When I was 10 years old in the summer of 1984, I had a dog named Rusty who was my best friend. Rusty was a
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with fur that was rusty in color as his name suggested. His eyes sparkled as if he was always on the lookout for his next adventure. We were inseparable; we did everything together, including going on adventures.
Staggeringly, babies who live alongside dogs are 31% more likely to have a healthy first year than those without, being 29% less likely to need antibiotics and a reduction in the likelihood of allergies and obesity.. We all know how lovely it is to share our living space with an adorable pooch – but who knew the benefits were so amazing? Children learn lifelong lessons about caring for others while having the advantage of their first best friend living under their own roof. Often overlooked, the larger of the dog breeds are often the best suited to little ones – no ‘small dog syndrome’ with these beautiful beasts!
The Facts, The Stats, The Breeds
With an estimated 89.7 million dogs sharing our homes across the U.S. it is easy to see how popular pups are across the nation. Upon deciding to enhance their homes with a dog, many families first realization is that the toy breeds they presumed would be perfect for their growing family are not actually very child friendly. Their research naturally steers them to the larger, more robust dogs that are more even tempered and less likely to be accidentally harmed by stampeding toddler feet. The intelligence of the larger breeds often make them easier to train, and their size lends them a natural confidence which translates to being temperamentally more suited to the ever changing moods of children.
Congratulations, you’ve decided you want a dog. You’ve decided you want to join the 47% of families who enjoy being pup parents. But what type of dog do you get? It’s a question that’s plagued many dog parent and one that will continue to do so. Many people feel that they should look at certain breeds, however, this can be more problematic than one would assume.
The truth is, there is no perfect breed for a family, as each dog has his own personal identity. He has likes and dislikes, and each member of a certain breed may act different. Yes, some breeds may be less suited for family life (a working breed such as an Australian Shepherd, for example, is a high-demanding dog with a strong herding drive, and may lash out if not properly worked), but the fact remains: it’s not the breed, but the individual that needs to be judged. Instead of looking at breeds, look into personality types that are suited to your family and their lifestyle.