Best Dog Breeds for Children

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 22 December, 2022

Living with dogs is good for a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social development.  All dogs, regardless of their breed, fur color or age, are capable of leaving a positive impact on children’s lives.

However, before choosing a dog for your home, it is a good idea to find out what dog breeds are good with children.

The Benefits of Growing Up With Dogs

Due to their honest personalities, dogs can teach children important values such as loyalty and friendship. These teachings will last during the child’s entire life. Likewise, a dog’s unconditional love helps increase your child’s self-esteem, and stimulate both his/her emotional and social development.

Taking care of a pet on a daily basis teaches children responsibility because a dog will need their dedication to live happily and healthy in a family setting.

How to Choose the Best Dog for Children

It is important to understand that there are no good or bad dogs by nature. Half of a dog’s behavior is determined by its breed and the other half by its education and life experiences. Even the best dog breeds for children will require consistent training and proper socialization in order to live happily and successfully in your home.

You should teach your dog basic obedience exercises and make sure he goes through a proper socialization process during his first 20 weeks of life. At this age, puppies start to learn how to coexist and communicate with others.

If you want to find a perfect pet for your children, then you must first consider how well the animal can adapt to your child’s energy level and curiosity. The best dog breeds for children have a balanced temperament and are willing to go on adventures with children.

Choosing small animals for children is far from necessary. Remember, a dog’s size does not determine its behavior or ability to learn.

The Best Dog Breeds for Children

Beagles

The Beagle is a friendly, active, medium-sized dog. They like to play with children and entertain them for hours. This breed needs a good amount of exercise and to go on daily walks. Since Beagles are a type of hound, they need to satisfy their tracking instincts.  If this dog doesn’t get a proper amount of exercise, it will chew up your furniture, shoes and household items.

Labrador Retrievers

This breed is intelligent, affectionate, faithful and patient: the classic good-natured dog. Due to its calm and energetic temperament, it is the perfect family dog.  This dog breed is willing to learn and obey commands quickly.

Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are very similar to Labradors and are intelligent, loyal and well-tempered. They learn and obey easily and are wonderful around children. However, this breed does require constant grooming due to long fur.

Poodles

Poodles are considered to be the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. They have no problem obeying commands, learning lots of tricks, and they love playing with kids. They come in all sizes and the smaller ones adapt well to smaller environments. However, it is important to realize that Poodles need proper training to prevent hysteria that some may experience.

Boxers

The Boxer’s strength, intelligence and physical endurance make it an excellent watchdog for children. They also make sweet and playful companions. They are medium-sized dogs that need space and daily exercise to burn off their excess energy.

Border Collies

Collies became very popular after the movie “Lassie” came out in theaters. Border Collies are the most intelligent dog breed in the world and have a balanced temperament and obedient personality.

They can adapt the countryside and city, although they do require space, exercise and grooming because of their long fur. This breed is always a good choice for those who prefer a bigger, more protective dog.

Yorkshire Terriers

This little powerhouse from the Terrier family is one of the most popular breeds on the planet. They are faithful, energetic companions, great guard dogs and hypoallergenic! 

These dogs are a perfect choice to accompany and take care of children. They love to play, jump and run all day long. However, they need proper training during early stages of life to keep them from becoming compulsive barkers.

The Best Dogs for Children: Mixed Breeds

Mixed-breed dogs can also be an ideal choice for children. They are able to learn, live and adapt to your family routine, just like any purebred dog.

Furthermore, they will always show how grateful they are for receiving your family’s love. There are thousands of adult dogs and puppies waiting for a second chance in life and be loved. So, why buy a dog when you can adopt one instead?