What are the best dog breeds for families? When adopting a puppy or a new dog, it can be tough to decide which one is the most suitable for a family. In this article, we explore the 10 best dog breeds for families and children.
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Best Dog Breeds for Families and Children
What makes a good family dog?
Regardless of whether a dog is purebred or a mutt, these two factors can help you choose a good family dog:
- Temperament: You should look for a dog with a pleasant and calm temperament that can be a great companion for your children.
- Energy level: This factor depends on each particular family lifestyle. For example, if your family is very active and you are looking for a canine companion to share your adventures, a relaxed Basset Hound may not be the best option.
Explore our list of the 10 best dog breeds for families
10 Best Dog Breeds for Families
Beagle
Beagles are intelligent and energetic. They are generally affectionate and social dogs, making them excellent family dogs.
The Beagle is an intelligent pack dog that loves the company of other dogs and people.
Beagel Breed Summary
- Size: Small to medium
- Height: 13 to 15 inches tall
- Weight: 18 to 35 pounds
- Energy: Active, needs a lot o exercises.
- Personality: Friendly and curious
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Sheds in the summer
- Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
- Grooming: Weekly
- Barking Level: Vocal
Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffon is lively, intelligent, and sensitive. They are excellent watchdogs with personalities and devotion that make them a lovely companion for families. Brussels needs daily walks.
Brussels Griffon Breed Summary
- Size: Toy
- Height: 7 to 8 inches at the withers
- Weight: Males – 8 to 12 pounds, Females – 6 to 10 pounds
- Energy: Medium
- Personality: Lively, intelligent and sensitive
- Adequate for Children: With supervision
- Good with other Dogs: With supervision
- Shedding: Smooth-coated Griffons shed seasonally. Rough-coated Griffons do not shed.
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Grooming: Weekly
- Barking Level: Barks when necessary
Bulldog
Bulldogs are friendly, kind, and loyal companions.
Although the size of the Bulldog dog is not small, this will not prevent him from snuggling into your lap for a good hug. Bulldogs enjoy brisk walks and other activities.
Bulldog Breed Summary
- Size: Medium
- Height: 13 to 15 inches tall
- Weight: Males – 50 or more pounds, Females -40 or more pounds
- Energy: Low
- Personality: Friendly and courageous
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonally
- Life Expectancy: 8- 10 years
- Grooming: Weekly
- Barking Level: Quiet
French bulldog
French Bulldogs are adaptable, intelligent , and playful.
French Bulldogs are a loving and charming breed. They don’t bark much but can make an excellent watchdog.
This canine does not require a lot of exercise and enjoy their family. French Bulldogs get along well with other animals and love to make friends.
French Bulldog Breed Summary
- Size: Small
- Height: 11 to 13 inches tall
- Weight: Up to 28 pounds
- Energy: Medium- Not very active
- Personality: Friendly, playful
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonally
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
- Grooming: Occasionally
- Barking Level: Quiet
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a sweet dog that has a puppy-like temperament making him a cheerful playmate for people of all ages.
Loyal, dependable, and eager to please, these dogs are often easy to train.
Golden Retriever Breed Summary
- Size: Small
- Height: Males: 23 to 24 inches; Females: 21.5 to 22.5 inches
- Weight: Males: 65 to 75 pounds; Females: 55 to 65 pounds
- Energy: Active
- Personality: Intelligent, friendly and devoted
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonally
- Life Expectancy: 10- 12 years
- Grooming: Occasionally
- Barking Level: Barks when necessary
Irish setter
The Irish Setter is playful and energetic, loves to be around people, and plays well with children. This breed loves to be with its family.
The Irish setter needs a lot of exercise and is a good match for energetic children.
Irish setters have long fur, so they will need regular brushing to avoid tangling.
Irish Setter Breed Summary
- Size: Large
- Height: Males – at least 27 inches at the withers. Females – at least 25 inches at the withers
- Weight: Males – at least 70 pounds Females – at least 60 pounds
- Energy: High
- Personality: Friendly
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Seasonally
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Grooming: Weekly
- Barking Level: Barks when necessary
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are friendly and outgoing, devoted to their families, eager to please, and calm yet energetic.
Labs are a large breed with a lot of energy, so it is important to socialize and train puppies from a young age.
Labrador Retriever Breed Summary
- Size: Large
- Height: Males: 22.5 to 24.5 inches; Females: 21.5 to 23.5 inches
- Weight: Males: 65 to 80 lbs; Females: 55 to 70 lbs
- Energy: High
- Personality: Friendly
- Adequate for Children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: With supervision
- Shedding: Regularly
- Life Expectancy:10- 12 years
- Grooming: Weekly brushing
- Barking Level: Medium
Mutts
Mixed breeds often provide the best traits of two great dogs in one dog.
In terms of size, if the dog is a stray and is not fully grown either, you may only get a better estimate of its dimension as an adult.
Poodle
The Poodle is a gentle dog. This breed is affectionate and loyal and rarely gets angry or bored.
Poodles are available in standard and miniature sizes, which means you can choose the specific poodle size that best suits your living environment. The Standard Poodle breed is very obedient, intelligent, playful, and adventurous. This breed gets along very well with people and children.
Miniature poodles tend to be devoted to one person and are good with other pets and children.
Poodle Breed Summary
- Size: Toy, Small/medium or large
- Height: Toy – 10 inches or less Miniature – 10 to 15 inches Standard – More than 15 inches
- Weight: Toy – 4 to 6 lbs. Miniature – 10 to 15 lbs. Standard – 40 to 70 lbs.
- Energy: Medium
- Personality: Intelligent and loyal
- Adequate for children: Yes
- Good with other Dogs: Yes
- Shedding: Low
- Life Expectancy: 10-18 years
- Grooming: Daily brushing
- Barking Level: Medium
Pug
Pugs are charming, mischievous, and affectionate.
Pugs are family favorites due to their balanced temperament, playful personality, and outgoing and loving disposition.
In addition to being robust and adaptable, the pug is an ideal dog for families with children.
Pugs are playful and lively and enjoy daily walks or moderate exercise. This breed does not tolerate hot weather.
Pug Breed Summary
- Size: Small
- Height: 10-13 inches
- Weight: 14–18 pounds
- Energy: Medium
- Personality: Intelligent and loyal
- Adequate for Children: With supervision
- Good with other Dogs: With supervision
- Shedding: Regularly
- Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
- Grooming: Weekly brushing
- Barking Level: Barks when necessary
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