| Dogs can be a great addition to any family. They can | | | | not recommended for families with small children. This |
| be a fun playmate who can be taught tricks and play | | | | breed of dog is very apt to have a variation in |
| for hours on end, they can be great listeners, and | | | | temperament from dog to dog. And it is possible that |
| larger dogs can even give their owners a sense of | | | | a Doberman may not have the patience for the |
| security. While, many parents know some of the | | | | occasional annoyance of small children resulting in |
| dangers that can come about when having a dog in | | | | aggressive behavior. |
| the house while their children are small, there are so | | | | German Shepherds |
| many different breeds of dogs that parents may not | | | | German Shepherds are very big dogs. They are quite |
| know which dogs to avoid when picking out a pet | | | | confident and fearless. Though it is possible for them |
| for their family. | | | | to get along with children, German Shepherds are not |
| Pit Bull | | | | considered a good choice as a pet for families with |
| There are a several dog breeds that are placed in | | | | small children. These dogs have been known to be |
| the Pit Bull category. The most common include the | | | | pretty aggressive with very little warning to their |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, | | | | victim. They can also be over-protective of their |
| and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Historically, Pit | | | | territory and family. This can be a problem especially |
| Bulls were bred for dog fighting. Generally these dogs | | | | when a new baby or child comes into the family. |
| are not the best choice for families with small children. | | | | Chihuahua |
| Pit Bulls need to be trained very well and socialized | | | | The Chihuahua is a very small dog, the smallest in the |
| properly or their aggressive tendencies will surface | | | | world. Though a small dog seems like the perfect fit |
| and they can be very dangerous dogs. | | | | for small children, Chihuahuas are not recommended |
| Rottweiler | | | | for families with small children. Chihuahuas have the |
| Rottweilers are very strong dogs. They are often | | | | propensity to bite when they are frightened. They |
| used as guard dogs or police dogs. Since they are big | | | | also like to burrow into clothes or blankets when |
| dogs, Rottweilers can be incredibly destructive and | | | | they go to sleep. This can be dangerous if the dog |
| aggressive if not trained and socialized appropriately. | | | | goes unnoticed. Chihuahuas also can become devoted |
| Though this breed learns easily and is eager to | | | | to one person and become very jealous of human |
| please, they also tend to always need a "job" to do | | | | relationships. This does not work well with the strong |
| such as guarding. Without a job they easily get bored | | | | relationships between parents and children. |
| and find other more destructive ways to use their | | | | Jack Russell Terrier |
| time. Rottweilers are not a very good choice for a | | | | These dogs have a lot of energy and love to play |
| family with small children. These dogs were bred to | | | | and work. Jack Russells are very smart and learning |
| guard or herd and have the instinct to go after prey. | | | | quickly. Despite their great qualities, they also have |
| Small children could be confused for prey by even a | | | | some temperament attributes that make Jack |
| well trained Rottweiler. | | | | Russells the wrong fit for families with small children. |
| Doberman Pinscher | | | | This breed can very stubborn and aggressive toward |
| Doberman Pinschers have commonly been used for | | | | people. They are not very tolerant of the accidental |
| protection and as guard dogs. They are very smart, | | | | abuse that can come from children and tend to be |
| strong, and loyal to their owners. With the proper | | | | aggressive in return. |
| training these dogs can be a good family dog, but are | | | | |