There’s nothing better than being able to give children the opportunity to grow up with dogs in the home. They can become best friends from an early age. Having a dog teaches children how to responsibly care for others, how to share and to be kind to animals in general.
Every year, the American Kennel Club puts out a list of the most popular dog breeds in America. Being family-friendly, fun and easy-going are just some of the criteria that put certain breeds in the top half of the popularity poll and keep them there year after year.
Just as important as selecting a family-friendly breed, is teaching children to respect every dog and to never pull a dog’s tail and ears, jump on or ride them, or interfere with them at meal times.
What follows are some of the top breeds from the AKC list that have a reputation for being particularly family- and kid- friendly.
The Labrador Retriever has been America’s top dog for 26 consecutive years. They have an excellent reputation for being good with children and they also enjoy the company of other dogs. Labs love playing games and going places.
The Golden Retriever is another family favorite. They are very intelligent, friendly and devoted to family members. Goldies are very energetic and will happily play games with children and often initiate playtimes.
Bulldogs might not be very sporty but they are very friendly and love being around people. They have very calm and easy-going personalities.
Beagles also love people and other dogs. They are friendly, curious, and very energetic. Beagles are also very smart and consequently easy to train.
French Bulldogs, or Frenchies, also love children and have very endearing personalities. They are smart, playful and easily adapt to different situations.
Poodles have a great reputation for being enthusiastic walkers, runners and swimmers. They’re eager for all kinds of activities and enjoy keeping busy. Consequently, Poodles make great family members whether they are toys, miniatures or standards in terms of their breed size.
Boxers love to keep busy. They are intelligent, fun loving, active and loyal. Boxers enjoy both physical and mental challenges.
When it comes to small dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, aka Yorkies, pack a lot of personality into a little, energetic package. As members of the Terrier group, they are brave, determined, investigative and active. Despite their small stature, Yorkies love going for long walks and will enthusiastically enjoy family outings. And, at the end of a long day, they will happily curl up next to a family member on the couch to watch TV.
About the Author: Sandy Robins is the 2013 winner of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contribution to the Pet Industry Award.” Her work appears on many of the country’s leading pet platforms, such as MSNBC.com, MSN.com and TODAYShow.com. She is a regular contributor and columnist in multiple national and international publications, including Catster, as well as the author of the award-winning books “Fabulous Felines: Health and Beauty Secrets for the Pampered Cat” and “For The Love of Cats.” Learn more about Sandy on her website or Facebook page. #welovecats
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