The BEST Breed?

A reader of my blog recently asked which breed of dog she and her family should get. They have children under 5 and wanted to know which breed would be best suited for such an age group. I have two children - both under the age of 5 - and while I own a Welsh Corgi and a Siberian Husky, I would not recommend those breeds in most cases of where young children are involved in the equation. My dogs are great! Don't get me wrong, but I'm also a trainer, and my children have minimal interaction with my dogs.

For a family with young children, I would highly recommend a Labrador or a Retriever. Those are the most tolerant and patient breeds I've come across yet. Though many breeds can do just fine with children, these two stand out to me as the BEST.

Keep in mind though, that the Labs and Retrievers do not fully MENTALLY mature until they are about 5 years old. I would not recommend getting a puppy of either of these breeds unless you have lots of time, and patience yourself. But the animal shelters are always full, and most of them have a variety of Labs or Retrievers to adopt.

Most people think it is easier to adopt a puppy than an adult dog, but it's really not. Regardless of it's past any dog (at any age) can be taught new things and adapt quickly to a new family.

The best chance of success lies with the owner who regularly walks their dog(s). Daily exercise helps drain energy that could become destructive energy if not properly channeled, and helps establish a bond between the Pack Leader (which SHOULD be the OWNER) and the rest of the pack.