Old wives tales Testing a dog's temperament is a big responsibility. Gone are the days of simple guidelines and old wives tales. A large dog will be unhappy in an apartment. All dogs need regular exercise, but some big breeds, such as mastiffs, have low indoor activity levels according to the AHA and spend most of their days asleep. Some medium-sized terriers run and play all day.
Cocker spaniels are great with children.
Don't make general statements about any breed. Seymour said in his five years experience as a pet store owner, he recommends the beagle as the No. 1 best dog for small children. They are great dogs for children. Carlson said she sometimes disagrees. But many are difficult to train.