Dog Breeds Best Suited for Households with Children

Archeological surveys and excavations have unveiled many interesting discoveries (such as cave paintings) that prove the fact that domestication, training and breeding of dogs and other canines by our cave dwelling ancestors was a common practice even in those primitive ages, way before the dawn of civilization.

This process is called dog breeding and this is how we have come to have some of the greatest dog breeds ever based upon the purpose of their breeding. Even nowadays, breeders of pure and cross breeds follow this method to produce offspring possessing a set of desired/ desirable traits, tailor-made to suit specific human requirements.

This is how we have come to have dogs grouped under different breeds. Here is a collection of some of the best breeds of dogs based upon their utility to human beings. Any canine lover would agree that the breeds mentioned here, categorized as per their utility, perfectly suit the requirements for which they are bred.

Dogs also play the role of the best friend and domestic guardian of the family that owns it. Let's take a categorical look at what are the best dog breeds around. This could be useful if you're planning on getting yourself one but are confused about which breed to get.

Families with small children must be careful while selecting a canine pet. While most dogs are friendly with kids, some bigger breeds, owing to their size, may unintentionally hurt kids by knocking them over playfully. Also, some breeds can get very protective of small kids and may scare off friends and neighbors if they attempt to come close to the child.

Certain small dog breeds tend to get jealous of small kids and infants as they feel uneasy at the idea of having to share their owners' attention with the kids. Keeping these things in consideration, here is a list of some of the best dog breeds for children that get along with the kids very well and also prove to be some of the best breeds for families.

• Golden Retriever
• Beagle
• Whippet
• Bearded Collie
• Wheaten Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Boston Terrier
• Australian Shepherd
• Schnauzer

• Pug (one of the cuddliest, most huggable and cutest dog breeds!)
• Boxer
• Poodle
• Cocker Spaniel
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• Irish Setter
• Labrador Retriever (a very calm dog breed, it's patience makes it a favorite pet for families with small kids)
• West Highland White Terrier
• Old English Sheepdog
• Norfolk Terrier

Do you love big, burly, imposing-looking canines but live in a medium-sized apartment with little or no space for outdoor recreation anywhere near? Well, that's sad!

As much as you may love the grand idea of being seen at the parks walking a massive Great Dane or an intimidating German Shepherd, what about the other days of the week when your gigantic canine would have to settle with staying locked in what, according to it, is a closed-wall cube while you're away at work?

But, if you think getting a small breed solves it, think again. Many small breeds are known as compulsive yappers and the constant barking can get you into trouble with neighbors! Hmm....so, how to choose a dog breed for an apartment? For a starter, check out the following list of different dog breeds that are considered ideal canine pets for apartments!

• Dachshund
• Beagle
• Chihuahua
• Pug
• Pomeranian
• Basset Hound
• Shih Tzu (one of the best small dog breeds having a sweet temperament)
• Bichon Frise
• Schipperke

• Boston Terrier
• Bull Dog
• Lhasa Apso
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• American Cocker Spaniel
• Akita Inu
• Boxer
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Samoyed
• Cairn Terrier
• Maltese

The best guard dog breeds are those that have most or all of these characteristics and features - good barkers, massive and sturdy built, aggressive, takes well to training, intelligent, active and agile. These characteristics are very important for alerting the owners of intrusion on their property and for attacking and subduing intruders and trespassers.

It is also very important that guard dogs be well-trained to follow instructions and proper dog obedience training must be imparted. Otherwise, there may be a risk of injury or accident if the dog refuses to follow its master's orders and continues attacking in an over-excited state.

Keeping these considerations in mind, the following guard dog breeds are considered perfect for fulfilling the requirements of security and vigilance of their owner's premises.

• German Shepherd (one of the smartest dog breeds; no wonder they qualify to get ranked as K9 Officers in the police force!)
• Doberman Pinscher
• Rottweiler
• Great Dane (one of the top contenders among large dog breeds)
• Bull Mastiff
• Boxer
• Pit Bull (considered as one of the meanest dog breeds by many)
• Irish Wolfhound (perhaps the largest dog breed around!)

That was a brief overview of some of the best canine breeds with relation to some most common situational requirements. These animals are truly a man's best friend and a dog actually sticks to its owner even when the latter cannot afford to feed or provide proper dog care for it!

Indeed, given the atrocities Mankind has been committing, since ages, on Nature and its creature to meet his selfish needs, had there not been canines, who would ever look up to us and love us in spite of our misdeeds and wickedness? To conclude, we would like to quote W. Dayton Wedgefarth to express our gratitude to all canines we've known till now:

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands;
then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.