| Finally, after much nagging and pulling on your sleeve, | | | | The disadvantages include high maintenance, which |
| you have finally decided to have it their way and give | | | | requires regular brushing of its coat, and special |
| the kids a canine playmate. Aside from providing | | | | attention to the heart, which are known to be the |
| them with an exciting new playmate, having a dog | | | | common cause of illness. |
| around can also teach them to grow up into | | | | • The Border Terrier. This breed is small but |
| responsible and nature-loving adults. The cause is | | | | packed with so much vigor, which makes them a |
| good, but to achieve this, you have to be careful | | | | great companion for the whole family, especially the |
| about the dog breed that you will ultimately take | | | | playful kids. It has a short coat, which means |
| home to your tots. You need to know the best dog | | | | maintenance is on the low end. They are typically |
| breeds young children will love and like to grow up | | | | dependable as watchdogs, but they may exhibit |
| with. | | | | some of the annoying characteristics of terriers, like |
| Following are some of the timeless family favorites: | | | | digging. |
| • The Shih-Tzu. The Shih-Tzu is a very | | | | • The Beagle. Beagles are by nature a |
| outgoing and enthusiastic breed. It has a lithe and | | | | cheerful breed. They also love being around people |
| sprightly personality that fits children perfectly. Aside | | | | and interacting with them, making them the perfect |
| from that, they can’t help but be smart, too. | | | | canine companion for the entire family. Training |
| Best of all, they are low-maintenance because once | | | | beagles could be a challenge though. They are |
| they have been trained or used to the rules of the | | | | primarily scent hounds—a characteristic that may |
| house; you can pretty much leave them alone. | | | | become destructive during training. So be prepared to |
| • The Pug. The Pug is probably one of the | | | | restrain a beagle the moment it picks up a familiar |
| most congenial breeds. Pugs are also warm and | | | | scent because it will likely shut down and pursue the |
| rather demonstrative. They can irksome when the | | | | scent to the end. |
| weather is or humid, though. Unlike other toy breeds, | | | | • The Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This breed is |
| pugs are also able to maintain their calm. They are | | | | characterized by a good, muscular build, which gives it |
| also low-maintenance and require little brushing or | | | | the energy that it is most famous for. While they |
| exercise. | | | | can be very active, Staffordshire bull terriers can be |
| • The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This | | | | patient and loving around children, and has been |
| breed is one of the best playmates that your child | | | | known to be a loyal canine companion for the family. |
| can ever get from the pet shop. Aside from being | | | | They are a smart and brave breed, and as such, can |
| sprightly, the breed is also affectionate. They | | | | be rather confrontational or aggressive around other |
| don’t have trouble adjusting to the lifestyle of | | | | dogs. |
| their owners, and can therefore be trained with ease. | | | | |