A dog trainer with 30 years of experience has shared a list of five dog breeds he’d most “trust” around his grandchildren, and the beloved golden retriever hasn’t made the cut
A dog trainer has revealed the five dog breeds he’d “trust” most around his grandchildren. Dogs are among the most popular pets in the world, with millions of people opening their home to a four legged family member. Of course, everyone has their favourite when it comes to dog breeds, with many lifestyle factors contributing to their preference.
Casey Ray, a content creator and “dog behaviour expert” regularly shares videos on YouTube offering insight based on his decades of experience working with dogs. In a recent video, he shared the top five dogs he’d most “trust” around his grandchildren, highlighting them as ideal options for families.
Surprisingly, the beloved golden retriever didn’t feature in his list, despite regularly topping lists for the perfect dog for owners of all experience levels.
Casey said “close to 30 years of experience” had gone into his decision making when compiling the list and explained: “I basically just came up with the five breeds that, you know, through working with year after year, that they’re the easiest.
“They’re the ones that can go into a home that don’t have trainers, that don’t have a lot of knowledge and still succeed, and that’s kind of what it’s all about.”
5. Havanese
In fifth place was the Havanese, a bichon-type dog which is the national dog of Cuba. They’re small in stature and hypoallergenic.
Casey branded them “fantastic” and “a companion dog”. He said: “I mean, it is almost hard to screw this one and number one up because they’re small. There’s no reactiveness.”
The expert said they require “very minimal training” and are “a fantastic dog for the whole family.”
4. Bernese mountain dog
In fourth place, he praised the Bernese mountain dog. Despite their large stature, Casey said they’re “very similar” to a “teddy bear”.
They’re known for their affectionate and loyal natures, as well as their intelligence. He explained “this dog thrives in a family situation” and also needs “minimal training”.
The expert stressed they do need to be socialised to ensure no issues but still insisted they’re a “fantastic” choice for families. Casey added: “Again, this is my opinion, but it’s a fantastic breed.”
People just need to bear in mind that they are big dogs, so are best supervised when with children. Early socialisation, consistent training and teaching children how to properly interact with the dog are essential for a safe and positive relationship.
3. Labrador retriever
The quintessential family dog, Labrador retrievers are beloved thanks to their faithfulness, their intelligence, their friendliness and their outgoing personalities.
Casey said: “Labradors are fantastic dogs. They make fantastic family dogs.” He went on to praise their adaptability, stating: “You can be active with them. [They can] cuddle up next to you on the couch. You can take them hunting.
“You can do whatever you want with them. You can be active. You can go hiking. Labrador retriever, guys, is a fantastic family dog.”
2. Poodle
In second place was the poodle, known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, as well as their non-shedding, tightly curled coats.
The breed comes in a range of sizes, and are popular thanks to their gentle nature and ability to be trained well. Casey said: “Poodles, all varieties. Fantastic dog. I mean, talk about intelligence through the roof.
“You can do high-end obedience with them or they can just lay with you and be your best companion.” He added: “You don’t see a lot of reactive or aggressive poodles”.
1. Cavalier King Charles spaniel
In first place, Casey put the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, a small dog known and loved for their gentle, sweet nature and their strong desire to please their owners.
Casey praised their reliability and said: “You can put these with infants, you can put these with toddlers, you can put these with a big family, with all kinds of kids, a lot of stuff coming and going constantly, and they’re fine.”
He added: “They’ll be in the kids’ rooms playing with them. This is what you want for a family dog.” Concluding, Casey issued a reminder: “This is a 10, 15, 20 year commitment depending on what breed you get, and you need to nail it right.”
Dogs are a serious responsibility and lifestyle change. Always do your research before deciding to get a dog and remember, not all breeds are suitable for first time owners and training is usually essential.
Experts also recommend you always supervise dogs when they are with children. No matter how friendly they are, you always need to be vigilant.