what dog would you recommend that is good with children and is a small through medium size?

Question

that is also suitable for a regular sized yard and back yard
also im considering an inside dog but has to be small
not looking for dogs with long hair, but collies are cool
also not looking for hounds

that is also friendly to strangers and is very smart
also one that is active (i like to go running)

considering these dogs but might be a little to big:
labrador retriever
golder retriever
collie (dont know what kind)
german shepard

if you have others or like the ones ive listed please post here
thank you very much =)

also im thinking about considering a beagle but im unsure because of the barking

Answer 1

Try "Toy Dogs" Like:

Maltese, Shi Tzu, Chihuahua, etc

Answer 2

Your criteria are met by the Golden.

We have a Golden and we also have three children. She's very good with the kids and specially the baby. She's smart, sweet, eager to please and very obedient. Well most of the time, she's two but she's a big puppy. The only criteria she doesn't meet for you is the size. Golden females average arount 55-65 lbs. Oh and she can run much better a "smaller" dog. A beagle would have a hard time keeping up with you over a long distance. And there are Goldens that do not have excessively long hair. You need to check on breeders around your area to be sure... good luck.. : )

Answer 3

Border collie girl, but you have to be prepared to walk it for up to an hour every day. Seriously. Those dogs are wonderful with kids, bombproof, but they are bred to work and will be unpredictable if they are not getting enough outside exercise. I had a border collie girl while I raised my little boy, and while you must remember that any dog at any time can revert to its instincts and become a predator, I was happy with the border collie around the kid.
Never leave any dog with a child unsupervised, no matter what other idiots might say. It happens and it is not worth the risk.

I do not recommend a heeler, as someone else has done. They might be fine if you have worked with the breed for forty years, but they are not suited to a child-focused family in a backyard. They have been bred to chase and to nip at the heels of things that are running away from them . . . think about it.

Answer 4

Do the research but we had a Welsh Corgie and that dog was great. Very active when you want them to be great with kids and other people. Medium hair length, short and stocky, don't bark very much, easy to train and very fun. Your average Corgie should cost you about 400 dollars but it is a great investment for the family. Hope you have good luck finding a dog

Answer 5

I would recomand the min schnutzer if it havn't been for the friendly with stranger's part. The min schnuzter is the best dog you can ever get and make best friends and are more then just dogs, belive me I had them all my life my pup Sophie (1 year) is like my daughture from god. Do you really want a dog that sucks up to everyone including your enemys and robbers ? shnuzers are usually quite friendly with kids and VERY hyper and I also love to jog and every morning i go jogginig with my schuzer. They are very smart if you give them a chance to be with you and dont keep them in cages all day. deffinally a schnuzer belive me you wont regert it! Best of all they live a Long life my grandpa had one that lived up till 21 !!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

how old are the kids??/

soft mouthed dogs are best (retrievers) because they are bred to be gentle when retrieving ducks... and patient while awaiting their turn to spring into action...these dogs do very well as indoor house dogs and although they are big they dont need big house - esp golden retrievers...

the herding or guard dogs (collie and shephards) are not a good choice because they are very intelligent and require alot of time dedicated to them.. if you do not look after these dogs well they will become destructive in your home/yard.

for small dogs - Shih Tzu or pug would be best.. Shih Tzu are non-shedding but as such they grow long hair which a groomer can cut short... both dogs are easy to care for and ok with kids

HOWEVER - you MUST take ANY dog you are getting to Obedience lessons - this is for proper socialization as much as it is for learning how to "sit"
you MUST spay or neuter any dog because it will lower their aggressive hormones

you MUST watch ALL DOGS around kids.. NEVER allow yourself to become relaxed about how good the dog is (or how good the kids are) I am SICK of hearing people say "my dog is so good my kids can pull its ears and it wont bite them) well this is an example of bad parenting - not teaching the kids to be respectful of the dog...

overall if your kids are under 8 yrs old I would really suggest getting an adult dog rather than a puppy.... puppies are very demanding (need to be house trained) very nippy (teething) and will jump and scare kids - etc..

I suggest going to your local SPCA or other adoption rescue place and talking to them about the dogs they have and if any are good with kids.. take your time... dont rush...

NEVER NEVER get from a pet store!!!

Answer 7

I agree with the other two: either a lab or a golden retriever. A lab's coat wouldn't be as long, but both are perhaps a little large. Some of the smaller dogs don't tend to be good with children.

Answer 8

Oh come on, just go to the pound or local shelter and pick one out. Go for a medium size dog, short hair, and one that looks happy and wags it's tail a lot. It may take a few visits to find it, but you will, and you'll give a dog a happy home.

Answer 9

I was about to say the same thing; a beagle. Dogs bark anyway so it doesn't matter! I actually think little dogs bark more than big dogs...Yeah I still say beagle.

Answer 10

I breed & train labs and believe me they are the most wonderful dogs to have with kids they are very loving, and compassionatte animals they will protect your kids , but won't bark to often and aren't a agressive animal..Dog breeder , trainer & owner of labs for 13 years

Answer 11

there is only one dog I can think of that will fit all of your wants.
htis would be a queensland healer.
there are 2 difrent breeds of healers, red and blue. I have found the red healer has a better temperment and seems to be smarter than any other breed of dog I have been around.
I have two red healers that I have trained to work cattle, they are short hair and do not shead, they can run all day or set in the corner and behave.
they grow to about 16 inches in size and if raised with kids will love them to the end.
like any dog how the react to strangrers depends on how they are raised.
one last thing they can easaly be trained not to bark except when you want them to.
( mine are trained to bark when someone drives into my yard to let me know they are there.) once I acknowlage them the dogs will sit and wait to told to go then they will greet my guest and go lay down.
dogs trained to this point do take lots of time and effort to train but healers are my choice.
lots of luck with any breed you chose and remember that you will get out of a dog what you put into him/her.