So Which Dogs Are Good for the Young?
Owning a family dog can be a wonderful experience, many dog owners swear by it. Dogs can be fun and give the family unconditional love. They mean well and they never answer us back when we are mad at them. But dogs are also a great responsibility for its owners, they require care and attention.
Choosing a family dog might be a challenging task, there are so many breeds out there that it’s difficult to even decide where to start. Selecting a dog for the family is even harder if there are kids in the house, or if the potential for having children in the future exists. Some breeds are considered family and kid friendly, others are not. When bringing a dog home one of the most important and critical things to do is to allow the dog socialize and get to know each family member, from the youngest one to the oldest one.
When looking for a family dog, you have to choose a breed of dog good with children. Some breeds are not very patient when it comes to the little one and they can pose a threat to them, therefore you should make your diligent research when choosing a dog for your family. Finding a dog that is good with kids is a most is you have little ones at home.
A very popular family dog is the Golden retriever. The Golden retriever is a large dog, but is also a gently one. He is of very good natured and submissive with the family members. These dogs tend to be calmer than the Labrador retriever and they also intelligent and playful. The Golden retriever because of their long coat will need regular grooming, which can be time consuming.
In addition to the Golden retriever I just mentioned above, there is another big dog that is a great family dog and very good with children, and this is the Labrador retriever. The Labrador retriever can be hyper as a puppy, but tends to calm down as he matures and grows older. They are active dogs, therefore good play pens for children. They require a lot of exercise, so if your kids do not like to play outside or if you are not an active type of person do not get a Labrador. Without proper exercise the Lab will get bored and will tend to become destructive.
Another dog that is very good with children is the Shih tzu. Shih tzus are small dogs, with big hearts. They are very friendly and love everyone in the family. They tend to be stubborn, but if well trained they can turn into great companions, not only for kids but also for adults and elderly. The Shih tzu is not a whiny dog, they tend to be very proud and very stoic. They love the attention but they have their time when they like to be by themselves. If you ask the Shih tzu for some time out he will give it to you. They are gentle and because of their small size, from 10 to 16 pounds, they are easy to manage. If you have very small kids the Shih tzu is not recommended because the puppies are very small and could get harm easily.
If you want to have a dog good with children, make sure you do your good share of research to make certain that you are going to bring home a pet that will be safe for you and your children. Not two dogs are alike, even if they are from the same breed. So, even if you decide to get a dog from one of the recommended breed you have to be careful that this particular dog does not have any behavioral problems.
