3 Tips for Choosing a Great Family Dog
You're in the market for a new family dog. Everybody is excited about the new addition to the family. But before you snatch up just any old dog, be sure you make the right choice by following these tips.
Tip #1 -- Consider your children
When choosing a family dog, the first thing you have to consider ...the family. Consider the ages of your children and how your children behave. You may have the unusual, but laid-back child or you may have a child that bounces off the walls. The personalities and ages of your children are important when choosing a dog.
If you have babies and toddlers in the house, an over-eager puppy wanting to play could hurt them. On the other hand, preschool and elementary age children often unknowingly hurt a puppy in their eagerness to play. When first getting a new puppy, make sure you have time to supervise interaction between children and the puppy until everyone adjusts to each other.
Tip #2 -- Consider the dog
Also, consider how large the dog breed is when full-grown. A mastiff is a cute, little puppy but he quickly outgrows your children. You don't want your children being scared because the family dog is three-times their size. If you want a large-breed dog, you might want to wait until your children are a little older.
Tip #3 -- Consider temperament
A good family dog needs to have a loving personality and a moderate energy level. The energy of a Jack Russell Terrier or a Chihuahua may overwhelm your young children while a Basset Hound may bore them to death. Choose an intelligent breed known for a loving personality and a moderate energy level. Some of these tried but true breeds are:
Labrador retrievers
Golden retrievers
Poodles
Bichon Frise
Beagles
German Shepherds
Mutts
Don't let choosing the family dog become a spur-of-the-moment thing. Take some time and make a well thought out choice. By doing this, avoid heartbreak down the road if the "family dog" doesn't fit in with the family.