If your kids have been begging you to get a family dog then this article is for you. Having a family dog can offer your family a great amount of fun and enjoyment. Having a dog can also help your kids learn about responsibilities. Of course you need to find a dog that is family friendly. The following tips will help you find the right breed to suit your needs.

You need to ask yourself what sort of things do you want to do with your dog. If you like going on fishing trips your certainly don't want a poodle. Breeds such as the Golden Retriever or Lab would be excellent.

If your looking for protection for your kids a German Shepard can make an excellent pet. This breed is very safe to have around your family and can also provide a great deal of protection.

Do you and your family travel allot? If so you may want to have a much smaller dog. Leaving your dog behind isn't an easy thing to do. Smaller dogs are easier to move around in a crate.

Maybe your not all the fond of your family getting a dog? If this is the case you may want to get a dog that tends to be more on the lazier side of things. Bull dogs, for example can make a great pet that spends most if its time out of the way.

You may also be wondering if you should just get your dog from the dog pound. There certainly isn't anything wrong with this because they deserve a home too. You need to keep in mind that you really don't know how well some of these dogs will behave around children. You must be very careful when choosing a family dog this way.

A family dog is a great pet and can keep the kids occupied for hours on end. You just need to make sure that you choose the right one for your families needs.