This article is a continuation from Dogs Good With Children Part I. If you haven’t already read Part I of Top Dogs Good With Children then I highly recommend you go back and read through the article before starting this one.
Once again I’m going to post my little disclaimer:
***The Disclaimer – This is my personal opinion. Please do your own due diligence when searching for a breed of dog. The personality of a dog is often influenced by several factors including line, breeder, and owner more so than the actual breed of the dog. This list does not imply that all other dog breeds are unsuitable for children. Individual dogs may not show all or any of the traits associated with the breed. Puppy training, socialization with children, education, line, breeder, and living conditions with the family will all heavily influence your dogs personality.
A quick recap of what Part I covered:
- The Top Dogs Good With Children Scoring System
- How I Chose The Breeds
- Dog Numbers 6-10
Now what you’ve all been waiting for…the Top 5 Dogs Good With Children:
Number 5 – Vizsla
The Vizsla sounds like a great dog for children. A very loyal dog who is also a quiet dog (they only bark when provoked). I guess this could be a negative if you’re looking for a watch dog. From Wikipedia:
Vizslas are lively, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring and highly affectionate. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, including children. Often they are referred to as “velcro” dogs because of their loyalty and affection. They are quiet dogs, only barking if necessary or provoked.
I know very little about the Vizsla and I’m pretty sure I’ve never run into one in person, but the sites I’ve visited rave about this dog. I go as far in my notes to say that “they have very little doggy smell and hypoallergenic coats”. Coupled with a nearly optimal size gave this dog a high score on my rating scale. If anyone owns or knows a Vizsla I’d love to hear some of your comments.
Energy Level: 3
Size: 8
Temperament: 8
Intelligence: 7
Intangibles: 10
TOTAL: 36
…
Number 4 – Pembrooke Welsh Corgi
Isn’t that picture of the Corgi puppy just adorable? A nice sturdy sized dog with really short legs. It’s hard to imagine, but the Corgi is an active, athletic, intelligent dog despite their short legs and stocky body. I guess there’s hope for my short legs and stocky body. From Wikipedia:
The Pembroke is very intelligent, quick, active, and exceedingly bold. It is thoroughly devoted and protective of its family, defending its home at any cost. It barks occasionally, but makes a good watchdog.
One of my neighbors owns a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and seems active. I don’t think my neighbor has him quite under control as I see the Corgi often pulling his handler in whichever direction he wants to go. He has also met both my dogs and is friendly with them, although the owner has told me that he will sometimes growl at strange dogs as a dominance thing.
Energy Level: 2
Size: 10
Temperament: 7
Intelligence: 9
Intangibles: 9
TOTAL: 37
…
Number 3 – Poodle
What do you think of that Poodle haircut? I’m really not a fan of the funky hair-dos (although I did have a mohawk for a short period of time). The Poodle comes in high on our list only getting average scores for energy (medium-high) and intangibles (I like the poodles coat because it does not shed, but on the other hand it is difficult to maintain and groom). From Wikipedia:
Proud, elegant, dignified, good-natured, highly intelligent, very trainable, pleasant, happy, sensitive, friendly.
Poodles are one of the most intelligent and trainable dogs. That being said there is a standard poodle in our neighborhood who I would consider highly intelligent. However, I have noticed that this poodle does bark a lot (everytime we walk past the house) and is aggressive towards my dogs. I have a feeling these are traits not common to the poodle. Throughout most of my readings the poodle almost always gets high marks.
Energy Level: 6
Size: 8
Temperament: 8
Intelligence: 10
Intangibles: 6
TOTAL: 38
…
Number 2 – Labrador Retriever
Coming in at number 2 is one of my favorite dogs and almost always shows up as great family dogs when researching on the internet. The Labrador Retriever is well-balanced and a very versatile breed. Labs are used extensively as Guide, Service, Search and Rescue, Therapy, and Assistance Dogs. From Wikipedia:
Friendly, reliable, loving, affectionate, lovable, patient, highly intelligent, loyal, willing, high-spirited, lively, good-natured,and protective.
As most readers of this blog know I’m currently raising a black lab named Stetson for Guide Dogs of America. I do have a decent background with Labrador Retrievers and have been working on Stetson’s puppy training for the past year. The only drawback I’ve noticed with Stetson is his sometimes rough play. As he grows out of his puppy stage I think he will mature and be less rambunctious (he’s only a year old). Other than that he’s an excellent dog and he displays all of the great qualities people rave about when talking about labs.
Energy Level: 4
Size: 5
Temperament: 10
Intelligence: 10
Intangibles: 10
TOTAL: 39
…
And the number 1 dog who is good with children is…drum roll……..:
Number 1 – Golden Retriever
It was close, but the Golden Retriever edged out the Labrador Retriever by a single point. The two dogs are very similar however I had to give the nod to the Golden in Energy (Medium-High vs High for the Lab) and Size (The lab is slightly larger which I considered less favorable to the smaller Golden). The Golden received lower marks for it’s higher maintenance coat. From Wikipedia:
Friendly, confident, biddable. Never timid or aggressive. The Golden Retriever temperament is a hallmark of the breed and is described in the standard as “kindly, friendly and confident”
Growing up my parents chose the Golden Retriever as the family dog. They purchased our dog Kiko the year after I was born and he was with us until he was 10 years old. He was a wonderful dog and a shining example of the breed. Golden Retriever are used in many of the same service occupations as labs including Assistance, Search and Rescue, Guide, and Therapy.
Energy Level: 5
Size: 6
Temperament: 10
Intelligence: 10
Intangibles: 9
TOTAL: 40
…
Parents Responsibility
Often times children are unaware of their own strength and can be a little rough (the same can be said for many dogs). Parents should take the responsibility to teach their kids and dogs to be gentle with their interactions with each other.
There are many breeds out there that work well with children not just the breeds I mention on this list. Remember there are good dogs and bad dogs in every breed. No matter what breed you choose you should never leave your dog and children together unsupervised for the safety of not only your child, but the dog as well.
Conclusions
I’m happy to say I learned a lot while putting this list together. Before researching I knew nothing about the Vizsla. Now I’m very interested in this breed and would be interested in any information about them. Do you own or know a Vizsla?
I did my best to be as objective as possible in the compilation of this list. A lot of this information is my personal preference. I prefer a medium to large dog. However, others may prefer small or extremely large dogs for their children. I prefer low to medium energy level and higher intelligence in my dogs. Other people may think the exact opposite. Hopefully this list helps you choose your family dog.
Just in case you missed Part I of this series check it out at the following link: Dogs Good With Children
Let me know what you think. Do you have a dog that is good with children?
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About Colby
YEss! My favorites are number one!! I love GOldens but have only had the chance of having one for a short period of time. Vizlas are great dogs but have lots of energy! I know someone who has raised them to be guide dogs; really great dogs.
Hi Erin, I love Golden’s too. I didn’t know they used Vizslas in the guide dog programs…very interesting. By the way, your puppy in training, Rei reminds me of my dog Stetson. Good luck to her in her formal training!
I just lost my 11 year old Vizsla. He has been great. He has been gentle and nothing but sweet to everyone. He knew no strangers. When we got him we had 10 and 8 year old girls and a 6 month old son. He was raised with my kids. While he was a puppy I did keep a close eye on him while around my son as anyone should with any dog. 5 years later when my fourth child was born I had no fear about having him near the baby. I have recommended the breed to everyone I can. He never made a move in anger. I never heard a growl towards my children. My Vizsla was very demonstrative in his affection towards our family. He was smart and obedient. He was still learning new tricks. He loved being with people and playing Frisbee. He was a Velcro dog. Now that he is gone we know that we when we are ready for another dog it will have to be a Vizsla because we are now a Vizsla family. I love them.
Can you recommend a breeder and do you have any suggestions on what to avoid? We are looking for a companion for an 11 year old. Is this dog somewhat protective? And does it bark a lot?
We are on the north east coast. Your review was very helpful.
Thanks!
@ Irene please go to http://www.widdershins.com and read the article on Vizsla’s and children. I wish I had read before getting our Vizsla. I believe they are great dogs with grown children or adults. We got our Vizsla at 8 weeks old, he is now 8 months old. I walk him around 3 miles a day (which is not enough) we live on 3 1/2 acres of land, play ball and run in the yard with him everyday. Where the problem arrises is with our three children. 8,10 and 12 years of age. When they have been home everyday this summer our house has been nothing short of complete chaos!!! They move quickly thru the house and he is completely on them. he takes there toys and runs to chew them up, they get upset take them out of his mouth then he bites them. I am now looking for a new home for him. In fact while typing this to you he just jumped up on my kitchen counter and ate my children’s breakfast!!! By the way they are also known as counter surfers! People say “did you take him to be trained”? Well, I did. Several times with him staying with a private trainer for several weeks. He knows all the tricks. Sit, stay, down, walk loose leash, even walks by my side without a leash on. All this to say, I believe he is a great dog as long as there are no children!!! I love him very much and hope I can find him a home with older children or no children.
I have a 2 year old Vizsla and have the exact opposite experience. All the children on our street love our Abby. She is nothing but friendly and extremely gentle. Even with babies. In fact we cant keep the kids away from our house since we got her. I agree, she had/has alot of energy! It does take alot of exercise and playing to tire them out. We did have a problem with her jumping on guests when she was younger, but we have fixed that by just constantly correcting her. I would recommend a Vizsla to anyone!
I have a 2 year old vizsla and I love him to death. would not recommend if you value personal space. he follows me EVERYWHERE. Very snuggley and will not go to sleep if he is not touching me in some way. the only better breed out there…my German shorthair pointer. not as clingy but so sweet and gentle. they get alone great and wear each other out since they are both very hyper breeds. would highly recommend the GSP!
I wanted to send a reply on this issue. I have grown up with Vizslas, and have recently got my own pup, who is now 8 months. In both households, V’s with children have never been an issue. My Vizsla pup has NEVER growled, bitten me, or barked at anything (except for at the cats every now and then).
On the other hand, the 2 V’s that my parents raised were more nippy and barked a lot, but were still great with kids. The difference is that amount of socialization and training that I’ve done with my 8 month old and ABSOLUTELY NO NEGATIVE reinforcements, ONLY POSITIVES. In my opinion, that has been the biggest difference between the dogs, how they were raised. Yes, the V’s will carry around toys and shoes, but if you teach your dog to drop it, they should immediately drop it and never be an issue. When this happens, don’t yell at them for chewing a show, but instead, replace the shoe with one of their fav. toys so they know that is what they should be chewing on. It does require a lot of patience, and anyone who doesn’t have the proper time to exercise the dog or work with them on obedience, I do not recommend this breed. They are very sensitive dogs!!! I plan on having children someday soon and am not worried in the least about my Vizsla around them.
Thanks for telling us about your Viszlas and your parents Vizslas. It’s great to hear first hand experience with the breed.
We got a dog from a rescue–she was a Vizla, Lab cross. What a mild, gentle, nice, dog. Velcro for sure, but never destructive to anything, inside the house or out. As a guard dog, she was a total failure. Would not bark, even at other dogs, unless they were behind a fence. When someone new, especially young children came to visit, she’d role over on her back wanting a tummy rub. little kids would pull her ears, she’d let them play. She was a house dog. Upon the occasion that she decided to explore and left the backyard, she’d be found lying in the grass in the front yard, watching kids go by and waiting to be petted. It was so much fun when she learned to roll over. That’s a bit hard for a big dog. Sometimes she wanted a treat really badly. She would go through all her tricks, hoping to get something. It was so funny. But do not leave food out. It would be gone. She was not the perfect dog but for a companion and gentle and without giving any problems, ever, in the 12 yrs of having her, I never experienced such a sweet and devoted animal. If I could find another Vizla x Lab that would be my choice.
Deb, it is unfortunate that you are having issues with your Vizsla, however I can attest that it IS INDEED training that is lacking. Learning tricks is one thing, but if you allow it to run wild, it will. You need to teach it that you are in control and it will be well behaved for life. I recently lost my 13 year old female, but we never once had a problem with her. We taught her from very early on that she was not in charge, and she was nothing but sweet and loving. She did have a TON of energy and would frequently do laps around the house, especially after a bath or a run, but was nothing short of incredible!
James, I have to give an update and let you know that after so many issues with our vizsla that had been properly trained many times we got a second one due to the fact that everyone including the breeder was recommending it. This time we got his sister, different litter. She is the complete opposite!!!! So sweet, listens, has never needed training, when I tell her to drop something , she does! Very, very obedient !! Best puppy ever! Max on the other hand only listens if wearing his shock collar . Funny thing is I never have to turn it on! Just shows me how stubborn my male vizsla is!!!!! However, having two is so much better than one. They ran outside for 6 hours yesterday. Non stop playing! They slept like babies last night!
My friend, the father of 3 young children has 2 Vislas. Very athletic. Very Likeable. Good natured.
@melanie, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your Vizsla. Thanks for the great information on your dog. I just started raising a yellow lab puppy for guide dogs of america, but when it’s time for me to get another puppy of my own I’ll definitely consider the Vizsla.
One of my parents neighbors owns a Vizsla. He’s on the large side for his breed at 60 pounds and as far as I can tell he represents the breed well. The owner described her Vizsla as a Hungarian hunting dog and told me that her husband took him hunting on weekends.
I noticed a few things at first glance. As mentioned above he had a short coat that looked easy to maintain. He didn’t seem shy, but was also not eager to be petted, unlike my lab who thinks he deserves pets from all strangers. He was off leash and exuded a calm, confident demeanor.
Overall he seemed like a great dog!
My Vizsla will be 12 in October; up until she was 11, she was really healthy. Now, alas, she’s developed Cushing’s Disease and is virtually blind. But I concur with those who love their Vs. I think she’s about as close as a dog can come to being a person! She’s mischievous, loving—thinks children are the best!– smart, AND sassy. “Quiet” is not a word I would have ever used to describe her! She had a lot of opinions, even when she had a ball in her mouth!
thx for the add colby as you know i already have a labrador and i also like golden retrievers.I’ll try to give more information to you another time.
Thanks for the add colby i’ll try to get back with more info later.
@Bailey, sounds good…I’d love to hear stories about your dogs. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are definitely two of my favorites!
cheese
Not a lot of people come on this internet do they colby Ifind it really interesting.
@Bailey, I noticed a lot more people go to page 1 – Top Dogs Good With Children Part I then to this page. I think it has to do with the fact that page 1 is indexed better and they don’t follow the link to page 2.
In the future I think I might just combine a long article like this into one post rather than split it into two articles.
By the way, thanks for reading and for the input.
I love golden retrivers they are amazinnggg!
Hows the beagle not up there?
i love the golden retriver. because i had one and i just loved him to death but now i miss tyson .because the lady called and wanted him back so that is the dog i like.
WELSH TERRIER WELSH TERRIER FOOLISH OLD MAN YOU SHOULD PUT WELSH TERRIER BUT YOU DIDNT BECAUSE YOUR FOOLISH IDIOT STUPID AND CANT DO ANYTHING RIGHT STUPID FOOLISH OLD MAN
I’m shocked that the Newfoundland was completely overlooked in this list! There is no better dog with children …period. They are called “gentle giants” for a reason. They tolerate a ridiculous amount from children, protect them …and even save them from drowning.
I agree… was really surprised the Newfoundlands didn’t make this list, albeit a subjective list, but still. Newfoundlands are definitely one of the better breeds for kids, specifically young children. A few comments down I see someone said that the bull terrier is known as the “nanny dog” which I find interesting… Hadn’t heard that before. But in the book Peter Pan “Nana” the dog was a Newfoundland… just a fund Newfie fact!
What a loads of crap this website is, its meant to be a good with kids guide not what dogs gays and wags have, complete waste of 10 minutes of my life. I’m gonna bad mark it, don’t anyone trust this websites source it inacurate and untrue and tols by someone who doesnt have a clue about dogs. Any comments greatly received
ummm so not sure what a wag is but how is it that these dogs represent that gays and what not own them?? Just wonderin
Best dog for children=staffordshire bull terrier, known as the nanny dog,
I totally agree
Dead right mike, the stafford is a truly amazing dog the guy who wrote this is a mug and a waste of space. No research just his own preferences
This list is very subjective and my personal preference does come into account. Part of the reason I put this list together was because I wanted to know for myself which dogs were considered good with children. I chose to publish on this website the information I researched when searching for my own dog. When I actually chose my own dog he was a mixed breed from the shelter. We think he’s part Australian Shepherd maybe some Chow.
Another reason why I put the list together was to hear feedback from others on the dogs they thought were good with kids.
Thank you everyone for your feedback and please if your favorite breed doesn’t appear on the list then add a comment and make a case for it.
I love goldens, but their coats are hard to maintain. For all terrier lovers, i love them too, but they tend to have tempers, i have a wheaten terrier and a yorkie. They sometimes have mean streaks so i can see why they are’nt up here. I am surprised Spitz aren’t up here, I have one named Jet, and they are a great choice of dogs because they are friendly and outgoing and have a nice furry appearence.
sorry i spelled my own name wrong!
Hi guys im 12 and ever since I was 4 years old I have been begging for a dog! The problem is that my landlord used to have a very bad experience with dogs but I think its stupid! I have a very big love for dogs and everyday I have been going on websites about how to take care of dogs. Another problem is that my mom is really afraid of dogs! Shes getting less and less scared now because I always show her my friends pets and dogs. I always like to go to petstores and a worker said that I should get a ferret if I cant get a dog but my mom hates ferrets! What should I do someone please help me! Everyone says to wait but I cant! I have been waiting for 8 years! My mom only wants a golden retreiver but its too expensive! And all the other dogs I see arent good for kids. Plz help me!
Dont get a ferret. They smell lol and high energy also…Golden retrievers are great dogs but yes they are expensive, and do cost a lil bit
Start taking your mom to shelters, show her articles, and show her you can be responsible, and just work with them. It wont happen overnight but it might take some time.
I know that no one will agree with me, but I am always an advocate for Staffordshire Terrier or better known as the pit bull terrier. If you have a yard and the time, and like with any dog patience, then they can be GREAT dogs. I have raised my two young kids with pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and never once had a problem with people, kids, and other dogs and cats even. It all depends on the love you give them, the proper training, proper socialization with everyone and everything else…also, make sure with any dog you get a hold of, that you know their background and stuff. Good luck
The Staffordhire Bull Terrier is a different breed from the American Staffordshire Terrier and The American Pit Bull Terrier although all 3 breeds do have common ancestors. All too often all 3 are lumped together as “pits bulls”. As a terrier, they can be aggressive towards smaller animals and therefore children. Because of the large amount of inbreeding among the American Pit Bull Terriers, you never know what you’re going to get. A dog that is similar to these breeds, but much better with children is the Dogo Argentino. I met a few and although they are large, they have always been gentle. They do like to “lay against you” and can knock you down, but are loyal and easygoing.
Personally, I love the German Shepard, Labs, Retrievers, and -a lesser known dog- the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Our female Rhody was the absolute best dog ever. She was tolerant of strangers, but fiercely loyal and would only allow the meter man out of his truck once my mom or dad called her inside.
@Sofia, I really like your passion for dogs and I’m sure some day soon you will have one of your own. However, taking care of a dog is a huge responsibility and something you and your mother shouldn’t take lightly.
I’m sure your mother knows your interest in getting a dog, but you might show your commitment by talking to your mom about volunteering for a local dog rescue. You and your mother could help a dog rescue in many ways including fostering. As a dog foster you’d take in a shelter dog for a period of time until the rescue finds the dog a permanent home. This would give you and your mother a chance to see what it’s like to own a dog.
If your mother is hesitant about dog fostering there are other ways to help a dog rescue. You can find rescues in your area at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters.html
Also, there are breed specific rescues that work specifically with placing breeds like Golden Retrievers. The cost for a rescue dog is usually much cheaper then buying a pure bred dog from a breeder.
Hopefully this information helps and be sure to discuss everything with your mother and get her approval before acting.
I ha a Border Collie for 9 yrs, he was the best dog ever, so well behaved and fantastic with my children who came along after him, he passed away 1yr ago so this year i thought i would get another dog, and what better than to get another of the breed i had learned so much about… My new dog is crazy, in funny as well as frustrating way, but he is so tolerant with my children, smarter too, very energetic but i feel that is good exersize, i am aware of their breed traits ankle nipping and such, but i feel if trained properly border collies are loyal and patient and very good with kids.
@VaIR, our last family dog was a Border Collie mix. He was full of energy and probably one of the most intelligent dogs we had. If we left the screen door open a crack he’d sneak into the house and when our side gate didn’t shut all the way he’d open it with his nose and run to the school to play with the kids. Maffy was good with kids, but he was so energetic he’d sometimes knock them over (including me, my sister, and my dad). Thanks for sharing your story about your Border Collie.
.-= Colby´s last blog ..Guide Dog Training And Hosting In The UK =-.
i love dogs
I’M NOT GOING IN LINE WITH ANY ONE.I THINK DOGS ARE A VERY LOVING INTELLIGENT CREATURE, I HAVE OWNED MANY DOGS IN MY YEARS AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN GREAT WITH EVERYONE. I THINK IF THE MOTHER WOULD AGREE WITH A GOLDEN RETRIEVER THEN THAT’S WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK AT,THE INTERNET IS A HUGE SOURCE AND I’M SURE YOU COULD FIND ONE IN YOUR RANGE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ALSO NOT FOR YOU BUT EVERYONE OUT THERE I HAVE OWNED LOTS OF ANIMALS AND I HAVE NOW AND ALWAYS HAD AT LEAST ONE PIT BULL, I HAD A MALE BRINDLE THAT I GOT AT 18 AND PUT HIM TO SLEEP WHEN I TURNED 36 AND HE WAS GREAT WITH ALL AGES OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS FROM MICE AND RATS TO SNAKES,FISH,CATS,GOATS,COWS HORSES YOU NAME IT HE WAS INCREDIBLE ,HE GOT ARTHRITIS IN HIS HIPS AND WAS SO OLD HE COULDN’T GET UP AND THE PAIN GOT TO WERE WE HAD TO PUT HIM DOWN, NOW I HAVE A FEMALE PIT WHO I TAKE TO PETS MART AND SHE LOVES EVERYBODY. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU MY DEAR YOU FOLLOW YOUR HEART.
That is true, i have to agree with you, energy they have in abundance, and i am going to contradict myself here by also agreeing that my kids have been tumbled by our new puppy a few times, but he’s learning how to play with the children very quickly as he is discovering that if he doesn’t play properly they just wont play with him. I think if he wasn’t so clever it would take him much longer to realise that, he’s only 7months old and has already learned how to slip the bolt on the back gate, althouh he only does it when the kids have gone out it, he hates it when they go elsewhere to play. I just adore the breed, i like all breeds but they are my favourites.
Corgi’s are great dogs for kids. I love the herding breeds and Shelties top the list for me. These dogs are great and will even “herd” your children to keep them in the yard!
.-= Tina´s last blog ..The Famous Red Flyer Wagon =-.
@ValR, thanks for sharing. We had a Border Collie mix that used to also unlatch the gate when we weren’t around to play with him. He was also very sneaky about opening screen doors. He was a very smart breed, but I’m not so sure I’d recommend his breed for children as he did like to nip and herd.
@Tina, I don’t mind the hearding so much as the nipping. One problem we had with our Border Collie mix was he used to run into people pretty hard which I believe was his herding instinct. We were just kids 7, 11, and 13 years old and he would knock us on our butts.
definitly #1! i luv g-dawgs!! thanks for the tips!! they really worked!!!!!!
I have to say this list missed out on the dogs that actually make good children dogs. For one newfoundlands are known as the number 1 dogs for kids they are far more tolerant and patient than a golden retreiver. Second you missed breeds actually bred to have 0 human aggresion. American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers were all bred to have 0 human aggresion, and because of there high pain tolerance and willingness to please they are great dogs with children. Even dogs in the fighting buinsness dogs that showed any aggression to the handlers were killed. I do love German Shepherds but they should not be on the list of best dogs with children, since they are so “fearless” they don’t usually show signs before biting or being pushed to their limits. Sure they give signs but your average dog owner does not know how to read dog body language.
I agree on the Pit Bull as being an amazing family dog!
A pit bull is an amazing family dog? I disagree. A friend of mine felt the same until her “amazing” pet killed her 3 year old son. Animals which pose any threat or risk to small children shouldn’t be in homes with small children.
Pit Bull Terrier people… not your standard Pit Bull. There is a BIG difference!! The Pit Bull Terrier’s DO NOT have the same temperament as the standard Pit Bull breeds.
Again, I would have to agree with Newfoundlands being among one of THE BEST breeds around children. The “gentle giants” are extremely gentle. Of course training is key here. The only drawback to the Newfoundland’s are the upkeep. They drool (a lot), and they MUST be groomed to avoid matting of the fur, as they have double coats. They’re work dogs, so once fully grown are happiest when “working” which most of the time means swimming in a body of water. They NEED their exercise too. They have health problems, but just about every breed does, and don’t we?? I would say parents spend WAY MORE money on their health and that of their children than their pets. Proper diet for dogs is just as important as proper diet for dogs. If you haven’t researched the RAW diet (aka BARF diet) I would HIGHLY recommend it! You wouldn’t feed yourself or your children “kibble” type food at every meal for the entirety of your/their life…. so why do it to ‘man’s best friend’?? The raw diet definitely pays for itself as your pets WILL live longer, AND they will have fewer health problems than their kibble fed friends.
I agree with the ones you’ve come up with but I feel you are leaving one dog out of the mix that is the BEST breed we have ever found around kids. The boxer is the best dog when it comes to being a great kid dog, yet protective enough of my family I can turn him loose with the kids and not have to wory. He is a big baby, never aggressive, always friendly though at times leary of strangers unless his people are there. I would highly suggest a Boxer. And they don’t require a lot of upkeep, time or extra attemtion as far as energy requirements. They think they are giant lap dogs. I don’t think i will ever own a different breed.
@Laura, thanks for your comment. We have an great Boxer in our neighborhood who is friends with both my dogs, Stetson and Linus. His name is Kona and he seems like he’d be excellent with children.
If you can look past their size, great danes are great dogs to have around children. They have enough energy to keep up with the children, but not so much that they’re likely to knock down your child (as long as they’re properly trained). They truly are gentle giants. They’re loving, loyal, and protective of their owners. And kids can’t help but have respect for a dog that’s about as big as them. It’s a great dog for kids.
@Amber thanks for your response. I’ve heard wonderful things about Great Danes from my friends and family members. They sound like they would be great dogs with kids.
One do that isn’t mentioned is the greyhound. Ours is very tolerant of the children (ages 2 and 4). The only set back is his size. At 80 pounds he can knock a child over. But he doesn’t jump or bark.
@Anne, I have several friends with Greyhounds and I’ve heard great things about the breed. Thanks for leaving us a comment!
Greyhounds are amazing dogs, sweet, lazy, and docile. However I don’t think they would be good for young children under the age of 5 or 7, in my own opinion. Greys tend to play differently than other dogs, using their mouths a lot more, and could not stand up to major rough-housing. They also have very thin skin, and I can just imagine a toddler tearing a hole in it by grabbing him!
That being said, I think for older children who have already learned to be respectful of dogs or children who do not rough house when they play (so maybe not a family with all boys!). Again there are probably those greys out there that are able to deal with it (in fact I know a few) but the majority are not. But wonderful, wonderful dogs. I know I love mine!
poodle… practically human…well, in a good way. It will tuck your children in and serve them snacks and teach them tricks.
vizsla… a very emotional dog. It will MISS you if you are gone
but physically these dogs are really tough – snow, sleet, rain, blazing sun…whatever, they just power through it.
your labs and goldens are mostly sweet, but remember as puppies they are already big and strong so with small children, they might be in a different weight class.
Why isn’t the Collie on here? They are loyal, loving, smart, protective, and playful. Who better to break the bond between your child and the TV when you don’t have time to go outside an play?
@Jared, my roomate in college had a Collie and she was great dog. She passed away recently, but he would take her everywhere. She was friendly to everyone and I don’t doubt that a Collie would make a great family pet for those who have children.
We have a golden. we bought him before our son was born so I believe that when we brought our son home it really messed with our dog and now our golden is very nervous around him doesnt like to be followed by our son and growls at him. So not every golden is good with children. We have tried everything we can think of to get him to be okay with our son and its not working. So we dont know if we should get rid of him or try and find another solution.
@Laura thank you very much for leaving a comment. It is important for everyone to know that even within a breed there is a lot of variation and not every Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever (and every other breed on this list or in the comments section) will be good with children or make good family pets.
Hopefully everything works out for you and your family. One thing you might consider is bringing in a local trainer for in-home training with your family and your dog. Of course the safety of you and your children is the most important thing.
I think there is a very important breed that has been left off of this list. Basset Hounds are wonderful with children. We have two, one that we had before we even had children. He took to our first child, and our next two, wonderfully. Our kids tugged at, jumped on, and everything else under the sun our dogs and never even a nibble. They have also been great with our most recent addition to our family, our cat. They are one of the sweetest breeds on this planet!
@Kim, thanks for telling us about your Basset Hounds. One of our good friends had a Basset Hound when we were growing up and he was great with the family. I remember one time he was so excited when we were playing in the swimming pool that he dove into the water, but couldn’t swim and sank to the bottom. We rescued him and he was fine, but it was a scary moment. He was definitely a dog that was good with children.
I own a Lab and I will never live without one, but I think I might want a standard poodle:)
To Colby, and Commentors,
im not sure if any of you have ever heard of a
dog called a LEONBURGER.Ive loved these dogs for quite long now and I own 2 of these giants.they started from germany and now are in variaties of places.although these dogs are pretty rare.they are nick named ‘gentle lions’ or ‘leos’.these dogs are very large but would not knock over children as they are not ‘jumpy’ they dont have much energy but are still playfull and cuddly.check out LEONBURGER on wikepedia.
I hope I have helped
my lordy thats a big dog lol
Labs are wonderful with children. My family got a black lab when I was around 12 and she just passed away at age 14. She was sweet as pie and loyal to boot. When she got older she got a little cranky around small children but for the most part she was so sweet. We recently acquired a black lab ourselves. I am 5 months pregnant and they will grow up together. She’s a handful now but VERY intelligent and at 9 weeks, she already knows the sit command and sleeps through the night. She’s very high energy when awake but sleeps most of the day. I know she’ll make a great addition to our growing family. Plus, what better warm-up practice for a baby then a puppy?
On a side note, I read the post about the golden with the child. Did they bring home a blanket with the babys scent on it before bringing the child home? I heard it works wonders. I also plan on playing baby sounds on you tube to the pup so she gets used to the sound of the baby crying, etc.
U HAVE EVERYTHING WRONG!!!!!!!! LINKS FOR A BETTER LIST: http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/best-dog-breeds-for-children.html http://animal.discovery.com/videos/top-10-family-dogs/ http://www.petmd.com/dog/top_tens/evr_dg_top_10_for_kids …. Vizlas are good dogs… so ya, cheese. its good.
Staffordshire bull terriors, neffies, beagles, bulldogs, collies, NOVA DUCK TOLLING RETIVERS!!!!!!!!!! -ADD THOSE OR..OR.. ILL EAT YOUR TOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
On the Vizsla, number 5 you had said you’d like to hear from someone with one. That would be me
These are very sort of, uncommon dogs. I had never seen, nor heard of one before we got ours. We actually didn’t even know what he was because we adopted him from a man, his dog had puppies but he didn’t know what the other parent was, just that his dog was a pit bull. So we have a vizsla/pit mix. He is such a great dog. He was fairly easy to house train, didn’t take long, he is so loving and affectionate. When he was a pup he was very playful, but he is 4 now and he’s a lazy dog LOL, but such a sweet one. He has been very well around younger children, he takes a lot when my little cousins visit and are trying to ride him and pulling on his ears haha, but he just takes it. And he is very smart, almost as if he has a personality of his own. He doesn’t bark unless he hears a knock at the door which we trained him to do, but is very vocal. If I ask him if he wants to go for a walk he jumps up and down and kind of makes this noise that sounds like chewbaca lol but its so cute, and he even responds to questions sometimes. He is very loyal, he has never tried to run away, we’ve never had any bad incidents with him, he is friendly with other dogs, and is just a great dog all around. The only flaw in this dog is that he has a bad case of seperation anxiety. He is very attached to me, and if I have to go away for any amount of time (over night) and have someone else watch him, he falls into a bit of a depression and would unmercifully chew himself raw. (Of corse we have a solution now) but that is the only thing I’ve ever experienced with him. He and I are very close, and I have never loved a dog so much in my life, or formed this strong of a bond with one. Vizslas- highly recommended, speaking first hand 
P.S- his coat is very fine as well, and does not shed a bit!
@Cait thank you for telling us about your vizsla/pit mix. Since I wrote this article I’ve come across many people who love their vizsla’s. I’ve noticed a couple in my parents neighborhood and one of my good friends has an older vizsla that he’s raised with his young kids.
Right now we have 2 labs and and australian shepherd mix at home and we’d really appreciate the no shed thing. Thanks again for stopping by and leaving a comment!
What do you think of a Welsh Terrier? i’ve been thinking about getting one. i hear they are great with children.
@Ellie unfortunately, I have no experience with Welsh Terriers. If you have a chance can you share some of the things you’ve read, heard, and experienced with Welsh Terriers in another comment? Thanks!
Hi, I own a boxer and was surprised they didn’t make the cut! The main reason we went with a boxer was that all the research kept saying they were one of the top dogs for kids; loyal, attached, and very protective. They are also a medium size with very short coats. Just wanted to shout out for all the kid-friendly boxers out there!
@Liz thanks for putting in your vote for the Boxer. We know several boxers and they are all very friendly dogs.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not on your list, why? It is widely referred to as the nanny dog because of it’s protective nature, and complete loyalty to it’s owners, and their kids! It is officially regarded as the the best dog with children with the Kennel Club of the UK. I am dumbfounded as to why this loving, intelligent and gentle breed is not number one, let alone not on your list! PS. Labs have the highest bite rate of any dogs with children, google it and see for yourselves, saying that, in my opinion as a dog lover, all breeds with the right commitment, nurture and training can be safe and reliable to a point, with kids.
Because he doesn’t have to put the staffordshire bull terrier or the american pit bull on his list. He’s going by research and what he has experienced. Your aloud to have your opinion and he’s aloud to have his opinion.
Thank you Sheena!
I REALLY THINK YOU SHOULD RANK THE ENGLISH BULLDOG HIGHER THAN 10. I HAD AN ENGLISH BULLDOG FOR 13 1/2 YEARS, HE PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY. VERY INTELLIGENT EXCELLENT WITH CHILDREN. HE WAS RAISED WITH OUR CHILDREN 16, 11,9, THEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BORN 2 1/2 YEARS AGO HE WAS VERY PROTECTIVE OF HER ALSO. IF I EVER GET ANOTHER PET, IT WILL DEFINITELY BE ANOTHER ENGLISH BULLDOG. WHAT A GREAT BREED.
WHAT ?!?!!?? NO BICHON FRISE!!! Those are wonderful dogs!!!
On Ruff Collies – My father was attacked by one as a child and my sister had one that bit her son and then later attacked a visiting child who has had to have reconstructive surgery to his face.
On Great Danes – They do have a lovely temperament but MUST be trained as puppies before they are too big. My sister got hers at 10 months old and he hadn’t been trained. He is energtic and loves to play with the children but is constantly knocking them over.
On Basset Hounds – Lovely natures but tend to wander and not return home.
I am currently researching smallish dogs to get one for my son and have found that your scoring system covers the same things that I am interested in. Thank you!
Where are the Newfoundlands on this list?!
I agree with goldens & labs this person dose not seem to know much about dogs. Vizsla’s are extremely hyper, corgi’s & poodles can be nasty (I am surprised they didn’t put pitbull’s on the list). What about beagle, american bulldogs, pugs…etc not to mention a gd mutt from the pound.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment on http://puppyintraining.com/top-10-dogs-good-with-children-part-ii but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
I liked your list, however from knowing a lot about all these dogs a couple do not fit for something I would have around children. Number 1 & 2 are right on the money as is a Bull Dog.
I have a Golden Lab / Golden Retriever Mix and he was never needed to be trained around children he just grew up loving all kids.
Labs are the best, Best for kids as well as adults and those who have physical disabilities. Tey love children and very protective, very intelligent and a good guard.
HI, I had a corgi and a 2 labs but they both had a problem with nipping at the kids heals. The corgi it wasn’t a big deal because it didn’t happen very often. But both labs had a problem with biting. So I had to get rid of them. But I loved loved loved my German Sheppard. We got him right before our first son was born and he was fantastic!
@Patricia, thanks for letting us know about your experiences with Labs, Corgi’s, and German Shepherds. My Australian Shepherd mix likes to nip at people’s heals, but that’s something I expected since he’s a herding dog. My Labs were mouthy as puppies (seems like most dog breeds are as pups), but as adults I haven’t had any problem with nipping.
I feel the true number one was left out of this list completely. People do not give enough credit to the American Pitt Bull Terrier. I have one he is absolutely great with children. Bad owners have given these dogs a terrible name. However, they truly are the most magnificent of all breeds. I was a skeptic to until a few years ago. My neighbor next door had two. I saw how friendly his were. His male dog would let his daughter ride him like a horse. So after seeing this my decision was made I knew it was the breed for me. I have had my Pitt for two years now and he got his AKC Canine Good Citizen by the time he was 8 months old. I don’t think there are many dogs out there that could accomplish that. Truely a great dog.
How about the Siberian Husky?
thank you for a great list and I enjoyed the comments too. We have a black Lab and a 2 year old, they seem to be a perfect combination. Even though the black lab is an old dog and is getting on in years. He has always been good with kids and very protective the only time I ever heard of him bare his teeth was we had a neighbor boy who would play with him as his family and ours shared a back field. A strange man wondered into the field one day and obviously the dog did not like this and put himself right between the child and the man and made enough noise that both my husband and the boys father were alerted and the man left immediately. Those are just two reasons that we will probably end up sticking with the lab. I’m glad Labs made the top 2.
I have a 4 yr old Vizsla and love him to death! He’s great with the kids (a 10 yr old & a 7 mo old). He is aloof around strangers, not ever too eager for their attention. He lives up to being a velcro dog, loves attention, wants to learn new things, loves to play fetch, & I even taught him to be a ‘helper dog’. Came in handy when I was 8 mo pregnant & couldn’t bend over anymore! His coat is ‘odorless’. He only gets bathed when he’s very dirty or rolls in something dead (which happens like 4x/yr). I would not recommend this dog for someone not willing to exercise or entertain the animal. They can be a handful sometimes, especially if not properly trained. All in all though, they are wonderful affectionate dogs!
HI
I have had minature poodles and love them.Now I have two young Grandchildren and I am wanting a medium sized dog for them.I love the Standard Poodle,but I am concerned it will be to big.Are the female Standards smaller?What do you think of the Labradoodles?
Pat
@Pat, we’ve had both Standard Poodles and Labradoodles in our guide dog group and they are both very nice breeds. I don’t thin you can go wrong with either breed (of course you need to properly train the dogs). One thing I really liked and I’m sure you enjoyed too was the lack of shedding. In general the females are smaller than the males. According to the Dog Breed Info site the average size for female Standard Poodles is 45-60 pounds.
I enjoyed reading your website. Thanks for sharing your opinion. If you are interested in the vizla I would reccomend looking into all the pointing breeds. Pointers and German short haired pointers are wonderful from first hand experience. I like pointers a bit more than the other two breeds because while active outside inside they enjoy a sprawl on the couch while the others are always looking for something new to do.
I thought this list was very good. It at least is a start for people looking into breeds to get to interact with their children. Colby, I am very sorry that people are hassling you over the fact that you didn’t mention every dog in the book, I think they missed the fact that there are more than 10 breeds in the world, and you chose to do the “Top Ten” … It’s also personal preference to be totally honest. I’d trust Weimaraner or a Rodeigian Ridgeback (Spelling?) around my children *personally* because I’ve found they are very gentle and amazing breeds to have around. But, thank you for this list! It does give a bit of food for thought and it at least is a nice stop to make during your google searches for more breeds. I hope the posts weren’t to bad later on (Seeing as how this is 4 years later) and people learned that not everything revolves around them.
(Ah, forgive me for the date, I was looking at the wrong things. Apparently the “Trackbacks” at the bottom of the page hold a different date, and appear as comments. Forgive me for this misunderstanding)
@Perdendo, thanks for commenting and thank you for understanding the point of this blog post. I took a look at the date and I actually did publish this post about 4 years ago.
I have had Golden Retrievers for years. Love this breed! I have used them in pet therapy both with the elderly and with children. I do want to say, however, that just because a breed is considered number one breed for children, does not mean that all Goldens are good with children. My own Grandchild was attacked by a Golden Retriever without provoking that attack. This was while adults were in the room with the child. Something about the small child walking behind him startled him and he attacked. The attack required stitches and could have been more serious had supervision not been right there. This was a Golden that had been around children all his life and was a trusted friend. I say this to caution that no dog breed or dog is 100%. Small children should always be supervised with all dogs.
I own a vizsla, and everything you report about them is true! They are the best, most kind, gentle loyal dogs ever. However they are extremely high energy and need to be exercised DAILY. I cannot stress this enough, otherwise thy cn get bored and become destructive. We have to take our dog to th dog park every single day. But she is the best dog we’ve ever had. She is the most beautiful dog and is the perfect size. She’s very clingy and must be considered part of the family. Ie sleeps in our bed under the covers with her head on a pillow
Labs & retrievers are both excellent around kids. We had a lab growing up. He was a bit hyper, but never bit anyone. And my best friend had a retriever that took it upon himself to escort us everywhere, making sure we were always safe.
I love that the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever made number 1 and 2 on the list! We have 2 Black Lab/Golden Retriever mix puppies and 5 kids. I couldn’t wish for a better family.
Our puppies are about 15 months old now, brother and sister. They play with each other enough to keep most of the energy level down with the kids (unless there is a tennis ball in someones hand!). The are very intelligent and loyal, and just the right amount of watch dog. They have all the best qualities of both breeds. If someone can’t decide between the two, I recommend a mix (but ONLY if you can give them PLENTY of exercise).
@Janice, not a bad idea! Along with purebred Labs, Goldens, and German Shepherds our Guide Dog school also uses Golden/Lab mixes in their guide dog program. I’ve also heard that some of the service dog schools use primarily Golden/Lab mixes for their service dogs.
I am surprised at Golden being top. I have meet many a Golden who are very bad with children and other dogs. The majority of the time when my lab was attacked at dog parks it was a Golden. I am also surprised that Pittbull was not included at all, bread bias? A good pittbull is by far the best dog for children. Mine was 5 years old when we brought our baby home from the hospital. He was patient with her from the time she started putting cloths on him and mounting him like a horse.
He was also our baby monitor. If the baby was in her crib and fussing he would come get us. This is not a fluke, after speaking to many other Pitt owners it is very common behavior and before they got such a bad rap they were known as “Nanny” dogs in England. I am sad to not even see a nod to the breed.
In fact the Pitt was much better with our children than our lab was. MUCH BETTER.
“Nanny” referred to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, not the PItt.
Great post – But I have to ask – why isn’t the Boxer on here? I’ve read and heard numerous amount of times that the boxer is supposed to be one of the best breeds of dog to have with children?
I had 4 kids and multiple dogs the best advice is to raise the dog right. I prefered the working dogs over the hunting breeds only because they were easier to train to stay in the yard, The best was a Shepherd / Husky mix that we had from a puppy. No aggresive behavior was ever allowed by the dog. but we gave out dogs lots of love my eight year old daughter would use her for a pillow while watching TV. By treating the dog with love , repect, zero tolerance for aggresssion and constant exposure to kids we have always had good dog.They need to grow with you and the family.They will not come automatically kid ready
Great advice Mark!
Thanks for sharing,
Colby
Hi, I’m 11 years old,and I heard that if there are alot of rats around the house,then it would not be a good idea to get a toy poodle,because they are very small.I really want a dog,but I’ve been trying to look for a medium sized one and the most suitable one for my age,and also the most suitable one for hot weather(because I live in Malaysia,and its kinda like a tropical country if you ask me).I have been thinking about maybe a miniature poodle,toy poodle,or miniature schnauzer?
Oh and we have quite a big yard,but there are quite a lot of mosquitoes there.But there are two parks near my house.I’m also looking for a hypoallergic dog like the poodle,because my sister has some skin problems.
Good luck with your search for a dog. I hope you find one that works with your family.
get a pitbull. you will not want another dog again.
when i was younger my neighbors dog attacked one of the family members. that dog was a golden retriever. where is pitbull on this list? where is the boxer on this list? people will probably laugh when i say pitbull, but i have to admit, there are very protective of kids. i trust pitbulls more then labs. weird huh.
I have a 2 year old Vizsla named Abby! She is a bundle of energy! She makes friends wherever she goes! She has the sweetest personality, shes my 60lb lap dog! She has never shown any signs of aggression whatsoever. All the neighborhood kids just love her, and she loves them more! I would highly recommend the Vizsla to anyone! They do need alot of exercise.
Hi Tina,
Thank you for telling us all about your Vizsla. One of my friends just lost his Vizsla and said it was the best dog he ever had.
Thanks,
Colby
Colby, I really enjoyed your article and system party because I’ve been doing a lot of research lately to find the right breed for me and my family and I’m looking for the exact things you grade on. I even had the same experience of finding out how awesome the Vizsla breed is.
However, I ended up comming to a different conclusion and I think you need to know about this breed as well. You’ll have another “Vizsla” moment when you realize how awesome this breed is.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier! It’s been said already in the comments, but it’s worth repeating. The Nanny Dog from the UK, which is the 5th most popular breed over there, knocks it out of the park in pretty much every one of your categories. Slightly high on the energy level (but not too much so), awesome size, AMAZING temperment, highly trainable, and fantastic intangibles like short manageable coat, loyal, *just the right amount of protection ability*, and sound realiable personality makes this dog a “must consider.”
Even if you don’t change your list, you owe it to yourself to check out this breed for your own personal gain… and that goes for the rest of you folks too!
Hi Tom,
Thanks for telling us about the Stafforshire Bull Terrier. We have friends who have Staffies and they are very good with the kids. This list is really just a starting point for people looking for good family dogs, but maybe I should have made it a little bit longer…top 20? Really the discussion area is just as important (if not more) as the original content as there is feedback from many different people and their experiences with certain dog breeds.
Thank you for contributing to the article.
Take care,
Colby
You DO know that an American Stafforshire Terrier is the true name for a PitBull, right? I am in no way against PitBulls, but they need a LOT of corrective training to keep them from turning. If you have young children, you will not have time for that. You may try another breed if you have somewhat young children.
Actually, the term “Pit bull” can refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The dog we commonly think of as a “Pit Bull” – the one with the reputation of being aggressive towards humans, the one that’s raised brutally and used in dog fights – is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Consequently, this is the most gentle and least aggressive to humans (and dogs) of the three. In fact, they are not recommended as guard dogs because it is almost impossible to train them to be aggressive to humans. This trait (more so than their strength) is why they are the preferred fighting dog; they will not turn on their masters, no matter how poorly they’ve been treated. While it is true that the Amstaff and Staffy can be dominant and therefore not always likely to get along with other dogs, all three of this variety score very low on aggression towards humans. In fact, almost all fatal incidents attributed to Pitt Bulls are the result of dogs who had been trained to fight. These are gentle, loving dogs who are heavily misunderstood. I urge anybody with compassion for dogs to do their research about Pit Bulls before parroting ingrained misinformation; their reputation is undeserved and it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and change that.
VIZSLAS ARE AWESOME DOGS! I am no expert. That said, my parents, sisters and I always had numerous dogs at once, and always a variety of breeds from toys to sporting. After experience with now 5 Vizslas, it is by far my favorite breed to recommend for and “all-around-great-dog”! I agree with the concern about separation anxiety so recommend 2 rather than 1 (much easier actually) because they prefer to be with other dogs when their humans leave for work or board them (most of us must work but try taking them on vacation with you for an unforgettable experience). We have found that Vizslas are active outside but with daily exercise can be calm and always snuggly in the house. They are relatively healthy and clean and can be quickly brushed or bathed and dried when they discover something fun to get them dirty. Ours rarely bark and show no aggression so may not be best choice for a guard dog. They are affectionate and can be gentle even with smaller children and pets when supervised or part of their family. Vizslas are hunters though and will chase the wildlife in your yard so a fence is a good suggestion if possible. The medium build of a Vizsla may satisfy those who prefer bigger dogs while their desire to sit on laps and sleep in your bed will help lovers of toy breeds forget they ever considered something smaller. We found ours to be smart and relatively easy to train with praise and rewards with minor mishaps when they get distracted. I love all dogs and suggest people research the breed that is right for their family…and consider Vizslas!
To be honest, I think the number one should be a chihuahua! Have you seen how much energy they have? I have one and she is as energetic as a kid when he is bouncing-off-the-walls hyper.they are super trustworthy and alert. They are really intelligent, dispite what you may think. They have a great temperament. They are bread to love their owners, they are classified as velcro dogs. Aside from that, they are extravagantly cute and impossible not to love.
Only trouble is, if your child falls on a Chihuahua, it breaks.
To be honest, I think the number one should be a chihuahua! Have you seen how much energy they have? I have one and she is as energetic as a kid when he is bouncing-off-the-walls hyper.they are super trustworthy and alert. They are really intelligent, dispite what you may think. They have a great temperament. They are bread to love their owners, they are classified as velcro dogs. Aside from that, they are extravagantly cute and impossible not to love.
Great Pyrenees dogs are the BEST dogs with kids. Where did you research this information???? I have a pyr and he is the kindest dog. He is a professional obedience dog. Most beautiful dog ever, altho they are not supposed to be that smart, they really are. Wikipedia it: Great Pyrenees dog; not to be confused with a Pyrenean Mountain Dog.
I owned a vizsla, we got her when she was two and a half and she was a wonderful and I mean wonderful dog! A couple years after we got her my sister moved in with us with her infant son and our dog (Annie) was very protective of the baby! If we put him down in the swing she would lay right underneath him and did great with him until my sister moved out when he was a little over two. Then we had a friend stay with us for a little while who also had a infant son and she did good with him as well all though she was getting up there in age and she did snip towards him (but wasnt going after him just warning him) one time when he got a little too rough with her but that was it. A couple years later I had my own son and she did great with him, Unfortenly she passed away when our son was about 10 months- She rarely barked I only heard her bark once at chickens when we visited a farm and once at my husband when he lost his house key and was breaking into our bedroom window
her favorite activities were cuddling on the couch and cuddling on the bed and eating. She did enjoy our daily walks as well but mostly she just liked to sun bathe when she was outside. She was super calm and had such a loving, caring, loyal, laid back personality! I highly recommend them for any dog lover!!! I miss ours and have been trying to adopt for a while but none our in our area 
I’m busy doing research on dogs at the moment as I am looking to get a good family dog which is very good with kids. The kids are 2 and 5 years old respectively. As a little kid we had a boxer but I have not had a dog since. I think I have made up my mind to get a boxer again as I loved that dog so many years ago but I’m trying to find out how good they really are with kids? I’ve been onto numerous sites such as this and I have yet to find one with a boxer in the top 10 for kids. Can someone tell me why this is? Other dogs come up so frequently but I am really looking for some positives for the boxer as that is the dog I really want.
While I haven’t seen much regarding boxers I also haven’t heard any negatives. What has been said has been positive albeit very little. Why is this? Is the Boxer just not a very popular dog? Please help, thanks in advance.
I have a few friends who have Boxers, but they don’t have kids. I’ll see what they have to say about Boxers and whether they would make a good family dog.