Best dogs for kids
February 22, 2011 
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When choosing a pet the most important consideration is always children. Then one must think of where they live, the time they can spend with the dog, the possibility of allergies, and grooming. Of course, cost also plays a factor in choosing a dog – food, toys, veterinary bills, etc. All of these must be considered. Three breeds of dogs come to mind when children are involved: bloodhounds, poodles, and Maltese. Of course, the best breed is always a mixed-breed adopted from the local shelter.
Bloodhounds are the largest of the three purebred mentioned. They are great with children. Because of the job they have been bred to do, they are practically aggression-free. If a bloodhound ever growls or shows their teeth around children, there are two possible reasons. First check to see if the children are behaving around the dog. The even-keeled bloodhound does have it’s limitations, as does any animal – even the human kind. If the children are being responsible and respectful, there is probably a medical reason. The dog could be sick or in extreme pain. I have worked around animals for over twenty years and the only time I ever heard a bloodhound growl was when I moved a female about to give birth. Bloodhounds do well in small spaces. Although physical exercise is important to all breeds, bloodhounds prefer mental stimulation to physical stimulation. A quick ten minute daily walk is usually enough exercise. Keeping it’s mind stimulated is another matter completely. A great way to keep a bloodhound’s mind active is to have the children play hide and seek with it. This will even work in a small apartment, if the children are willing to be the ones doing all the hiding. Hiding the bloodhound’s toys is another way to keep it’s mind working; they love to search and find things.
Poodles are also great dogs for children. They are extremely smart and catch on to conversations very quickly. Poodles come in different sizes, but demand about the same amount of exercise regardless of the size. As with the bloodhound, the poodle’s mind must be stimulated. They are eager to please, so teaching the dog a few tricks is a great way to keep their quick minds occupied. Grooming a poodle is a serious issue. They need to be groomed regularly. This can be done by the owner at home, if the grooming is done on a regular schedule and the owner is careful. If grooming ever gets off schedule and mats appear, a professional groomer should be used. Poodles
