Considering adding a new four-legged member to your family?
Youโre taking a great first step on your journey: reflecting on
and determining what kind of dog is best for your familyโs
interests and lifestyle. Doing so may lead to a happier ending
for youโand your dog. The most common reasons people give up
their pets for adoption, according to a Journal of Applied
Animal Welfare Science study, โBehavior Reasons for
Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats to 12 Shelters,โ are people
feeling that the dog was โtoo active,โ needed โtoo much
attention,โ and was โaggressive toward people.โ This goes to
show that not all families are a good fit for all pets and not
all pets are a good fit for all families.
Learn about these great dog breeds, and see who might be a good
fit for you.
Dog Breeds That Are Good With Children
Beagle: โBeagles are
happy-go-lucky and friendly, making them a wonderful family
pet,โ according to the American Kennel Club. The Beagle,
pictured above, has these added benefits -- these dogs are not
prone to smelling likeโฆ dogs. They come with minimal drooling
and shedding.
Bernese Mountain Dog: Whatever
you say, goes, boss, say these dogs! The breed is friendly with
kids and other pets.
Bloodhound: Seeking a dog that
is both docile and adventurous? This is your pet! The breed
does well with other dogs and children.
Boxer: Wary of strangers and
intruders, this pet tends to play nice with children and other
dogs.
Collie: Like Lassie,
dogs of this breed are loyal to and loving with kids and
adults.
Golden Retriever: True to the
typecast roles this breed has landed in family films from
Homeward Bound to the Air Bud series, these dogs are playful
with and faithful to kids and adults in their families.
Keeshond: Outgoing yet calm,
this breed is a good fit for families with kids.
Labrador Retriever: These
canines enjoy being active with their humansโsmall ones, too!
Spaniels: The varietyโwhich
includes
Cavalier King Charles,
Cocker,
English Springer, Tibetan,
and
Welsh Springer Spanielsโis made up of loyal, companionable
dogs who get along with people and their kids.
Terriers: Loving to people
young and old, the varietyโwhich includes the family-friendly
Airedale,
Australian,
Bedlington,
Boston, Cairn,
Cesky,
Kerry Blue,
Lakeland,
Rat,
Scottish,
West Highland White, and
Yorkshire terriersโpacks a lot of personalities, but these
dogs are usually loyal and trainable.
Companion Dog Breeds: They Want to Go Where Youโre Going
Bearded Collie: These sweet
dogs thrive on human attentionโto the point where they donโt
enjoy being left by themselves. The good news? Theyโre social,
extroverts who get along with kids and are easy to train.
Borzoi: Looking for a travel
partner? Hereโs your pet. These dogs like the company of
children and other canines, too.
Dachshund: On the go? These
dogs are up for the journey! Theyโre good with kids, given the
right introductions and socialization.
Active Dogs Breeds
Alaskan Marmalute: Bred to
carry cargo, these family-friendly dogs love athletics.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever:
Muscular and energetic, this dog could be the perfect playmate
for you and any kids in the family, too.
English Setter: Mild-mannered,
this breed loves exercising and being outside and gets along
with children. These dogs do not do well confined to small
spaces.
German Shepherd: Known as a
police and military dog breedโthanks to this canineโs strong
build and intelligenceโa German Shepherd will keep up with
equally high-energy humans.
Great Dane: Traditionally
hunting dogs, now a family-friendly pet, this breed is muscular
and requires daily exercise.
Irish Setter: Always on the
go, this dog has a strong drive to hunt and exercise.
Dogs for Busy Households
Basset Hound: These smart,
independent, agreeable dogs require little grooming, do well
with other pets and kids, have relatively low activity levels,
and are truly dedicated to their families.
Bull Dog: Docile and loving
with kids, this breed doesnโt need a lot of grooming or
exercise compared to other breeds.
Pug: These pups get along with
families, do well in small living quarters, and donโt require
as much grooming or exercise as other types of dogs.
While the above aspects are key to taking a call on the right
pet for you, you should consider a bunch of other aspects too
before finalizing the right dog for your house.
Good Family Dogs to Choose From
Dogs are known as great family pets, but the truth is that some
breeds are better suited to family life than others. Good
family dogs should be outgoing, friendly, and gentle,
especially if there are children in the house. Highly trainable
dogs -- for example those in the sporting group -- are
particularly good for homes with children, because they are
eager to please and like being members of a group. If youโre
looking for a new addition to your happy home, consider one of
these lovable breeds.
The Beagle is an ideal family pet with a cheerful, inquisitive,
and sometimes mischievous personality. These dogs crave
attention and companionship and get along well with all members
of the family as well as other dogs. Scent hounds at heart,
Beagles have been known to track down food and eat it, so itโs
best to keep things on the top shelf with one of these dogs the
house, especially food that's poisonous to dogs.
Known for their extra-large size and equally big hearts, the
Bernese Mountain dog (pictured above) is well suited to family
life, and often becomes attached to one special person. These
dogs are very smart, and their territorial instincts make them
devoted homebodies.
Wrinkly and adorable, the Bulldog is one of the most popular
family breeds. These dogs have wonderful, sweet personalities
and are especially good with children. They are affectionate
and protective and enjoy short walks and long naps.
Similar breeds: American
Bulldog, French
Bulldog
Of course, Lassie makes a
great family pet! Collies are large and elegant dogs with
intelligent, loving, and faithful personalities. These dogs
learn extremely fast and are very eager to please, but their
protective streak makes them wary of strangers.
The Golden Retriever was first bred exclusively as a hunting
dog, but today is one of the most popular family breeds. These
dogs are loyal, easy to train, and exceptionally friendly (so
much so that they make pitiful watchdogs). They get along
beautifully with children as well as other pets and truly
become members of the family.
At first glance, you may be afraid of these massive dogs who
can weigh up to 200 pounds, but Great Danes are actually gentle
giants who make excellent family pets. These dogs are very
loving and dependable and get along well with children. They
need regular daily exercise and will be happy with walks, runs,
or visits to the park.
A classic hunting dog, the Irish Setter is a beautiful and
energetic breed. These dogs are very cheerful and consistent
with their personalities, but they do require regular exercise
to stimulate their active bodies and minds.
The Labrador Retriever is a favorite family pet. These dogs are
quick learners and like to stay active. They make great hunting
companions as well as members of the family, and their
fun-loving personalities are a perfect fit for homes with
children or other dogs.
The Newfoundland is an enormous black dog with a majestic and
powerful appearance. These dogs have outstanding personalities;
they are well-behaved, gentle, intelligent, and obedient. They
get along well with children and love outdoor games and
activities. This breed thrives on companionship and does not
like to spend time alone.
Poodles are wonderful family dogs. They are highly intelligent,
spirited, and loving, and become deeply attached to their
owners. The breed is very friendly and gets along well with
other dogs as well as children. The Standard Poodle tends to be
the best Poodle type for family life, as Miniature and Toy
Poodles can sometimes be high-strung and timid.
Choosing a dog for people with no time on their hands
Good dogs like Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors
are unsuitable for working individuals. This is as they need
human companionship. It is important to choose a breed of dog
which would not mind being alone for extended time periods.
Many make the mistake of buying sociable dogs which ultimately
end up being created and sent somewhere else. Dogs must not be
forced to undergo such horrific experiences.
You must be
responsible
If you wish to buy a dog that will provide you loving company
when you come back from your job, it is your responsibility to
select the appropriate breed. Do know that regardless of the
breed of dog you end up with, you must be willing to make
sacrifices. This means forgoing your friends' company at the
end of a long working day. Do not drink the cocktail. A loving
animal is waiting for you in your home. Any dog independent of
the breed is a social animal. It needs social interaction and
also exercise.
Right Breed
Choose a dog that will be sleepy most of the day. An average
dog sleeps approximately 14 hours every day. Seniors and
puppies sleep more. If you want to make your dog sleep all the
time during the day, exercise it's hard during the morning. You
should not forget to leave water out for your dog. Food,
however, is optional. An excellent idea is to scatter cat
snacks throughout the house. When your dog gets bored, it will
explore, searching and snack. Selecting the correct breed is
important for future happiness. Both you and your dog will be
content. The two of you will walk and run in the park and relax
by the window while rain falls on the glass. An ideal dog will
not need stimulation and you will not require a bigger flat. It
is important to provide your dog with some activities. Since
you work, it should too. Your dog will explore the house it
lives in while you are out. It smells out new items in the
kitchen and the scent of other animals on the terrace. It would
like to enjoy the smell of familiar objects in different
settings. Install a doggy door in your main door. It can then
go out and listen to outside sounds. Interactive toys make an
excellent gift for your dog. Your dog can play with them while
you are away. A good idea is to fill up the toys with food and
your best friend can spend time trying to get them out. This
will keep them busy. It means they will be tired of these
activities and sleep well at the end of the day. You can also
get a good night's sleep.
More on Dog Breeds
Popular Designer Dog Breeds
Facts
The Best Dog Breeds for Older
People
The Best Dog Breeds for Fancy
Grooming
