They track mud across the linoleum. They sniff you in all the wrong places and embarrass you when they jump up on guests. They're notorious for demanding a walk at the end of the day when you're tired and feel like a dog yourself.
Yet, according to the Humane Society, there are more than 78 million Americans who put up with yellow stains on the carpet and hair on the sofa in return for the unconditional love that has earned the dog a reputation for being man's best friend.
That is, until a would-be adult pet owner makes the mistake of inviting into the family circle one of the canine breeds that often do not mix with children.
While the right owner and proper training can make just about any dog a good family fit, experts tend to agree that the following five breeds can exhibit child-intolerant temperaments that mom and dad may wish to avoid.
No. 5: Dalmatian
The popular, mid-sized Dalmatian may be ideal as a mascot at the firehouse, but it is not always the most child-friendly breed.
Blame Hollywood for the widespread misperception that the breed, with its many beautiful spots, is the perfect fit for households with kids.
Unlike some other canine undesirables, their unsuitability as companions for adolescents lies in their gene pools, and not in the overall demeanor of the breed itself. As any veterinarian can tell you, they have a tendency toward deafness, and because of this condition, they can be jumpy, particularly when startled by young children.
When startled, they often bite without warning. To make matters worse, even Dalmatians with two good ears can be aggressive and resistant to harsh or rigorous training regimens. No doggie treats for you.
No. 4: Chihuahua
Who among us has not had at least one unpleasant close encounter with a Chihuahua?
The pedigree of this diminutive Mexican breed precedes it. Its reputation for jealously and tendency to be territorial, has made the Chihuahua the butt of dog jokes wherever it has reared its nippy little eye-bulging head.
In California at least, the infamous lore surrounding the breed has been fed by various news reports detailing their homeless and proliferating numbers.
Call it a dwarf Napoleon complex, but their sometimes vicious behavior applies to both adults and children alike, as anyone who has made the mistake of sitting in their chair while visiting an elderly aunt can readily attest.
While adults who are wise to their ways can usually avoid their wrath, children are not always so lucky. The pint-size nature of the Chihuahua makes it a tempting toy for a child to pick up, and when they do, the result can be both terrifying and unpredictable.
No. 3: Chow Chow
Another dog breed you may want to think twice about before fetching home to a house full of children is the Chow Chow. True, they may not be quite as infamous as other dog breeds by reputation, yet their bite can be every bit as painful and dangerous.
They are to the canine world what school bullies are to junior high and high school campuses of late. They tend to have a quick temper and their size alone makes them pets to avoid for first-time dog owners and families with small children.
They also could adversely affect your insurance. According to Bankrate.com, the Chow Chow makes the list of dogs considered "high risk" by many homeowners insurance companies, along with the final two dogs on our list.
Postmen and appliance repairmen know only too well that the Chow Chow will not hesitate to defend its turf. This ancient, bear-like dog of Chinese origin has been known to bite adults without warning. The fear response of children in their presence is likewise a leading cause of provocation.
Sometimes it's simply better to let this sleeping dog lie far, far away from your kids.
No. 2: Rottweiler
Never mind that the Rottweiler was the most decorated breed of dog of all combat canines during the years of World War I. Another more apt statistic concerning this breed is the one compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that identifies it as the No. 2 culprit in fatal attacks on humans from 1979 to 1998 in the United States.
Bred for duty as herding dogs on farms and ranches, the Rottweiler is not for everybody. That's something even the American Rottweiler Club realizes, noting that they require a calm, stable and firm owner.
"They need socialization, exercise and stimulating mental challenges," according to the club's website. "With these things, you will have a wonderful companion; without them, your Rottweiler may become destructive and out of control."
While it all depends on the dog, the environment, the training and the owner, various reports suggest that some Rottweilers can go from docile to deadly without warning or provocation. And when they do, you wouldn't wish one on the meanest neighbor on your block.
No. 1: Pit bull
The downright dangerous reputation of the pit bull terrier when it comes to kids requires little if any cautionary warning.
Parents looking to introduce a dog into the family circle have doubtless read of the many attacks and even deaths perpetuated by the breed in recent decades.
Some proponents argue that the meanness associated with the breed is the result of deliberate selective breeding and not necessarily inherent in the bloodline itself. Yet this can hardly seem like any consolation when considered against the pit bull's well-documented dominant and aggressive behavior, a high tolerance for pain and a lack of patience for children.
According to DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims' group, pit bulls killed 52 Americans between 2006 and 2008 and accounted for 59 percent of all fatal attacks, despite representing approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. dog population.
This breed might prove a valuable watchdog addition to the owner of a junkyard, but as a family pet, you may want to think twice before you put one in your back yard.