Dogs make a great addition to a family, bringing happiness, companionship and so much more. But whether you’re thinking of adopting a puppy or rescuing an adult dog, there are a few things to consider when choosing a good dog breed for your family. Here are some examples:
- Do you have small children?
- Do you want a medium-sized dog or smaller?
- Are you interested in a low-maintenance breed or one that is high-spirited?
- Is your family first-time dog owners?
- Do you have limited space or a big yard?
- What grooming needs does the dog breed have?
To help you make the right choice for your family, we’ve compiled information from our own veterinarians, the American Kennel Club and some breed societies about a few of the dog breeds that make the best family dogs. Of course, there are many other breeds (and mixed breeds) that can also make for a good family dog, so this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means. Just a starting point for you.
A Few Good Family Dogs
When deciding on the best breed for your family, you need to consider dogs that get along with both younger children and adults. The best dog breeds for families are gentle, friendly and adaptable.
Golden Retriever
With their beautiful golden coat and happy expression, the golden retriever is one of the most popular breeds in America. Golden retrievers are intelligent and easy to train, which is why they’re often used in field trials, as hunting partners and as service dogs. They are energetic dogs and enjoy outdoor activities like playing fetch and swimming. The golden retriever makes a great family dog for those who can provide them with the physical and mental stimulation they need.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: Very high
- Temperament: Outgoing, affectionate, devoted and relaxed
- Grooming: Weekly brushing
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever is well-known for its friendly disposition and outgoing nature. As sporting dogs, Labs have a high energy level and require regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. They are obedient and eager to please, making them great companions for an active family as well as loyal hunting partners. With their gentle temperament, Labs make great family dogs and are often used as therapy and service dogs due to their reliable and friendly nature.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Patient, outgoing and relaxed
- Grooming: Weekly brushing
Standard Poodle
Described as elegant and fancy, these dogs possess an abundance of energy and athleticism. They enjoy swimming and playing fetch, and require plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Their social nature makes them well-suited for lively and active households where they can thrive.
- Size: Large
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Sensitive, intelligent, easy to train and big personalities
- Grooming: Regular grooming and hair clipped occasionally, due to the fact they shed very little.
Bull Terrier
Bull terriers are big-boned, muscular dogs that are considered some of the strongest of all breeds. Despite their imposing build, they are affectionate, exuberant and full of energy, making them great companions for families. Their mischievous and comical nature adds a fun dynamic to the household, but it’s important to note that they can be stubborn at times. While they have a loving bond with their human family members, they may not extend the same love to other dogs. With proper training and socialization, bull terriers can make loyal and loving additions to active families.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Charming, silly, affectionate and mischievous
- Grooming: Brushing and occasional bathing
Best Family Dogs for Kids
A dog can be a great companion for children and can help teach them responsibility, compassion and sharing, and provide hours of entertainment and fun. Finding family-friendly breeds may take some research to meet all the criteria you have for a family pet. Many pet experts recommend waiting until your youngest child is 5 years old before getting a dog.
Collie
Collies are well-known for their appearances in numerous TV shows and movies. They are recognized for their long, flowing coats and expressive eyes. Collies are highly trainable and are often used as therapy and service dogs. They excel in dog sports and various activities and are good dogs for the whole family. Due to their herding instincts, they are generally loyal dogs and do well with children. However, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation to thrive. It’s worth noting that they may bark if they feel lonely or bored, but their loving and devoted nature makes them a wonderful addition to any family.
- Size: Medium to Large
- Energy: Very High
- Temperament: Devoted, easy to train, friendly and loyal
- Grooming: Regular brushing year-round and daily during shedding months
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker spaniels are known for their gentle, friendly and sweet nature. They are exceptionally intelligent and highly trainable. They are always up for a run or walk and are known to be very agile. Their playful and loving nature enables them to form strong bonds with children, and they are generally patient and tolerant, especially with the energy and sometimes unpredictable behavior of young kids.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: Moderate to High
- Temperament: gentle, playful, loving and dependable
- Grooming: Regular brushing and grooming
Newfoundland
This big dog is known as a gentle giant. They are calm and docile dogs that make wonderful family pets. They are great swimmers and have a natural affinity for water. They are great companions who are known for their kind and patient personality. Due to their size, pet parents need to be careful during playtime, because they don’t realize how big they are. They do need exercise both for their body and mental health. Their heavy coat requires weekly brushing to remove dead hair and prevent mats.
- Size: Extra Large
- Energy: Moderate
- Temperament: Patient, sweet, dependable and devoted
- Grooming: Regular brushing; they shed
Best Family Guard Dogs
Family guard dogs are loyal and have a natural instinct to protect their family and home. A good family guard dog is protective without being aggressive. They are brave and will put themselves between a threat and their family. Like with any dog, proper training and socializing are essential to ensure they are well-balanced and safe to be around.
Boxer
With a boxer in your family, you will never feel unprotected. They are loyal and protective of their family. Boxers require regular and substantial exercise as they are eager to play and expend energy throughout the day. However, it’s important to be mindful of their tendency to overheat — make sure you schedule playtime when the temperature is cooler.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Calm, playful and energetic
- Grooming: Brush once a week and a monthly bath to prevent excessive shedding
German Shepherd
German shepherds are loyal and protective dogs that love to work and defend their families. They are commonly used by police and military forces as protection dogs and are not naturally aggressive. German shepherds are eager to learn and enjoy having a purpose. They are full of energy and need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. They excel in dog sports such as agility, herding and obedience.
- Size: Medium to Large
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Intelligent, alert, loyal, protective, stubborn and brave
- Grooming: They have a double coat and require regular grooming
Australian Shepherd
Australian shepherds are herding dogs, which means they will herd livestock, other dogs and even kids. They love to work, are highly intelligent and are extremely trainable, says the United States Australian Shepherd Association. They are loyal and protective, making them great companions and watchdogs. This breed excels in various dog sports and activities such as herding, agility and obedience trials. They are known for their striking coat colors and patterns, and they make devoted family members for those willing to provide them with the exercise and mental challenges they need.
- Size: Medium
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Intelligent, tireless, versatile and loyal
- Grooming: Regular brushing
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese mountain dogs, also known as Berners, are big calm dogs that need exercise each day to stay healthy. They enjoy hiking, playing fetch and going for walks. Bernese mountain dogs are also intelligent and relatively easy to train, making them well-suited for active families with children. Originally bred for pulling carts, herding livestock and protecting their families, Bernese mountain dogs make loyal and loving family dogs.
- Size: Large to very large
- Energy: Moderate
- Temperament: Playful, calm, affectionate, gentle and self-confident
- Grooming: Regular brushing; they do shed
Best House Dogs
It doesn’t matter if you are in a house with a small yard or a city apartment with little access to green spaces, there is a dog out there for your family.
Shih Tzu
This dog breed packs a big personality in a small size. Their name means “lion dog,” and they are considered to be one of the oldest breeds. Shih tzus are happy dogs that are outgoing, trusting and affectionate. They are great companions and they enjoy spending time with you, but suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. Shih tzus are generally good with children and other pets, including cats.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Low to Moderate
- Temperament: Easygoing, affectionate and sociable
- Grooming: Regular brushing and extra grooming due to their coat that easily mats; they do shed
French Bulldog
This delightful breed is a great pet for people of all ages. French bulldogs, also known as “Frenchies,” are among the most popular breeds globally, thanks to their laid-back attitudes and expressive faces. Often described as adaptable and patient, French bulldogs make excellent companions for apartment dwellers and families. Despite their easygoing nature, they can be stubborn, but they respond well to reward-based training.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Moderately paced, short walks are sufficient
- Temperament: Playful, easygoing, lively and affectionate
- Grooming: Weekly brushing; they shed minimally
Dachshund
Dachshunds, also known as “wiener dogs,” are a small breed with a big personality. Their distinctive long body and short legs give them a unique appearance. They are known for their loyalty to their owners but can also be independent and stubborn. As a vocal breed, dachshunds can be noisy and reserved with strangers, so they’re better suited to slightly older children who will take any barking or territorial behavior in their stride. With their playful nature and love for adventure, dachshunds bring joy and companionship to their families.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Moderate to high
- Temperament: Playful, loyal, affectionate and even-tempered
- Grooming: Depends on the coat type but mostly daily brushing and occasional grooming
Best Small Dog Breed for Kids
Many smaller dogs are not recommended for families with young children because they can be nervous or may not have the patience for tiny humans. It is important to teach your children to be respectful of the dog and its space.
Beagle
This happy-go-lucky dog is usually seen with their tail wagging. They require exercise and mental stimulation to help with their sometimes destructive nature. They have a keen sense of smell and are very determined, so be mindful when taking them on walks in case they catch a scent. They make great companions due to their affectionate nature and sweet disposition according to The Beagle Club. They have boundless energy and are very playful.
- Size: Small
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Friendly, happy, great companions and can handle chaos
- Grooming: Weekly brushing
Brussels Griffon
Brussels griffons, also known as griffons, may be compact in size, but they have a lively personality and love to be right next to their owners. They are happy dogs and need moderate daily exercise to stay healthy. Their intelligence means they can excel in canine sports such as agility and tracking. They are good with family dogs and cats but should be kept away from other pets.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Low to moderate
- Temperament: Playful, charming, big personality and intelligent
- Grooming: Weekly brushing and occasional baths
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a small dog with a big name and a royal lineage. These dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty and affectionate nature. With their long, silky coats and expressive eyes, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are also adored for their striking appearance. They thrive on human companionship, but can also be quite playful and enjoy interactive activities.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Moderate; many times they match their owner’s energy
- Temperament: Gentle, sociable, easygoing and eager to please
- Grooming: Regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling along with occasional baths
Bichon Frisé
Bichon frisé is a small dog breed known for their big personalities and high-maintenance white coats. They are low shedding so if someone in your family has allergies, this breed may be a good choice. Bichon frisés are known for their gentle disposition and sociable nature, making them great companions for people of all ages.
- Size: Small
- Energy: Moderate
- Temperament: Devoted, easy to train, friendly and playful
- Grooming: Often to keep coat looking its best
The Heart of the Matter
The decision to add a dog to your family is a big one. It involves carefully considering the best dog breed suited to your family’s lifestyle and making sure you match the dog’s personality to your household. Taking these factors into account can help you make a well-informed decision and find a canine companion that will become a cherished member of your family for many years.
