im looking for a dog for my kids what you do think is the best for kids?

Question

just tring to find a dog that would be great for my kids

Answer 1

There's several factors besides just the kids. How old and how active are the kids? Will the dog be inside or out and in what area? Do you rent and are you in an area that has breed bans enacted? How much grooming do you want to do and how large of a dog do you want. Do you want a dog to double as a watch dog/guard dog.

If you go to showdog.com there's a "dog selector" link where you can punch in different characteristics that are very important or not important to you and get a quick recommendation. But remember these are just a guide - there's individuals of all breeds that are better or worse suited to a family. And any dog will need consistent training. And it really depends on what temperment/ages the kids are - and presuming here you're getting a pup/young dog to train for the household.

For smaller dogs (under 30#) some that come to mind -
short hair - beagles, fox terriers,
longer hair - shelties (can be barky without discipline), Brittany spaniel

medium dogs - Border collies, Australian Shepherds,Bouvier, smooth collie, Doberman, Springer spaniel, labrador, redbone coonhound, black & tan coonhound, setters or schnauzers

large dogs - Anatolian Shepherd (not a good choice if you have lots of company but once trained and grown you won't have unwanted visitors/thieves), Great Pyrenees

Answer 2

Excellent with Kids
Bullmastiff
Golden retriever
Greyhound
Labrador Retriever
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard

Good with Kids
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Bichon Frise
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Boston terrier
Boxer
Cairn Terrier
Cocker Spaniel
Dalmatian
English Setter
Giant Schnauzer
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog
Irish Setter
Jack Russell Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Old English Sheepdog
Pointers
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Springer Spaniel
Standard Schnauzer

Moderate with Kids
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Alaskan Malamute
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd Dog
Border Collie
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Collie
Corgi
Dachshund
Dobermann
English Bulldog
Fox Terrier
French Bulldog
Irish Wolfhound
King Charles Spaniel
Llaso Apso
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Poodle
Pekingese
Pomeranian
Pug
Rottweiler
Sheltie
Standard Poodle
Weimaraner
West Highland Terrier
Whippet
Yorkshire terrier

Less Suitable for Kids
American Bulldog
Chihuahua
Chow chow
German Shepherd Dog
Husky
Shihtzu
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Toy Poodle

Answer 3

Would your kids be great for a dog? Doesn't sound like you have much idea about animals. You need to ask yourself are YOU prepared to own a dog? Maybe it would be better to get a cat who can be easier to look after and less responsibility. I want you to get the point the dog is yours and part of the family. It's not a toy for the children, children tire of looking after a pet and you're the one who has to walk, feed, take to the vets, payout for shots, surgeries, oh and then there is the dogtraining and housetraining. If I have misunderstood please forgive me but the brevity of your question leads me to think you haven't thought this one out fullly. If I am wrong please consider going to a shelter and don't fall in love straight away with a dog that is going to be too much of a handful. Maybe a middle aged one that is used to children, of medium size and spend time with it in the shelter take it for a walk, pet it, see if it has food aggression, or shows any sign of timidity or fear. Obviously if it's in a shelter you're saving a life and you're doing the right thing. If the tail is a waggin and the face is "laughing" then y ou've found a dog that will fit in with your children. It doesn't matter too much about the breed. I would choose a dog that doesn't need clipping, grooming excessively, like a Shitzu or a border collie because that's extra work for you. A labrador would need a brush once a week and no groomer trimming the hair which would be great. Good luck.

Answer 4

Wow - that's such a hard question to answer w/o knowing more about the situation. How old are the kids and are they quiet or rowdy? How much time do you want to spend on grooming or exercising the dog? Do you want an active dog or a mellow lap-dog? Do you want a super-quiet dog or do you not mind barking/howling?
Also, do you want a puppy or an adult? Puppies are cute but a TON of work and the pros of an adult dog is that many are already housebroken, have all the shots done, are already neutered,etc.
I would look hard at these questions. If you are a novice dog owner maybe a slightly older mixed breed dog is for you. If you have your heart set on a specific breed, please try a rescue organization.
I own/have owned Rottweilers, which are GREAT with kids, by the way, but they are not for everyone. Large, powerful and sometimes stubborn dogs who love you with every ounce of their being. I love 'em, but they might not fit your situation.

Answer 5

Before getting ANY dog - let's get a few answers...

How old are your kids?
If your children are very young (under school age) then wait until they're at least in school before getting a pet. Very small children can unknowingly torment dogs into snapping. Even in self defense, snapping is still biting. Not fair to set the dog up for failure - and it's painful for the kids.

How much time do YOU want to spend with the dog?
Dogs are not learning tools - that is, too many people think about dog care as "Oh, That will be the children's responsiblity...I want them to learn to be responsible..." Well, the best way to learn any habit is to practice that yourself. ALL DOG CARE WILL BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. The children may help, of course - but if Fido doesn't get fed, walked, groomed, cleaned up after, trained, played with, etc. - it's your fault.

Can you financially afford a dog
I'm sure you can - but it's worth mentioning. Vet care can run into the hundreds and thousands of dollars and there are very few comprehensive insurance plans out there.

Are you willing to go to a good obedience class - see question number 2.
Dogs don't instinctively learn how to sit, heel, stay etc. THey have to go to school and practice - just like children. So thinking that Fido will "just learn on his own" is a lot of baloney.

Now then. Those questions answered - I would urge you - no BEG of you to go to the local shelter and adopt an adult dog of medium size and quiet temperament as your newest family member. The myths about "oh a puppy will be imprinted with MY personality..." - or "I want the dog and children to grow up together..." are a load of manure, thought up by Hollywood etc. Just go to the shelter and see how many sad and homeless great young adult dogs are there - because some idiot thought he'd get a fluffy puppy - and not care for it properly - so that it grew into a hairy monster. Yet, shelter dogs are great pets. I have had no fewer than 10 or 12 shelter dogs - often more than one at a time - who have been through horrendous circumstances - and every one has been an angel in a fur suit.

Oh, and shelter dogs come with up to date shots, spayed/neutered, housebroken for the most part, don't chew on things, and often have begun obedience training.

Answer 6

Try your local shelter, rather than trying to find an ideal breed- you'll find all sorts of cross-breeds and purebred dogs in your local rescue centre and the staff will be able to advise you which of their animals have personalities suitable for them to be around children.

You don't say how old your kids are but I assume you are taking the pet on as a family commitment, not just something for the kids to play with? :)

Answer 7

I am going to say it again. The greatest family dog is the APBT. The are even better the a Beagle. I have both. When my daughter brings over my baby grandson the dogs I have like to sniff him and move away, the Beagle and the Terrier.
The Pit won't leave his side and lets him pull on her ears and play with her. She just stayed there and licks his hands.
You could not gt a better dog than an APBT.

Answer 8

Most breeds of dogs do well with kids providing they are raised with them and receive plenty of training and socialization. That said, the breeds that are commonly good with children, in my opinion, are: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Beagles, Bearded Collies, Rough Collies and mixes of all of these breeds. These breeds are all (providing they are bred well -- never support a backyard breeder or a puppy mill!) non aggressive, friendly, intelligent, sweet natured, good with other dogs/strange people/children and have medium/high energy.

Best of luck in your search!

Answer 9

bloodhounds are gentle giants. i have a puppy about 3 months old and also a 3 month old son and a three and a half yr. old son. the puppy is really sweet to the both of them and he has not snipped at all. they play with him while he's eating, sleeping, and what not. i would HIGHLY recommend one for your family.

Answer 10

For a family with kids, right?
You will ALL be responsible.