Best Family Dogs That Are Great with Kids

Making the decision to grow your household by four paws is extremely exciting for all involved, but if you have children, it can be difficult to find a suitable breed. We've created this guide to tell you all about the best dog breeds for families to help you to choose which best suits you.

Dogs and kids can be a great match! Dogs encourage children to exercise and appreciate the outdoors, whilst also helping to develop the social skills of both dog and child alike. When thinking about adding a four-legged friend to the household, parents often worry about the specific dog breeds, as there are some which are a little less predisposed to tolerate the attentions of children.

To help you ensure you find the best match for your family, we've created this guide to the best dog breeds for families. Keep reading for helpful advice and to learn which dog breeds are recommended for families.

What characteristics make a good family dog?

First and foremost, it's generally less about the breed of your dog and more about their individual personality. If you're looking to share your home with both pup and child, your chosen dog should possess the following characteristics:

• A calm and even temperament: your new dog should be calm and patient enough to be able to cope with the excitement of kids and eventually grow into a great friend for them.
• An appropriate size: very small dog breeds tend to be more fragile - as a parent you'll know that kids aren't always the gentlest. Large dog breeds on the other hand tend to grow up to be more docile, but they can run the risk of accidentally knocking small children over whilst playing.
• Energy levels: this will largely depend on how active your family is. If you choose a high-energy dog, you'll need to make sure you have the time to take them for regular walks and playtime. Also, if you have young children who run around a lot, you shouldn't choose a low-energy dog or one that is stimulated by movement as they may become frustrated or reactive by the constant excitement.

It's not just about choosing the best dog breed for kids, but it's also about teaching your children to be kind to dogs, this will go a long way in ensuring you have a harmonious household.

What dogs are good with kids?

Finding the right dog to get along with kids can be difficult, but luckily there are a few dog breeds that are good with kids. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, and Irish Setters for example, are playful and full of energy and once they have grown up, are calm and patient around children.

Dog breeds that are great for families

Now you know about the characteristics that make a good family pet, it's time to look at dog breeds that generally have these traits. It's important to note that just because many owners have good experiences with these dog breeds and they are usually well-behaved around children, each dog is an individual, so there's always the risk that this won't be the case for every single dog.

And even though these dogs are usually great with children when adults, it takes time, training and socialisation to get puppies to that point!

Best Large Family Dogs

Golden Retriever

Like a Labrador, the Golden Retriever is also incredibly popular with families, so much so that it's depicted as 'the family dog' in many TV shows and films. With their kind temperaments and friendly attitudes, you'll soon see why this is the case. They have bags of energy and adore playing with dog-friendly kids, and have even been known to follow them around, patiently waiting for the next opportunity to play – or just to hang out with them.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Often known as 'gentle giants', Bernese Mountain dogs have lovable, fun personalities. When well-socialised, they make one of the best dog breeds for kids as they're usually very patient and kind. They're well suited to active households with older children who like to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and exploring. However, this family dog breed will not be suitable for very small children as they can easily knock them over and accidentally hurt them whilst playing.

Labrador

One thing to bear in mind with the breed is that young labs tend to be quite exuberant and will jump and bounce around, so if you have very small children, you may want to consider rehoming an older dog who is past this stage.

Poodle

Many often discount the Poodle due to its fashionable posh fashion-model stereotype, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Originally bred as working dogs, poodles are super smart, have plenty of energy for playing with children and are also generally kind and well-mannered when provided with enough entertainment. They're also great for families with allergies as they're considered to be hypoallergenic dogs, given that they don’t shed their coat. This does however mean they will need regular professional grooming.

Best Small & Medium-Sized Dog Breeds for Families

Beagle

Pug

Not only are Pugs known for their adorable, wrinkled faces and playful personalities, but they are also incredibly affectionate and loyal companions. These small dogs thrive on human interaction and love to snuggle. Despite their small size, Pugs can be quite mischievous and love to play, especially with their favourite humans. They can have health issues however and so may stretch a family budget on vet’s bills.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate and loving dogs who are generally great with both children and other pets. This small dog breed adores attention and is always up for a good play session with its family members. Additionally, they're quite easy-going, calm dogs which are very forgiving with children. Plus, it's thought to be very rare for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to show any kind of aggression. The Cavalier does however have significant health issues within the breed and so finding a reputable breeder who prioritises health is vital.

Good Family Guard Dogs

While all dogs can be protective of their families, certain breeds are particularly known for these instincts. These breeds often possess a strong sense of loyalty, courage, and a desire to protect their loved ones. Here are a few breeds that excel in this role:

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

This one may surprise you, but Staffordshire Bull Terriers are actually thought to be one of the best dog breeds for kids and have even earned themselves the name 'nanny dog'. When well socialised, they possess sweet natures and absolutely love life, people and playing with their family. They do need plenty of socialisation and training however to ensure they are happy around other dogs.

German Shepherd

Intelligent, loyal, and protective, German Shepherds are highly regarded working dogs. They form strong bonds with their families and are known for their eagerness to please. While they are energetic, they are also calm and can adapt to various living situations. With proper training, exercise and socialisation, German Shepherds can be wonderful companions for active families who want to join in with training.

Great Dane

Despite their intimidating size, Great Danes are gentle giants with calm and loving personalities. They are known for their loyalty and devotion to their families, often forming strong bonds with children. While they may seem lazy at times, they enjoy gentle walks and playtime. It's important to remember that, while they are gentle, their size requires responsible ownership and proper training – and puppies take a long time to mature and turn into calm adults. They also have a relatively short lifespan.

Boxer

Playful, energetic, and loyal, Boxers are known for their clownish behaviour and love of attention. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. While they can be boisterous, they are also gentle and affectionate with children. It's important to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

While all of the dogs above are known for being excellent family dogs, this doesn’t happen automatically – and all puppies take hard work, time, patience and a lot of attention to help them grow into calm, gentle well behaved adult dogs. Many families – especially those with very young children or busy lifestyles – don’t have that time. For many, rehoming an adult dog of one of these breeds who has already lived happily with children is a better option.

Many of the best family dogs come from the gundog group – as they are bred to be happy around strange dogs, strange people and all kinds of noises and stimulation. These dogs do however need a lot of daily exercise and enrichment to keep them calm, happy and healthy.

The above breeds are just those that generally have the recommended traits for being able to cope with family life, but you'll need to play your part too. Firstly, check our puppy buying guide for more information, or if you’re thinking of adopting a dog, then socialisation and training will go a long way to ensuring you have a wonderful family dog.

It's also important to note that it's not just your dog that will require training and learning life skills but your children too. They'll need to be taught how to be kind and respectful and to recognise dog behaviour signs, so your kids will know when your pup needs their space. Read our guide to introducing puppies and children for more tips.