6 dog breeds for a family with very young children

The truth is that any dog breed can make a good family dog if properly socialized with young children. However, there are some breeds that are more suitable for the job than others.  There are many characteristics that are sought after in a family dog that has to coexist and interact with small children. These are: high pain tolerance; gentle predisposition; a keen interest in the company of humans; low possessive behaviour; and low herding instincts.

The following is a list of dog breeds that are usually good family pets:

American Staffordshire Terrier:

You might be alarmed that this breed made it on the list as a potentially good family pet. Due to sensationalist news propagated by the media, you might associate this breed with aggression and therefore jump to the conclusion that this breed is inherently vicious. People often think that this breed is simply a pit fighting dog or a dog that is only owned by thugs wanting to impress the people around them for all the wrong reasons. However this breed has basked in favourable light for a very long time as a part of a lot of many American families before it has plummeted into the realm of shadiness and rumour. Not so long ago the Amstaff was nicknamed as the “Nanny dog”; this is because in the past these dogs have been entrusted with the care and protection of young children when adults were not around to supervise. In stark contrast to how people feel about this breed today, in the past, this breed was admired for its bravery and reliability.

An Amstaff called Pete the Pup was also part of the famous TV series called “The Little Rascals”.

Boxer:

This breed is also particularly well known for getting along well with kids. The boxer, much like the American Staffordshire Terrier, has a kind temperament and a high pain tolerance. However, Boxers, even those in their senior years, tend to stay a bit young at heart and can usually be a bit rambunctious. This behaviour can sometimes be undesirable around really young children as they can sometimes knock children over resulting in light injuries.

Labrador retriever:

This dog breed needs no introduction; it’s perhaps the most obvious option for most families with young children. These dogs are both robust and very good natured. They are not fastidious and do not take offence when poked and pulled as they relish any kind of attention. Even though these dogs are considered to be high energy dogs, they definitely do have an off switch; they like nothing more than to laze and lounge around the house when they are not outside. Having been bred with a “soft mouth” for retrieving shot game in one piece, these dogs are incredibly good when playing with children.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

Bred specifically to be companion animals, Cavaliers possess an innate sweetness and an overwhelming desire to please their humans. While small enough not to accidentally knock over toddlers, they are robust enough to handle gentle, supervised play. They are exceptionally gentle, affectionate, and adapt remarkably well to both bustling family homes and quieter apartment environments. They rarely show aggression and love nothing more than curling up on a lap.

Golden Retriever:

This dog is perhaps the golden standard of what comes to mind when you envision a dog in the company of your kids. This dog exudes the same wholesome vibe of the guy you wouldn’t mind asking your daughter out for her high school prom. This breed of dog has been further idealized as the perfect family pet by the movie industry in movies such as Homeward Bound and Air Bud. Golden Retrievers are generally well behaved, balanced dogs. They were also bred to have the characteristic “soft mouth” found in some retrievers; this ensures that this breed is able to play as gently as possible with younger family members.

Beagle:

Beagles are famously compact, solid little hounds that possess the physical resilience needed to keep up with active, energetic children without being overly fragile. Because they were historically bred to hunt in packs, Beagles are naturally social, easygoing, and get along famously with other pets and strangers alike. Their cheerful, curious disposition ensures they are always up for a game of fetch or an outdoor adventure, keeping kids endlessly entertained.