Q Are there some breeds of dogs that are better suited for homes with children?

A Just how well a particular dog will get along with children depends a lot on how that dog was raised. Dogs need to be introduced to and socialized well with children from an early age in order to get along with them. Nevertheless, there are some dog breeds believed to be just naturally better suited for children. The age of the children, however, is also an important factor. For small children, you'd generally want to avoid large, boisterous breeds like German Shepherds or Bullmastiffs, though these breeds may be ideal for older children. On the other hand, small or toy dogs can do well with children, particularly older, considerate children, but many will not tolerate the antics of young or ill-behaved children. A few breeds that many believe to be good with children include Beagles, Bearded Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Newfoundlands, Pugs, Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies, Springer Spaniels and, of course, the all-time family favorites, Golden Retrievers and Black Labs. Keep in mind, though, that just because a particular breed is believed to be good with children, there are no guarantees. All dogs need to be well socialized and trained.