Many people see their dogs as important members of the family. And families of all shapes and sizes can benefit from having one or more dogs in them.
Having a family dog can be great for reducing stress levels and improving the health of everyone. But there are some particularly great benefits for kids from having a family dog:
- Giving kids age-appropriate tasks, such as helping to feed the dog or taking it for a walk, which is a great way to boost their self-esteem.
- Kids are more compassionate and have higher levels of emotional intelligence if they learn at an early age how to care for and nurture a dependent animal.
- Children often name their dog when asked who they would go to with a problem, because their dog unconditionally accepts them without judgement or criticism.
- Kids with dogs have been shown to have less stress, to be more active, healthier and have a decreased chance of developing allergies.
In general, the best family dogs are those that are gentle, friendly, and easy to train. But before you bring a new pup home, it’s a good idea to do some research and think about the best kind of dog breed for your particular family, children, home and lifestyle.
There are four main things to think about when choosing the best dog for your family:
Size: Larger playful dogs may be great playmates for boisterous and exuberant kids, while smaller or more fragile dogs might be more comfortable around older, more considerate children.
Energy: Some dogs are always on the go and need lots of exercise every day and space to play. Others love nothing more than being pampered or cuddling on the couch. Puppies may not be the best choice if you have very young kids at home, but an older, more patient pooch might be the perfect fit.
Temperament: Dogs’ personalities are as different as peoples. Some dogs are perfectly happy to socialize with everyone, while some prefer only adults or one gender. So, spend some time with your future pup to make sure its unique personality and temperament will be a good match for your family.
Care Requirements: What level of grooming and exercise can you and your family commit to? Have you considered the ongoing costs of keeping your dog healthy and happy, including potentially large vet bills if something happens? Have you thought about who will look after the dog if you go away? It is a great idea to sort all this out before falling in love with those puppy eyes and wagging tail.
Lots of potential breeds might be a good fit for your family, but to help you out, our list of the best family-friendly breeds is a great place to start looking!
Remember that all dogs need a warm, loving environment, training, structure, attention, and exercise. Without this, even good family dogs can turn bad.