Owning a dog can be a wonderful thing. Not only do they provide lasting friendship and companionship and unconditional love, they’ve also been known to lower blood pressure and reduce stress, and they've also been known to boost the social skills and confidence of children as well as adults!
Not to mention that walking them and getting outdoors more frequently has its health benefits too.But choosing the right dog is like choosing a new family member there is so much to think about and a decision not be taken lightly!
There are hundreds of dog breeds and they come in all shapes and sizes and with different personalities and character traits.
Which dog breed is best for you and your family?
Space is an important decision making factor for choosing the right dog if you have a compact home, it makes sense to choose a smaller dog who requires less space. Age and energy is also an important factor do you have the energy to take on an excitable and bouncy puppy, or would it be more manageable to adopt a slightly older dog?
Time is also important do you have the time to train the dog, give it constant attention and walk it at least three times per day? Or are you quite limited on time in which case, adopting an older dog that requires no training and a little less attention might be a favorable option.
Dogs have been bred for different purposes, and so certain breeds have different character traits which are important to consider. If you have young children in your home, it's important to choose a
family-friendly dog who is patient and tolerant with them. So which
dog breeds are the most family friendly?
No.1- Labrador Retriever
Possibly one of the most popular and versatile breeds, the Labrador is a gentle, sociable, playful and patient all-rounder. Very intelligent but equally comical, the Labrador makes a fun addition to the family with a great sense of humor and adventure.
No.2- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier is a truly sweet-natured, gentle breed making a wonderful addition to the family home, particularly with young children. Loves to play and get in amongst the action, but equally content snuggling up on your lap for cuddles.
No.3- Poodle
Poodles range in size from Toy, Miniature and Standard so suit many family’s needs. Despite a reputation as precious or fussy, they are a working breed keen to get involved with family activities and their low-shedding coats can actually be quite low maintenance with regular clipping.
No.4- Beagle
Beagles are a sturdy breed that love to rough and tumble, with endless energy for play time. This does mean they need lots of exercise and stimulation; as a scent hound they can be difficult to teach to come back but are very smart, happy and outgoing
.
No.5- Bichon Frise
A happy, playful little breed that doesn't need too much exercise so is ideal for apartment living or less active families. They are very intelligent and can be a little stubborn to train, but more than make up for this with their loving, affectionate nature.
No.6- Shih Tzu
This affectionate breed makes a great choice for families of all ages and most activity levels. Not requiring too much exercise, the easy going Shih Tzu is a comfort loving, trusting companion who loves being close to you at all times.
No.7- Boxer
A wonderfully sociable breed, the Boxer loves to be around people and really enjoys playing and clowning around with children. Very energetic, exuberant and at times comically hyperactive when young, they do need lots of exercise and training.
No.7- Dalmatian Dog
Dalmatians make good family dogs in many circumstances, but like all dog breeds, they have strengths and weaknesses. Dalmatians are intelligent, playful, active, protective, gentle, social and relatively non-aggressive. They're patient and generally good with children, too.
No.8- Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are quick to learn, docile and make the perfect family pet. They cannot stand loneliness and are playful and patient. They are an ideal companion for children, because they are not aggressive or territorial and have a calm and friendly demeanor. This is ideal for a family dog.
No.9- Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are loyal, friendly and good family pets when treated respectfully. They can get all the exercise needed in the house or apartment.Chihuahuas are excellent companion dogs. They like attention and are loyal to their owners. Even though they are considered lap dogs, they are active and like to be kept occupied.Chihuahuas are good family pets when treated respectfully, but they have a reputation for snapping at strangers or small children who may be threatening to their diminutive size.
No.10- English Bulldog
The English bulldog has a sweet, gentle disposition. Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention.However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs. Although they generally get along well with other family pets, English bulldogs can be aggressive to unfamiliar dogs.
