What is the best family dog?

Question

We are thinking about a labrador or a border terrier.

Answer 1

We have a golden lab who will be one year old tomorrow.....He just loves getting up to mischeif....loves everybody and is the cutest thing on 4 legs!!!!

Answer 2

There is no best breed that is suitable for all familie, that is what is great about having such a variation in breeds because there is a breed out there that will suit most families.

Both of the breeds you chose are high energy dogs, the lab I had years ago needed 6 hours of hard exercise daily till he reached 3 years otherwise he would become a destructive whirlwind, that meant free runs while I biked, fetching and swimming in the winter I let him pull me on the sled or follow me x-country skiing, and even after 6 hours he was still raring to do something, just not bouncing off the walls, They were bred to go out all day hunting retrieving fowl shot down over the cold Atlantic, so they needed to be hardy and have a lot of endurance.

The border collie is another very active breed bred to spend the day herding, higher in intelligence than the lab so can become bored very easily

With either breed you will have to keep them busy with the lab they start to settle down at roughly 3 years old the border is still a little fireball at 9 years old.

A lot of labs and bc's end up in pound and shelters because never considered how much exercise and mental stimulation these dogs need

They are great dogs for physically active families but can be a nightmare for families that are mostly couch potatoes, of families who have very busy schedules who have trouble making enough time to keep the dog exercised or mentally stimulated
So you have to consider is your life style going to fullfil their needs.

A golden retriever would probably suit a far greater number of families as they are not quite as gung ho

Answer 3

I think it depends on how much time you spend in, how big your living space is etc. Labrador's make great family pets and are great with children, but then so do border terriers! I think both choices sounds good, maybe you could have a family vote and see which breed wins!

Answer 4

Labrador

Answer 5

Hi there
I am also thinking of getting a dog to join our family we have four kids so I have done a lot of research into which type of dog would be most suitable bearing in mind size of dog, how much exercise you intend to give your dog but most importantly the dogs temperment and I have to say the dog that seems to come out tops every time is the golden retriever also they really have it in the looks department too, the king Charles came second for me but the sheer size of the retriever won me over as they are a hardy breed of dog with so much love to give hope I've helped some. Good luck with your choice.

Answer 6

I know quite a few people with labradors and they are generally very loving dogs that make a good family pet. So that could be a good choice. My family pet is a little mongrel we've had for almost 7 years and he's lovely..great temprament x

Answer 7

Bearded Collie-beautiful,love kids and gentle.Staffie-love kids.Greyhound-gentle.Boxer and Rottweiler-both gentle and tolerant with kids and protective of them too.

I personally have seen too many dodgy natured puppy milled Labs and Golden Retrievers to recommend them without saying you MUST buy a puppy from a breeder who has kennel club papers for the puppy.This will not be as cheap as buying from a mill but the puppy will be better bred and have a better temperament.

Note that no dog should be left alone with young children though

Answer 8

I have had labs, mutts and now have a Cavlier King Charles. The Cavalier though small has the best personality and the sweetest disposition. He was easy to train, learned all basic commands the first week I had him. He had two accidents in the house the first month I had him, but never since in over 2 years. He's the best one I have ever had and would recommend him to anyone.

Answer 9

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 10

I have had the joy of having 2 labradors during my life, the last one died recently at 15. She was a companion, friend, guard, garbage disposal, walking partner, and a total angel. She never so much as growled at anyone in her life, and mothered a kitten all it's life. You'll never regret getting a lab.

Answer 11

Labradors are so good with kids, and they need attention and kids love to touch dogs so they are a great match for familys. Plus there so smart...