendly dogs who thrive in active families. These pups are highly intelligent and adaptable, which allows them to live in any situation as long as they are getting enough cuddles and play time with their family.
No matter the size, Poodles are known to be patient, playful, and gentle with kids. These pups are okay with rough play as long as kids remain well-behaved around them. They may not be great at protection, but they sure are alert, which makes them the perfect watchdogs. They can pick up if something isn’t right in their surroundings and alert their owners to prevent any mishaps.
Because of their people-oriented nature, these pups form strong bonds with their owners. They have high energy levels, which is why regular exercise other than playtime is equally important for these family dogs. These pups have a curly coat, which requires regular grooming to keep them looking wonderful.
3. Mastiff
Popular dog breeds with ancient history, Mastiffs served as guard dogs back in the day and now make the best dog breeds for active households. According to PetMD, these gentle giants have a patient and lovable nature along with a protective nature, which makes them naturally suited to be around children. However, children must learn how to behave around dogs to prevent any mishaps.
Mastiffs are wonderful and fun-loving companions, but it is essential to provide them with proper training and socialization from an early age to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved dogs. These pups have a gentle disposition but can get very alert if someone new walks in. This is why early socialization is essential.
Mastiffs are large dogs; thus, playtime with children below the age of teens isn’t recommended, or they may end up knocking them down. These pups also get along well with other pets in the vicinity, given they’ve been socialized as young pups. Other than a fun playtime, short walks, and daily exercise are more than enough to keep them healthy and happy.
4. Leonberger
Resembling the lion on the Leonberg’s town crest, Leonbergers are majestic, well-behaved, and family-friendly dogs. These gentle giants are playful, have a lively spirit, and love being a part of family activities. According to Orvis, Leonbergers are goofy and messy canines, which makes them the right breed for being around kids and family.
These canines may look scary, but are big-time cuddlers. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods and like to be handled by a calm and gentle owner. These pups may be big, but they don’t like to be told they’re not lap dogs. They love to cuddle and can not fathom that they won’t fit on your lap.
Leongerber’s are kind, loving, and gentle around children, but this does not mean you can leave them alone with them unsupervised. They are the right dog to be around family, especially children, but both Leongerber and kids must know how to behave around each other. They are not hyper and know how to relax, which makes them adapt to family routines quite well.
5. German Shepherd
A working dog breed from Germany, German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and the most beloved and popular breed in the canine world. These dogs were originally bred for guarding and protecting livestock from predators, but are now considered to be the most wanted guard dogs. They also serve in the police and military, and their service is much appreciated.
German Shepherds are known for their alert nature and ability to pick up on sudden movements. They don’t attack directly; rather, they assess the situation and act accordingly. This makes them the best family dogs and a great company for kids.
German Shepherds have high energy levels, and these dogs thrive in active families. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy, healthy, and well-behaved. Early socialization and proper training are essential to ensure they stay well-behaved indoors and that their protective instincts can be controlled.
6. Newfoundland
A large working dog breed from Canada, Newfoundlands are gentle dogs with calm temperaments who were bred to work alongside fishermen. These pups were used for rescuing and hauling, which gives them their patient nature. These pups have a sweet disposition and are people-focused, making them excellent family dogs.
These large dogs are easy-going and affectionate around everyone, especially children who know how to behave around them. They are alert and protective around children, plus watchful that if something goes wrong, they are ready to put themselves in front of danger to protect their loved ones.
Newfoundlanders are also known to be nanny dogs, according to Britannica. They’ve earned this because of their calm and gentle disposition around children. These furry friends benefit from daily exercise, especially swimming, as they are true water dogs.
7. Lowchen
A lion dog breed, Lowchens are a Portuguese water dog that are labelled as one of the rarest pups in the world. They have a playful nature, are fun-loving, courageous, and affectionate, which makes them the best family dogs. These adaptable small dogs have moderate energy levels, but they do benefit from fun playtime and interactive sessions with children.
These dogs thrive in homes where they are given adequate attention and cuddles. They must not be left alone for longer hours, or they may develop separation anxiety and show unwanted behaviors. They may be small dogs, but require adequate exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are fine with both indoor and outdoor activities because of their small size.
This furry friend has a hypoallergenic coat, which makes it an ideal pet for those with allergies. Their coat requires regular grooming for its upkeep and care. They are low-maintenance dogs and make the most wonderful pets for an active family.
Conclusion
If you’re a family looking for a dog breed that is suitable to be around children, these canines are an ideal choice for you. These pups have a calm temperament, are reliable, friendly, and great watchdogs, which allows them to be aware of their surroundings and protect your children.
These family dogs are loyal and have the ability to form strong bonds with everyone in the house. They have a natural sense of being protective, and they don’t mind taking up more responsibility for their family.
As long as these canines are getting adequate exercise, attention, and cuddles, they will prove to be the most excellent family dogs ever.
