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A pet brings joy to any home, but for families with an autistic child, a dog can be especially valuable. Dogs offer loyalty, companionship, emotional support, and assistance with behavioral issues. In this article, we’ll delve into the positive impact of dogs on the lives of children with autism and present 20 best dog breeds for children with autism, discussing why each breed is a great fit.
Golden Retriever & Goldendoodles
- Gentle, loyal, loving, and intelligent
- Highly affectionate with children
- Patient, perfect for children with autism
Labrador Retriever & Labradoodles
- Patient, loyal, and fantastic companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Great at understanding individual needs of autistic children
Poodle
- Highly intelligent and easy to train
- Gentle, loving, and perfect for children needing extra patience
- Low-shedding, suitable for allergy sufferers. If you need help with grooming, check out Best Dog Grooming Vacuum: Keep Your Home Clean and Your Furry Friend Happy.
Boxer
- Loyal, protective, and excellent companions
- Patient, gentle, and easy to train
- A great choice for children needing extra patience
Bulldog
- Loyal, loving, and wonderful companions
- Patient, gentle, and suitable for children needing extra patience
- Low-maintenance, ideal for busy families. If they are scared of leashes, then check out 20 Tips to Help a Leash Reactive Dog.
Beagle
- Friendly, loving, and great companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Energetic, perfect for active children. If they ever go to far, then you may want to consider reading 5 Best Pet Collar Trackers to Keep Your Furry Friend Safe.
Pug
- Loyal, loving, and fantastic companions
- Patient, gentle, and suitable for children needing extra patience
- Low-maintenance, perfect for busy families
Shih Tzu
- Gentle, loving, and wonderful companions
- Patient, tolerant, and perfect for children needing extra patience
- Low-maintenance, ideal for busy families
Cocker Spaniel
- Loyal, loving, and great companions
- Patient, gentle, and perfect for children needing extra patience
- Intelligent and easy to train
Boston Terrier
- Gentle, loving, and excellent companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Low-maintenance, perfect for busy families
Border Collie
- Intelligent, easy to train, and loyal
- Loving and wonderful companions
- Patient, tolerant, and great for children needing extra patience
Shetland Sheepdog
- Loyal, loving, and fantastic companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Patient, tolerant, and perfect for children needing extra patience
Bichon Frise
- Gentle, loving, and wonderful companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Low-maintenance, great for busy families
Dachshund
- Loyal, loving, and fantastic companions
- Patient, tolerant, and suitable for children needing extra patience
- Low-maintenance, ideal for busy families
Yorkshire Terrier
- Loyal, loving, and wonderful companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Low-maintenance, perfect for busy families
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Affectionate, gentle, and great companions
- Adaptable and easy to train
- Good with children and other animals
Bernese Mountain Dog
- Gentle giants, loving, and great with kids
- Loyal, protective
- Patient, making them suitable for children needing extra patience
Newfoundland
- Gentle, affectionate, and excellent companions
- Known for their loving nature with children
- Intelligent and easy to train
Great Dane
- Gentle giants, patient, and loving
- Excellent companions for children with autism
- Protective and easy to train
Papillon
- Friendly, affectionate, and great companions
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Alert and good with children
Five Benefits of a Dog for a Child with Autism
- Unconditional Love and Acceptance: Dogs offer unconditional love and acceptance, helping autistic children feel safe, secure, and embraced.
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Dogs provide comfort and companionship, helping lower stress and anxiety levels in children with autism.
- Increased Independence: Having a dog boosts a child’s independence by giving them an activity they can do on their own.
- Improved Social Skills: Dogs present opportunities for children with autism to interact with others, enhancing their social skills.
- Increased Physical Activity: Dogs encourage physical activity in children with autism by providing a shared activity.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, having a dog can be incredibly beneficial for a child with autism. The 20 breeds listed above are all excellent choices, but it’s crucial to remember that all dogs are unique, and the best breed for your child depends on their individual needs and preferences.