Best Dog Breeds for Your Kids

Dogs have been attached to the modern family and bring joy, companionship, and loyalty to the whole member. Do you know what breed best suits your family? There are factors that must be considered when selecting a perfect pup for your family:

Size – The size of the dog is important in considering what is best for your family. Smaller dogs are perfect for cuddles and can be fitted in small houses. If you have a big backyard and your kids are roughhouses, a large sized dog is the best fit.

Energy – Dog breeds differ in their characteristics. Some dogs are known to run and sniff around for an hour while others are happy snoozing on the couch. Ensure that it will be fitted on your lifestyle and can provide the needs of your pet.

Personality – As I mentioned, dogs differ in their characteristics. If you’re looking for a dog that will behave in the public or will be silly around the house, this blog will help you find the best dog breeds for your kids and family.

Here are the different breeds of Dogs to become part of your family:

Labrador Retriever

Everyone knows this breed is full of gentleness despite its size. Though not that big, these guys can grow up to 80 pounds. Labs are known for their loyalty and form a special bond with every member of the family. They are also easy going and gentile around your kids, making them an all-star family dog.

Golden Retriever

This breed is much like the lab. They are stapled in the USA as one of the popular breeds. They are fun, loving and energetic pals that always bring a good time to the owners. These dogs grow bigger in size but not quite the same as the Labradors. Golden retrievers are amazing at comforting and helping which makes them as great service and support dogs. These dogs are best for kids as their pals.

Bulldog

Opposite to the first two breeds, this dog is a “napper”. Bulldog is both gentle and playful that wants to stay on the couch. They are smaller in size and can overheat easily due to their short snout during hot weather. Bulldog needs to have a healthy diet due to their nature to become overweight.

French Bulldog

This is the cousin of a bulldog. The French bulldog is a small type of dog, low maintenance and easy going. This dog is playful, good on walks and known to be quiet. The French bulldog is the best dog breed for kids. 

Boxer

Another popular dog breeds in the USA that is known for their energetic bouncy personality. These pups are slightly bigger and muscular that needs many walks to keep them happy. If you’re family indulge in fitness, you can’t get wrong with a Boxer.

The Bichon

This breed is a little fluff of joy. The Bichon is smaller in size, friendly and love people no matter what. They are easy going and playful. The Bichon is also a hypoallergenic and low shedding breed which is a good fit for any household.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The smaller breed in the list with a softer ear and loves to please. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t need much exercise but they love to sniff from time to time. This breed is another best dog breeds for kids that usually get along with other pets.

No matter what kind of breed the dogs have; they all have the right to be part of a loving family. But of course, you need to consider their characteristics and traits that will be the best fit for your kids.

Choosing a dog based on your location

The location you live in may be a factor worth considering when it comes to choosing a breed of dog.  The weather in a place like Virginia is vastly different than Wisconsin.  The type of dog you might choose in each of these states is different and something to think about.  Dogs with thick fur meant for colder climates like huskies should not be brought to warmer climates where they will have a tougher time keeping cool.

Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

Most people think pumpkins as vegetables, but they are really fruit born from a vine plant. Pumpkins are rich in fiber, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene and potassium. By looking its bright orange color, you can really tell pumpkin provides a natural source of vitamins and nutrients.

  • Fiber – a type of carbohydrate that helps in digesting food
  • Iron – a protein which carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our body
  • Zinc – will help improve skin and coat
  • Vitamin C – an antioxidant and supports the immune system
  • Vitamin A – important for your dog’s vision health
  • Beta-Carotene – beneficial for preventing cancer
  • Potassium – an electrolyte essential for muscular contraction and recovery from activity

Why Pumpkin is great for dogs?

There is no scientific benefit that pumpkin is helpful for pets as like other fruit and veggies do. But pumpkin is excellent for your dog’s digestive tract. Pumpkin has high fiber and water content which are good for preventing constipation in dogs. Start feeding your dog 1 to 2 tablespoon of pureed pumpkin a day, depending on the dog’s size. Do not feed them pumpkins if there is an underlying medical condition, it doesn’t help. Call your veterinarian if diarrhea or constipation persists.

Dogs also need to lose weight, but their owners don’t want them to be hungry. Pumpkin is great for losing weight treatment for dogs due to its being high in fiber. Consult your veterinarian for the proper amount of pumpkin to feed.

How to feed your dog with a pumpkin?

Pumpkin is easy and simple to feed to your dog. All you need is to have a canned pumpkin. Canned pumpkin is packed with the same nutrients as fresh pumpkin. It is a puree so it’s easy to mix with dog food, feed to your dog as a treat or use it as an ingredient for dog treats. In buying canned pumpkin, make sure you are getting a 100-percent pumpkin and not a pumpkin pie mix. Fresh pumpkin can also be used but you need to cook it first.

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?

Yes, but it is recommended to clean and roast them first. Don’t serve it raw. Baked and cleaned pumpkin seeds are a natural, delicious snack for your dogs. Pumpkin seeds also contain antioxidants, which prevent cancers from forming in cells. It also boosts their immune system to help your pets stay healthy.

Pumpkin seeds have a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect due to high in omega 3 fatty acids. It also has a natural remedy for parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms. An amino acid found in pumpkin seeds acts as a natural de-worming agent.

To serve pumpkin seeds to your dog, it should be crushed and ground up when added to their meals. If you prefer to give them a whole seed, make sure to do it one at a time. Remember to not feed them too much, since minerals like iron and fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate to unhealthy and toxic levels. Consuming seeds in high level will cause softer stools due to the high-fat content.