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Top 10 dog breeds for kids

10 dogs for kids
Vladimir Negron

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While Lassie and Lady and the Tramp are fun to watch, they're probably not the best way to choose a dog for your kid. So how do you go about choosing a dog from among all the different breeds out there? A good rule of thumb is to choose a breed by its disposition, temperament, size, and energy level -- all of which should suit your family's lifestyle. Here are 10 dogs that are especially suitable for kids.

Top 10 dogs for kids

PetMD shares the best family-friendly dog breeds:

Bull Dog

Bull Dog

The Bull Dog has a sturdy build that is perfect for kids who like to roughhouse. However, it won't win any awards for "most energetic dog." A docile, friendly, and loyal dog, it gets along well with other pets and dogs, too. The Bull Dog is comfortable living in large houses, as well as apartments.


Beagle

Beagle

While your beagle most likely won't have a bird named Woodstock as his best friend, you can, by all means, name him (or her) Snoopy.

Originally kept as hunting dogs, Beagles fit well in homes with active kids, as they are sturdily built and never too tired to play a game. Smart, friendly, and happy, the Beagle usually gets along with other pets, too (except for a bit of chasing here and there). However, they do shed, and require frequent brushing and bathing.


Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier

  Often mistaken for the larger Pitt Bull, the Bull Terrier was bred to be a companion dog -- friendly and loving towards grown-ups and kids alike. This well-framed dog also has a high threshold for pain, making it perfect for rambunctious children who are learning how to properly treat dogs.

The Bull Terrier can get quite rambunctious and requires plenty of playtime. Therefore, it is a perfect dog for a large family. The Bull Terrier will return your affection by being very protective of your children.


Collie

Collie

This is the dog Lassie made famous. Collies are a very gentle and predictable breed, rarely biting its human family and easily trainable. Perfect for families that are unfamiliar with dogs. Collies get along great with children and love to please their owners and protect their family.

While this breed is typically mild mannered (like Clark Kent!), it was originally bred as a herding dog, so it may try and herd your children. This might be amusing at first, but it's probably best to discourage the child-herding (no matter how handy you may think it could be). Because of the Collie's long hair, it requires regular grooming to keep its coat in tip-top shape.


Newfoundland

Newfoundland

Nicknamed "Nature's Babysitter," the Newfoundland dog loves children and is very protective of them. Gentle, kind, and patient, this breed is almost like the Mother Teresa of dogs. Both young and old will quickly fall in love with this wonderfully sweet, large dog.

The Newfoundland best suits a family with large open spaces. And although it is known to drool and shed excessively, it is not considered a proper dog for the yard. This breed wants to be inside with its family. Wouldn't you? The Newfoundland is also a great swimmer and has been known to save lives in emergency situations.

NEXT: 5 Best dog breeds for kids...

 

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Vladimir is a regular contributor to PetMD, the largest global source of pet health information. PetMD's content is created by veterinary professionals and covers 9 different species.
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Comments
By Angela Sep 10, 2009

The Swedish Vallhund are truely the best with kids it is unforchantante No one is aware of the breed.

By Timmyfan Sep 2, 2009

Oh no!! I never would recommend labradors, golden retrievers or irish setters to ANYONE with small children!! They are too high strung and too high energy!! I've seen some kids seriously hurt by labs and goldens! Now a bulldog I think is the best choice for families.

By jazmyn Aug 25, 2009

wow gett a dog because need too my hunson get on nerys

By Staffords N Pitbulls Aug 12, 2009

I agree 100% with Sara. Pitbulls are the best family dog you could ever ask for. As of right now, I have 4. I also have a young baby and they are absolutely WONDERFUL with him. Pitbulls are only as bad as their owners. And that goes for any dog. People need to quit blaming the wrong end of the leash. It's not the Pit's fault that they get bad owners. And for everybody that doesn't believe that Pits are GREAT family dogs, check out the American Temperment Test Society's results for Pitbulls. Pitbulls got a 85.3 % pass rate. Compare that to the Collie with a pass rate of 79.4 %, or the Beagle with a 81.0 % pass rate, or even the beloved Golden Retriever, with a pass rate of 84.6 %. The Pitbull beat all these dogs and plenty more. So you tell me who's the better family dog.

By Private Jun 10, 2009

English Springer Spaniels are amazing with kids all they want to do is cuddle and protect them. My dog wont leave your side if you young, it will sleep on your bed or floor at night time to protect you and keep a look out for any intruders. When me and my boyfriend play fight she always barks at him and jumps up at him to protect me. She has never bit anyone. If you play fight with her she wont go too far, the worst she does is nibble your fingers but it just tickles! English Springer Spaniels should go at number one simply because they are the most beautiful loving and careing breeds ive known :)

By April May 19, 2009

this article is CRAP!!! Pitbulls are NOT aggressive, it depends on how they are raised. You can make a golden retriever just as agressive as people think pit bulls are. I have 3 pitbulls right now and my chihuahua is more aggressive than all 3 of my pit bulls combined, the person that wrote this needs to quit being an idiot and do more research before branding a breed aggressive. Punish the DEED NOT the BREED!!!!

By john May 12, 2009

how about the welsh terrier its the comest terrier. it is known to show its best and it is a dog that is eger to please. it may be a hunting dog but its the best of the best i agree with the golden retriever and the bull dog and thats about it. where in god is the pitt bull or the welsh terrier you did a poor job on thats sad you cant even write you suck go get a life i mean no welsh terrier some sad news tis tis the best dog is not even in the top 10 research man research if anybody see this research the welsh terrier!!

By john May 12, 2009

how about the welsh terrier its the comest terrier. it is known to show its best and it is a dog that is eger to please. it may be a hunting dog but its the best of the best i agree with the golden retriever and the bull dog and thats about it. where in god is the pitt bull or the welsh terrier you did a poor job on thats sad you cant even write you suck go get a life i mean no welsh terrier some sad news tis tis the best dog is not even in the top 10 research man research if anybody see this research the welsh terrier!!

By Jean Mar 25, 2009

It's true, the breed standards do say Labs are bigger than Goldens but the difference is very, very minor. At most, an inch greater in height for the girls and 5 pounds more, for the girls as well, according to AKC research. The difference in boys is even smaller as to height and weight. Poor interpretation of his research, if he did any at all, by the author. Labs and Goldens are both wonderful, great dogs but why the author supposes a busy family with children would be better off with the breed that requires a great deal more grooming is a mystery. I didn't check bite statistics but it is reasonable to think the breed most populus in number would have the higher incidences of bits. Complicated by the fact that as soon as a breed gets popular unscrupulous breeders who do not consider temperament, let alone health, get into the act and produce undesireable specimens. Puppy buyers need to do much more homework than just reading this poorly thought out article.

By Leticia Rippy Mar 24, 2009

By sheyenne rangel Mar 24, 2009

these dogs r not the best kind of dogs everybody in my family dont think are the best dogs r the german shepards and also golden retrievers so those pics have to be deleted nd put those dogs on there

By Nikki Mar 24, 2009

yet again..Where are the top 5 five breed of dogs?

By kerri graves Mar 23, 2009

By Laura Mar 23, 2009

Looking for an excellent family dog, one that trains well, any suggestions!!1

By bps Mar 22, 2009

I don't have a real big house. But have 2 dogs. A Boxer, and an Olde English Bulldogge. They are both great with kids. They are both loving and playful. If one of the kids falls and starts to cry the dogs are right there-the Boxer will actual come and bark at us and then run back to the child, and the bull dog has started to do that as well. I do believe theses are excellent dogs to have when you have kids. When I was young we had labs and german shepards as pets and never had any problems. I have a friend with a pitbull and she is great with the kids as well. I do agree it's how the dog is raised and taught. I have seen dogs of all breeds that can be wonderful, and ones that can be mean.

By buddah Mar 22, 2009

The previous post must be from a trainer at Petco if they think a groomer is a good person to ask for dog advice.

By Carley Mar 22, 2009

ur dumb pit bulls are great pets it depends on how u raise them. my friend has a kennel of pits and non of them are aggressive towards people.plus you said that a lassie wasn't a good pet and then its in ur top ten! you need 2 get your head out of the clouds and come back down to earth DON'T JUDGE A DOG BY WHAT YOU'VE HEARD JUDGE IT BYE HOW THEY'VE BEEN RAISED dogs learn from what we teach them and if we teach them good things they wont be as bad as every 1 says

By eeeeeer Mar 22, 2009

sfetytfryustyxd

By Todd Langston Mar 22, 2009

Top ten lists are for humans and dogs don't care. The majority of a dogs behavior comes from the associations the dog makes with the humans in their lives, and the fulfillment they receive. Breed can dictate what you get if you don't give the dog what they need. Any breed can be perfect and any breed can become a problem, it's up to the parents. I am a behavior expert (ocpacklife) and very few people, even those with "experience" understand how dogs think and what they need to be balanced in our human world. I can make a dog balanced and all my work can be undone in 2 weeks by a human who NEEDS a dog to make themselves feel loved and complete, The most aggressive dogs, across the board that I have worked with are owned by nervous, insecure humans with no discipline. If this type of person owns a powerful breed you end up with a top ten list of worse dogs and it should be a top ten list of worse owners. FULFILL YOUR DOG! I am done...I will get off my soapbox now.

By Carri Mar 22, 2009

OMG I wish some people would educate themselves.. PIT BULLS are wonderful dogs with children, they are smart, loyal, protective, and DID I mention smart unlike so many humans? You never leave any dog alone with a young child!! NONE! Pit bulls do not have any type of "lock jaw" mechanisim. It's a freaking myth! Research it, google it... I don't care how you find out but good lord if you have time to be on here... try learning something! I can take a damn bishon and make it a killer dog... it would just have a smaller bite!

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