Into the sporting group fall dogs bred for hunting: pointers, setters, retrievers and spaniels. In general, these dogs are willing, trainable, playful and energetic.
Golden retrievers, at the top of everyone's list, are as gentle a dog as can be found. Goldens will happily put up with almost anything a child can dish out, including playing dress-up and horsey. Much of the time they appear to be smiling. One small problem is the breed's tendency to have skin problems.
Second on every family-dog expert's list is the Labrador retriever (black, yellow or chocolate), another gentle, fun-loving breed that is generally patient with kids of all ages. Labradors never tire of a game of fetch, nor will they leave any body of water before your kids do. With their active personalities, Labradors generally are not suited for apartment life.
The Vizsla (pronounced VEESH-la), a dignified dog with a beautiful reddish-gold coat, works well with calm families and older, responsible children. This agile breed needs lots of room to run, and your family will never tire of watching its grace.
