What is the best breed of dog to get?

Question

I want a dog that is good with children, doesn't dig holes in the yard, doesn't chew everything, one that is easy to train, and friendly.

Answer 1

Hi there.

Most breeds are good with children when raised with them. The top two family dogs are the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. You can't really go wrong with either of those breeds in terms of temperament.

Dogs will only dig in the back yard if they are left supervised. Dogs that are left unsupervised will get bored and when a dog gets bored, they make their own entertainment in the form of chewing, digging and generally being a pain in the butt. Plenty of exercise, physical and mental stimulation and training will combat most destructive behaviors.

ALL puppies chew. Some breeds are worse than others but all puppies chew. Teething is a natural process so chewing is a dogs way of soothing his or her sore teeth. Not only that, but much like the digging, it is an outlet for boredom. Keeping watch of the puppy EVERY time it is loose in the house and providing plenty (and I do mean plenty!) of chew toys will keep the chewing of your possessions to a minimum.

So, to sum it up, the dogs I feel go best with children are: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Beagles and mixes of all of these breeds. Although as I said above, almost all breeds can live with children as long as they are raised with them.

Good luck in your search. Any particular breeds you are interested in?

Answer 2

There's a lot more to consider.....do you want a big dog, small dog, meduim sized dog? Do you have the time and desire to groom a dog with a longer coat, or one that is smooth coated? Do you care if it is a purebred, or will a mutt from the Humane Society that fits all of your qualifications do? How old are your children, and are they used to being around pets, and know proper "dog etiquette"?

That said....even in a specific breed, different dogs can behave somewhat differently, especially based on the training and socialization they receive. All dogs will chew when going through their teething stages.

I'm sure you will get lots of answers here from devoted lovers of specific breeds here. Take some time, sort thorugh what you get, and find what looks appealing to you. Research the breeds online. Then talk to some QUALITY breeders, breed rescues, even ask local vets their opinion on the breeds you are considering, and how they will fit into your individual situation. What may be a perfect family dog for one family may not be right for you.

If you have a good Humane Society or rescue in your area, you can often get some very honest opinions and evalutaions of how even their mixed breeds will fit in to your life.

I have a Rat Terrier, a Chinese Crested, a Bloodhound, a Chesapeake, and a Treeing Cur. 3 of these were rescue dogs. I love each dog very much, but know that they would not fit into everyone's lifestyle.

Answer 3

There is no breed of dog that has the all of the above traits. Training is key to teaching your dog to have good manners.

However there are breeds that are good with children, have higher intelligence and are easier to train. Just remember that easy doesn't come without consistency and proper training.

The questions you should ask yourself is will my house and yard fit the dog, does your family have high energy, do you care if your dog sheds and so on. Once these questions are answered then you will have the perfect dog for your home and your family.

Golden Retreivers are loving, intelligent, funny and in my opinion a great dog. However, they are very needy and most always demand attention from their humans. My Brandy, a Golden sometimes drives me nuts with her neediness..but I wouldn't trade her in for the world.

Answer 4

The absolute best dog in the world for kids and other pets,(even cats), is a Golden Retriever. However, you have to make sure that it gets enough exercise or has a fenced yard because it is a bigger dog.
Rottweillers are also good with children and very protective of them.
Cocker Spaniels have problems with small children taunting them, like laying on them and pulling their tails possibly. They are inclined to growl and bite or nip if hurt.
I have owned Cockers and Goldens mostly, so I know a lot about the behaviors of both breeds.

Answer 5

Most of that has to do with training. Depends on what you want. Think more about size and how much hair care you are willing to do also. Some short haired shed bad too so a lot of people prefer poodle mixes to help stop this. I would look into the shih-poo or pick-a-poo myself. The poodle for the smart and not shedding and the other for the lap dog quality. They usually have a little longer snout and do not get the pickinesse or shih-tzu eye problem.

Answer 6

A Golden Retriever of course! They have wonderful dispositions and are very loving and friendly. As far as chewing and digging, all dogs will do this if not given some training.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever
http://www.grca.org/

Answer 7

Don't get a Welsh Terrier. They chew on everything and will dig to China. They are good with children though.

Answer 8

Labs because they are loyal and will listen. They are the perfect size, not too small or too big. When I was young we had a dog named Koko, shes still living, with me, and she never bites,never barks at night, only to warn of a stranger, and we were best friends, Still are, I tell her everything. I trained her at an early age and She still knows everything. Labrador Retrievers are GREAT!

Answer 9

All Dogs Can Do that, But You Just Have To Train Them.. :]
[Some can Be Easier]

Answer 10

If u want a big dog, a lab they are really gentle. If u want a little dog a miniature schnauzer. Good Luck