What breed of dog is the best nature for a family dog?

For you I would recommend either a Labrador; lively and sociable, generally soft natured but have a tendency to become fat and lazy. Boxers are very good with children but suffer from a number of health problems. Contrary to what the former responder said I think Retriever might also suit you. A Belgium Shepard might also be a good choice, like a German Shepard but a little lighter in build. Having said all that dogs are largely what we make them, there is much truth in the old expression, no bad dogs only bad owners. Take the dog to training classes all the best urban

I think it is a good idea to get a dog. A dog will help your son to teach loving and protecting the animals,and the people maybe,because we all know that the dog is the best friend of the human. He can show the animal his love on many different ways, and the dog will feel it,I'm sure. Personally I have a Cocker- spaniel. It is a lovely breed. When my brother was 2 years old, he couldn't understand when it hurts and one time I saw him,jumping on the dog's private parts. The dog didn't do anything. The breed "cocker spaniel" is very appropriate for little kids. They are playful,but only in a situation of game.They protect their owners and love them very much. Hope you will make the best decision and your son will get on well with the dog.

I woudl suggest you to get a labrador as a famiyl dog, we have got a labrador and he is such a friendly loving dog, he is becoming 3 years old soon and we just had our baby 7 months ago, he acts fine with the newborn baby when we took our son home and our dog likes him very much, always would like to hang around him. He is very playful and energetic, definitely a good kind of dog to have with the kids in the family, when our son gets bigger, sure we will have fun playing together.

I strongly suggest Beagle. I have 3 beagles in my house all of them are friendly, they never bite anyone. When there's visitor they might bark, but soon enough they will stop and start to welcome them. My brothers always pulled their ears and tail, hard, that they hurt and squeal. But they never even try to bite my brother back, they'll just trying to run away. Plus they have blunt fangs. They might be over excited (Uh..they are always over excited...) and unintentionally hurt your fingers when you give them snacks but all this past 7 years I never bleed from their fang even once, even if I give them snacks every day. There's a case when they could be aggressive. There are one boy that one of my beagle will bark aggressively at. Bacause he hit hit it with a lumber, and not only once. My beagle even bark and chase him when he ride a bicycle, but it didn't intend to bite him, just chasing him aggressively until satisfy then come back home.

I grew up with a Belgium Shepherd, he would always put up with all the kids. Playing football with us, he was a beautiful dog. Even my cousin when she was little twisted his ears, he'd cry and then my mom would stop my cousin. He was such a lovely family dog, I miss him so much. Now we have a long haired Dachshund and a dolly mixture lol, both lovely dogs. I shall always recommend Dachshunds for a family. German or Belgium shepherds are obviously very intelligent and loving, but I can't guarantee anything. To me my dogs are my children, if you love them then you shall be loved back. And anybody who hurts a dog on purpose is just pathetic and deserves a beating. Peace :)

Along with what other people suggested, I recommend getting a Collie dog. They are kind and friendly around children and the elderly. I've never had one but I've studied things about them for a long time (I really want one someday). Since they are herding dogs, they can be known to nip at a person's ankles when they are young especially, but they can be trained not to do that. They are supposedly easy to train and are used as therapy dogs also. I saw that someone recommended a dachsund.. My friend who is disabled has 2 dachsunds, but they aren't very friendly with other dogs (or each other.. Her mom keeps baby gates inbetween the 2 rooms so the dogs don't hurt each other. The puppy likes to bite too much), and she knows not to mess with/be rough too much (otherwise they might growl/bite). So a dachsund might not be exactly suitable for your son. Other than that, they are usually friendly and affectionate with people and very like and trust.

The Labrador is best for children. A friend of mine breeds Labs and he observed that even if his children pull the Labs' ears, the dogs do not mind at all. And when strangers come near the children, the Labs turn very protective.