Meta: It’s tempting to just bring home the first puppy dog eyes you see, but choosing a dog depends on your kids’ personalities. Here’s how to find the right pup for the fam!
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Choosing a dog may seem like a simple task. Find a pup that looks adorable, gives you those puppy dog eyes, and has some fluff to cuddle, and that’s it!
That may work when you’re living alone and have all the time in the world to get to know your new pet. But the truth is, there’s more to picking a pup when you’ve got kids.
Choosing a dog depends on your kids’ personalities. If your kids and your dog don’t get along, life is going to be tough!
Here’s how to choose the right dog for your family.
Quiet, Shy, Withdrawn Kids
If your kid is a quieter one and prefers spending their time doing things like reading, drawing, or keeping themselves busy quietly, they need a dog that respects that and fits into their quietness.
Consider dog breeds that are gentle, calm, and moderately active. It’s also important to think about whether your family and kid would prefer a small, medium, or large breed dog.
A Spaniel or Irish Setter would be a good choice. They’re fluffy enough to be huggable, and happy to be in their owner’s presence without needing a lot of attention.
They do need a daily run or swim, though, which could help get your quiet kid out of the house for a bit.
Other good options include:
Basset Hounds
Bulldogs
Pugs
Chows
Shih Tzus
Bouncy, Boisterous Kids
Kids who have a bunch of energy would benefit from having a highly active dog. That way, both kid and dog can work off that energy together!
Look at dog breeds that are energetic and need plenty of exercise. Make sure they’re known to be good family dogs, too! Consider breeds like:
Labradors
Border Collies
Australian Shepherds
Golden Retrievers
Jack Russells
Poodles
All of these breeds are high-energy, but lovable enough to make great family pets. Get your kid to help exercise and feed them, and they’ll be fast friends.
It’s important to teach your child to treat their dog with respect. If they're quite boisterous, they may get rough with the pup without meaning to, which could lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
A Mixed Bag
If you have kids who have vastly different personalities, it can be harder to find a dog breed to suit both.
You’ll need a loving breed who isn’t afraid to get bouncy with the energetic kids, but can still sit quietly and happily with a quieter kid.
Some dogs who may fit the bill include:
Italian Greyhounds: these pups have short bursts of high energy, followed by naps
Pekingese: these pooches are happy to sit quietly by your feet, but equally overjoyed with a romp or run.
English Bulldogs: these solid dogs are super easy for even kids to train, but enjoy living a low-key life.
Fox Terriers: These small breeds can be very bouncy and enjoy a good run, but will wait patiently by their owner if necessary.
Conclusion
All dogs need a loving home. But while it’s tempting to just take home the first one you see, choosing the right dog for your family needs a bit more thought.
Choose a dog that clashes with your kids, and you’re in for some heartache. But choose a pup that can bond with your kid, whatever time of person they are, and your family will be complete. Not to mention, your kid will have a friend and companion for as long as the pooch is around.
So if you’re considering adopting a dog for your kids—we recommend adopting over buying—take a bit of time to consider what kind of dog your kids need.
You may not end up with the dog you thought you would, but you’ll more than likely end up with the dog your family needs. What’s more, your pup will end up with the family he or she needs, too.
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