It is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. When choosing your best friend, which breed makes the best family dog? Latchkey Pets is here to discuss what to consider when choosing the right dog breed and the best family dogs. From a dog’s temperament to how much exercise certain breeds require, choosing the right dog breed is an important decision that can affect the entire family dynamic. Looking for a companion for your entire family, including kids? It’s time to do some research. Keep reading for tips on choosing a family dog and the best 5 dog breeds for kids.
How to Choose the Right Dog Breed
When you begin to search for the appropriate dog breed for your family, consider the personality traits each breed is known for. A breed’s personality traits are important as well as your family’s schedule, where you live, the climate, and your budget. Welcoming a new pet into the family is exciting and heart-warming, but there is training involved. Before picking a family dog, take into consideration how much training certain breeds require.
Personality Traits
Look for the dog breeds that shower the entire family with love, not just one person. Chihuahuas tend to be more aggressive to people they do not consider their owner, including children. Akitas are another breed that may not be the best family dog because of their fierce independence and dominant personality. Malamutes are another dog breed that is wonderful for teenagers and adults, but with small children may not be the best choice. Their exceptional prey instinct may cause them to mistake small children for prey. Furthermore, some breeds, like the Malamute, are more difficult to train.
While the above dog breeds are not our first choice when choosing the right dog breed for families, there are plenty of dog breeds perfectly suited for a home filled with children of all ages.
Schedule
Schedule plays an important role with choosing a dog breed. Dalmations, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds are excellent family dogs and filled with energy. Make sure your schedule allows you the time to get outside and exercise with your new, four-legged best friend. If your schedule is hectic and busy, but you prefer an active canine, Latchkey Pets is the best daytime dog-walking service in the industry. Learn more about our excellent dog-walking services here, providing loving care for when you’re not there.
Maybe you prefer a less active dog breed. If you’re a lazy dog lover, consider adopting a Maltese or a Basset Hound. Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are also considered less active breeds.
Where You Live
Where you live is another important factor to put into consideration when choosing the right dog breed. If you and your family live in a smaller environment like a condo or apartment, the best apartment dog breeds include: Corgis, Bulldogs, Cavaliers, Pugs, and Shih Tzus.
Dog breeds that are known to require more space like a yard are Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Additionally, take into consideration what dog breeds get along with other animals if you do happen to have a few other pets in your household. If there are cats and other dogs in your home, choose a dog breed that is known to get along well with others.
Climate
Another important part of choosing a dog breed is knowing how they will fare in your climate. To put it simply, dogs with long, thick coats are not made for hot weather. Dogs with shorter coats definitely fare better in warm weather, year-round.
Australian Cattle Dogs, Great Danes, and Greyhounds are a few different breeds that thrive in hot weather.
Budget
Like any other investment, it is important to know the cost long-term. Certain breeds of dogs are more expensive than others, and depending on how much food they need along with vaccinations and vet visits, owning a dog can be costly. Before choosing your family dog, make sure you are ready to give the dog the care they deserve.
Which Dog Breeds Are Good With Kids?
Below are the top 5 best family dogs, starting with the beloved Golden Retriever.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are intelligent, loyal, friendly, and energetic. Golden Retrievers need exercise every day, and they work well with children and other dogs. Occasional grooming is necessary, and the breed sheds seasonally. Medium-sized, eager to please, and keeps their barking to a minimum, Golden Retrievers make excellent companions.
Irish Setter
Irish Setters make exceptional family dogs. The breed is known to be gentle, loving, and easily trainable. This breed is highly active and gets along great with children and other dogs. They bark when necessary and require weekly grooming. Overall, the Irish Setter is a family’s best friend and loves playing outside.
Beagle
The beagle is a classic choice when choosing the best family dogs and for good reason. Beagles are lovable, friendly, and curious. These smaller, compact dogs are active and great with other dogs and all members of the family. They love to talk and they are easy to care for.
Bulldog
Calm, friendly, and adorably wrinkly, Bulldogs are an excellent choice for a laid-back family dog. Regular walks are just about all the exercise these four-legged friends require, and they get along swimmingly with children and other animals. Bulldogs are courageous and rarely bark, making them the perfect canine to have around the entire family.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers make extremely excellent family dogs. The breed is patient, friendly, and trainable. They love to play and are high-spirited. Perfect for the kids in the family, this dog breed is eager to please and highly active.
Final Barks on Choosing the Right Dog Breed
Latchkey Pets loves all animals and all of the four-legged furry friends out there. When choosing the best family dog for your home, take into consideration the above factors. Dogs are a part of the family, and oftentimes the part of the family that brings joy and laughter. Climate, personality, temperament, and other factors play a part in choosing the right dog breed for your household, but Latchkey Pets is here to help with care for all the different breeds of dogs. Learn more about our team here!