After settling into a new house, you may breathe a sigh of relief as you realize that the hard part of relocation is over. You and your spouse are happy, your neighbors are super-nice, and you’ve got more space than you ever imagined. But as you glance around at your children, you realize they’re not as cheerful as they normally are. A puppy dog would surely cheer them up, but if you don’t know much about dogs, then where do you begin finding a pooch that is safe enough to keep around your family? This guide gives you the ins and outs of finding the perfect canine that will keep you and your family safe.

The main qualities you want in a dog that will spend a considerable amount of time around your children are friendliness and gentleness. The dogs who are known best for this temperament are Border Collies and Jack Russell Terriers. The collies are usually a bundle of energy, to keep your children occupied for hours at a time. The terriers are usually smaller and snappier, though harmless. Be leery of getting the smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers. These breeds may seem like good ideas because of their relative size comparison to a small child, they are actually more vulnerable to getting hurt due to their diminutive stature.

Several dog breeds are friendly and amicable with children from an early age, including Labrador Retrievers. Other dog breeds that are NOT recommended for young children include historically aggressive breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Akitas, and Chows.

Just because a dog is large does not make it mean-spirited or aggressive. But you don’t want any small children around these large creatures – it’s an accident waiting to happen. Saint Bernard’s and Mastiff’s are two of the friendliest dogs out there, but they tend to play very aggressively. With their sheer size, they can easily knock over a small child.

Also, take into consideration that your child may be allergic to certain dogs and you may not even know about it. If you, your spouse, or any other member of your immediate family has a history of being allergic to dogs, be sure you know what your child is or isn’t allergic to.