What is the best dog breed for kids and makes for a great watchdog too?

Answer 1

Labs! They are gentle and great with kids, but they are also very protective and large enough to scare most outsiders away.

Answer 2

SAINT BERNARD!

They are wonderful with children and other animals, very gentle and patient and extremely loyal. They will protect their home and family to the end of the earth. I have a St. Bernard mix and he's a wonderful watchdog!! Here's some info for you on the breed:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/saintbernard.htm

Edited to add - you have gotten tons of answers saying Labs and Goldens. They are wonderful with kids and great dogs yes - but they are NOT NOT NOT watchdogs! They are very much people dogs and love attention. All the person would have to do is talk to them and they'd maybe lick them to death but not protect. My Mom has a golden and I fostered 2 Labs for quite awhile. Plus several people in my family own both breeds and NONE are watchdogs at all.

Answer 3

I may be a bit partial, but I'll have to say Bloodhounds. I've had two bloodhounds in my life and I''ve even turned my husband into a bloodhound lvoer! They're very gentile and loving. These animals a larger breed, but they transition well from playful to docile...they'll be jumping around and running with you, but the second you sit down, they're right there with ya! Bloodhounds make wonderful watchdogs, but not very good guard dogs (They bark but not bite)...These gentile giants love children and I've even trained mine to go down in the woods and get my little brother from playing to bring him back inside when it's dinnertime! These animals are virtually maintenace free, and you don't have to worry about the hyperactivity that comes with other dogs of this size. If you're interested in bloodhouds, I can surely help you out! Email me if you're interested: [e-mail]

Answer 4

I have a 7 year old black Labrador Retriever and 2 small children. He is the sweetest, most gentle, and tolerant dog I have ever seen. My 2 kids try to ride him like a horse, pull at his tail, play with his ears, and he has never growled, snapped, or shown any aggression to them no matter what they do.

He is also VERY protective of our home, has a very deep and menacing bark/ growl, and has a threatening appearance, since he is large and black.

He is the perfect combination of family dog/ watchdog.

Answer 5

i have a pit/lab mix. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body. My neighbors kids come and poke him with sticks and pull on his ears and he just sits there. You can take the food right out of his mouth while he's eating and he would just look at you. Although he would never bite anyone, if someone comes knocking or if someone is near the house that he doesn't know he will bark, and bark, and bark. For people who don't know him they think he's kinda scary but little do they know he's just a big mush and loves everyone. He even loves all other dogs too. But as good as he is, I believe it's not just the kind of breed, it depends more on how the dog is trained and brought up. So any dog can be a great family dog, it's just up to you to make him that way. Good luck to you in finding your perfect family pet.

Answer 6

There are hundreds of breeds of dogs some of which most people don't even know about. Most of the dogs allready mentioned are so cliche. Just because a certain breed of dog has a bad reputation, doesn't mean all dogs of that breed are that way. I have a pitbull that is great with kids, even todlers, she is a working dog :) It is not the breed, it is the attitude towards the dog as well as the way you treat it. But if I HAD to suggest I would go with; lab, retriever, shetland sheep dog (Shelti), border colie, pug, bijon frise, shitzu, rat terrier, dauschound (wiener dog) or any other there are alot to choose from

Answer 7

Any dog that bonds to you will become a good watch dog - I'd focus on the dog that is best with your kids. There are simply too many great breeds to list! It isn't so much the breed of the dog that makes it good with kids, but the temperament of the actual individual dog.

Answer 8

well, labradors are good but not that great on the guard side, they tend to be too nice and trusting. only once have i seen a german sheperd mentiones, and i honestly think, they are the best guard dogs. as for kids, well my neighbor had one when i was 6 years old, and me and my brother would always go over and play with him, and he would be very patient and tolerant, even now when i look back and think that if i were that dog, i wouldnt even tolerate the kind of stuff we put him through but that dog was the best. very noble and playful.

Answer 9

I have 2 German Shepherds and 2 young boys. The dogs are with the kids constantly and are protective without being "aggressive". While they have never had to do more than bark, I believe they would protect any member of the family if it came to that. Plus, most people would think twice before even messing with a full grown GSD!

Answer 10

there are too many breeds that could fit into this category of all shapes and sizes, other things to consider so this question can be answered well for you is size prefrence of the dog, size of yard, age of kids, how long will dog be home alone? all those sorts of things
try selectapet or pedigree sites which will allow you to enter all of these types of prefrences (and they do have on the questionaires things like good with kids and if you want a watch dog) good luck with your search

edited to add, somone mentioned an Akita, which I was tempted to as well......they are outstanding with their own kids and certainly a guard dog to boot, but as also said they are not alway tolerant of other children around, must always be on a watchful eye for this. Our Akita adooooooooooors my daughter and her friends however, if any of her friends step out of line or look like they are going to upset daughter look out, he gets furious, and when I say they look like they are going to upset her, it could just be a big bear hug and grabbing at her, he hates it when other kids grab at her to hug or play, he thinks they have misintent on the mind.

Answer 11

Labrador Retriever

By far the number one best dog breed for kids, would have to be, the Labrador Retriever. This dog is well accepted because of its commendable nature. It is not usually aggressive or hyper. It is playful, easy-going, intelligent and passive. No wonder it is loved by the young and old.

Because of its mild manner, it is first choice in working with the handicapped. It is has need to please as if it knows its situation. The Lab is also a great choice if you own other animals.

They are very accommodating. A well taken care of Lab can live up to 13 years. In order to decrease boredom in these dogs, they should be kept active. These dogs love playing in the yard or taking walks and is an ideal dog breed for kids.



Golden Retriever

Number two on the list of dog breed for kids is the Golden Retriever. They are comparable to the Lab in their personality. They are also mild mannered, kind and they delight in being around people. They too are a top choice for working with the handicapped as well as the elderly.

They too get along with other pets. These dogs are bright creatures to train. Playing fetch is a favorite recreation for them. Because of their playful personality, this breed of dog would be great for an older child who enjoys the outdoors. Regular grooming is required because of their long hair.