5 Top Dog Breeds That Are Perfect For Young Families
It’s a tough decision to choose the ideal dog breed for your family. There are so many factors that need to be considered, like size, temperament, and energy level. Then you might be wondering whether to go for a purebred or a crossbreed such as a poodle mix.
But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our guide on 5 top breeds of dogs that are perfect for young families.
1. Labradors
Labrador Retrievers make excellent family dogs. They are known to be kind and friendly towards people of all ages, including infants and toddlers. They often like nothing more than playing around with small children in the yard or spending quality time with their families.
Labrador Retrievers love playing fetch and may keep a tennis ball in their mouth at all times. But, if you leave your shoes and socks lying around, you may find your Lab enjoys retrieving those too!
Being a large dog breed with a strong working heritage, Labradors require daily exercise, even when it’s chucking down with rain. They need the opportunity to run and will need training to become the perfect family pet.
The Lab’s temperament and eagerness to learn make them a great choice of dog for newbies.
2. Beagles
Beagles are considered one of the easiest dog breeds to train, so they’re great for first-time owners. They can be trained to walk on a leash without pulling, making them excellent companions for young children.
Beagles are active dogs that need to be taken on a daily walk. This is an intelligent and curious breed, so if you don’t provide things for them to do, they make up their own games that you might not be so keen on!
Beagles are an excellent choice for families with young children, and they also make an awesome guard dog, letting you know if someone’s coming onto your property. Though do just expect them to bark to let you know someone is there, once the person comes through the gate, a beagle is likely to shower them in affection whether they’re a welcome visitor or not!
This is a breed that has retained its strong hunting instinct, so they’re likely to be tempted to chase mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
3. Poodles
Poodles are a breed with lower energy levels than, say a Labrador, making them an ideal companion for young children. Their steady temperament also makes them an excellent choice for the family setting.
You might think Poodles come in two sizes – big or small – but there are actually four sizes of Poodle to choose from; Toy, Miniature, Standard, and Giant.
Poodles have a long history as circus dogs, so many people think they’re naturally inclined to perform tricks. However, their background is as a hunting dog, and they have been bred to retrieve birds from the water. If you’re wondering why they have that distinctive cut of coat, that’s actually designed to protect them from getting waterlogged when they go into the pond to retrieve birds.
Many Poodles still have a love of water, so if you have a swimming pool or pond in your garden, make sure you fence it off, so they don’t try and jump in!
The Poodle has a naturally curly coat that requires daily brushing to keep it mat-free and shiny. Additionally, they will need regular trips to the groomers to get their coats trimmed.
4. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are known as a ‘gentleman’s dog’ because they’re kind and gentle. They like to be around people, whether it’s lounging on the couch or joining their owners in one of their favorite hobbies, such as yoga or knitting!
Shetland Sheepdogs generally require moderate daily exercise, so a brisk walk around the neighborhood will do. However, this is a herding breed at heart, so they’ll need a lot of mental stimulation to avoid them getting bored. When they don’t get this, then you might see some of the herding traits coming out, such as nipping at heels and rounding up the children!
The Sheltie also requires regular grooming to keep their coat in top condition otherwise you’ll end up with problems with matting and tangles.
This is a breed that has high levels of intelligence and is very eager to learn. This makes them perfect for training with positive reinforcement techniques. If you’ve ever been interested in dog sports such as agility or obedience, the Sheltie is a great dog to start out with.
5. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees was originally bred to guard livestock. However, these days they’re more likely to just lay lazily by your side! This is a large breed of dog with a calm and confident nature, making them excellent companions for children.
They are, however, considered to be independent thinkers, so early socialization is essential. Sometimes they may choose to ignore your commands if a creature or smell grabs their attention and their guarding instinct kicks in!
The Pyrenees has a laidback, quiet demeanor. However, they need space to stretch out because of their large size, so a house with a yard you can give them access to will be the ideal home.
Large dogs are going to be much more expensive to keep. Food and vet bills will be higher, but you’ll also need to factor in extra costs for the size of their toys, bed, and even collar.
Ideally, this breed needs regular grooming and will be brushed every day to keep mats at bay. Their light-colored coat may require professional clipping each year if you don’t keep up with the daily grooming.
All breeds of dogs are a commitment both in time and money. So, before you bring a new four-legged friend into the family, make sure that you really consider whether right now is the perfect time for a new addition.