Choosing the right breed can be a significant decision, especially if you are a single dad struggling to keep a balance between home, work life, and raising kids. The perfect dog breed in this case should be gentle, playful, and protective.
Family dogs tend to get along well with all family members, including kids. Dogs and children can be the best of friends if raised together. Children with dogs exercise eleven minutes more than their non-dog owning peers, explains Purina.
Having a pet is a great way to teach responsibility to your kids. Dogs help children with speech difficulties by keeping them relaxed and entertained. Interaction between children and dogs stimulates the release of the love hormone, oxytocin, in both parties.
Have a look at the 7 dog breeds for single men with kids.
Dog Breeds For Single Men With Kids
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are smart, outgoing, and friendly dogs who get along well with children. These loyal, social, and playful pups make wonderful companions for your kids. Labradors like learning new tricks and adjust well to different lifestyles.
Due to their loving and gentle temperament, these medium-sized dogs do well with kids and adults alike. Labradors are excellent family dogs with strong protective instincts. They love water and are a good fit for families looking for a canine partner for swimming.
Exercise Needs
These enthusiastic pooches possess bundles of energy and like having a job to do. Labs are frequently employed for therapy work due to their sensitive nature, high trainability, and eager-to-please nature. They need two hours of exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is another popular breed and makes a great family dog. Their gentle demeanor, friendliness, and eagerness to please make them well-suited for single dads with kids. Goldens are great around kids and love to play with them.
Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies who do immensely well with other pets. They are known for their golden, fluffy hair and devoted personality. They are also very adaptable, so you can take them to family outings and adventures.
Exercise Needs
According to PDSA, Goldens are very active dogs who need plenty of exercise and play time to get rid of excess energy. Give your Golden around two hours of good exercise daily. Being even-tempered, they are generally easy to train. Positive reinforcement methods work best for them.
3. Beagle
The Beagle is a friendly and affectionate canine companion that makes a great family dog. These pack-oriented dogs prefer to tag along with their family whenever given the opportunity. Beagles are the outdoorsy dogs who love adventures and activities.
Beagles are also fond of children and are quite people-oriented, due to which they are perfect for single men with kids. They are cheerful, smart, and love to howl. These sociable mutts get along well with other dogs as well.
Beagles love food and are ruled by their noses. While licking up food scraps your kids may have dropped seems helpful, make sure the toxic foods stay out of your pup’s reach. They make excellent playmates for children due to their playful and friendly nature.
Exercise Needs
These rambunctious and high-energy dogs require plenty of exercise to stay happy and content. Beagles need at least an hour and a half of exercise every day. They excel at scent work, tracking, and field trials.
4. Poodle
Poodles come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. You might think a Poodle is high maintenance due to its beautiful curly coat. However, all three varieties possess hypoallergenic, low-shedding coats that do not require extensive grooming.
Due to their playful and happy nature, Poodles make wonderful playmates for kids. They like to socialize and are highly adaptable to their surroundings, so they make a great pet for single men with kids. Poodles are highly intelligent and responsive to obedience training.
Exercise Needs
Poodles are active dogs—Petplan recommends at least one hour of daily exercise for them. Take your Poodle for two walks every day and engage them in interactive play sessions. Poodles love water and make excellent swimmers.
5. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are the big dogs with bigger hearts. Despite their large size, Newfies are loving and friendly and extremely patient with children. They do well in families who have enough space to accommodate a 100-pound pooch.
Newfoundlands are the gentle giants with an easygoing temperament. These smart canines not only make the best friends with your kids but also offer companionship. So, if you are a single dad, a Newfie can be a good fur companion for you and your kids.
Exercise Needs
Newfoundland dogs are moderate-energy dogs who require half an hour to one hour of exercise every day. Play time and walks in the mornings and evenings provide mental and physical enrichment.
Newfies are the water dogs with life-saving instincts. They make good hiking partners and happily tag along for other activities. Proper training and early socialization help manage such a large dog easily.
6. Collie
Collies are smart, gentle, and fiercely loyal canine companions. You may recognize them as Lassie from the TV shows and movies. These devoted family dogs behave well around children. They are gentle and patient with little kids.
Their playful nature and adaptability make them perfect for single dads with kids. Collies are herding dogs, so they may try to herd small children. However, they are easy to train and are often used as therapy dogs and service dogs. Collies love their humans and enjoy cuddling sessions.
Exercise Needs
Collies are energetic dogs, but they are not hyperactive. They need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. We recommend dividing the day into several walks with off-lead exercise in a fenced area. Apart from this, Collies need mental enrichment as well, since they are the brainiacs of the dogdom.
7. Irish Setter
Strikingly beautiful and overly friendly canines, Irish Setters are good family dogs. They are great with kids of all ages and other pets. These sweet-tempered and intelligent canines make cheerful and rambunctious companions for your kids.
Irish Setters are lively dogs having a great sense of mischief. They like chasing the ball and playing with kids in the yard for hours. They can also accompany you on long walks. So, they are perfect for you if you are a single man with kids.
Exercise Needs
Irish Setters are active dogs with high energy levels. Irish Setters need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. Physical activity can include running and playing.
Sometimes they give an impression of doing their own thing despite what’s being asked of them. It means you have to put effort into training your Irish Setter.
Conclusion
Dogs have been offering love and companionship to humans for hundreds of years. Some dog breeds get along well with kids and make excellent family pets. They are also a perfect fit for single men due to their adaptable nature.
If you are a single dad planning to adopt a furry friend to stay by your side, one of the breeds mentioned in this article might be the right choice for you.
