If you've been enlisted to make a niece's or nephew's wish for a dog come true, it's important to make sure you're giving them a dog that is suitable for their age and lifestyle. We asked Steven Spitz, a.k.a Vegan Petman and CEO of Big Apple Pet Supply, for his advice. 
 
A dog is not just a pet. A dog is adopted into the family, and it is important for a Savvy Auntie help her niece and nephew choose a breed that would be best suitable for her or his lifestyle.
 
Before we begin to discuss the best breeds for children, it is useful to note that the breed of a dog does not tell all. Every dog is an individual, and therefore the breed of a dog will not universally predict that it will be a match for your niece and nephew and the family. You will want to make a careful study of the individual personality traits of any potential family dog.
 
Golden Retriever
By all accounts, the Golden Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States. There's good reason for its popularity; it is well known for being smart, loyal, gentle and kind. It often displays extreme patience beyond the ability of many other breeds. This breed requires plenty of exercise but that's not difficult to achieve considering its high desire for play. It's a sturdy dog that is docile, well tempered and can tolerate the potential rough housing of children.
 
Labrador Retriever
You shouldn't be surprised that the number two dog in popularity also makes number two on the best breeds for children. The Lab is amazingly playful, ultra reliable, extremely patient, and incredibly loving. A Lab also has a sweet personality and a great deal of intelligence, making it a great family dog.
 
Poodle
Sure, this breed is often given rather interesting haircuts, but there is nothing wrong with maintaining a more "subtle" look for your Poodle. If your child has allergies, this dog makes an excellent choice because of its hypoallergenic properties. This is an extremely loyal breed that exhibits great patience. You will rarely see an annoyed Poodle. Other than the need for regularly scheduled grooming, this breed is a delightful companion for children.
 
Collie
When you want a gentle breed that's easy to train and loves to please, it is going to be hard to beat the Collie. There is a reason why one of the most beloved TV movies, "Lassie,” had a Collie as the star. The Collie is a herding dog, so you'll want to discourage the Collie from herding your niece or nephew, but other than that, the Collie is a pure joy and is great with kids. The only caveat is that the Collie has long hair and requires regular grooming.
 
Bull Dog
Let's face it, kids can be a bit rough sometimes, but the Bull Dog can handle it. Few dogs are built as sturdy as this breed. Whether your nieces and nephews live in an apartment or mansion, this breed is perfectly suited to either environment because it is relatively slow placed and lacks the energy of many other breeds. The Bull Dog is known for its loyalty, friendly disposition and for getting along well with other dogs and pets.
 
Mixed Breed
Okay, so I said five, but you simply cannot rule out getting a mixed breed dog as an option for an amazing companion for your nieces and nephews. Mixed breed dogs come in a massive variety of sizes, colors and shapes. Sometimes you will know the breed origins and sometimes you won't, but what you will be looking for are personality traits such as gentleness and a friendly disposition. Your local animal shelter or rescue will likely have a large number of mixed breed puppies and older dogs who would love to have a permanent home.
 
While adopting a dog into a family is a pleasurable and fun experience, any dog must be under a watchful eye around small children. Even the most socialized dog, and the most well behaved young children, must always be supervised and never left alone. A young child can be rough and can inappropriately handle a dog. This can have serious consequences on both the dog and the child. Whenever you are around your child and a dog, it is important to supervise appropriately and to ensure that your niece or nephew understands that only gentle and respectful interactions are acceptable.

Published: February 19, 2012
Photo: Savannah Bunny