What are some excellent family dogs? Larger dogs preferrably and good around babies?

Answer 1

Every one here is going to tell the breed of dog they have is the best dog for kids, well a lot of them are wrong. You need to research the many different breeds and make an educated decision on what you think is the best breed for you and your families lifesyle. AKC has a web site with descriptions of all recognized breeds of dog.(akc.org )You could also read a few books like Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, or Idiots Guide to Chosing, Buying and Raising a Dog.

If properly trained and embraced as a beloved member of the family, any breed can make a great pet. With that said, some dogs are seen as more “kid-friendly” than others and, as a result, have become extremely popular among families. According to the AKC, the five most popular breeds in the United States are:

Labrador Retrievers are by far America’s most popular dog—more than 140,000 Lab puppies were registered last year with the AKC—and have a reputation for being playful, hardworking and affectionate toward children. The Lab is easily trained and is highly respected for his prowess at many jobs: as a guide dog for the disabled, a search-and-rescue dog, and for narcotics detection.

Golden Retrievers are sporty, easy to train and strong, but their most outstanding trait is character. They are outgoing and devoted companions to people of all ages, happy and trusting. They make great hunting companions, too.

German Shepherd are noble in appearence and character. This breed's courage, steadfast heart, and keen senses have endeared him to families for generations. Active and outdoorsy, German Shepherds are very fond of children and make wonderful companions.

Beagles love being around people and other animals. They are gentle, happy companions who thrive on affection and attention. They are also clever, quick, and, most of all curious. They need plenty of active exercise.

Dachshund has a lively, upbeat personality—spunky, curious and friendly. Originally bred to hunt badgers, Dachshund’s love to dig, romp and run. They are affectionate, especially with children, and enjoy going for walks and other forms of exercise

You should do your research before you bring any animal into your home. If breed is not an issue you could always adopt a pup from your local pound or shelter. They come spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations and you can find all ages, sizes and breeds. As I stated in the beginning any dog can be good with children it is a matter of how the are trained and socialized. Also please keep in mind that small children and babies should never ever be left alone with dogs.

Answer 2

Most dogs of any size are good around kids. It's more of a matter of the dog itself. I know a lot of German Shepards that love kids but I had one that hated them. I have a Rottweiler that thinks kids are the best thing in the world but a lot of people would say they are mean. It's not the breed it's the individual dog. Your best bet is to decide which dog suits your lifestyle and consult with a rescue group. For example, if you aren't very active you may consider a Saint Bernard, or if you are active a Border Collie, or if you are in between a Great Dane. It's all about what works for you and then you can find a dog whose personality works for your family.

Answer 3

I'd recommend dogs from the sporting group, like Spaniels, Retriever, etc. They tend to be very good-natured dogs, most are larger in size, many have less grooming demands (not all, but you can find some!), and are very good with children. Sporting dogs were bred to hunt. When is hunting season? Autumn into winter, which is why, through years of breeding, these dogs tend to be very "touch insensitive". What does this mean for you? Kids can tug on, hang on, wrestle with, and pull/push/climb all over the dog and it's FAR less likely to feel the pain, thus less likely to react negatively towards the behavior. My personal recommendations would be Labrador Retriever or Brittany Spaniel. Brittany Spaniels are smaller than Labs and tend to have a bit more grooming maintenance involved (still not much, though). Labs are very intelligent, but also VERY active dogs that tend to act like puppies for several years. I love the English Springer Spaniel, but it has more grooming maintenance.
Do a little research to make sure it's the breed you're looking for... www.akc.org
Good luck!

Answer 4

All dogs need to watched around babies as any of then can turn on a child.
Here are some of the breeds though that have a good rep when it comes to children
Labrador
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (excellent Family dog believe it or not)
Golden retrivers (Can be Nasty I have seen it alot)
Irish Wolf Hound

Answer 5

The best family dog is a well trained dog. There are many great large dog breeds out there but any dog who is not well trained can be a problem. The last thing you want is this huge untrained dog, it's not fair to them (why so many pets of any size end up for adoption or homeless, so many people don't take the time to properly train their pet) . No matter how well trained a dog never leave them alone with the baby.

Answer 6

I've heard Labs, Golden Retrievers, and Collies were good with kids and a great family dog. I have had a Golden Retriever when I was about 2 or 3 so they are definatly good with kids. And I had a Lab about a year ago, great family dog. Never had a Collie though.

Answer 7

Everyone is going to say their breed is the best with children but one breed may be good for someone but not for others it all depends on your lifestyle and how much time you put into training and socialization. Even if a breed is suppose to be good with children their are always exceptions. Nearly all breeds are good with children with the proper amount of training could be the most wonderful and reliable child companion, No breed of dog could be right away declared unsuitable for a family with children. nor can any dog be declared at being the best breed for children. Any dog could be a good family pet but only with good training and socialization. Even a lab could be aggressive if it wasn't given the right training and socialization from the start. Please research research research before you add a puppy to your family I have two dogs (Boston Terrier & American Bulldog) and two children a 1 year old and a 3 year old. and let me tell you it's a lot of work but it is fun, once you have a schedule down and KEEP CONSTANT SUPERVISION over the kids and dogs, I DON'T let even for a second my kids be alone with my dogs at ANY TIME.... You just never know. it is harder with a larger dog. I have an American Bulldog who LOVES to play with my kids, which is why he is always on a leash when i have him in the house he is always tethered to me so when he goes to jump up or get out of hand i correct him immediately and he is in training to sit instead of jump when he gets near someone. Large dogs knock children over when they are puppies cause they are bouncy and just plain playful. When I can't keep an eye on them and have to go into the next room for just a minute they go right into their crates, i don't say oh i'll just be a minute they will be fine, no way because in that minute an ear could be tugged or they could be hurt by something and could bite your child because they hurt it. As I said I have a boston terrier who is really really hyper and my children adore him, I also have an American Bulldog who is also great with my kids, he is a larger dog and i did a lot of research before i added him. I asked the breeder tons of questions, they also had young children living in their house so the pups were around children the day they were born. So good luck in your search. i hope you find and do as much research as you can on a breed you are interested in.

Answer 8

1. Labradors
2. Golden Retrievers
3. Chesapeake Retrievers
4. Poodles

They're all large dogs, and are excellent family dogs. The only thing is that the first three I suggested love to run and have exercise, so it's essential that you have a good sized backyard or take them out on daily walks.
Good luck. :)

Answer 9

I have a choc. lab and there great. Also they have a bad name but rottweilers r great . It might sound bad but i know personally that rottis are the sweatest dogs ever, but make sure especially in rottis u know the family lines becasue inbreeding could cause temper problems and also in any dog this can happen. i dont know personally but ive heard pit bulls are good to. ive also got a choc. lab/rottweiler mix named Charlie hes still a puppy and hes a gentle giant. He'll let me go up to him and i can lay right on top of him (dont worry im not crushing him becasue he's giant and even bigger then his dad, above mentioned choc. lab) and he'll go right on chewing his bone. Hes also good for laughs becacsue im not sure if its just him or the mix but he is sooo clumsy. But there r problems with labs they have really sensitive stomachs so if u have young kids that r constantly dropping food and stuff the lab could eat it and get sick. But the rottis have strong stomachs which is good. If u have any other questions about how great labs and rottis r contact me i can also give u examples of how non- tempermental they r and i can send u pics. of my dogs or something. U could also try a mutt because my lab/rotti mix is great. And i can also send u a video over the email of my dogs and how trusting and loyal they r. And i can show u how i can do any annoying thing to my dogs and they wont care
Good luck

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Answer 10

I am all for huskies, because I have one. They have a natural calm demeanor and were bred to be family dogs. Look at your local animal shelter too though. You may fall in love with a dog that is a mixed breed that adores your little one(s). Please make sure though that you work on training both your baby and your dog. I waited until my son was 18 months before we got a dog. I have heard some really bad horror stories about dogs having to be put to sleep because parents let their children hang all over their dogs and stress them out. A dog's natural instinct is to protect itself from danger, a little one pulling on fur, ears, tails and other body parts or being too clingy can make even the sweetest golden retriever or lab (commonly most family friendly dog) go bad.