Best Friendly Dog For Family – Dogs are a wonderful addition to any family. But which dog breeds go with children? Which species are best against small children? Want to bond with older kids? Our list of great family dogs can help you choose a breed for your family.
Family dogs are just that – dogs that get along with all members of the family, from children to adults. They are generally not just friendly dogs. Whether you’re looking for a new family member or a high-energy member to match the active family spirit, we have 25 family dogs up for adoption.
Best Friendly Dog For Family
The Angle Dog breed thrives in family homes – as long as it’s an active family. Known for their sense of smell, these dogs require proper training to make excellent companion dogs. They are happy, intelligent and love to cry, but they are good with other dogs and children – in fact, they make great playmates due to their friendly and playful nature.
Best Medium Sized Dog Breeds For Your Family
The Golden Retriever is the perfect family dog - outgoing, easy to please and great with children and other pets of all ages. They are known for their double coats of golden, fluffy fur and their devoted personalities. They are intelligent, easy-to-train sports dogs that require plenty of exercise, so they are ideal for busy families with constant activity.
Another sporting dog breed, the Labrador retriever is known as America’s favorite dog breed—and for good reason. This popular breed makes excellent companion dogs that are friendly and highly motivated. But while they get along with almost all humans and other animals and are great dogs for children of all ages, they need plenty of exercise, such as playing catch and swimming.
You may think that the poodle breed is high maintenance, but don’t let that reputation fool you. Although their hair may require a little extra grooming, poodles have cute and charming personalities. They are generally friendly and eager to please their loved ones. The breed comes in three different sizes – standard, miniature and toy – so pet parents can choose the size that fits their home and the age of their children.
Although not ideal as guard dogs due to their overly friendly nature, Irish Setters make excellent family dogs. They are good with children and other pets of all ages, but remember that this sporty dog needs a lot of exercise to grow – so they do well in homes with large yards and active pets.
Which Dog Breed Is Best For Kids And Families 2021
You may recognize the Collie dog breed from TV and movies like Lacey. But this dog breed is more than just a celebrity in the canine world; They are playful, adaptable and enthusiastic family dogs that are good with children. They are very vocal and make excellent family watchdogs that will bark if lonely or bored. Collies exhibit herding habits, but are easy to train. They are often used as service dogs and therapy dogs and are great dogs for an active family.
The Newfoundland dog breed is known for being gentle giants – and these extra-large furry friends are extremely adaptable, making them great companions for families with children. But don’t let his friendly nature fool you; They are ideal for pet parents with previous experience with pet dogs due to their high level of shedding, health issues and large size. Also, these working dogs are known for their patience and gentle personality. They need early socialization to learn how to play properly because they don’t know how big they are. But with proper training, these sweet-natured “newbies” make an excellent family dog and get along well with children of all ages—from infants to toddlers.
The Bichon Frize is a small dog breed known for their wonderful personalities and high maintenance, but their “hypoallergenic” (i.e. low shedding) white coat irritates people with dog allergies. Beacons are adaptable companion dogs that get along well with other dogs and children. These playful puppies are “velcro dogs” and don’t like to be left alone for long; Hence, they are perfect for pet parents who have several at home. They have a moderate level of energy and are suited to a low-key lifestyle.
Although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is part of the toy group, he has a great personality that goes well with anything. These companion dogs adapt easily to your lifestyle, love low- and high-functioning families, and enjoy playtime and grooming sessions. They make great dogs for first-time pet parents, and their loving and gentle natures make them ideal for homes with young children.
Top Family Friendly Dog Breeds
The wrinkly-faced puppy that comes to mind when you hear the word “bulldog” (rather than the American or French versions) is the English bulldog dog breed. Hailing from England (it is the country’s national symbol, after all), these tough dogs are great family dogs that live for attention and affection. These peeing babies may not make great walking companions, but they will happily accompany you on short walks and hikes.
The pointer dog breed is known for its ability to attract prey. Also known as English pointers, these sporting dogs are energetic and friendly, but they need a lot of exercise. They are eager to please, have boundless energy and a love of adventure. They need proper training and socialization because of their high pre-drive, and they need their noses to work—so even if you’re not a hunting family, you’ll want to use that sniffer with exercise, nose work, or games.
You may be familiar with the Saint-Nard dog breed through the “Ethoven” movies featuring this great dog breed and family dog. The gentle giants of the Swiss Alps are intelligent and friendly and are known as the original rescue dogs used on the Italian-Swiss border. Rescue operations for this ancient breed date back to 1050, when they were widely known as monks’ rescue dogs. And today? These strong working dogs love a big home, focused training and lots of cuddle time.
The American Pit Bull Terrier dog breed is generally friendly to everyone they meet once they are properly trained and socialized. These children are friendly, goofy and enthusiastic with everyone they meet. With Pitty, you sign up for kisses on the go and a puppy that follows you wherever you go, and you couldn’t ask for a better companion dog. They are highly intelligent and energetic and make excellent service or therapy dogs. They are sympathetic to experienced, active pet parents and families with older children.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Yes, the lioness dog breed is large, high-maintenance and semi-heavy – but if you have the space and time to spend on them, they make excellent pets. They are child-friendly, playful and loving, and they love these “gentle lions” just like you do. They need to be socialized as puppies to bring out their mischievous nature; Or, they may be wary of new people. Their loyalty to their family also makes them great guard dogs.
The Havanese dog breed may be a toy breed, but these adorable puppies are more than just ordinary lap dogs. They are social butterflies with big personalities and love to share love with everyone, including children. Known as Cuba’s only dog breed, these intelligent and low-maintenance puppies are eager to please their loved ones. However, don’t let its instinctive nature fool you; They are also able to train and learn strategy during breaks in the game.
The Border Terrier dog breed may be small, but their busy nature and strong work ethic make these lively little dogs ideal for homes with older children. They were originally bred as working dogs to watch houses and catch pests, but these days they are more suited to family life. They are confident and outgoing, so they would be perfect for an active family that is excited to train them and teach them new skills.
The Old English Sheepdog breed may be known for its herding abilities, but these pups also make excellent family dogs. Being gentle, active and fair, they are perfect for families with older children, as they can be nervous around small children who don’t yet understand boundaries. Sheep take their work very seriously and like to be busy, so they need plenty of opportunities for exercise and stimulation. Once they get to know you, you will have a loyal and enthusiastic companion.
Best Family Dogs To Bring Home
Despite its heavy build, the Keeshond dog breed is a good family dog. This loving, outgoing breed gets along with almost everyone they meet, and they are very intelligent and easy to train – and positive reinforcement training is essential for their sensitive personalities. They have a history as watchdogs, barking loudly as a warning or welcome – but due to their friendly nature, they are definitely not watchdogs. They have separation anxiety and prefer to be around their family
