The worst dog breeds for kids are those that have high energy, may have aggressive tendencies, or need extensive training. Certain dog breeds pose challenges and risks that make them difficult for households with young kids. Parents need to consider which breeds to avoid when choosing a family pet to ensure the safety and well-being of their children.
1. Chihuahua
Although they are cute and pocket-sized, Chihuahua dogs are one of the most violent dog breeds around, but most people don’t notice due to their small size. While a bite from a chihuahua won’t cause harm to an adult, they are known to settle their problems with biting, which can injure small fingers and hands.
Chihuahuas also have little patience and are very difficult to train, though a well-trained one can be an amazing addition to the family later on. When children are young, however, it is best to pick a different breed that is calmer and patient.
2. Cocker Spaniels
Cocker spaniels have long been known as an adorable and docile breed, but major issues with their behavior have arisen in the last few years. The new issue is known as “sudden rage syndrome,” when an otherwise good-natured cocker spaniel randomly attacks an individual without provocation.
While this syndrome is still under investigation, it is thought to be due to too much inbreeding. Therefore, if you have a young child, it’s better to skip the cocker spaniel for now and choose a breed without the capacity to attack at random.
3. Schipperke
Chances are, a schipperke wasn’t even on your radar for a family pet, as these dogs are known to be aggressive, feisty, and all-around a nuisance. Although they can calm down as they age, adding a young schipperke to a house with little children is a bad idea.
Schipperkes don’t hesitate to nip or bite to get their way, they also require a lot of exercise and training to be good dogs. They are additionally known to be destructive and are never recommended to families who are gone from the home frequently as you may come home to find your kids’ toys and furniture destroyed.
4. French Bulldog
Although French bulldogs, often called Frenchies, are adorable, they are one of the worst dog breeds for kids. Not only are they incredibly destructive when left alone, but the constant inbreeding has led to serious breathing problems in this breed.
While a Frenchie isn’t likely to bite or nip children, chances are good that it will die early or could asphyxiate itself on accident when no one is home (during its destructive chewing). A child finding their beloved pet dead after a few years can be truly detrimental and scarring, especially to a young child—not to mention that the vet bills for this breed of dog are huge.
5. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish spitz is a medium-sized breed of dog that has started rising in popularity in homes around the world, but while these dogs can be beautiful, they have extremely strong hunting instincts that can cause problems in a household with kids. This breed of dog will require hours of training that most parents don’t have available.
They also will hunt other pets and may attack other dogs if not properly socialized. It is overall better for parents of young children to avoid this dog breed.
6. Weimaraner
Similar to the Finish spitz, the weimaraner has extremely strong hunting instincts and requires high levels of training in order to become a good pet around kids. They are also known for their love of rough play and, unfortunately, could injure a young child on accident. To top it off, weimaraners are notoriously anxious and will cause destruction when left alone, meaning it is just better to pick a different dog breed for your family.
7. Rottweilers
When trained properly, rottweilers can be amazing pets, but a home with young children is not the place for them. Rottweilers are herding dogs and will often nip young children as they run in an attempt to “herd” them.
Plus, rottweilers are extremely territorial, and although they can be well-trained, one bite could cause serious damage to a kid. Because of their strong bite and protective instincts, many HOAs and apartment buildings prohibit this breed.
8. Akita
Akitas are well known as one of the most aggressive dog breeds, which can be confusing because they are so cute. Regardless, they are very protective of food and locations, are openly defiant, and are known to have mixed and sometimes aggressive responses to children.
Like rottweilers, the akita has the potential to be a good pet with firm and consistent training—something a parent with children can’t provide. Akitas also need alone time, something which can be difficult to allow with young children running around the house.
9. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies have been rising in popularity due to their beautiful look and friendly deposition. Although huskies do look cute, they are not a good dog breed to have around children.
Like many breeds on this list, huskies require a lot of training and a firm hand to become good pets. Additionally, they tend to be destructive and can be aggressive if they are not given enough exercise and space. Because of their frequent behavioral issues and the fact that they will bite when provoked, these breeds are never recommended for those with young children.
10. Chow Chow
Chow chows are a Chinese breed of dog that doesn’t require a lot of exercise which may lead individuals to think they are ideal to have with kids. Unfortunately, due to their destructive and protective instincts, the opposite is actually true.
Chow chows are known for biting people they feel are a threat, which can make them challenging to control around unpredictable children. Due to their history, most HOAs and apartment buildings prohibit chow chows, which should be a sign enough that they are not the best dog breed for kids.
11. Dobermans
Dobermans are a German breed of dog known for their guarding and protective instincts. While a well-trained doberman can be a great addition to a family, they pose an issue with children when they are young and untrained.
The doberman also comes with a powerful bite that can kill an adult. Therefore, they are not the breed to take a risk with, especially with children in the home. Because of their instinct to attack, many HOAs and apartment buildings do not allow dobermans on their property.
12. Australian Cattle Dog
Not to be confused with an Australian Shepherd (which is a great pet for kids), the Australian Cattle Dog is a herding and hunting dog that does not do well around kids. While there are stories of well-behaved Australian cattle dogs who joined their families as a puppy, it is much too risky to add one to a family with kids.
Australian cattle dogs have strong herding instincts, which can lead them to bite or nip children as they play. They aren’t cuddly and like to be dominant, which can cause problems when there are other pets in the household. As if that wasn’t enough, they also destroy and eat everything, including kids’ toys which can lead to tension in the home and high vet bills.
13. Alaskan Malamute
Similar to the Siberian husky, families choose the Alaskan malamute because of its gorgeous look. However, the Alaskan malamute is not an ideal dog for those with kids since it is large and can be incredibly destructive if not well-trained.
No matter what type of life you live, unless you live in Alaska with lots of land, it is unlikely you can give a Malamute enough exercise to keep it happy. Unfortunately, Alaskan malamutes are also quick to anger, and their bite is strong, especially when it’s a kid who is bitten, making them a bad choice for homes with kids.
14. Dalmatians
Dalmatians are one of the most beautiful and famous dog breeds, but they aren’t a great choice for a family pet. They have a strong prey drive, which can lead them to hunt small animals and even small children, so they can’t be left alone with kids unsupervised.
Additionally, dalmatians do bite when provoked, and they can easily become overwhelmed, especially in loud and busy environments. If that wasn’t enough, dalmatians also have numerous health issues, such as blindness and deafness, which can make them difficult to train and lead to high vet bills.
15. Pit Bulls
Pit Bulls, while they are the most misunderstood breed of all time, sadly are not good picks for homes with children. These dogs can be well trained, but if they don’t experience a consistent and dominant hand, they can be very aggressive towards other animals and people.
While pit bulls don’t bite often, they can when they feel afraid, and their bite can cause serious injury to an adult. To top it all off, they are prohibited by many HOAs and apartment buildings due to their high energy and destructive nature, so it is a good idea to pick a different breed for a home with small children.