At Dan’s Pet Care, we think of our dogs as a member of the family. If your family includes children, a new dog can become their favorite playmate. However, some breeds are a more natural fit than others when it comes to joining a household with small children. There are many factors to research when it comes to choosing a breed. You’ll need to understand the breed’s grooming and activity needs and any genetic health conditions you may deal with. But you should also research how compatible your potential new pet will be with your kids.

Adding a new dog to the family is a big decision. Of course, individual dogs may have temperaments that aren’t characteristic of their breed. It’s always best to work with a reputable breeder and try to observe your dog’s behavior (and their parents’, if possible) before taking them home. But certain breeds do have a good reputation for compatibility with kids. In this article, you’ll find a few dog breeds that are known for being good with children.

Beagles

It’s no coincidence that Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip was a beagle. Beagles are typically cheerful and easygoing, which makes them great companions for your kids and their friends. Their intelligent, curious faces make them adorable on the outside, too. Originally bred as hunting dogs, beagles love to play. Will your kids wear out your beagle first, or will the dog wear them out? It may be a toss-up!

Golden Retrievers

It’s almost a cliche, but it bears repeating anyway – golden retrievers are among the very best pets you can add to a household with children. Their beautiful, silky coats make them amazingly photogenic. And due to their loyal personalities, they’ll be happy to follow your kids around all day, creating endless heartwarming photo opportunities. Golden retrievers are intelligent, easy to train, and eager to run, fetch and jump all day. If your kids love to play in water, a golden retriever will probably be more than happy to join them.

Labrador Retrievers

Whether you opt for a golden, chocolate, or classic black lab, you can count on this breed to become a true member of the family. Labs are known for being sociable with groups of people and with strangers, and they rarely turn out to be “one-person” dogs. Labs have high exercise needs, so you’ll need to provide plenty of opportunities to run outdoors.

Bichon Frise

In general, small breeds are known for being temperamental a little more often than larger breeds. But not everyone can comfortably fit a medium sized or large dog into their living space, especially if there are kids in your home, too. A Bichon Frise is a great solution. They’re small, but they tend to be friendly towards strangers and multiple family members, which makes them more compatible with kids than some other pint-sized breeds. They also don’t shed much, which makes household cleanup easier (but it does mean they’ll need regular grooming appointments). 

French Bulldogs

Frenchies are another small breed with a sweet personality. They don’t have high exercise needs – in fact, their face shape can make it harder for them to breathe heavily, and they prefer to take it easy most of the time. If your family leads a busy lifestyle, a French bulldog might be the perfect companion. They also tend to be on the quieter side, which helps keep the chaos under control in your home. They’re also rarely known to be aggressive, although “stubborn” is often used to describe this breed. 

Boxers

A well-trained boxer is typically polite and gentle – two of the traits that parents tend to appreciate. Their faces are undeniably lovable, and they tend to be intelligent and eager to please. Like pit bulls, boxers need socialization as puppies in order to thrive. They’re not known for long lifespans – boxers typically live around 10 to 12 years, partly due to their larger size. However, you can expect a boxer to spend its years being your kids’ best friend.

Does Your Family Need A Little Extra Help With Pet Care?

Caring for kids and dogs in the same household can be a lot of work. If your family needs some extra help to give your dog the care they deserve, give Dan’s Pet Care a call. As Long Island’s favorite pet care provider, we offer a full range of services to handle all your pet care needs. To get started, fill out our consultation form today.