Selecting the Best Pet for You and Your Family: Part 3

Thinking about adding a pet to your family? Palm Harbor veterinarian Elizabeth F. Baird of Country Oaks Animal Hospital & Kennel explains some things you may want to consider.  

So, so what are some of the best dog breeds for families with children? Ideal characteristics are breeds that tend to be very friendly, adaptable, out-going and tolerant. Overly protective breeds are not ideal as they can become too protective of “their” children and snap at playmates when the kid’s play gets rowdy and physical. For smaller children, very small and fragile breeds of dogs are not ideal even though they may have great personalities and be very friendly with children. It doesn’t take much to break a Papillion’s leg with an accidental step or fall!

Below is a list of some breeds that are typically good for families with children. There are many other characteristics to take into account such as size, hair coat & maintenance, exercise needs and the like, but this provides a starting point of breeds that are generally good for families with kids. 

• Bassett Hound
• Boxer
• Boston Terrier
• Beagle
• Bearded Collie
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bull Terrier
• Border Collie
• Corgi (Pembroke & Cardigan)
• Dalmation
• Flat-coated Retriever
• Fox Terrier
• German Short-haired Pointer
• Golden Retriever
• Gordon Setter
• Havanese
• Irish Setter
• Irish Wolfhound
• Jack Russell Terrier (Parson Russell)
• Kuvasz
• Labrador Retriever
• Lhasa Apso
• Mastiff
• Norfolk Terrier
• Old English Sheepdog
• Pug
• Rat Terrier
• Saint Bernard
• Samoyed
• Schnauzer, Miniature & Standard
• Siberian Husky
• Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
• Spinone Italiano
• Standard Poodle
• Weimeraner
• Welsh Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier

Everyone remembers a favorite dog from their childhood or years past that was a true delight, but that breed may not be on this list. Please don’t get mad at me! This list is based on broad generalizations about breed traits and there are many exceptions. Some Great Danes are great with kids, but my childhood memory is praying I could climb the tree fast enough to get out of that giant dog’s reach before he bit me! And then wondering how long I’d have to sit in the tree before he lost interest or someone called him inside! Of course, getting attacked by a Dane in vet school didn’t help either! So, we all have our good memories and our baggage. Also, some breeds that once were great have become temperamental and nervous as a result of over breeding or breeding for beauty without regard for personality traits.

Some of the breeds that are not typically recommended for families with children, especially smaller children, are listed below. Again, don’t be offended if one of your favorites is on the list. Some are there simply because they are a bit fragile and those are noted with an asterisk. Others may be on the list because they can be a bit overly protective. The best Doberman Pinscher is a great family dog, but the carelessly bred one doesn’t belong in a home with smaller children. That said, my son grew up with two Doberman Pinschers and is no worse for the wear. So, the breed lists really are just a starting point.

• Belgian Malinois
• Cane Corso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel*
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd
• Maltese*
• Miniature & Toy Poodle*
• Papillon*
• Pekingese*
• Pomeranian*
• Rottweiler
• Shih Tzu*
• Yorkshire Terrier*

Feel free to comment on some of your favorite breeds and your experiences with raising children with dogs. We’d love to know what you think! Thanks for being here.