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Top 10 Dogs for Kids
Top Dog Breeds That Make the Best Family Pets

Jan 23, 2010 Amie Cunningham

Choosing the right dog as a family pet can be quite tricky, especially with all the dog breeds out there. Here to help is a list of the top 10 best dog breeds for kids

It's every kids dream to have a pet dog. It helps them learn important responsibilities, and a dog can be a great companion while growing up.
But it's important to realize that not all dogs will make great family pets. When choosing a family dog, it's best to fully research breeds to make sure they are compatible with children, especially younger children. To help get this research started, here are the top 10 dog breeds for children, listed from least to most popular: 10. Bull Dog

Bull dogs are certainly built strong and tough, which is perfect for rough-playing children. Bull dogs are friendly and loyal animals but they aren't exactly the most energetic, which is good for busy families that don't always have the time to walk the dog. They get along great with children and other animals. 9. Beagle

There's a reason why Charlie Brown's dog was a Beagle. That's because Beagles are loveable dogs that are touch enough to play hard with the kids and also have the energy to back it up. The very intelligent Beagle gets along great with people and other animals. An important note however is that Beagles do shed, so they will require more grooming than some other breeds. 8. Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers were bred to be companion dogs, making them great family pets. They are very friendly and lovable animals with a high pain threshold - making them perfect for small kids that may like to tug or pull. They are great for larger families as they are full of energy and require a lot of exercise.

7. Collie

Of course Lassie makes a great family pet! Collies are very intelligent and gentle dogs. They are easily trained and will get along great with children of any age. They are very loyal animals and being so, will protect their family. Because of it's long, silky hair, the Collie needs to be groomed regularly. 6. Newfoundland

With the nickname of "nature's babysitter", the Newfoundland loves children and will take care of them and protect them. What more can any family want out of a pet? They are very kind, gentle, patient, and intelligent animals making them perfect for any family. Because of their size, they work best in larger families with a larger homes because they prefer to be inside with the family. 5. Vizsla

Most people probably have never heard of this breed, but it's the perfect one for kids. It has a gentle and quiet manner, while also being very loyal and extremely affectionate. They are also very smart and obedient making them easy to train and they will form close relationships with family members. 4. Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is an extremely playful animal that enjoys playing with people and other animals. It would make a good companion to rambunctious children as the Irish Setter has a ton of energy. They are also smart and easily trainable. They are best suited for energetic families with a big yard. 3. Poodle

Poodles are extremely intelligent and gentle dogs. And although they require some grooming, they are great dogs for people with allergies as they shed very little. They play well with children as they have a very loyal, loving and patient demeanor. 2 .Labrador Retriever

One of the most popular dog breeds, the Labrador Retriever is patient, protecting, loving and playful, making it an all around good match for children. They are also very intelligent and have a sweet personality. There's a reason why they are so popular! 1. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever, which is slightly smaller than the Lab, is also a smart, kind, loyal and patient dog which makes them great companions for children. They have a lot of energy making them love to play with the kids.
When choosing the right dog breed for your family, it's important to consider its size, temperament, energy levels and grooming requirements in order to find the perfect fit. This list should help you learn a thing or to about the different dog breeds that are great pets for families. Hopefully this will help make choosing the perfect family dog just a little bit easier!

Source: http://dog-breeds.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_10_dogs_for_kids

Top Dogs | Transitions: 542 | Added by: Amie Cunningham | Date: 2010-05-02

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Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds
These Dogs are Super Smart and Super Intelligent

Aug 10, 2009 Amie Cunningham

How smart is your dog? Man's best friend is often as intelligent as man himself. Find out which dogs made the list of the top 10 smartest dog breeds.
Dogs are known as man's best friend. However, man's best friend isn't always the brightest one in the bunch. Just like people, some dogs are more intelligent than others despite the amount of formal training they receive. But who are the brightest dogs in the bunch? Find out below with the list of top 10 smartest dog breeds and see if your dog makes the cut! Number 10: Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle dogs are known for their intelligence when it comes to herding cattle. They have to be smart to be trained to do work around the farm. They are often trained to bite the cattle (gently of course) to get them moving and keep them moving in a certain direction. They love to work hard and feel useful as they have been used as cattle herders since the 19th century. Number 9: Rottweiler

Rottweilers have often received a bad reputation for being vicious dogs but that's only if the owners train them to behave so. But the fact is they can be loving, caring pets when trained appropriately.
On the other hand, because of their large size and intelligence they are trained as police dogs and can take people down with their strong jaws. They can definitely be trained to protect a family as well. In the past they've been used to carry wood and other heavy items to the marketplace. Number 8: Papillon

The Papillon is not just an adorably cute dog. It's also extremely intelligent as well. Beauty and brains! In the past the Papillon has been referred to as a symbol of elegance. During the Renaissance they were one of the favorite breeds of the royal courts. Growing to just over 11 pounds the Papillon is a great house dog. Smart, easy to train and with exceptional hearing these little dogs make great guard dogs.

Number 7: Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is not only one of the smartest dog breeds, but it is also one of the most popular dog breeds. The breed comes from Newfoundland and they were trained to hunt waterfowl. Since then Labrador Retrievers have been trained for many jobs because of their intelligence and kind nature. As police dogs they work as bomb sniffers or drug sniffers. They have been trained as rescue dogs as well as guide dogs for the disabled and blind. Labrador Retrievers are loving, hard-working dogs that can be trained to do almost any job. Number 6: Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as Shelties, may not be the most popular breed of dogs but there is no doubting it's intelligence. Some Shetland Sheepdog owners claim that they are too smart for their own good. Shelties originated in Scotland as sheep herders. They can also be used to keep animals out of the yard and garden. Shelties are very energetic dogs meaning they need a lot of exercise. With a stellar sense of hearing they also make good guard dogs and will let the owner know when anyone approaches. With their two-layered, multicolored coat they are also very beautiful dogs. Number 5: Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers have also gotten a bad reputation for being very scary, mean dogs. In reality these dogs are loving and very loyal, but can be tough when they need to be. They've been trained as guard dogs, police dogs and the like. Since they can be gentle as well, they have been used to visit sick patients in hospitals. Because they do have the ability to be ferocious dogs bet that they will protect the family if needed. Number 4: Golden Retriever

Perfect family dogs, Golden Retrievers are very popular pets. They are man's best friend and man's best companion especially when it comes to hunting. They love to retrieve game and waterfowl. They also make exceptional police dogs, rescue dogs and guide dogs. Golden Retrievers are very patient animals making them easy to train and great with children. Number 3: German Shepherd

Don't let his looks be deceiving as the German Shepherd can be one of the most loving and loyal dogs around. And because of their extreme intelligence and strength they are being trained as police dogs, rescue dogs and even military dogs. German Shepherds are very obedient and loyal which means they train well and are very protective animals. Number 2: Poodle

Don't let the poofy white coat be misleading. The Poodle is an extremely intelligent animal. Usually seen as show dogs, Poodles are bred as hunting dogs, guard dogs and rescue dogs. They are very loving, loyal dogs with big hears under all that curly hair. It doesn't matter whether it's a large poodle or a toy poodle, they are equally smart and equally caring. Number 1: Border Collie

The Border Collie is definitely the smartest of the bunch. This dog loves to work. With such high energy, the Border Collie likes to stay busy at all times which make them perfect for doing jobs around the yard! They have been bred as herding dogs and sporting dogs due to their extreme intelligence and athletic capabilities. They are very obedient and can pick up tasks and tricks quickly and easily. Their favorite sporting events include disc games and fly ball. Border Collies make great pets so long as they are kept active.
That wraps up the top 10 smartest dog breeds. Some of the breeds on the list may have been more surprising than others. But no matter the intelligence, dogs are happy-go-lucky animals that make great additions to any loving family.
Also read:

Source: http://dog-breeds.suite101.com/article.cfm/smartest_dogs

Top Dogs | Transitions: 566 | Added by: Amie Cunningham | Date: 2010-05-02

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Favorite Toy Breeds
Why are Little Dogs Popular as Pets?
Feb 24, 2010 Joy Butler

Yorkies, Poodles, and Chihuahuas are favorite family pets but temperament, grooming, and special health needs must be considered when choosing a toy breed.

Small dogs, both purebreds and mixed breeds, are chosen as pets for many reasons. Their tiny bodies and sweet faces just seem to bring out the nurturing instinct and that ‘aww’ response in humans.
Expense of food and preventives is minimal for these dogs, they need little space, and can be fun to dress up. In spite of being adorable, these toy breeds often make good watch dogs and their barking alerts can deter an intruder as well as a big dog’s bark can.

On the other hand, small dogs can sometimes be yappy and, due to diminutive size, fragile and nippy in the hands of small children. The following profile guide of the most popular toy breeds can help you decide if one of these small dogs is for you. Yorkshire Terrier

Weighing just 4 to 7 pounds, the Yorkie is America’s third most popular of America’s favorite dogs of 2009. They tend to be curious and a bit bossy but make an affectionate and beautiful pet for an owner committed to extensive grooming on the long, silky coat. Poodle

Poodles rank number nine on the list of America’s favorite dogs. Considered hypoallergenic and intelligent, Poodles do well in obedience and agility competition, but require a great deal of grooming.

Shih Tzu

This beautiful breed is number ten of America’s most popular dogs. Weighing 9 to 16 pounds, the Shih Tzu is large for a toy breed and can be quite brave. The Shih Tzu owner must be committed to extensive grooming of the long, flowing coat. These dogs are sweet and playful, yet content with minimal exercise. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua, at 3 to 6 pounds, is the smallest dog breed in the world and the twelfth most popular in America. Although affectionate, Chihuahuas tend to bond with and become very possessive of one person and may not be a good choice for a family with young children. Chis are sensitive to cold and love to tunnel under the covers. Both the long haired and smooth haired variety are easy to groom. Pomeranian

These lively little dogs from the spitz family make a good companion for long walks. Ranking number fourteen of America’s favorite dogs, they are affectionate and friendly and generally love kids, but their 3 to 7 pound size can be fragile. Their long, straight hair with fluffy undercoat requires daily brushing and regular trimming. Pug

Pugs are America’s seventeenth most popular breed of 2009. At 14 to 18 pounds, they are bigger than other toy dogs. They generally love people and make good family pets requiring minimal grooming but, as a brachycephalic breed, they are at greater risk of heatstroke in hot weather and must not be exerted in warm temperatures. Maltese

This snowy white breed is generally quite affectionate, yet fearless. They rank twentieth on America’s list of most popular breeds. For the owner who has the time and inclination to maintain extensive grooming of the luxurious coat, the Maltese can be an intelligent and hardy pet that is usually good with children as long as they are mature enough to handle the tiny 4 to 6 pound size. A Caution about Teacup Dogs

The American Kennel Club recognizes 21 breeds in the Toy group. Teacup dogs are not recognized by the AKC. The term "teacup" does not refer to a breed or group but to an undersized Toy breed dog. A teacup dog may be the runt of the litter, have dwarfism, or have been born prematurely. These dogs often have lifelong health problems, special medical needs, and a shorter lifespan.
The popularity of these cute little miniature pets pushes up their price and has created a market because few people realize that when teacup dogs are bred, they often pass on heartbreaking health issues to their puppies. Toy Breeds as Pets

Toy breed dogs make wonderful pets and companions. Shelters, reputable breeders, and breed rescue groups that have all animals thoroughly checked by a veterinarian are the best places to find a good pet.

Source: http://dog-breeds.suite101.com/article.cfm/favorite-toy-breeds

Top Dogs | Transitions: 544 | Added by: Joy Butler | Date: 2010-05-02