If your young children keep asking when they can have a puppy, this is a time for some careful thought; raising a dog brings with it many liabilities and this is a life-long commitment. If you are prepared to take on the responsibility of being a dog owner, the next step is to choose a suitable breed and we compiled a list of canine breeds that are suitable for a young family.
- Golden Labrador – This breed has to be number one on our list of family-friendly pooches; intelligent, fiercely loyal and very playful, a lab retriever will be a protector of the pack children and with some puppy training, he will fit right into your family. Register him with Animal Tracks Vets Inner West and he can have his vaccines and a health check. This is a very active breed, so he will need regular walks in the park.
- Bulldog – You might be surprised to see the bulldog on our list; they are very good with young children and other dogs and do not need a high level of exercise. They also respond well to training and can be comical at times, making for a great family pet and they can have quite a personality.
- Beagle – The beagle was bred for hunting and the short coat is very manageable and easy to maintain. Curious and extremely faithful, the beagle requires daily exercise and is good with kids and other dogs, making for a great family dog. Easy to train and non-aggressive, the beagle is a family favorite and also makes for a good guard dog. Click here for advice for first-time dog owners.
- Irish Setter – A big and somewhat laid-back breed, the Irish setter is the perfect family pet; easy to train, very intelligent and gentle with young children; he will play all day if you have the time. They do require a high level of grooming, yet they have an endearing personality and are equally at home running in the park or sleeping on the sofa.
- Collie – Famed for their intelligence and good disposition, a collie is the ideal family dog who will always protect the kids. Weekly grooming is required and shedding is annual; a high-level exercise breed that needs wide open spaces, the collie trains well and has herding instincts that kick-in whenever around sheep.
Bringing a dog into the family should be a joyous experience and choosing the right breed will make sure that your four-legged family member will fit right in.
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