Dog Information - Dog Breeds Most Suitable For Children

Dog breeds that are most suitable for children are breeds that have a mild temperament and playful attributes. It is important to note that every animal including the canine has its own personality. Therefore any of our suggested breeds may or may not be the right choice for your children. All Dog owners must take the time to educate the entire family about the canine. Then do the necessary Dog training and child training as well.

It is paramount that parents while making the choice of what dog they wish to include in the family get as much dog information from the breeder as possible.  What the bitch and the male's history are as it relates to kids and aggression. The breeder should assist you in picking a puppy with a mild temperament, one that does not become aggressive with noise and roughhousing. Also it is very important to know and match what environment is best suited for the dog breed itself.

Another important piece of advice is that no young toddler should ever be left unsupervised with your family dog or any other dog. When the child matures and grows to understand the relationship, then is able to utilize the dog training techniques your family is providing, you may then start weaning the supervision. We highly recommend monitoring the results.

Below are our top ten choices we think you should consider and why:

1.    The Labrador Retriever ranks at the top of our list. Their reputation as a fun loving family oriented canine is unsurpassed. They are most often good around children of all ages.

2.    The Golden Retriever is also an excellent choice for children of all ages. They are often easy going, playful and eager to please.

3.    Flat Coat Retriever's love children and are a great family choice. They are also eager to please and train reasonably well.  These dogs adjust well in many environments, so keep this in mind.

4.    Newfoundland's are extremely well suited for children. They have a sweet temperament and love children. They can handle more roughhousing than most dogs and simply go lay down when they have had enough. They always keep a watchful eye over the family and are very trustworthy dog. Environment plays a key role whether one should own a Newfoundland or not.

5.    The Saint Bernard is another good choice for children. Saints normally have a very mild temperament and love children. With a little training they become devoted, fun loving companions. Again your environment is an important consideration because of their size.

6.    Irish Setters are great family dogs and very good around children. They can be sensitive to a lot of boisterous activity, so keep that in mind. When they have had enough they normally retreat to the comfort of a quiet place.

7.    An English Setter is a very good choice for children. They have a mellow temperament and a loving nature.  With a little dog training these dogs make excellent companions.

8.    Beagles are normally a good choice for children as are many in the hound family. They are usually good around children, love to play. Beagles do have a stubborn streak about them however. They can be a bit of a challenge to train at times but patience will be rewarded.

9.    Pugs are normally a good dog for children. Pugs are very patient and fun loving canines that fit well in an urban environment. They do not tolerate interruptions when eating, like many canines. So keep this in mind around small toddlers.

10.    The Collie is another great choice for children. They have an even temperament, very docile and gentle. These make great family dogs and are a perfect fit in many environments.

These suggestions are by no means the only dog breeds you should consider. But they are a good start in your attempt to find what breed is best suited for your children and family environment. Please take the time to make informed decisions.  Remember that having a canine part of your family will require some consistent dog training. We at dog information blog are dedicated to the canine and dog lovers alike. We hope this information is useful and your feedback is welcome.

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Are Golden Retrievers Suitable for Seniors?

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle personalities. They work as guide Dogs for the blind and as helpers for people with motor disabilities because of their good temperaments, eagerness to please, and strength. Although they rarely act aggressive, Golden Retrievers will bark and wake their families in the presence of an intruder. That being said, Golden Retrievers were bred as hunting Dogs. They are large and need a great deal of activity to be happy. They also love to swim. They take two to three years to mature and often stay clownish their whole lives. These large, active puppyish Dogs need to live indoors with their humans because they form attachments and are not happy living out in the backyard.

Their size and need for activity, however, do not necessarily make them unfit for seniors. They can be taken to dog parks and beaches where dogs are allowed to run around off leash. They have a love of chasing things, and seniors who are past jogging can throw a toy for a golden retriever to fetch. Throwing a toy into a lake or into the ocean can provide a large dog with the fun of chasing, swimming, and retrieving and use up plenty of energy.

Puppies of this dog breeds can be wary of water, so take your Golden Retriever pup to a lake and allow him or her to explore. Puppies have a natural tendency to be curious and want to experience new things. When the puppy begins to touch the water, give praise and encourage him or her to explore further. Another technique is to stand on one side of a pool or small stream and have another family member stand on the other side. Put the puppy down near the water and have the other family member call him or her. When the dog reaches the opposite side, give praise, then call him or her to the other side. Make a fun game of it until the puppy appears ready for a rest. When the puppy grows to its full size and strength it will be able to handle ocean waves that an average human swimmer can play in.

For seniors who are not able to take their dogs to parks or beaches, professional dog walkers are available. Golden Retrievers should be walked twice a day for half an hour. If the cost is prohibitive, family members who live nearby, such as responsible grandchildren, can be helpful.

In the case of older people with fragile bones, a large, playful puppy can be dangerous if allowed to jump, but fortunately Golden Retrievers are easy to train due to their good dispositions and natural talent for obedience. A puppy who jumps is looking for attention, so do not pet him or her. Turn away and say, "off". When he or she calms down, give praise and affection or a treat or play.

Their playful, mischievous natures can make for difficulties in training if your Golden Retriever decides it is fun to see how much he or she can get away with. For this reason, it is best to be gentle but firm in establishing that you are the pack leader. Do not shout or physically punish your pup if he or she does something that is against the rules. That is counterproductive. In a calm, stern voice, say "no," and take away the shoe your puppy has just chewed. Turn away to show your displeasure. This will work better than confusing or frightening your dog with a raised voice or hand.

If giving a golden retriever enough exercise and training sounds like a daunting task for a senior, consider smaller dog breeds. Choosing a dog should take into account the unique needs of both the dog and the human caregiver.

Lea Mullins discusses whether Golden Retrievers make a good dog for seniors. Learn more about dog breeds from TrainPetDog.com.