What according to you is the best dog breed for family and children?

[kaycountrygal]

This is just my personal opinion; I am not any kind of expert . I am basing my choice on my Annie dog who is a Lab mix stray that came here at least six years ago. (The vet said she is a Lab mix.) The one thing I do know is that she is a kind, PATIENT dog with a wonderful easy going nature.

I say this because of the way she interacts with my two little dogs (and people in general). My little dogs often pester her and if she's lying down, they both are all over her or at the very least, up in her face constantly. She has NEVER gotten ill or hateful with them and she has had the chance imo. Once in awhile, young small children are here and she does ok with them. Mainly she just keeps out of their way. She's not used to small children but she certainly does not growl or anything like that. Actually I have NEVER seen her growl at anything. The only time she gets upset is when a stray dog happens to come by our property. The hair on her back comes up and she chases the dog away... .guess she's protecting her property.

Sooo, I think a Lab would be a good choice for a family and/or children. I certainly would not recommend a little dog such as a chihuahua or pom or any kind of little dog--not for children imo.

[pomtzu]

A lot depends on the age and maturity and responsibility level of the children, and of course, your living situation. Are you in an apartment or house, is it large or small, do you have acreage?

I wouldn't recommend a small dog with young children, as the smaller breeds can tend to be nippy and snippy. Young children can also unintentionally injure a small dog, as some are very fragile.

And of course if you are in an apartment setting, I don't think a St Bernard or Newfoundland work out well in that setting either.

Your best bet is to do some research on line, and also visit a shelter or rescue. If this is your first dog (and it sounds like it is), then a medium size mixed breed is probably the best choice (depending on the mix of course).

[jackiesdaisy]

I'm very partial to Mini Schnauzers, have had five of them. I always found them to be friendly with children, never had a problem, they love to play and one really good thing is they don't shed.

Jackie

[happylabs]

Labradors.

Here is my son 24 years ago when he was a little tyke with our Lab back then, Maggie, who also was Dog of the Day on June 6, 1999.
http://dogoftheday.com/archive/1999/June/06.html