12 Of The Best Family Dog Breeds

When choosing to bring a dog into your home, there are several considerations to take into account. The dog must be well-suited to your lifestyle to ensure that you are able to give them the care and attention they require to lead a fulfilled and happy life.

A large part of choosing the right dog for your family is selecting the correct breed. Based on their traits passed down from generations (typically derived from their original purpose), many dogs exhibit certain behaviors that make them suitable – or unsuitable – for certain situations.

Choosing the right breed is also influenced by the people who are living in your home – and this includes children. For both dog and child, it is vital to select a breed that will thrive in an environment that includes your kids. Of course, every situation is different – and your individual circumstances may differ depending on the age of your children, their behavior, and their prior experience with dogs. However, in general, there are some breeds that are better choices as family pets than others.

What makes a good family dog?

There are several characteristics that are favorable when choosing a dog who will live in the same home as young children.

Above all else, selecting a breed which is usually of a calm disposition – without abundant prey drive – will be beneficial. Young children are, naturally, balls of energy who will charge around the home. Some herding breeds (typically, a dog instinctively bred for farm work to chase moving things and nip at their heels) can cause issues by following your child’s every move at close quarters.

In addition, size does matter. Despite their best efforts, larger dogs are more prone to bumping into things and knocking over young children (even accidentally). On the other side of the coin, very small breeds are at risk of injury from over-enthusiastic play with kids. In our list of breeds below, many of the dogs we have recommended are medium-sized.

You may also wish to consider the age of the dog you are bringing into your home. It is one thing to have a young puppy around kids who are a little older and understand the importance of behaving correctly around dogs; it is quite another to bring a puppy into a home with toddlers, who may unintentionally encourage bad behavioral habits. When going through their key developmental phases, puppies simply don’t have the discretion of older dogs – and very young children, in the guise of ‘playing’, can provoke unwanted behaviors like nipping or biting.

One important caveat to note is that every dog is different. Just because a certain breed isn’t on our list of best family dogs below does not mean that it wouldn’t make a great family pet – and just because a breed is on the list does not mean that these dogs are absolutely bulletproof. There are many variables when selecting a dog, including their genetics, their behavioral history, their lived experiences, and the training they have received. Considering these factors as a whole is essential.

1. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and is easily recognizable with its lush, golden coat. Golden Retrievers are excellent ‘all-rounders’ – they have a long history of use as a working dog (commonly used as a gundog and for retrieving waterfowl), but are equally adept operating as service dogs or companion animals. Their gentle, friendly disposition makes them an ideal candidate for a pet dog in a home containing children.

2. Bichon Frise

The unmistakable fluffy white coat of the Bichon Frise makes them an attractive candidate for a family pet. The breed’s origins are in central Europe, where it was at the side of the aristocracy for several centuries in France, Spain and Italy. Bichons are very trainable and eager to please; these traits can be a great way to introduce children to the world of dog training, and build a strong bond between the Bichon and the child.

3. Labrador Retriever

From every year from 1991 to 2021, the Labrador Retriever placed as the most popular dog breed in the United States, according to AKC registration data. Their popularity stems from a friendly, outgoing temperament that integrates well with adults, children and other animals in the home. Labs are not docile, however – they do require constant exercise and mental stimulation.

4. Collie

Popularized by Lassie, the Collie is a majestic, graceful breed that excels in a variety of different settings. The Collie comes in two varieties – rough and smooth. This athletic breed is renowned for its intelligence and trainability, and they learn new behaviors and skills very quickly. Collies enjoy being around people and will want to play a prominent role as part of the family.

5. Beagle

Usually standing between 12 and 15 inches tall, Beagles can make excellent family pets – although they are bundles of energy, owing to their background as hunting dogs. They are typically friendly and playful, but have a tendency to pull on the leash which can make it harder for younger children to take them on walks. Beagles love to hunt, and the quality of their olfactory system can be utilized in activities like scent work and other nose games.

6. Pug

Descended centuries ago from Chinese emperors, the Pug has evolved into one of the world’s most popular companion dogs. Pugs are perhaps best known for their large, round head, which often displays a wide array of facial expressions. These adaptable dogs can succeed in a number of different environments, although Pugs are less likely to be happy in a hot, humid climate – like other flat-faced breeds, they can experience breathing difficulties when overheating.

7. French Bulldog

The meteoric rise of the Frenchie in recent years has seen them become a part of thousands of family homes, taking their place as the most registered AKC breed in 2022. French Bulldogs are not particularly active and do not require hours of physical exercise every day, which can make them good candidates for families with busy lifestyles. They are alert and can make good watchdogs, but the French Bulldog’s primary function is as a companion dog.

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A Toy breed weighing no more than 20 lbs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has close ties to British royalty (the breed was beloved by King Charles I and King Charles II in the 17th century). Toy spaniels faded in popularity in the early 1900s, until a wealthy American, Roswell Eldridge, offered a significant cash prize for any British breeders who could produce ‘Old World’ Spaniels. This led to the creation of the breed we see today, which is seen in four distinctive colors (Blenheim, chestnut markings on a white background; Tricolor, black markings on a white background; Ruby, a deep red; and Black and Tan, black with tan markings).

9. Bulldog

Strong, sturdy and courageous, the Bulldog has gained a reputation as a loyal companion. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, was often compared favorably to a Bulldog (giving rise to the term ‘Bulldog spirit’), and the breed is used as a mascot of many sports teams in the United States. One of the most popular dog breeds in the world, Bulldogs are friendly and relatively docile, requiring little in the way of vigorous exercise.

10. Irish Setter

Irish Setters are elegant and easily distinguished by their red coat. They have a storied history as a gundog used to track down gamebirds, and will be happy to spend countless hours fetching a tennis ball thrown for them. They can be gentle and loving, although they do require constant exercise and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behavior.

11. Havanese

Throughout history, the Havanese has been owned by individuals as notable as Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens. Their sociable nature makes them a great choice for family dogs. Their compact size and calm temperament mean that Havanese can be a good choice for those living in cities or confined spaces like apartments.

12. English Springer Spaniel

With seemingly endless stamina, the English Springer Spaniel has been a faithful and reliable bird dog since its origination in England several centuries ago. Having been bred to work closely alongside humans, Springer Spaniels love interaction with adults and kids alike, and enjoy long hikes and other outdoor activities. They are highly intelligent dogs who respond well to several different training activities.