Choosing a Dog Breed That Suits Your Family

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     Many families when they are ready to adopt a puppy or dog do so based on how cute they think the dog is, but when you have children, you have to make sure the breed is compatible. If you choose a breed that does not necessarily do well with children, such as a Pit Bull, what happens is the dog ends up at the pound simply because he or she was being true to their breed nature. Therefore, take some time to research the various family breeds because there are far too many dogs that are euthanized simply because a family chose a breed that was "cute" but later found it was not compatible.

Think about Your Family

Do you have small children? If so, you need to think about a dog that works well with a family that has small children. Many families assume incorrectly that a small dog would work best because they are smaller, but this is not true. One of the best family breeds is the Golden Retriever and it is considered a medium to large dog, but they love children and have a very gentle disposition. If the Golden is a bit too large for your space, or you don't have the time to exercise a larger dog, there are smaller breeds that work very well with families.

Consider the Pug, that is actually in the toy group and is also excellent with children, they are sociable dogs that make great family pets. They are small, but they are also sturdy little dogs that love just about everyone and have a very good disposition when they are raised with children. These are great breeds for those wanting a smaller dog and that have children.

Think About Your Lifestyle

When it comes to selecting a breed for your family, you need to think about your lifestyle, long-haired breeds need more grooming and therefore more brushing, if you do not have the time, you might not want to get a Collie, since they will require a ton of brushing, but they are also great dogs with children. If you hunt or hike often, you may want to get a working breed such as a Husky or a German shepherd, but Golden Retrievers make great hiking companions as well.

Depending on your family and if you have small children, the dog breed you choose will make a huge difference in the type of breed you choose. Obviously, with small children you want a breed that will not jump on them or be too hyperactive. On the other hand, if you are an active hiker, you might want to get a breed that enjoys hiking as much as you do because in the end, you want a dog that can keep up with active lifestyle. Think about who lives in your home, how much you are in the house, and where what types of activities your family engages in as this will help you in selecting the perfect breed for your family.