Take care of your dog

Dogs are children’s best friends. Every child wants a dog to play with and love.

“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Robert Bechley

The question though is what breed of dog is best for your children?

There are many breeds of dogs that are good with children. Some have a great rapport with children like the Golden Retriever. Some love to play with kids like the Labrador Retriever. Beagles are patient and love to play with children.

Most small breed dogs are not good with children especially small children. One exception is the Bichon Frise who is great with well-behaved kids.

Some dogs are too big to be around small children but with older childrens they can be wonderful companions.

Besides choosing what dog would be great for your child there are other considerations to take into account. For instance, what kind of time do you have to take care of a puppy or dog if your child is to small to help? What is your lifestyle? Where should you purchase a dog? What are the health concerns of different breeds? These are just a few considerations you should look at.

Therefore, research different dog breeds before you decide on what dog to get your children. Your child and his “dog” will become great companions and have lots of fun if you do your homework first and get the right dog for him or her.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself” – Josh Billings

Small dog breeds are increasing in popularity every day, and not just because of Paris Hilton. Small dogs have a lot of great attributes that many people want in a dog without any of the size problems.

Small dog breeds are great for several reasons. Of course they are small, so if you live in a small apartment a small dog is ideal. Also, it is much easier to travel with a small dog because they can fit easily in a bag around your shoulder or in a small carrier, and don’t they don’t take up much space in the car.

Caring for small dogs is a lot easier and cheaper as well. They eat a lot less than a normal sized dog and also most of them shed less than a normal sized dog which is good for people who want to avoid allergens.

There are many small dog breeds that are in the top 10 in terms of popularity in the AKC list of breeds. These include the Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire terrier, Dachshund, and the Toy and Miniature Poodle. These small dogs keep moving up in popularity and push even more familiar breeds out of the top ten list. The trend looks to be continuing this year and at least for the near future they will continue to gain in popularity.

Often times people think that small dogs are not as aggressive as large dogs. Don’t underestimate small dog breeds; they can be just as aggressive as large dogs. Most make great watchdogs, and will let you know the minute something is not right. A lot of small dogs will even try to attack larger breed dogs!

Always be sure to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. Check with other people and see where they purchased their dogs from and ask for buying tips. Often times buying from a pet store is the worst place to buy your small dog breed from. Small breed puppies can be prone to many medical issues like hypoglycemia and congenital defects so it is important to have you new dog examined by a veterinarian soon after purchase.

Small breed dogs offer a lot of advantages leading to an ever increasing popularity. There are many different Toy and Miniature dog breeds to choose from, but do your research and ask around. Whether it be a Shih Tzu or a Miniature Schnauzer, you’ll find many small dog breeds that are right for you.

There are many reasons for choosing to have a pet. You may wish to have the undivided personal attention of a pet for yourself, or wish to have some extra companionship for the family. In either case, there are many choices of animal available. One of the most popular choices is a pet dog, due to the many duties that it can perform around the home.

Numerous breeds of dogs have been bred for specific duties in specific areas, so it is now impossible to provide a complete count of the number of breeds of dogs. As of their last count, official breeding organizations recognize at least 150 different breeds of dogs. When recognized mixtures are added, the number of breeds of dogs goes well over two hundred.

There’s more to choosing a pet than just looking for a cute dog. Some dog breeds are more suited to certain lifestyles than others are. You need to find that perfect match between your family and circumstances and your dog. For instance, if you have very little free time, you’re going to want a dog who doesn’t require a lot of attention and maintenance time. Or, if you live in an apartment with no yard, you’ll need to focus on a pet that can live happily in confined spaces.

What are you looking for in a dog? Different breeds of dogs can have very different needs and wants. Large dogs might prefer to go for a run rather than for a slower-paced walk. Short haired dogs require much less grooming than longer haired dogs do.

What kind of personality do you want your dog to have? While some dogs are friendly, others can be very defensive and will bark whenever strangers approach. The latter could be useful if you live in a secluded area, but could quickly become a nuisance to your neighbors if you live in a more urban setting.

Another important consideration is the age of your dog. You may want the maturity of an adult dog or a puppy’s enthusiasm and energy. Whichever you prefer, a nearby breeding kennel or animal sanctuary is a good place for you to look at different breeds of dogs, so that you will be able to see different breeds’ personalities up close before you take a dog home

Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese, spaniels–the official list of the AKC is quite extensive. Regardless of breed, toy dogs are desired for their cuteness and cuddle-ability. Many retain the characteristics of a puppy for their entire lives. This may be one of the big attractions that toy dog breeds hold over larger breed dogs.

Diminutive size, however, does not mean that toy dog breeds are less hardy. Once safely past puppyhood, their energy levels and enthusiasm rival any breed of dog. Some are excellent watch dogs, but they won’t be able to follow through preventing entry of an intruder. The hue and cry of toy dog breeds can be enough to make your hair stand on end!

There are several advantages to toy dog breeds. Besides the ease of handling a smaller sized dog, they are more appropriate for apartment dwellers because they do not require as much exercise space as a large dog. Additionally, toy dog breeds usually shed less than their larger counterparts–not because they have different coat characteristics, but because there is less dog! All sides of dog care are smaller: from cleaning to clean-up and food consumed to food expelled.

Historically, toy dog breeds were used as companion dogs. They were friendly and alert, yet willing to be held and petted. They are very comforting and can bring peace to an owner. Nursing homes and adult care facilities have found toy dog breeds to be soothing for their patients. Contrary to common perception, there is no law preventing animals from living in nursing homes. It is up to the eldercare facility to allow–or disallow–pets. The calming influence of any pet, especially one that will transfer affections to everyone equally, is a wonderful aid for patient facilities.

You don’t have to reside in an eldercare facility to enjoy toy dog breeds. They do provide companionable joy for many who otherwise would be concerned about space, exercise and care requirements of a larger breed of dog.

Choose the right dog breeds:

In choosing a dog from all kinds of dog breeds for the family, it’s a good idea we keep the children in mind. Some dog breeds are not tolerant of children and can be a threat to them. There are many dog breeds of dogs out there to choose from. Do your homework to see which one works the best with your family and especially your children.

By far the number one best dog breed for children hands down, would have to be, you guessed it, Labrador Retriever. This dog is well accepted because of its good nature. It is not generally aggressive or hyper. It is playful, easy-going, intelligent and patient.

No wonder it is loved by the young and old. Because of its mild manner, it is first choice in working with the handicapped. It is has desire to please as if it knows its plight. The Lab is also a great pick if you have other animals. They are very accommodating.

A well taken care of Lab can live up to 13 years. In order to reduce boredom in these dogs, they should be kept active. These dog breeds love playing in the yard or taking walks.

Number two on the list is the Golden Retriever. They are similar to the Lab in their personality. They are also mild mannered, kind and they enjoy being around people. They too are a top pick for working with the handicapped as well as the elderly.

They too get along with other pets. These dog breed are intelligent creatures to train. Playing fetch is a favorite game for them. Because of their playful nature, this breed of dog would be great for an older child who enjoys the outdoors. Regular grooming is required because of their long hair.

The next pick is the Beagle. Even though they have a baying bark, they are not aggressive dogs. What their barking does say about them is they make great watch dogs. These dogs have a friendly demeanor about them.

Their tails seem to be in an unending wagging motion. Because friendliness comes natural with them, they do not like being left alone. They become bored when left by themselves for too long. They are great picks for smaller children because of their size.

Another great pick for children is the Basset Hound. They are generally docile, yet they’re known for their stubbornness.

They are also known for their gentleness and are quite sweet by nature. They’re great with children of all ages and enjoy attention from them.

The German shepherd is another pick. Again, these are probably best for older children who enjoy playing outdoors. Because of their size and strength, they are probably not suitable for younger children.

German Shepherds are known for their loyalty. Police often use this type of dog breed for search and rescue missions. They are protective by nature and are quite tolerant. It’s best to start training these dogs as pups. Without training, they can be a handful.

The black and white spotted Dalmatian is associated with fire trucks. But for a family, a Dalmatian would be a trusted friend. They are very outgoing dogs with lots of energy to spare. This dog needs companionship from humans.

The Bearded Collie is another great pick. These are active dogs and would do best outdoors. They like to have open space to run, so being confined to an apartment would not suit these dogs.

Then there’s the American Cocker Spaniel. They are sensitive and sweet dogs. They are generally obedient to their master and enjoy the attention of children. They are definitely a people friendly dog.

The Bearded Collie is known for its bounce. This dog is very playful and happy. They like to be around people and will not hide their excitement of being around you. Female Collie’s tend to be calmer, while males are more rambunctious.

Cockapoos not only are good around children, but they get on with other pets as well. They do not need a lot of space. Apartment life is OK with them.

In choosing the right dog breeds for your family, always remember that there are always exceptions to the rules. Each dog breed is an individual, and why for the most part certain breeds are more children friendly, you should always be cautious with your child around unknown dogs.