If you are looking to start a family or already have a few small children, it is critical to adopt a dog breed that works well with children and fits the tone you’d like to set in your household. For instance, If you are looking for a calm and peaceful home, you would not want to adopt a breed that is known to bark excessively throughout the day.
Dogs Great For Growing Families
There will be lots of excitement in the house as your family grows. Whether there is a new baby or if you have small children, there will be lots of commotion as the kids play, grow, and develop into human beings.
When looking to add a dog into a family dynamic, there are many things to consider before adopting:
Home Environment
The size of the home can be a determining factor in the size of dog you will want. If you live in a 2 bedroom apartment with a family of four, having a large dog may not be conducive with the space restrictions. If your home is a multiple bedroom house with a large fenced-in yard, a large dog will have the space to move around to exercise.
In addition, the age of your children matters. If your children are babies or toddlers, having a toy breed or petit dog may not be a good idea. These dogs have small bone structures and must be handled with care. A toddler may unknowingly injure the dog by light roughhousing or falling on the pooch. For this setting, a mid-to-large dog would have more resilience being less fragile.
Temperament
No matter how disciplined your children are, kids will be kids. They are full of energy, excitement, and fun. These emotions may rub off on your furry friend and vice versa. You may come to find out the two parties rile each other up. If you want to have a calm household, you may want to hone in on breeds that would maintain calmness, confidence, and loyalty.
Grooming and Dog Maintenance
Some breeds require more attention to their coat than others. If you adopt a breed that needs attention to detail, constant brushing, and frequent grooming appointments, you need to commit extra time and attention to your pet. If you are already running your kids to band practice, soccer games, and birthday parties, fitting in time to bring the dog to the groomer or brush its coat out weekly.
Dogs Great For Small Children
Now that you understand the importance of finding the right dog for your home environment, time schedule, and family temperament, let’s discuss two breeds that will be great matches for your family—
Golden Retrievers
Everyone knows that the golden retriever breed is one of the most loyal and loving of all dog breeds. This dog breed typically exudes a calm temperament. Although this dog may be large in size, the largest thing about the golden retriever is its heart. This dog will love your family unconditionally.
Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is another family-friendly dog breed. The Labrador is a people pleaser. This dog’s obedience is off the scale. With its calm demeanor, this dog will fit right in with your growing family. With its strong statue yet kind temperament, it will be loved.
Welcome To Your New Home, Pup!
When it comes time to welcome the new pup home, it will give your children an unforgettable experience. Children quickly build bonds with their new dogs. The children will learn how to take care of something and will learn to love it unconditionally.