Dog Gone Perfect: Picking The Perfect Pooch For Your Family

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Wondering whether of not to expand your family by adding a family pet, or rather pooch to be exact? Well, before you heads out to find your favorite canine, you may want to give some consideration to these 5 family-friendly breeds.

1. Golden or Labrador Retriever: Both make a golden family pet. Golden retrievers are generally between 60 and 80 pound and Labradors between 50 and 60 pounds and both tied for being family favorites. In fact owners and experts assert that both are loving, loyal, gentle and will patiently put up with even the most playful tot’s poking and prodding. Additionally, Retrievers enjoy swimming and tend to retain their pupplylike disposition and playfulness even throughout adulthood.

What you need to know however is that Retrievers need a variety of vigorous exercise and tend to shed quite a bit, making frequent brushing necessary.

But, while, like most dogs, they enjoy the great outdoors, Retrievers adjust well to city life, as long as they get plenty of playtime.

2. Collie: This charismatic pooch is good natured, friendly and energetic, plus they get along well with children and are easy to train; and generally weight between 40 and 65 pounds. In fact, the Collie is often considered the best family companion of all the “herding breeds”.

Collies, like Retrievers need frequent care and brushing, as well as plenty of exercise, and while they too adapt well to city environments, still need room to roam, explore and run around.

3. Boxers: Basically a “working” dog between 55 and 70 pounds with a passion for living and playing. This breed is affectionate, loyal and an excellent guardian. And, while Boxer’s may look bored and apathetic, they are in reality goofy, playful, and lots of fun.

Since they are short-haired dogs you don’t have to worry about daily brushing. And, while Boxers will reside happily in a city high rise, they do need a good daily walk or two.

4. Mini Schnauzer: This petite pet runs between 11 and 20 pounds and unlike larger “working dogs” is considered a terrier and is very reliable and affectionate; an excellent family pet. However, experts assert that they can be a bit stubborn, yappy and inclined to have the last word. Yet, they are also very playful and make wonderful watchdogs.

The mini schnauzer’s coat is wiry and they are classified as one on a variety of hypoallergenic breeds that don’t shed at all, though they still need regular brushing.

Also, these pups make excellent apartment pets, but do tend to gain weight if they don’t get enough exercise.

5. Yorkshire Terrier: The tiniest of the bunch, the “Yorkie” tends to be among the most popular of the “toy” breeds. However, these miniatures have huge amounts of energy, are alert and spirited but very loyal and, believe it or not, make great watchdogs. Plus, it’s a great lapdog and plays well with other pets, including cats.

Bear in mind, that due to their long, shiny coats, Yorkies require daily combing and brushing and frequent shampooing.

Yorkies are also excellent pets for city life since all the exercise they require is a bit of running around and playing indoors.