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Best Dogs and Puppies for Children

A dog or puppy is a wonderful addition to a family and should provide mutual enjoyment to the animal and the family members for many, happy years. However, not all breeds are as compatible with families. For example, small, delicate breeds such as a maltese may not be able to withstand rough play, so the safety of the puppy is an issue.

On the other hand, some breeds are not as tolerant of children, so safety of the children would be an issue. For example, pit bulls are not recommended for children's playmates. Even with family dogs, small children and pets should be supervised because each dog has its own personality.

Finding a compatible dog for children is not difficult, as there are many kid-proof breeds. Numerous dogs thrive on the companionship of youngsters and will amazingly tolerate dress up and being carried around like a baby or provide hours of fun playing fetch and chase. Below are some of the most popular child-friendly breeds:

Golden Retriever puppies for sale A devoted pet, Golden Retriever dogs and puppies are best known for being friendly, intelligent hunting dogs. Members of the sporting group, Goldens enjoy field and water retrieval hunting and other active sport.  They love the outdoors and being with their families.  Their average adult weight is between 55-75 lbs. Golden Retrievers are easy to train and have an enjoyable personality, making them an excellent children's pet.

Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies for sale
Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs and puppies are best known for their stocky appearance and friendly, confident personalities. Members of the herding group, their weight averages around 25 lbs when full grown. Corgis are intelligent and capable of working with animals. This breed is happiest getting a good dose of daily exercise and generally enjoys the company of children.

West Highland white terrier puppies for sale
West Highland White Terrier dogs and puppies are friendly, active, hardy companion dogs. They are best known for white coats, which require surprisingly little grooming. Members of the herding group, Westies love to play and are ideal pets for children; they average 16 pounds and can handle roughhousing. They also get along well with other dogs. An excellent watchdog, they can also be a faithful companion to children.

Schnauzer puppies for sale
Miniature Schnauzer dogs and puppies are small, intelligent, energetic companion dogs. Originating in Germany, they are best known for their bearded faces and friendly personality. Schnauzers get along well with people, are patient with children and other pets, and are excellent watch dogs, as they are wary with strangers. They are loyal to their family and enjoy taking walks as well as playing outside with the children. Their coat should be plucked but not trimmed.  They weigh between 13-15 lbs as adults.

Labrador retriever puppies for sale Labrador Retriever dogs and puppies are good natured, intelligent family companion dogs. Although a member of the sporting group, and originally bred for hunting, Labradors have become a favorite in the U.S. as a family companion.  Weighing between 55-80 lbs at maturity, they have a short hair coat that is water-resistant and comes in black, chocolate or yellow. Their ability to learn tasks and their easy temperament has landed them in the role of therapy dogs, military dogs, guide dogs for the blind, deaf and handicapped, and search and rescue dogs. Labradors require frequent exercise to avoid boredom and are powerful swimmers. Due to their gentle temperament, they are excellent family companions and do well with children, generally possessing a natural instinct to protect.

Poodle puppies for sale
Poodle dogs and puppies are intelligent, friendly companion dogs. Poodles get along well with other pets and people. They are good for allergy sufferers and children, as they do not shed.   Except for size, the three varieties of poodles are essentially the same, as follows:  The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders.  The Miniature Poodle is 10 to 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders.   Poodles love their owner's company and are happy to play anytime.

 

Bichon Frise puppies for sale
Bichon dogs and puppies are small, intelligent companion dogs. Originating in France, they are best known for their graceful puffy white coats and dark-eyed, inquisitive expressions. Bichons are affectionate, cuddly, and playful. They get along well with other dogs, children, and even strangers. They are easy to train. Bichons are also good for allergy sufferers because they produce less dander than other breeds. They are good with children due to their sunny outlook and obedient temperament.

Airedale puppies for sale
Airedale Terrier dogs and puppies are best known for their intelligence, loyalty and spunk as a member of the terrier group. Airedales are a hardy dog breed and can be trained for hunting, patrolling, or even search and rescue.  Although possessing quite a sense of humor, they are serious about their job as family protector, particularly with children. They weigh around 45 lbs at maturity.

 

Beagle puppies for sale
Beagle dogs and puppies are lovable, friendly companion dogs, always ready to join in the fun of games and active children.    The smallest member of the hound group, Beagles are known for their good-natured, docile temperament and distinctive coloring, which is always tan, black and white. Beagles are great with children and their intelligence, along with their compact size, makes them an excellent family companion. Averaging between 18 to 30 pounds at maturity, Beagles require little grooming but do need exercise and companionship. In addition, although not aggressive, Beagles have the tendency to bark to alert homeowners of any intruders

Shih tzu puppies for sale
Always ready to play, Shih tzu dogs and puppies are best known for their sweet dispositions and friendly expressions as an indoor companion dog. To avoid high-maintenance grooming, trim the dog hair in a short “puppy cut.” Shih tzus derive from Chinese heritage, and the foreign name causes common misspellings such as shit zu, shitzu, shitzue, shitzoo, shit zoo, shit su, shitsu, shizu, and shi zu. They can weigh 9-16 lbs at maturity.  Although their dainty appearance makes them seem fragile, the Shih tzu is always willing to play with children.

Boxer puppies for sale Boxer dogs and puppies are noble, intelligent family companion dogs, making an excellent pet for children and an active lifestyle. Members of the working group, Boxers are best known for their protruding jaw, wrinkled face, and sport a docked tail and cropped ears. They can become devoted family members, and are patient with children.  Boxers can be seen in fawn, brindle, and brown, with or without white markings. They average in weight between 65-70 lbs at maturity. Boxers require frequent and consistent exercise, but little grooming due to their slick coat. In addition, Boxers can exhibit fearless courage making them a protective family companion.

Cairn terrier puppies for sale Cairn Terrier dogs and puppies are active, inquisitive family companion dogs.  Originating in Scotland, and members of the terrier group, they are best known for their compact size and pointed erect ears. Averaging around 14 lbs at maturity, Cairn terriers are seen in cream, red, brindle, light gray and black, and require a daily brushing due to their rough coat.  Cairns make excellent family pets, as they require little exercise and are great for apartments, but are rigorous enough for a country home, and love romping with the children.

Collie puppies for sale Collie dogs and puppies are loyal, elegant family companion dogs.  Members of the herding group, they are best known for their rich, long hair coat.  Coming in a variety of colors including sable and white, blue merle or tricolor, their adult weight can range from 50-75 lbs.  Collies are highly intelligent and are excellent with children due to their gentle nature.  They possess a strong herding instinct and require routine exercise.  Their rich hair coat also requires frequent grooming.

Boston terrier puppies for sale Boston Terrier dogs and puppies are friendly, intelligent companion dogs. Members of the non-sporting group and originating in Boston, they are best known for their characteristic coloring and perky ears. Bostons are an ideal family pet that gets along well with adult, children, strangers and other pets. Averaging 15-25 lbs mature, Bostons require little grooming or exercise and make a nice indoor pet. In addition, this breed is easily house trained due to its intelligence and pleasing attitude. They generally get along well with children, possessing a good sense of humor.

Pomeranian puppies for sale Pomeranian dogs and puppies are small, intelligent companion dogs. Originating in Germany, they are best known for their beautiful, double-coated manes and coats. Members of the AKC toy group, Poms weigh 3 to 7 lbs upon maturity. They get along well with other pets and dogs; however, they prefer the company of adults over children, however, get along nicely with older children.  Pomeranian dogs and puppies can be easily trained due to their keen intelligence. They are ideal inside pets due to their low need for exercise and small size. Grooming is not intensive; in fact, over-grooming may cause damage to their coat.

Pug puppies for sale Pug dogs and puppies are outgoing, affectionate companion dogs.  Among the largest members of the toy group, and with history dating back as far as 400 b.c., they are best known for their short muzzle and prominent eyes.  They have a soft coat, in black, apricot, fawn, or silver, but always with a darkly colored mask.    Pugs are loveable, even-tempered, and are eager to please, making them an excellent family pet.  Averaging 14-22 lbs at maturity, Pugs require little grooming and make a nice indoor pet, and they generally enjoy playing with children.

The information for this article came from PetPlace.com. For the entire article, see this link:

"Top Dog Breeds for Families" http://petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=2918

For more about children and pets, see these articles from PetPlace.com:

"A Living Education: Five Things Pets Teach Children" http://petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=3198

"How to Keep Dogs and Kids Together"
http://petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=2131

"Teaching Your Children Pet Responsibility"
http://petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=4954

 

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