Top 10 Best Large Breeds For Kids

If you’re looking for a dog to grow up with your kids, nothing beats a larger breed for patience and durability. Remember that you should always teach your kids how to treat dogs and you should never leave a dog unsupervised with small children. With that in mind, here are the 10 best large breeds for kids.

1. Labrador Retriever

LABRADOR RETRIEVER

The most popular breed in the United States since 1991 and one of the most popular dogs in the world, the Lab is the ideal family companion. They have plenty of energy, they are highly trainable, and they love to please their people. There’s a reason Labs are also the most popular breed for use as service dogs!

2. Newfoundland

Newfoundland

Looking more like a bear than a dog, the Newfie may seem a surprising choice for a family dog if you aren’t familiar with the breed. These giant dogs are smart, calm, and loyal. They typically weigh 120-175 pounds, and they shed a lot, but they are often referred to as the “nanny dog.” Nana in “Peter Pan” is a Newfie.

3. Boxer

Boxer

The clowns of the the dog world, Boxers love kids. They might be too boisterous for small children, but they make great playmates for kids big enough not to be easily knocked over by the Boxer’s enthusiasm.

4. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever

This friendly breed is easy to train as long as they get enough exercise. They’re another breed that’s popular as a service animal due to their loving personalities. Do expect some shedding.

5. English Bulldog

English Bulldog

These friendly, goofy dogs are known for their tendency to form strong bonds with children. They have lower exercise requirements than some of the other breeds on this list, making them perfect for families who are somewhat less active.

6. English Mastiff

English Mastiff

These enormous dogs are very gentle, loving, and loyal. Generally regarded as the heaviest dog breed in the world (the heaviest dog on record was a Mastiff who weighed 343 pounds), they tend to be protective of their families.

7. Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers are instantly recognizable for their egg-shaped head. They can be stubborn but are very fun-loving and generally love children. They need lots of exercise but minimal grooming.

8. American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

One of the breeds often referred to as Pit Bulls, Amstaffs are people-friendly and loyal. They do best when they have a job to do. As with any breed, training is crucial to having a well-adjusted dog.

9. Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard

These giant dogs rescued people in the Alps for centuries. Saint Bernards are sweet, gentle, calm, loyal and affectionate. Their greatest threat to children is usually only knocking them down accidentally.

10. Basset Hound

Basset Hound

Although short, the Basset’s heavyset bone structure and weight classify them as large dogs. They’re friendly, playful, outgoing, and tolerant of children. They are prone to serious injuries as a result of their long body and short legs combined with a heavy bone structure.

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How To Keep Your Pit Bull And Children Safe When Playing Together

Pit Bulls can be safe with kids under the correct conditions. Here's a few tips to keep in mind when having your dog around children.

1. Always supervise interaction pit bulls and kids

NEVER leave a child alone with a dog. This goes for any dog. Even if it's a puppy. This is for both the child's and the dogs safety.

If you read through articles of pit bull attacks online where children were hurt, maimed or worse, killed by a Pit Bull you will notice that in 99% of the cases they were left alone with the dog or dogs involved.

This should be a rule rather than a tip. Use common sense and care. Small children especially should never be unsupervised around dogs.

2. Watch the child's behaviour

Watch the children's behaviour. This tip is more for the dogs safety than the child's. Children can be brutal and even in the face of such harsh treatment, well bred, responsibly owned Pit Bulls are not prone to biting or "attacking" in defense.

Make sure every child that plays with your dog understands how to behave around them. They should know to respect your dog and it's space and other things like toys, food, water, or their special bed.

3. Make sure all your dogs prized items are put away

Ah, nothing like a kid running around with a dried bully stick in their hands. lol. Not only is this nasty, your dog will want their bully stick back and attempt to get it. And in the process they could nip a finger or two.

Put all your dogs favorite toys and treats away and where children can't get a hold of them to be on the safe side.

To clarify, it wouldn't' be out of malice or viciousness the dog would get a finger or two. It would be by accident, an accident that can easily be avoided by putting such things away.

4. Start taking Obedience classes

If you're not already training your dog in basic obedience. Start as soon as possible.

Having an obedient Pit Bull will help when kids are around. Not to mention adults as well.

Teaching your dog to sit so they can be pet, laying down when things get a bit to rowdy, or to do a silly trick to lighten the tension of an over cautious parent is always a great idea.

5. Never Force your dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable

Some dogs simply get weird around certain people. Don't force the issue and make your dog say "hello" or play with someone they are showing signs of apprehension around.

However, I have seen very few Pit Bulls get weird around people. Almost none now that I think about it. Since they are extremely people oriented it is quite rare to see them become skittish.

However it does happen, so be aware of how your dog is reacting to people and if they do get weird, take them somewhere quiet they can hang out or continue on with your walk.

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3 Great Ways To Strengthen Your Bond With Your Corgi

As herding dogs, Corgis can sometimes be more interested in everything else around them rather than you. Maybe they would rather bark at everything they see than sit calmly on the couch. Or maybe they try to chase everything that moves while on walks, instead of peacefully walking next you with their attention on you. Strengthening your bond with your Corgi can really help them want to listen to you more, which will make it easier to solve these behavior problems. Not sure how to do that? The following are three ways to strengthen your bond with your Corgi.

1. Learn Your Corgi’s Language

What better way to improve your relationship and deepen your bond than to understand your Corgi better? In order to do that, you need to learn how they communicate through body language. Dr. Sophia Yin’s website has a host of free body language posters that can help you learn to speak “dog,” which your Corgi will greatly appreciate.

2, Training

Not only does it make them a better housemate, training will strengthen your bond with your Corgi. When you and your dog train together, you are learning to communicate with each other and that goes a long way to great a lasting bond. As long as you keep training fun and engaging, it will help you strengthen your bond.

3. Play

Play is an easy and fun way to bond with your Corgi. Any game she enjoys is fine, just as long as you’re doing it together! Agility trainers encourage play with their students because they have found it creates dogs that listen better and work harder for their owners.

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5 Tips To Prevent Your Corgi From Pulling on Leash

Although Corgis are small, their low center of gravity gives them an edge and they can be quite good at pulling you wherever they feel on leash. This makes for very unpleasant walks, especially if you own a Corgi that wants to herd (chase) everything that moves along the way. Thankfully, there is a way to reverse this behavior and get your Corgi walking nicely by your side. The following are five tips to prevent your Corgi from pulling on leash.

1. Start Young

Dogs start learning the moment they are born – what do you want yours to learn? Do not wait until your puppy is an adolescent – start teaching good leash manners as soon as you bring yours home.

2. Teach Self-Control

Corgis are intelligent and have a strong will. At first, you may find that upping your rewards helps – often more intelligent dogs need more of a reason to do what you ask. In addition, teaching self-control so your Corgi can make the right choice – for example staying by your side instead of chasing that bunny – is very helpful. Stay, Go To Bed (mat-stay behavior), sitting for a toy/food/petting, etc., are all good ways to work on self-control.

3. Practice Attention

Corgis definitely like to chase small animals and greet other dogs. On leash, this can lead to you being pulled in whatever direction your Corgi feels like – not fun! A key to stopping these behaviors is to keep him focused on you during a walk. Working on looking at you when you say his name, offering eye contact without a cue, Leave It and Drop are important to leash training.

4. Reward Correct Position

Whenever your Corgi is calmly walking in heel position – by your side with a loose leash – be sure you reward him. You can even turn this into a game by trying to move away from your Corgi and seeing if he stays with you off-leash in your house or in your backyard. Start off easy and then increase difficulty (quicker pace, tighter turns) as he learns the game. Rewards can be anything he likes, including treats, praise, toys, etc. As long as your Corgi likes it, it’s a reward. Dogs repeat behaviors that are reinforced, so the more you reinforce him for being in that spot, the more he will do it. It’s as simple as that!

5. Don’t Let Pulling Be Reinforced

As mentioned, dogs do what gets reinforced, so make sure your Corgi is not being rewarded for pulling. If she pulls on the leash and gets what she wants (to chase a bunny or greet a dog) then she will continue to do it and it will get worse. So, if you feel your Corgi start to pull you in one direction, plant your feet and don’t move, waiting until he returns to you. If you own a Corgi who is stronger than you, you can also turn and walk the opposite direction. Once she is walking next to you nicely, you can turn back and go the way she wanted to in the first place. This teaches your Corgi that if she wants to go somewhere, she has to keep that leash loose. I find this method to work really well because dogs get the rules very quickly.

Credit: iHeartDogs

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