If your children have been asking for a new pet, a dog can be a great option to consider. By picking the right breed, you can have a lovable puppy who will fit right into your lifestyle and become a protective companion for your kids. Remember, you’ll have to take care of your pet for many years, so make sure to take your time when making this decision. Here are the factors you should contemplate when choosing the perfect dog for your family.
The Environment
The number one factor that determines what type of dog should be your living situation. Families living in apartments should consider smaller animals, as these are more tolerant of being indoors all the time. Plus, some apartment complexes don’t even allow pets over a certain weight. Dogs with larger bodies usually need more space to exercise, so if you have a large house with a spacious backyard, these could be a good option for you. Additionally, some pups are better suited for certain climates, and they will develop health issues if they are moved outside their comfort levels.
Family Budget
When calculating the cost of a dog, you should factor in much more than its purchase price. In the future, there will be expenses for food, regular checks at the vet, obligatory shots, grooming, and possible insurance. For this reason, you should determine how much money you will be able to spend on your new pet every month. Keep in mind that large breeds are usually more expensive because they eat more food. They also need more grooming and medication if they get sick, especially if they are purebred. Smaller breeds require far fewer expenditures, as well do mixed ones.
Lifestyle
Your family has to be able to provide the amount of activity the dog you have chosen needs. If your children love to play outdoors and are willing to walk or run with the dog – you can choose a breed like Aussie doodle as your family pet, as these dogs are the best fit for active families. However, if your children can’t commit to taking their little buddy on daily walks, your best option is to go with a breed that’s happy with short walks and can comfortably stay inside the house.
Temperament
For them to have the best play buddy, your new pup should have a similar temperament to your kids. Outgoing children will do better with friendly dogs with a patient nature, while cautious animals tend to be a better fit for reserved children who won’t jump and make a lot of noise around them. When it comes to determining their temperament – this is a little harder to do with mixed breeds, as they can inherit some traits from both parents. So, if you absolutely want to be sure the new pet will match your children’s personality, you should opt for a purebred dog.
Grooming
Some dog breeds require more care and grooming than others, so you should opt for the one you can all take care of. For example, puppies with shorter coats need far less maintenance. Because even if your kids are committed to doing the grooming themselves, there will be plenty of time when this chore will fall on you. In this case, you will want to go with a puppy that has a shorter coat, which needs far less maintenance. They also shed less – which is another crucial factor to consider, as cleaning dog hair from every surface in your home can be a tedious task. In addition, dogs with long or curly coats usually need to be groomed (sometimes even professionally) several times a week.
The Dog’s Age
For kids who haven’t had a chance to interact with a pet before, a puppy is definitely a better choice. You get to train the little buddy together and play with an adorable ball of energy. Of course, a small animal will require more activity than an adult, not to mention house and obedience training or the cleanup you will have to do after them. If you get an adult dog, you can eliminate the need for the messy part, but only if you can find an animal that has been properly socialized.
List of Family Dogs
We have jotted down some of the exceptional dog fellows that your family would love to adopt. So, let’s have a look at all of them.
Bulldog
The Bulldog is the breed to choose if you want a dedicated, patient dog that will behave affectionately among children. The Bulldog is a calm, amiable, and devoted dog. Bulldogs can comfortably live in both large and small apartments. Most are also good with strangers and get along with other animals, which makes them the ideal choice for an active, social household.
Irish Setters
Irish Setters are playful and active dogs with red coats who enjoy being around people and
playing with kids. This breed despises being alone so much that they enjoy being with their family, therefore when they’re around their loved ones, they feel jolly and excited. This dog is an excellent match for kids who are physically active and socially interactive. They are also excellent at welcoming guests into your home.
Poodle
Apart from their very unusual hairstyles, the Poodle is also a very intelligent and kind dog. This dog breed is proud and graceful, loving and devoted, and rarely gets bored or frustrated. Poodles come in both mini and normal sizes, so you can select the one that most closely fits your living situation. They shed extremely little, which is beneficial for youngsters who have allergies.
Beagle
Because of their small size and calm personality, the Beagle is an excellent choice for families. Beagles were originally kept as hunting dogs, and because of their sturdy body, they are never too tired to play games. If your children enjoy being outside, this breed will fit right in because there is nothing they enjoy more than going on hikes. The Beagle is a smart, friendly, and happy dog that usually gets along with other pets as well.
The Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier has been domesticated to be a companion dog, friendly and loving to both adults and children. Remember that your Bull Terrier may have a penchant for misbehaving with other domestic animals and dogs. But, you can efficiently avoid this problem by keeping your bull terrier mentally and physically active. Also, its fine coat makes it easy to groom them regularly.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland, also known as “Nature’s Babysitter,” is one of the most intelligent breeds in the world, and these dogs also happen to love and protect children. The Newfoundland is best suited to a family with large, open spaces, and since they’re identified as shed excessively, they shouldn’t be left in the yard to live.
Wrapping up!
Choosing the ideal dog breed for your kids is a very responsible decision. While a dog should be compatible with your family, having them around will definitely bring some changes to the household. Make sure you and your children are ready to take on this challenge. Participating in the early socialization of the puppy can teach your kids a lot of responsibility. Plus, your new little friend will bond with everyone much faster if they see that everyone is taking care of them.