Having pets when you have kids can either be extremely stressful or totally magical complete with adorable photos of baby snuggling with your pup. And of course there is always that uncertain time if your fur baby came first and that fear in wondering if the two will get along. Hopefully they do and you get to take a zillion photos of the cutest little beings in your house. But what if you want to get a furry friend after having kids? How do you know what kind of pet to get?
I personally love a pound pup or rescue kitty. Oftentimes they are so happy to have a good home, they snuggle up and instantly become part of the family. But there are certain breeds that are known to be great with kids. HellaWella shared the details on the best kid-friendly dogs and cats.
The 5 Most Kid-Friendly Dogs
1. Bulldog
This little wrinkly cutie is friendly, loyal, and docile, so it's okay if baby pokes him a little -- he isn't likely to snap.
2. Vizsla
The beautiful pups are quiet and affectionate and they do lots of tricks. Plus they are very protective.
3. Golden Retriever
These sweetie pies are also really smart, but they need lots of exercise so they are great for the active family.
4. Bull Terrier
This is a great breed for rough and tumble kind of kids -- they are friendly and tend to be unfazed by a child tugging on their hair.
5. Newfoundland
They may be big, but the Newfoundland are very gentle, kind creatures who are very protective and easy to train.
The 5 Most Kid-Friendly Cats
1. Birman
These pretty kitties are social but love being lazy. Sounds like a perfect cat when you have a newborn.
2. Ragdoll
Image via smoorenburg/Flickr
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Comments 59
I have a Golden Retriever, and three cats... Love them all! one of my cats actually sleeps with my 10 year old.
Ha, I can't believe you put Viszla on this list! Nice dogs, yes, and absolutely gorgeous to look at, but they only ones I've known are not kid friendly at all!
I used to own a Maine Coon. Yes, they are pretty calm, but they generally attach themselves to one person in the family. Mine would only let me hold her, no one else could. They are pretty quiet too. Hardly ever meow, mostly chirps and trills. I really miss those sounds...
I have a pitbull and a German Shepard and they are the best. Despite the myth that they are part of the "mean vicious breed", they are absolutely amazing and tolerate whatever he does to them, and are incredibly gentle and extremely protective of him, and they are never more than five feet from where he is. They're great family dogs in my opinion.
Add American Pit Bull Terrier to the list and take off Vizsla
If frequently handled *all mine are* they are FABULOUS pets! They do cuddle, love on you, and 2 of my kids actually teethed on a red tailed boa!! The snake loved it.
Plus, they're safer. Even if it did bite, the smaller ones can't mangle a face, or take off a finger like a dog could if it decided to bite.
Snakes have emotions, and form bonds just as well as any dog.
Don't discount exotic pets when making a choice for your family
And what I have at home are pomeranian (tolerates kids, but he's a momma's boy) a husky (completely ignores children no matter what they are doing to/around him) and a german shepherd (whose day revolves around WHERE IS MY KID? which way did he go? I need to be with him! everyone else stay the f@#$ away from my kid!)