When you decide to extend your family with a furry friend, you will need to decide what type of pup to get. In this post, our vets in Rancho Cucamonga share some of the best dog breeds for kids and what you need to think about when caring for a new dog.
What are the best small dog breeds or family dogs for kids?
So you've decided to add a new pet to your family and you've decided on a dog. Now you need to decide which breed of dog would be best for your family. Take your time to find a dog that suits the space you live in, as well as the energy level of your family, and the effort that you are willing to give for training. Here our team at Rancho Regional Veterinary Hospital in Rancho Cucamonga share some of our favourite dog breeds for kids:
Newfoundland
Newfoundland dogs are great for large homes. Nicknamed 'Nature's babysitter', these sweet-natured, intelligent dogs love to be around kids. Water-loving and friendly Newfoundlands can make excellent family pets.
Due to their gentle disposition, these dogs are ideal to have around children. Newfoundlands or 'Newfies', are very protective over their family and will guard young children closely. This dog breed will not show any aggression toward your children and they don't typically become irritated.
Irish Setter
Weighing around 65 lbs, this breed is more than just strikingly beautiful! These dogs are lively, intelligent, and have a great sense of mischief. Irish Setters love to chase balls, and go for long runs, but also enjoy playing in the backyard with kids. High-energy kids will love spending time with this breed.
Irish setters love being a loyal family companion and make a great addition to any family. Irish setters are great family pets as they love to spend time playing with young children.
Golden Retriever
If you have kids that will love throwing a ball and playing with the family pup, or taking the time to teach the dog new tricks, this could be the breed for you. Ranging in weight from 55-75 lbs Golden Retrievers are confident, friendly, smart, kind, and loyal, making them perfect for family life.
Golden Retrievers aim to please! This especially goes for their family. They are one of the most loyal and easy-to-train breeds as well, increasing their appeal as a family dog. Golden retrievers are one of the easiest dogs to train and will love having you and your kids teach them new tricks.
English Bulldog
This small and calm dog is well-suited to apartment living. These dogs seek out social interactions with their people and will love cuddling up with the family to watch a movie and relax. English bulldogs make sweet, gentle, and dependable family pets.
Our veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga love this dog breed because while they are not the most active dog breed out there, they will enjoy getting to snuggle up and relax with the kids making them a soothing companion.
Beagle
At between 18-30 lbs this medium-sized breed craves spending time with its people, playing games, and going for walks. These smart dogs can make very loving family pets when provided with plenty of family interaction and exercise. This is not the best breed for families who are out of the house a lot.
Much like Golden Retrievers, Beagles have a goal of pleasing their owners and love to show affection. Beagles have tons of energy to spare making them great for kids that love to spend their time running around.
Boston Terrier
Checking in at just under 25 pounds, these people-loving dogs come with their own easy-to-care-for "tuxedo" coats. Content to play with the kids and go for short walks this charming dog breed adapts well to apartment living and makes a great companion for children. Boston terriers are full of personality your kids will love.
Boston Terriers are a very happy breed that loves playing with children. This dog breed is best for kids as they love playing games like fetch and running around.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
At between 10-18 lbs, the portable size of this lively but gentle breed makes it ideal for smaller homes or apartments. Cavaliers get along well with kids as well as other dogs, loving to play and snuggle in equal measure. These sweet-natured dogs can be great pets for kids of many energy levels and ages.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very gentle which is a great quality in a family dog, especially if you have young children in the house. These dogs are very loyal and will love to spend time snuggled up with your little ones.
Pug
These adorable little characters love to eat and sleep. If your kids are small, or lower energy and would appreciate a dog that will play indoors then curl up with them and watch TV, a pug may be the right breed for your family. At around 15 lbs, this is a breed that doesn't need much space just a couple of short walks each day.
Pugs love playing around, which is a great fit for a home with kids. Because of their small size, they can be an ideal match if you have smaller children in the house.
The Mutt
Mutts are mixed-breed dogs that can be fantastic family dogs! These dogs often come equipped with the best traits of many kid-friendly breeds such as a gentle loving nature and loyalty. These dogs can be as good with children as purebred dogs and tend to be less susceptible to genetic diseases, and less expensive. The perfect breed for your child may be waiting for you at your local animal shelter. If you would like help with locating local animal shelters, the team at our animal hospital in Rancho Cucamonga would be happy to help.
The Importance of Routine Care For Your New Dog
Once you have a new dog you will need to schedule them for routine pet care including vaccines.
Consisting of regular vaccinations combined with parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine pet examinations also include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog in for their routine checkup, we can prevent your pet from developing health issues, or catch them early when they are most treatable.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.