Breeds of nanny dogs. Review + Photos and videos

At what age can you buy a dog for children?

Experts agree that the most favorable age for a child to purchase a dog is 10 years old. From this moment on, the baby may begin to feel the need to transfer his care to someone else, and a pet in this case is a very good solution. At this age, children will be able to calmly feed the dog, take it for a walk or play with it. It is recommended that parents and younger family members agree in advance on how responsibilities will now be divided so that adults do not have to fully provide for the pet.

Younger children often do not perceive dogs as living beings, and therefore can accidentally harm the animal, which, in turn, when defending itself, will scare the child, and nothing good will come of it. Of course, if there is already a four-legged pet in the house, then there is no need to throw it out into the street or give it to a shelter. Here, dogs most often perceive a new family member positively and try to protect him and show him care.

Buying a dog for a preschooler can result in a “nightmare” for parents who will have to raise not only the child, but also the animal.

The following helpful tips will make it a little easier to make the right choice in favor of one breed or another:

1. When choosing a puppy, parents are advised to take into account the characteristics of the animal’s temperament and the child’s character, health and lifestyle. If any difficulties arise, you should take the advice of experienced dog handlers who will be able to suggest which breed should be chosen in a particular case.
2. It is also worth considering how much weight the dog will gain when it reaches adulthood. The weight of the pet and the child should not differ significantly. A child should not experience difficulties while walking with a four-legged friend, for example, if a dog rushes after a toy or wants to chase a cat.
3. Fans of large breeds need to remember about the mandatory training course that the future pet must undergo. Here he must learn to clearly carry out all the commands given by family members.

The influence of dogs on children

In order for comfort and mutual understanding to reign in the family, it is necessary not to forget about goodwill between all people. The health of the pet and children is given the utmost attention, and the house must always be clean.

From the point of view of psychologists, having a four-legged pet has a positive effect on children and their certain qualities:

• the formation of the main moral aspects takes place;
• teaching love;
• full development and communication with peers;
• reduction of fear;
• relief from stress;
• relief from a mental or mental disorder.

All of the above points only speak “in favor” of purchasing a dog, but you need to remember the child’s character traits. You also need to pay attention to how the dog treats the small family member.

If there is already a dog in the house, then parents should not introduce restrictions or categorical prohibitions on communication between children and dogs. You should also avoid extremes, such as allowing animals and people to sleep in the same bed or eating from the same utensils.

With constant prohibitions or restrictions, children may begin to show greater interest in the object of interest. In other words, a child may commit a rash or impulsive act towards an animal, and everything will not end well.

Proper upbringing will help both the child and the dog find a common language and become good friends.

Bichon Frize

This curly-haired kid also loves children, and the children reciprocate his feelings. A distinctive feature of the Bichon is that the animal does not cope well with forced loneliness and becomes very attached to its little owner. The animal is in dire need of attention and love.

Read Top 20 most evil dogs - breeds with high aggressiveness

It is best to have such a pet in a limited living space, since this small but very beautiful dog does not really like noisy street games. But she likes playing at home with a small child. When getting a pet for your baby, you don’t have to worry that the dog will show aggression towards him.

If a child likes to bring home a group of peers, this will not be a problem for the Bichon Frize - the dog knows how to find a common language with strangers and gets along well with people of all ages.

How to make the right choice

In order not to make a mistake when choosing a pet, you need to follow a few simple rules. You shouldn’t buy the first dog you come across, according to the principle “I like him, let’s take him.” It is common for all puppies to be charming at a young age, but when they grow into a full-fledged dog, no one can guarantee, given such a choice, that the dog will be good-natured and sociable.

First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the good temperament, stable psyche and disposition towards children in animals. For boys, it is best to choose a retriever or Dalmatian, who are great for walks and active games. Chihuahuas or Chinese crested dogs are more suitable for girls, who need to select clothes and various hairpins. But any rule has its exceptions, and therefore you should not forget to consult with your child, because a dog is purchased, first of all, for him, and not for his parents.

As for fighting breeds, these are definitely not suitable for families with children. Even if the dog is perfectly trained, no one can guarantee that he will adequately respond to an excess of attention to his person and harmless (on the part of the child) antics. A large four-legged pet can accidentally injure a baby, and during a walk it will be difficult for a small creature to hold the dog, as well as to correctly assess its actions depending on different situations.

What is important for owners to know

Let us highlight the main qualities that a dog should have for the home and children:

• — restraint;
• — tolerance;
• — activity;
• — energy;
• - attentiveness;
• - tendency to simple training.

When choosing a dog for a family with children, it is very important to take a closer look at specific breeds, since children will not always be careful with the dog, as during the game they may simply get carried away, or accidentally step on a paw or tail. Dogs that are inclined to establish contact with children will patiently accept this, understanding that this is a child.

It is worth saying right away that, despite all the patience of the animal, the child must know that this is a living creature, and it must be treated very carefully and respectfully.

The best option would be to get a dog when the child is still small. A dog that will grow up with the baby will be more kind to him, and will also play patiently with the child, carefully watching him, and protecting him from any misfortunes.

Let's take a look at the best nanny dogs for children.

Choosing the Ideal Breed

When choosing a four-legged pet, many future owners pay attention to the size of the dogs.

Among the small representatives are the following:

• Spitz;
• miniature poodle;
• miniature pinscher;
• dachshund;
• Chihuahua.

These animals are distinguished by the fact that they do not need much space in the apartment. Such dogs are ideal if living space is limited in size. Caring for the breeds listed above is very simple and even during shedding, owners will not have any problems with combing.

Among the medium-sized breeds, the following varieties hold the palm:

• spaniels;
• Border Collie;
• terriers;
• retrievers;
• welsh corgi;
• beagles

Such dogs are small in size, and therefore will not take up much space; they are ideal in apartments with a small area. Mostly pets have a balanced character, not prone to conflict, and very quickly become everyone's favorites.

If you decide to purchase a large representative of the canine family, then experts advise choosing the following breeds:

• Dalmatian;
• shepherd;
• collie;
• Doberman

Proper upbringing is mandatory for all of the listed breed groups. Classes with a canine trainer will make the dog obedient and ideal for a child.

Of course, there are many more large dog breeds. Today, Huskies and Malamutes are considered very popular. However, here you need to know that the character of such dogs is very complex and a child will not be able to cope with this dog.

A peculiarity is that representatives of large breeds recognize only a single owner, and all other family members are perceived by them as similar to themselves. Another significant feature is the presence of large space for the dog, and therefore, when owning a small apartment, it is not recommended to have very large representatives of four-legged animals.

There are also cases when the chosen breed is good for everyone, but is very expensive. Here you can buy a mestizo or mongrel dog; they are no worse than purebred handsome dogs and also adore people.

It is worth familiarizing yourself in more detail with the different breeds belonging to certain groups; for greater convenience, they are divided into small, medium and large.

Which small breed pet is better to choose?

There is an opinion that small dogs tend to be aggressive towards children, and therefore it is best to make your choice in favor of a larger representative. But every exception has its own rules, and therefore the following breeds are suitable for families with children:

• dachshunds;
• miniature poodles;
• welsh corgi;
• Pugs.

All of these representatives are characterized by a restrained reaction to the antics of children, and therefore parents do not need to worry about the dog biting a younger family member if he accidentally hurts the pet.

Welsh Corgi

They are excellent companions for children, and the homeland of such dogs is in England. The height at the withers reaches 25 cm, the average weight is about 12 kg. Animals have a very positive attitude towards outdoor games and running around. This feature allows children not only to spend time communicating with their four-legged friend and to additionally engage in physical activity.

Corgis are unpretentious in their maintenance and are able to consume any food offered. Their cleanliness is of particular importance. It is worth considering that during the seasonal shedding of dogs, the coat will change completely, and therefore you must remember to brush them regularly.

Miniature Poodles

It is interesting to know that toy poodles were bred as hunting dogs, but gradually people recognized in the representatives of this breed amazing intelligence and training abilities. Such features have made poodles indispensable circus performers, capable of performing tricky tricks that a representative of another breed cannot perform.

Poodles are suitable for families with children because... It is common for them to perceive young children as their friends and spend a lot of time in their company. Poodles do not require any particular difficulties with care or a lot of space.

On average, representatives grow up to 25 cm at the withers, and the weight of adult animals is about 6 kg.

Pugs

The first association that comes to mind when mentioning this breed is dogs with flattened original muzzles. The breed has a long history and has long been relegated to the decorative category. The homeland of pugs is in China, but today representatives of the breed can be found everywhere.

The dogs have a good-natured character and affection for their owners. All such a pet needs is regular feeding, walks, and participation in active games with children.

Breeds that are suitable for children

You need to understand that the character of a dog depends not only on the breed, but also on individual characteristics and upbringing. Therefore, all ratings of the friendliest and most child-loving breeds are very relative. In addition, it is not necessary to get an expensive animal: often a mongrel dog turns out to be smarter and more loyal than his relatives of “blue” blood. Many ordinary yard dogs of different ages, colors and sizes languish in animal shelters waiting for their beloved owner. You can give a homeless creature a new, prosperous life, filled with human care and love. However, there is a certain risk of not guessing the character of your four-legged friend, because mongrels, unlike purebred dogs, do not have genetically desirable character traits.

Practical experience shows that mongrels usually have a kind and non-conflict character (provided that people have not bullied them before)

If a child dreams of a dog of a certain breed, but pedigree is not so important, then you can look for purebred dogs in shelters and foster care, because sometimes their owners give up on them.

Labrador Retriever)

Labradors are very good-natured and cheerful animals, active and loving, adoring children. However, due to their significant mass, they can inadvertently destroy a small child while playing. Therefore, it is better to have them after the child is 3–4 years old. Without proper training, a dog can become disobedient and arrogant, so it is very important to start training the puppy on time. Labradors do not require special care; standard procedures are sufficient. Nutrition should be moderate, as they are prone to obesity. Prices for puppies vary from 10 to 50 thousand rubles, depending on the class and pedigree.

Labrador is a hunting dog that needs walks and physical activity; if there is not enough of it, the dog can begin to damage property in the house.

Golden Retriever (Golden Retriever)

Dogs of this fashionable breed are more balanced and obedient than Labradors, but in other respects they are very similar to them. The differences in appearance are exclusively “golden” color and longer coat, which the owner will have to care for. They are very smart, friendly, cheerful, love children and are highly trainable. However, you need to teach your pet to follow the rules from a very young age. Like Labradors, Goldens require constant exercise and are prone to overeating and obesity. Puppies cost from 10 to 70 thousand rubles.

A retriever can become both a nanny for a baby and a life partner for a teenager.

Saint Bernard

The St. Bernard breed was created to work as rescuers, so these huge nanny dogs will protect children from any dangers. They are silent, calm and very good-natured, gentle and careful with children, but if necessary they are able to quickly and correctly respond to a threat. The character is rather melancholic. The Saint Bernard needs long walks (3-4 hours a day) and constant physical activity, so it is not very suitable for keeping in a city apartment. It tolerates cold and frost better than heat, because it has long, warm fur that needs to be combed regularly. Due to the special structure of the eyelids, careful eye care will be required. A St. Bernard puppy will cost the future owner from 10 to 55 thousand rubles.

Saint Bernards are incredibly attached to people and are very bored when alone, so they cannot be left alone for a long time.

Collie (Scottish Sheepdog)

Collies are very smart, friendly and affectionate dogs, extremely dependent on humans. They have high intelligence and excellent training abilities, but it is thanks to their mental abilities that they can be cunning and deceive. Collies are devoted to their family, are absolutely not prone to running away from home and love to play with children. Suitable as a pet for children of any age, including novice owners. The long hair of the collie has healing properties for humans, but requires regular brushing, otherwise the whole house will be strewn with it. Collie puppies can cost from 12 to 30 thousand rubles.

Collies were bred as a herding breed, so they are athletic and love to run around in the fresh air.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is better known as a service dog, but is also perfect for a family with children. Excellent intelligence is combined with kindness and love for people, which is why shepherd dogs are excellent guides, companions and nannies. The personality traits of a particular dog can vary greatly, so it is best to consult with the breeder about the puppy you choose. Proper and long-term training is necessary - without it, the shepherd can become aggressive. Their activity and love of running makes these dogs ideal as travel and sports companions. Shepherds do not require special care; standard procedures are sufficient. The cost of puppies may vary depending on the pedigree from 15 to 90 thousand rubles.

Properly raised shepherd dogs are calm and balanced and get along well with other animals in the house.

Newfoundland (diver)

Newfoundlands are considered one of the largest breeds in the world, but they have absolutely no aggression. These powerful dogs with long, coarse hair, very similar in appearance to bears, are rescuers and protectors, unable to abandon a person in trouble. Calmness, balance and patience allow them to endure any children's pranks and be excellent nannies for children of any age. Divers are easy to train, swim well, and are not afraid of harsh weather conditions. They are obedient, a little passive and not prone to dominance, so they get along well with other pets.

Divers are excellent nannies for babies, but they are huge, heavy (up to 90 kg) animals, so parental supervision is necessary when interacting dogs with very young children.

To keep such a large dog you will need a lot of free space and food. Of course, the city apartment will become a prison for him. The long coat sheds constantly and has a specific odor, so the Newfoundland needs regular brushing and washing. Due to their laziness and tendency to be sedentary, divers quickly gain excess weight, so their diet should be well balanced and limited. Puppies cost 15–120 thousand rubles.

Setter (Gordon)

Setters are spectacular hunting dogs that make excellent companions. They are distinguished by a calm, intelligent and affectionate character, while being active, sociable and very smart. These dogs are ready to play always and everywhere - they remain puppies in this sense until old age and therefore get along well with children. However, they also have disadvantages - stubbornness, willfulness and a tendency to dominate among dogs, which fully manifest themselves with improper upbringing. In this regard, timely and correct training of the puppy is necessary - from a very young age. The breed is more suitable for families leading an active lifestyle, since the setter's walks should be filled with physical activity: running, jumping, games (1.5–2 hours a day).

The setter fully matures only by the age of 3–4 years, and he is also prone to digging and escaping and has a developed hunting instinct

Difficulties in caring for the setter are associated with its soft and long coat, which requires regular combing, trimming and haircuts. Also, you will have to not just walk the dog, but train it, providing significant physical activity. The ears should be examined daily - setters are prone to developing otitis media. The food should be hypoallergenic, since these dogs are very sensitive, and their diet is limited - they are prone to overeating and obesity. Setter puppies will cost from 10 to 35 thousand rubles.

Spaniel

Spaniels of any variety are charming, friendly and positive dogs whose hunting instincts do not prevent them from being excellent companions for adults and children. The average size allows them to be kept in city apartments. However, these are very energetic and cheerful pets that are not suitable for calm and lazy people, as well as overly busy people. They need regular walks in a large, open area where they can run around, play with other dogs and imitate hunting. With a lack of upbringing, they can become capricious, capricious and biting, and also consider themselves to be the main ones in the house. Therefore, it is very important to teach spaniels rules of behavior and commands from an early age. These dogs are very sociable, cannot stand loneliness, and often sleep in their owners’ bed. It is very important to feed spaniels properly, as they are gluttons and gourmands, and also to carefully care for their coat, eyes, ears and teeth. That is, these dogs cannot be called easy to care for. Puppies cost from 25 to 50 thousand rubles.

The spaniel is suitable for families with children of any age.

Beagle

The Beagle is another “hunter” who can retrain as a nanny. This is an optimistic, good-natured and active dog that loves communication and games in a big company. Their cheerful disposition and abundance of energy make Beagles excellent companions for children aged 4 years and older. Beagles are very inquisitive and want to take part in everything that happens in the house. They are obedient even to little ones, faithful and devoted to their owner, and very attached to him. These four-legged hunters are athletic and resilient, so they will happily take part in jogging, cycling and hiking. Beagles' weak teeth require especially careful care; other care procedures are standard. Beagles are also incredible gluttons, so the owner will have to be especially persistent and strict in matters of nutrition. Puppies, depending on the class, can cost from 10 to 50 thousand rubles.

Beagles get along well with other pets and become loyal friends for children.

Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

Yorkshire Terriers are popular miniature dogs with a sweet appearance and beautiful fur. This is one of the few breeds of decorative dogs that are good with children and get along with them. Yorkies are very intelligent and highly trainable, active, always ready to play and very loyal to their owner. Despite their small size, they can be self-conscious and consider themselves masters of the situation and can be aggressive with other dogs, which is why they need proper training. Otherwise, the Yorkie may grow up to be a spoiled and harmful creature. Like all decorative dogs, they are quite fragile and delicate creatures, so it is better to get them after the child is 5–6 years old, and more likely for a girl. Girls can take on regular care for the beautiful fur of their little friend.

Yorkies are quite noisy and cocky: they love to bark at other dogs and people, and also do not get along well with small pets, perceiving them as prey.

These dogs love to walk, but they behave badly during walks: they dig the ground, chew and lick everything, rummage through garbage, and are prone to running away. Therefore, you can only let your child go for a walk with a Yorkie in adolescence, when he will be able to keep track of him. Proper nutrition is very important for Yorkies: they are prone to allergies and overeating. Long hair needs combing and trimming. Puppies will cost from 7 to 30 thousand rubles.

Video: top 10 dogs for children

Choosing a pet from representatives of medium breeds

Without exception, all breeds classified as medium-sized will be a good choice, depending on the nuances, for families with children. Particular attention should be paid to the following four-legged animals:

• beagles;
• Labrador Retrievers;
• cocker spaniels.

It’s worth talking about each in a little more detail.

Labradors

Almost all experts are inclined to believe that Labradors are ideal dogs for families with children. For this breed, even in adulthood, puppy behavior is typical. They never give up playing, jogging and active pastime, and therefore such a dog is a wonderful choice for a child.

Labradors are distinguished by their intelligence and ability to quickly train. Such pets will not need special care conditions. The main thing is not to forget to feed them, take them for walks and brush them.

Beagles

Despite the fact that the dog is a hunting dog, this breed is great for children. The height at the withers reaches 35 cm and is of medium size. The intelligence of such four-legged creatures gave them the ability to quickly learn and instantly understand human orders. The ability to train made beagles suitable for the category of children 8 - 9 years old.

Caring for beagles is not difficult. The smooth coat of dogs does not require constant care, and therefore the owner will have one less problem.

American Cocker Spaniels

The dogs are distinguished by their mobility and good-natured character. Thanks to which they will make friends among all family members and become full members.

The breed is classified as a hunting breed, but recently such pets have occupied the niche of companion dogs. Participation in active activities and adaptability to long games makes cockers a favorite of all children. The small size allows you to keep dogs in apartments without any problems. Future owners should remember to properly care for the animals' long ears and coat.

Large breed dogs, how to make the right choice

If you choose a representative from this group, then it is worth remembering that such dogs are more suitable for teenage children. A small child will not be able to hold a powerful pet on a leash during a walk.

It is best to opt for the following breeds:

• Irish Setters;
• Newfoundlands;
• Giant Schnauzers.

Giant Schnauzer

The breed is German and was bred as a herding dog. During selection, the emphasis was placed on representatives with unusual intelligence and intelligence; the descendants are well trained and quickly understand what the owners want from them. The calmness, balance and prudence of four-legged animals make them excellent companions for children.

The best place for Risen is a country house or a large apartment. People who want to purchase this breed should remember that representatives will need many hours of walks and careful care of their thick coat.

Newfoundlands

They are a popular breed whose homeland is in Canada. There the dogs performed certain jobs helping people. Under the influence of harsh climatic conditions, the four-legged animals have developed a thick coat, which causes certain difficulties in grooming.

Despite their large size, Newfoundlands have a very calm and balanced character, and therefore, such a pet can be left with a child without fear. It is worth noting that the size of the animal creates certain difficulties in its maintenance. A cramped room is not the best place for this breed.

Irish Setters

The breed is a hunting breed, and this trend has made running and an active pastime a favorite pastime for pets. The intelligence of dogs allows them to understand that children do not pose a danger to them, and therefore they quickly acquire the status of full members of families.

The future owner should not forget that he will have to take care of the long hair of the Irish and provide the animals with long walks.

Jack Russell Terrier

This little “jumper” and merry fellow is known all over the world for the comedy “The Mask”. The dog will conquer any child's heart with its cheerful disposition and cheerfulness. This is unbridled energy - its surge will surprise even the most explosive fidget who cannot be kept in place.

Read Decorative dogs - top 20 breeds

It is possible that such a tandem will cause a local disaster in your apartment, but the child’s emotions are worth it! He will be able to endlessly run and jump on the street to the cheerful squeals of his four-legged Energizer.

Jack Russell is a great opportunity to teach your child to go jogging in the morning. The pet will go crazy from such joint activity.

A few words about hypoallergenic breeds

Some children have allergies to wool, which some time ago imposed a complete ban on keeping pets. Today, this problem is completely solvable, because there are hypoallergenic breeds, of which there are quite a few:

• Scotch Terriers;
• Irish Spaniels;
• Airedale Terriers;
• Chinese Crested;
• Yorkshire Terriers.

This list is far from complete, but all representatives are united by a special coat structure and a unique skin structure that practically does not exfoliate. These properties make it possible to avoid an allergic reaction in children, and to take a four-legged pet into the family without any fear.

When deciding to get a dog for a child, adults need to remember that four-legged pets are not toys, they need care, care and attention. It is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons and only after that make a choice in favor of one breed or another.