by H. Marlow

Created on: December 02, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

When choosing a family dog, a lot of factors come into play, such as the size, energy level, and, especially, personality. While breeds in themselves can't guarantee that you will be getting a certain kind of dog, they are a good indicator of what you may end up with. Certain dogs are bred to be hunters, whereas others are bred for companions. Genetics can play a part in what sort of dog you will end up with, but especially when getting a puppy, how you treat the animal, will have a big role as well. Before getting into what dog breed would be best for children, let's talk about what breeds and characteristics of dogs would be something you'd want to avoid.

First of all, you don't want a dog that is too small and fragile such as a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier. While these animals are cute, children who like to play rough can easily hurt these dogs, or scare them into reacting violently. Chihuahuas are notorious fear biters and may not be the safest dog for children. You also don't want to get a dog that is too big that could overpower your children. Breeds such as German Shepherds or Rottweilers might be something to avoid for younger children.

You might want to look for medium size breeds with playful temperaments. Beagles are an excellent example of this. They are extremely tolerant of children pulling and tugging on their ears and tails, and are not easily provoked into biting. They are also extremely playful, and friendly dogs. Two more breeds that are well known family dogs are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, mostly for their laid back temperament. Cocker Spaniels, like the beagle, are very friendly dogs. They are also very laid back and are rarely provoked to aggressive behavior.

Though, these breeds are some examples, any breed of dog could be a good family dog if it has the right personality. For example, all throughout my childhood, my family owned German Shepherds and they were excellent family dogs, extremely tolerant, protective and playful. Though, when I went over to my neighbor's house and played with their German Shepherd, I ended up getting bitten in the face. It just goes to show you how different specific dogs can be within the breed.

When looking for the right dog, there are lots of things to look for, mostly personality. If possible, avoid getting a puppy and go to your local animal shelter with your children and meet several different dogs, to get to know them. Also many shelters have adoption counselors that can match a dog to your specifications. They will be most likely to help you decide whether a dog is safe enough for your children.

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