Nothing could beat the experience of bringing your own baby home. Parenthood is beautiful; yes, it might get hectic sometimes but becoming parents and seeing your baby by your side and raising them couldn’t be beat by anything.
However, when new parents consider adding a new member to their home by adding a furry friend, they look for baby-friendly dog breeds. There are many best & worst dogs for new parents and they have to choose from them, keeping in mind that with a baby, they have got their hands full.
The Best Dogs For New Parents
New parents should look for dogs with low maintenance and those who are gentle, affectionate, and naturally patient because babies create a lot of mess and chaos, so to adapt to the new family, dogs must be calm. There are many best dogs for new parents but some of them are:
1. Labrador Retriever
Labradors are every family’s favorite. These big buddies are affectionate, loyal, kind, and patient with kids, which makes them perfect for a growing family.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are comforting dogs whose presence fills the room with warmth and love. They can easily adapt to different living conditions so your baby will be only loved and pampered by your little furry buddy.
3. Poodle (Miniature or Standard)
When we talk about dogs that can do well with kids, the first thing that comes to our mind is allergy. Mostly new parents look for hypoallergenic dogs and Poodles are the best dogs with intelligence. They are friendly as well, which makes them great family dogs.
4. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are calm, which means they won’t get provoked by babies around them. They love their families and turn out to be the best choice for parents adjusting to a new routine.
5. Golden Retriever
Talking about a family dog who can be good with babies and missing out on Golden Retrievers won’t be fair. These golden furry buddies are gentle and loving and they get along well with children and care for them like their own. Homes with newborns can get a golden retriever and enjoy the beautiful golden phase of their lives.
Some other best dog breeds for new parents:
- French Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Maltese
- Cocker Spaniel
- Whippet
The Worst Dogs For New Parents
Dogs are the best companions you can have but not every dog is a family dog and more importantly, not every dog is low maintenance and gentle with kids around them.
Some dogs require as much need and care and time as your baby needs. For new parents it’s tough to look after their baby and their dog, so you must avoid these dogs if you are a new parent:
1. Siberian Husky
Even though these furry buddies are gorgeous and you would love to have them, they are pretty high-energy working dogs who need extensive exercise and care and with a newborn, you won’t have time for it.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies are no doubt the most intelligent dogs out there but with their herding instincts, it gets tough to cohabitate with children and of course, they are pretty energetic, which means they need constant mental stimulation too.
3. Jack Russell Terrier
Even though Jack Russell Terriers are small and adorable, they are energetic and independent too. Generally, it’s a good thing but their training is challenging and they need exercise with baby duties on hand; managing all of it could be tough.
4. Dalmatian
If Dalmatians don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation, then they can end up having depression too, and for any new parent, it’s pretty much difficult. So, having a Dalmatian with a newborn is the worst idea.
5. Belgian Malinois
These are working dogs and they need extensive training, exercise, and socialization, and if they don’t get so, there might be some behavioral issues. So, it is better to avoid them with a newborn at home.
Some other dog breeds that may turn out to be worst for new parents:
- Akita
- Australian Shepherd
- Chow Chow
- Weimaraner
- Doberman Pinscher
The primary concern for any new parent is a dog’s temperament and their behavior toward kids. Some dogs are gentle with kids while others don’t like kids, especially those mischievous.
So, choosing dogs for growing families might be a little tough but it’s totally worth the time and thought for the best & worst dogs for new parents.
