Owning their own dog is almost every 7-year-old’s dream! Having a buddy that you can call your own can give kids a great sense of love and worth.
What are the best dog breeds for 7-year-old kids? The best dog breeds for 7-year-olds changes depending on preference, room availability in the home, and possible allergies. A general list of the most popular dog breeds for kids includes the Bichon Frise, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Medium Poodle, Vizla, Beagle, Newfoundland, and the Bulldog.
Allowing your 7-year-old to have a dog can help teach them many valuable life skills. It will show them the responsibility they need to have to be successful and allow them to think of something else that needs taking care of.
Dog Breeds for Kids
Dogs are wonderful companions and can teach your 7-year-old about responsibility and friendship. Caring for the needs of a pet can really benefit your children and how they treat others.
During my research I have found 8 reoccurring dog breeds as the most popular for kids. These animals have become popular because of their loving, gentle, and playful dispositions which are perfect for energetic and cuddly kids.
Some of the most important questions you can ask yourself before deciding on a dog breed for your kids would be:
- “How big do I want the dog to be?”
- “Do I want it to be hypoallergenic?”
- “Do I have the time to consistently walk a big active dog that requires a lot of exercise?”
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is smaller than most of the other popular dog breeds, but they are some of the friendliest creatures. These dogs tend to have a lot of energy and want to play. Their hair does grow pretty quickly, so regular grooming is require; however, they do not shed very much so they are included in the category of hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a classic family pet. They are known for their playful and loving nature. These dogs are smart and easy to train. This is a good quality in a family pet especially if you can train them early to fit into your family’s lifestyle. 7-year-olds can have endless fun running and playing with the Labrador Retriever.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is my personal favorite. They are happy dogs who love to play! They are affectionate and loyal.Golden Retrievers are known for their “retrieving” quirks. Your kids can throw the ball for the dog for hours of outside fun! These dogs are friendly and easy to train.
Medium Poodle
Poodles are beloved for their looks and their brains. Poodles come in many sizes, but the medium Poodle is the best option for kids because the miniature and toy poodles tend to pick favorites throughout the family. Poodles also have the added bonus of being a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Vizla
The Vizla is an uncommon breed to most people. This is a very smart dog breed that is easily trainable. Like a lot of the bigger sized dog breeds, the Vizla requires a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. They are great for kids that want to go outside and run around for hours.
These dogs are also said to be gentle and obedient. This isn’t a common dog breed only because of their need for constant exercise. This shouldn’t be a problem with an energetic 7-year-old around the house!
Beagle
The Beagle is a very popular family dog breed. They are loving, energetic, and playful. They need tons of exercise to keep their weight and health under control, and that’s perfect for kids. The Beagle likes adventures and play time. They do shed, so it’s not always a perfect fit inside of a sensitive home.
Newfoundland
The teddy bears of the dog world, I like to call them. These cuddly creatures are perfect for aggressively affectionate 7-year-olds. For some reason, kids always want to squeeze things they love, and the Newfoundland breed will be happy to snuggle. They are big dogs so you want to provide them enough space to live happily indoors and outdoors.
They have been referred to by many as “Nature’s Babysitter” because they are patient and protective of their family. The are very smart, kind, and gentle. They do shed and drool, so it’s important to be ready for some clean up, but they want to be around you constantly and will bring joy to any family’s life.
Bulldog
The name “Bulldog” always brought on images of bullies; however, the more I’m around them, the more I see how gentle and loving they are. Bulldogs are not as energetic as other dog breeds, but they are built well to withstand little hands and feet that may be flinging around them in a house of kids.
They are affectionate and a lot of people are crazy about their scrunched little faces. They have a tendency to make noises when they breathe and sleep because of their facial structure, but it just adds to their charm!
Puppy vs. Rescue Dog
There is no absolute right or wrong choice when choosing between getting your child a rescue dog from the shelter or allowing them a puppy that they can grow up with.
There are positives and negatives to both options.
Positives of Puppies
The great thing about choosing to buy your 7-year old a puppy is the ability to train it your way from the get go. They are also adorable and can more easily develop a connection with your child. They human/pet interaction will be able to last longer than buying an older dog, and you can choose exactly what breed you want.
Negatives of Puppies
Getting a puppy can disrupt your life more than an older dog. Most dogs who have been rescued are potty trained already. It can be costly and time consuming to teach your little bumbling baby puppy where and where not to do its business.
They need constant attention and supervision. It’s more important for your child to be gentle around a puppy than around a bigger and sturdier dog.
Positives of Rescuing
Rescuing a dog from the shelter is just an all around good thing. It allows dogs that have been neglected to come into a loving and safe home. Depending on the breed you select, rescue dogs can be more affectionate than others. They will feel love they haven’t had for awhile and have a great connection with you and your family.
You can also pick from a wide variety of dogs that have their behavior and traits laid out for you by trainers and caregivers. You will know right from the get-go if they are energetic, playful, gentle, etc. Overall, you are giving a loving creature a home! If you can, a rescue dog may be just the thing your family needs.
Negatives of Rescuing
Having kids in your home might make rescuing a bigger deal. Sometimes the dogs that end up at shelters have been abused and will still have emotional and mental wounds that haven’t healed. Some may even have problems with certain genders because of what may have happened in their lives.
Another downside of getting a shelter dog is the inability for your child to raise and grow with the dog. The dog is usually older and will not live as long as a puppy has the opportunity to.
Hypoallergenic
Sometimes we are worried about what pet to get our children because there may be allergies in the home. It’s hard for children, and parents, who have some sort of pet allergy to enjoy the life as a dog owner.
For some, it may be impossible to get any kind of dog but for others a hypoallergenic breed may be perfect!
A hypoallergenic dog breed simply refers to dog breeds that do not shed as much as others. Sometimes they don’t shed at all which means that there is less dander around which causes allergies.
If you have a 7-year-old who can’t handle dogs with a lot of hair, or if you don’t want to deal with the mess, a hypoallergenic dog breed may be what you need.
Some popular hypoallergenic dog breeds include:
- Labradoodle (mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle)
- Bichon Frise
- Poodle
Of course, we have to remember that there is no dog breed that will be 100% allergen free. The hypoallergenic choice is simply precautionary, favorable for hair clean up, and will lessen the intensity of dander-related allergies.
It’s also important to remember that some hypoallergenic dog breeds have been crossbred such as the Labradoodle, a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, will produce varying amounts of dander than another of the same breed based on how their genetics panned out. If they have more of the poodle in them, the hair shedding will be less.
Related Questions
Are English Bulldogs good for kids? This is a semi-popular family dog because they respond well to a lot of children. The downside is that they have a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs and a lot of people don’t like that level of unpredictability around their small children.
What is the best dog for a toddler? One specific breed may not be the ideal for every toddler. It is recommended to find a medium-sized dog with a gentle nature. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Beagles are always popular choices when there are children around because of their gentle natures.
