Top 10 Best (and Cutest!) Dog Breeds for Families

10 Cute, Kid-Friendly Family Dogs

So, you’re ready to get a new dog, and you’re trying to figure out which dog breed is the best fit for you and your home. There are many different factors to take into consideration when choosing a dog breed; you’ll want to think about the size of the dog, whether it’s long-haired or short-haired, and what its typical life span and health are likely to be.

However, I think that the most important thing to consider when choosing a dog is the temperament that is associated with the breed. Although some people want a dog that is intimidating and protective of their property and family, the average owner is probably looking for a pooch with a mild temperament—especially if they have small children in the home.

Even if you don’t have children (or even anyone else living with you in your home), the dogs on this list are well-known for being great companion animals; they're loving and kind, they get along with guests that come to the home, and they are typically easy to train. Here's a closer look at 10 breeds typically recommended for those looking to add a new member to the family

Top Dog Breeds for the Family

1. Golden Retrievers
2. Labrador Retrievers
3. Irish Setters
4. Beagles
5. Shiba Inus
6. Australian Shepherds
7. Pugs
8. Newfoundlands
9. Poodles
10. Collies

1. Golden Retrievers

This is the first dog breed that comes to mind when I try to think of good family dogs. Perhaps that is because several families that grew up around me all had golden retrievers that were practically members of the family themselves. Golden Retrievers are considered to be one of the most loyal dogs there are. Families like this because the dog is friendly with the family, but it will also be there to protect the children if they are ever in danger from strangers.

2. Labrador Retrievers

The Golden Retriever isn’t the only retriever that tends to be a great dog breed. The Labrador Retriever is another retriever that does well in almost any home. This is a really laidback kind of dog that tends to get along with other dogs and pets fairly easily. The one negative thing that people say about this dog is that it can be a picky eater, but that may be a small thing to deal with in comparison to some of the other dog problems that are out there!

3. Irish Setters

The Irish Setter is a dog that, like the Golden Retriever actually, was originally a hunting dog. Over time it has changed to be a dog that is often associated with being a family dog. The main reason that this dog is loved by families is that it’s a really accommodating dog. It truly wants to please people, so it’s fairly easy to train and definitely easy to love. It’s also a really beautiful dog!

4. Beagles

The first thing that I have to say about this dog is that I think it’s one of the cutest dog breeds out there! It’s not always considered to be a family dog because it’s a really active breed. The Beagle is a dog that wants to be out and about. But if you have the kind of home that is active and you’re willing to get outside and play with your dog a lot, then a Beagle can be a really terrific companion to have around. You certainly won’t be bored with a dog like this. The one drawback is that they tend to chew things up, so you will have to invest time in training if you get this dog.

5. Shiba Inus

This isn’t a very common dog breed, but it’s one that I fell in love with after spending time with a pet of this breed that belonged to someone with whom I was working. Like the beagle, this is an active animal and only good for homes that are willing to be active with their dogs.

The great news with this animal is that it really loves to keep itself neat and clean, so you don’t have to go out of your way to do extra grooming of it, and it’s a breed that’s fairly easy to housetrain. It may not be the best dog for a family with very young kids, but it’s a good choice to at least consider when looking at adding a dog to the home.

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6. Australian Shepherds

This is the kind of dog that I had when I was growing up, so I can attest to the fact that it’s a great dog. The breed is really smart, which is a positive thing to see in an animal that is your pet. It’s also a loving and loyal breed that is very affectionate. This tends to be an active dog, although perhaps not as active as the Beagle or the Shiba Inu depending, of course, on the individual temperament of the dog that you get. The main thing with this breed is that it does best under guidance, so you need to be willing to train the animal and give it lots of love and attention.

7. Pugs

People who are looking to add a small dog to their home may be turned off by many of the dog breeds on this list. The solution could be to get a pug. These are hardy dogs that can hold their own with kids, but they are small in size. They are really social dogs that love to play, play, and play. They can be a bit rambunctious in their younger years, but they are fairly easily trained.

8. Newfoundlands

At the other end of the spectrum from the pug in terms of size, you’ll find the Newfoundland. This is a really large creature, but it’s often called a “gentle giant” because it’s so calm and nice. In fact, this dog is SOOOO laidback that the biggest complaint about it tends to be that it’s lazy. If you’re looking for a dog that isn’t going to require excessive activity but is going to make for a good companion in the home, then you may consider this pet.

9. Poodles

Most people think of Poodles as frou-frou show dogs, but the truth is that this breed makes an excellent pet for many different types of homes. They like to play with people of all ages, and they can generally adapt their behavior suitably to playing with children even though they are intelligent dogs enjoyed by adults. They can be mischievous when they don’t get enough attention, so they do need more care than some of the other breeds discussed here, but they’re basically an easy breed to have around the home.

10. Collies

This is the quintessential family dog if for no other reason than it’s a breed that will always be associated with the famous dog Lassie. It’s a dog breed that does well as a herding dog as well as being a good show dog. This tends to mean that it’s a breed that’s easy to train and that gets along well with others. They’re really calm dogs that are patient with children, and they’re also considered to be really smart dogs, so adults will like them as well.

That said, however, you may just want to look around and find the dog that really seems right for you. Sometimes the best dogs are the mutts that we don’t even know what they are!

Additional Resources

• How Pet Owners Can Deal With Dog Aggression
  Here are some basic tips to help you understand and possibly curb dog aggression. This advice should be taken in conjunction with seeking out a professional dog trainer.
• How to Recognize and Deal With a Jealous Dog or Cat
  This article discusses signs of jealousy in dogs and cats and provides a number of tips to help you address your pet's jealous behavior.
• What are the Best Dog Breeds for a Family Pet?
  Brief and Straightforward Guide: What are the Best Dog Breeds for a Family Pet?
• Dogs for Kids – The Best Dogs for Kids
  Finding the best dog for kids requires some serious planning. Discover the factors you should consider, including breed, age and size. Learn how to choose the best dog for your kids.

Comments

Erika Moreno Ruiz from West Jordan on March 14, 2019:

What about chihuahuas? I own 2 and they are friendly!

Martine Wright on August 31, 2016:

You are obviously not familiar with Beardies!

XXawesomeXX on November 30, 2015:

I own a pug. They are not easy potty trained. they are crazzy funny and awesome dogs She is 8 weeks old love her On Instagram Pickles_The_Pugg_19

CCW on November 15, 2015:

i have a mini goldendoodle, yet she is not so mini.

She is almost 9 months old and sometimes can be the most loving and wonderful baby ever, however "at the drop of a hat" she does a 180 and bites, growls, rips up everything, jumps on the center island in kitchen, etc...

She is really starting to scare my 4 yr old and jumps on him to the point it knocks him down. This has become a nightmare; my sweet loving puppy (she still is) has become this bipolar manic overly hyper schitzzy monster who holds us captive and makes me feel utterly guilty like I am not doing something right.

I spend so much time with her and she has all the toys, snuggle blankets, & truly lives in a doggy paradise yet she's uncontrollably vicious at times.

She is ripping up and tearing down our beautiful home.

I have sent her to obedience school twice that was collectively over $2400.

She is also causing a huge strain on my marriage to the point where we don't even sleep in the same room.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

haven m on September 27, 2014:

Like OMG that was one of the cutest puppy pictures

ever .thanks for showing I love this site. now I

know all about dogs but LOL # yellow labs!

Megan Haulbrook from North Georiga on August 24, 2014:

I loved your list. I've grown up with Golden Retrievers and Labs (mostly Yellow labs), in fact I currently own the last puppy we ever bred between our Golden Retriever and Yellow Lab. He has a the wonderful qualities of both breeds. He is so brilliant, although a little stubborn at times. He was a bit of a picky eater when he was young but growing up we had lots of fruit trees in our yard and he loved to eat the apples that fell from the trees. Retrievers and Labs are by far the favorite of all the breeds of dogs I've owned, and I've grown up with everything from a teacup Yorkie to a Newfoundland and lots of things in between.

lilcupcake on January 11, 2014:

A golden retriever was my first ever dog. and to deal with very yougn child like while be a puppy herself, those dogs really are brilliant creatures lol. She's a mutt, mixed with what we don't know. something astronomically lazy though lol. I don't agree with the shiba inu, I've known them to be a bit bitey. every dog is their own person, though.

oldiesmusic from United States on October 11, 2013: