Picking The Right First Dog For Your Children To Play With

Humans have been letting their young run with wolves since the dawn of time. Pairing up a hyperactive toddler with an equally hyperactive puppy can be a nice recipe for sleep. So how do we pick the best dogs for our children to play with?

A child's best friend should always be in the mood to play. Ready at a moments notice to run mile after mile next to the bicycle. And of course, a simple cure for loneliness.

It's important to understand that from a good dog, your child can learn some very valuable life lessons and morals. Immediately they learn responsibility, when caring for an animal, but they also learn kindness, devotion, and respect.

As parents it's important to find that "Good" dog to make a member of the family. For example, a dog that might jump on and scratch a kid unexpectedly probably just needs a little training. However a dog that growls and snaps at children will probably make a very unsuitable addition to the family.

I know looking for the perfect dog can be time consuming and worrisome even if this is your child's first dog, and if you personally don't have a long history of household pets during your childhood. So I've compiled a list of dogs based on size and breed that I've labelled "good", "excellent", or "For older children only" so that you can't get confused.

Best dogs for kids under 10 pounds.

Excellent:


Havanese
American Eskimo Dog

Good:


MinPin (Miniature Pinscher)
Bichon
Norwich Terrier

For Older Children Only:


Pomeranian
Chihuahua
Dachshund (toy and mini)
Japanese Chin
Maltese
Italian Greyhound
Pekingese
Toy Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier

Dogs Weighing Between 11-20 Pounds

Excellent:


Cairn Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Schipperke
Tibetan Spaniel

Good:


Boston Terrier
Jack Russell
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Poodle

For Older Children Only:


King Charles Spaniel
Standard Dachshund
Scottish Terrier
Westie

Dogs Weighing Between 21-50 Pounds

Excellent:


Cocker Spaniel
Australian Shepherd
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Brittany Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
Keeshond
Shetland Sheepdog

Good:


Basset Hound
Border Collie
Ibizan
Wheaton Terrier
Snippet
Welsh Corgi

Older Children Only:


Airedale
Basenji
French Bulldog
Scottish Terrier
Standard Schnauzer

Dogs weighing Between 51-80 Pounds

Excellent:


Boxer
Bulldog
Collie
English Setter
Foxhound
Giant Schnauzer
Golden Retriever
Keeshound
Labrador Retriever
Old English Sheepdog
Pointer
Standard Poodle
Redbone Coonhound
Wirehaired Griffon

Good:


Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
Greyhound
Irish Setter

Older Children Only:


Afghan
Dalmatian
Samoyed
Weimeraner

Dogs weighing 81 lbs and Over

Excellent:


Bloodhound
Bouvier des Flanders
Irish Wolfhound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Newfoundland

Good:


Doberman Pinscher
Mastiff
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard

Older Children Only:


Alaskan Malamute
Great Pyranees
American Bulldog
Swiss Mountain Dog
Otterhound