If you’ve been thinking about getting a family dog, we think that is absolutely awesome. Aside from the fact that a pet provides the family with endless amounts of love and affection, they also help to reduce stress, they help to teach children responsibility and they’re also a source of exercise for everyone in the home.
But if you’ve never had a dog before or if you have small children, you might be wondering how to choose the kind of breed that will be the most suitable for everyone.
If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place to learn all you can before becoming one of the unbelievable 85 million American families that have pets.
Consider the dog’s size.
Although tiny dogs are certainly very cute and big dogs can provide a lot of protection, neither is the most ideal for young children. Chihuahuas are very fragile and German shepherds can be overpowering. So, look for medium-sized dogs like perhaps a Jack Russell or some kind of terrier. They are a nice size and still lots of fun.
Consider the dog’s temperament.
When you have kids, something else that you have to consider is a dog’s temperament. Bulldogs are friendly and energetic. Beagles are both cheerful and clever. Collies are gentle and very easy to train. For these reasons, they are some of our favorite dogs for families. You can learn more about different dogs’ temperaments by contacting a local pet store in your area.
Consider the dog’s personal needs.
Some dogs require a lot more maintenance than others. That’s why another thing to think about is what a dog’s grooming needs are. For instance, while all dogs shed, some do it a lot more than others. Bichon Frise is a great example of this. Also, if you decided to get a poodle, due to the texture of their hair, they tend to require a lot of grooming too. So, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time trimming your pet or taking them to a shop to clean them up, the length and type of hair that they have is something else to think about.
Consider your and your child’s allergies.
If you were to ask someone who works at a place like Protection Dogs Plus for a couple of tips on how to choose the best dog breeds for families, one of the things that they would probably tell you is that you should definitely take you and your child’s health into consideration. If you have a somewhat tolerable reaction to dander, then you might want to consider getting a dog that has a hypoallergenic coat on it or something like an Irish water spaniel. They’re one example of the kind of dog that doesn’t produce a ton of dander.
Consider the dog’s lifespan.
Dealing with the death of a dog can be quite traumatizing for everyone in the family. One way to prevent that from happening any time soon is to get a smaller breed dog than a larger one; they tend to have a longer lifespan. For more information on breeds that are best for your children, go to your favorite search engine and put “dog breeds that are best for kids” in the search field. Good luck!
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