Best Dog Breeds for Families

Adopting or purchasing a dog can be a big decision, especially if you have a family with little kids. It is worth noting a few factors, like the size of the dog relative to your home, how much time you need to groom and exercise them, and how long of a commitment you are willing to make.

Best Family Dog Breeds

List of Best Dog Breeds for Families

1. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes rely heavily on a pack mentality and are highly loyal once trained.

Height: Female: 22–24 inches, Male: 24–26 inchesWeight: Female: 71–84 lbs, Male: 79–95 lbsLifespan: 10–14 years

2. American Pit Bull Terrier

Despite their negative reputation, the American Pit Bull Terrier can be affectionate if adequately trained.

Height: Female: 17-20 inches, Male: 18-21 inchesWeight: Female: 30-50 lbs, Male: 35–60 lbsLifespan: 8-15 years

3. Beagle

The Beagle is popular for families as it is compact, does not require much grooming, and is easy to train.

Height: 13–16 inchesWeight: Female: 20–23 lbs, Male: 22–25 lbsLifespan: 12-15 years

4. Bernese Mountain Dog

This big dog is quite a gentle giant and protective of kids.

Height: Female: 23-26 inches, Male: 25-28 inchesWeight: Female: 66–110 lbs, Male: 77–120 lbsLifespan: 6-8 years

5. Bichon Frise

Small dogs have a reputation for being aggressive, but the Bichon Frise is the exception here as their friendly and playful nature, as well as infrequent shedding, make them great for kids.

Height: Female: 9-11 inches, Male: 9-12 inchesWeight: 13-24 lbsLifespan: 12-15 years

6. Borzoi

The Borzoi strikes a dignified pose and responds to training quite well but doesn’t respond well to roughhousing, so households with kids might not be an excellent choice for them.

Height: Female: 27–31 inches, Male: 30–33 inchesWeight: Female: 55–88 lbs, Male: 75–100 lbsLifespan: 7-10 years

7. Boston Terrier

While they can develop behavioral issues if improperly trained, these dogs are quite affectionate.

Height: 9–15 inchesWeight: 6–25 lbsLifespan: 11-15 years

8. Boxer

Boxers are great for older children but might be risky for younger children as these dogs often don’t realize their strength and may accidentally hurt them.

Height: Female: 21–24 inches, Male: 22–25 inchesWeight: Female: 55–64 lbs, Male: 60–71 lbsLifespan: 10–12 years

9. Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffons love to play but ensure they don’t get hurt while playing with kids.

Height: 9-11 inchesWeight: 8-10 lbs.Lifespan: 10-15 years

10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A beloved dog breed for families, these spaniels are known to be quite loyal and affectionate.

Height: 12-13 inchesWeight: 13-18 lbsLifespan: 9-14 years

11. English Cocker Spaniel

These dogs are very affectionate and patient, even with small kids. However, they require exercise and must be groomed daily.

Height: Female: 14–16 inches, Male: 15–17 inchesWeight: 29-32 lbsLifespan: 12-15 years

12. Border Collie

These dogs are intelligent and adore children but require significant grooming to maintain their fur.

Height: Female: 18–21 inches, Male: 19–22 inchesWeight: Female: 26-42 lbs, Male: 31-44 lbsLifespan: 10-17 years

13. English Bulldog

One of the most adaptable breeds, the English Bulldog can live inside an apartment or a suburban house with a backyard. They still require regular walks and need to be trained appropriately.

Height: Female: 12–16 inches, Male: 12–16 inchesWeight: 40–55 lbLifespan: 8-10 years

14. French Bulldog

A good choice for city people, these dogs are great with kids, shed very little, and only need occasional walks.

Height: 11-13 inchesWeight: 18-31 lbsLifespan: 10-12 years

15. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is quite the delight as a pet. It responds well to training and gets along with everyone.

Height: Female: 20–22 inches, Male: 22–24 inchesWeight: 55–75 lbLifespan: 10-12 years

16. Havanese

As a toy breed, they are not suitable for roughhousing. But they are affectionate, social, and love to be around children.

Height: 9 inchesWeight: 9.9–16 lbsLifespan: 14–16 years

17. Irish Setter

While these dogs require a lot of space as they like to run, they are easy to train and very friendly.

Height: Female: 21.5-24.5 inches, Male: 23-26.5 inchesWeight: Female: 55-65 lbs, Male: 65-75 lbsLifespan: 12-15 years

18. Labrador Retriever

They are outgoing and friendly, need to be groomed once a week, and respond well to training.

Height: Female: 22–24 inches, Male: 22–24 inchesWeight: Female: 55–70 lbs, Male: 65–80 lbsLifespan: 10–12 years

19. Newfoundland Dog

These big dogs can appear intimidating but are docile and easy to train.

Height: Female: 25–26 inches, Male: 27–28 inchesWeight: Female: 120–140 lbs, Male: 140–180 lbsLifespan: 8-10 years

20. Pug

These dogs quickly adapt to their surroundings and get along well with people, including small children. The pug is among the most adorable dog breeds out there, winning the hearts of pet owners worldwide.

Height: 10-13 inchesWeight: 14-18 lbsLifespan: 13-15 years

21. Shih Tzu

While they need a lot of grooming to prevent their fur from getting matted, the Shih Tzu’s docile personality and compatibility with children make it a decent choice.

Height: 7.9 – 11 inchesWeight: 8.8-16 lbsLifespan: 10-16 years

22. Vizsla

Vizslas are highly active and friendly but may sometimes become overly dependent on their owners.

Height: Female: 21–24 inches, Male: 22–25 inchesWeight: Female: 40–55 lbs, Male: 45–66 lbsLifespan: 12-15 years

23. Yorkshire Terrier

These tiny dogs are friendly but can develop a barking habit if improperly trained.

Height: 7-8 inchesWeight: 7 lbsLifespan: 11-15 years

Mutts also make excellent pets, as compared to their purebred counterparts, they are more adjusting and even-tempered.

FAQ

1. Which dog breed is the best as a family pet?

The most popular dog breeds for families include Beagles, French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Vizslas.

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