Are you looking to add a furry friend to your family? If you are, congratulations! While a dog can be an amazing addition to your family, thoughtful consideration needs to be made to choose the right breed of dog for your family’s lifestyle. Some breeds are more patient and gentle with children, while others are more active and rowdy. Some are better suited for an urban lifestyle while others need a significant amount of time outdoors and in nature. To help you decide which type of breed is best suited for your family, here are the 10 best dog breeds for families with kids.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers were originally bred as a medium to large-sized hunting retrievers. As the breed grew in prominence, so too did the breed’s versatility. Today, Golden Retrievers are known for their intelligence and their loving, mature personality. Their ability to play various different roles has led them to become one of the most successful and popular breeds in all areas of competition and adoption.
- Personality: Smart, friendly, and loyal
- Energy level: Very active and needs daily exercise (usually multiple times a day)
- Good with children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal (is bad during those seasons)
- Grooming: Occasional
- Trainability: Eager and quick to learn
- Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)
- Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
- Barking: Situational (not often)
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs, commonly known as Frenchies, are one of the world’s leading small-dog breeds, especially among people living in cities. This easily adaptable and friendly breed is a great addition to any family with a city, urban lifestyle. But be warned, they tend to breathe and snor pretty loudly!
- Personality: Outgoing, loving, versatile, adaptable, and intelligent
- Energy Level: Not very active, but require regular, daily walks for short distances
- Good with Children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Occasional
- Trainability: Responds well and is eager to learn
- Height: 11-13 inches
- Weight: under 28 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
- Barking Level: Moderate to quiet
Labrador Retriever
The most popular breed in the United States and much of the world, Labrador Retrievers are known for their excited yet patient and obedient personality. Easily trainable and friendly, Labrador Retrievers are a perfect addition to any type of family.
- Personality: Friendly and outgoing yet patient and obedient
- Energy level: Very active and requires daily walks and playtime
- Good with children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other dogs: Yes but often with supervision
- Shedding: Regularly
- Grooming: Weekly brush
- Trainability: Responds well and is eager to please
- Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
- Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
- Barking: Moderate
Bulldog
The uber cute, wrinkly Bulldog is thought to be one of the best additions to any family. Bulldogs are known for their wonderful companionship, especially with young children. They are easily adaptable to most environments, city or country, making them a good fit for almost any family lifestyle.
- Personality: Calm, friendly, outgoing
- Energy level: Not very active, but require regular, daily walks
- Good with children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Weekly (at-home quick bath)
- Trainability: Responds well
- Height: 14-15 inches
- Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
- Life expectancy: 8-10 years
- Barking: Quiet
Beagle
The origin of the Beagle breed is not concretely known, but the love the breed receives is far from it. Beagles are known for their loving and intelligent nature, as well as how easy they are to care for. Their short, compact size makes them great companions for small children.
- Personality: Curious, joyful, and friendly
- Energy level: Very active and needs daily exercise (usually multiple times a day)
- Good with children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Weekly (at-home quick bath)
- Trainability: Eager and pretty fast to learn
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 15-30 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10-15 years
- Barking: Pretty vocal
Pug
Pugs are thought to be a great addition to any family because of their similarities to humans. Pugs love eating and sleeping, making them great companions for watching movies or tv, snuggling, or just hanging out inside. While they do need exercise outside, pugs are better suited for more of an indoor, city family because of the little exercise they require. That is not to say that they wouldn’t also thrive in a country-style environment and family.
- Personality: Loving, friendly, and even-tempered
- Energy level: Somewhat active but does not require tons of exercise – daily walks are necessary
- Good with children: Yes
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Regularly
- Grooming: Weekly brush
- Trainability: Pretty quick to learn
- Height: 10-13 inches
- Weight: 14-18 pounds
- Life expectancy: 13-15 years
- Barking: Situational
Goldendoodle
Originally bred as a larger alternative to the popular breed Cockapoo, Goldendoodles have since proven to be a hugely successful alternative. Known for their hypoallergenic fur, Goldendoodles are great additions to any family that has members who suffer from allergies. They are highly social, loving, obedient dogs who are the perfect dog for any type of family and lifestyle.
- Personality: Loving, friendly, and obedient
- Energy level: Active and requires several walks a day
- Good with children: Yes (thought to be one of the best)
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Never
- Grooming: Every 6-8 weeks
- Trainability: Eager and quick to learn
- Height:
- Small Standard Goldendoodle: 17 to 20 inches
- Large Standard Goldendoodle: 20-24 inches
- Weight:
- Small Standard Goldendoodle: 40 to 50 pounds
- Large Standard Goldendoodle: 50 to 90 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10-15 years
- Barking: Situational
Brussels Griffon
Known for their small stature and big personality, Brussels Griffons are the perfect dog for any type of family and lifestyle. Brussels Griffons tend to thrive on interaction and human connection, making them great companions. While they don’t require much physical activity, making them great for city dwellers, they also enjoy spending time outside and walking.
- Personality: Loving, friendly, intelligent
- Energy level: Somewhat active (daily walks)
- Good with children: Yes
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Weekly (baths at home)
- Trainability: Responds well
- Height: 7-10 inches
- Weight: 8-10 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Barking: Situational
Irish Setter
This beautiful breed became popular in the 18th century for being easily trainable and outgoing. Irish Setters are the perfect fit for more active, outdoorsy families, as they have high-energy and love spending time in nature.
- Personality: Active, loving, and outgoing
- Energy level: Very active, requiring lots of running, walking, and space to play outdoors
- Good with children: Yes
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Weekly (baths at home)
- Trainability: Responds well
- Height: 25-27 inches
- Weight: 60-70 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Barking: Situational
Collies
Collies, first popularized for their herding skills, are strong, responsive and fast dogs. They are are loving, intelligent, obedient dogs that require lots of daily activity. They are best suited for highly active families that can set aside good amounts of time each the day to play.
- Personality: Active, loving, and loyal
- Energy level: Very active, requiring lots of running, walking, and space to play outdoors
- Good with children: Yes
- Good with other dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Grooming: Occasional
- Trainability: Responds well
- Height: 22-26 inches
- Weight: 50-75 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Barking: Tends to be more vocal
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