14 Best Family Dog Breeds

What are the Best Dog Breeds for a Family?

Are you considering bringing a furry member into your family? If so, you may be wondering which breed would make the best fit. It’s important to do your research and choose a breed that fits your lifestyle, experience level, and living situation. Here are 14 breeds that are great options for first-time dog owners:

1. Labrador Retriever

This breed is known for its friendly, outgoing personality and is often used as a therapy or service dog. Labradors are intelligent and easy to train, making them a great choice for first-time owners. They also have a lot of energy, so they’ll need plenty of daily exercise.

2. Golden Retriever

Similar to Labradors, Golden Retrievers are friendly and intelligent breeds that are easy to train. They are also great with children and make excellent family pets. Golden Retrievers are known for their playful, energetic personality and will need regular exercise.

3. French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are small, low-energy breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require regular grooming to maintain their short coat. French Bulldogs are known for their playful, affectionate personality and make great lap dogs. They are a good choice for first-time owners with limited time for daily walks, but they do require some daily exercise to maintain their health. French Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues such as breathing problems, so it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable breeder when considering this breed.

4. Beagle

Beagles are small, energetic dogs that are great for first-time owners. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do have a strong sense of smell and may be prone to chasing small animals. Beagles are a good choice for families with children, but they do require regular exercise.

5. English Bulldog

English Bulldogs are known for their calm, gentle personality and are often referred to as “nanny dogs” due to their great temperament with children. They are a low-energy breed and don’t require a lot of exercise, making them a good choice for first-time owners who may not have a lot of time for daily walks.

6. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, energetic breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require a lot of daily exercise. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their calm, gentle personality and make great family pets. They have a thick, fluffy coat that requires regular grooming to maintain. Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, so it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable breeder when considering this breed. They may not be the best choice for first-time owners with limited time for daily walks and activities.

7. Poodle

Poodles are intelligent, hypoallergenic breeds that come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. They are easy to train and are great with children. Poodles require regular grooming to maintain their signature puffy coat.

8. Boxer

Boxers are energetic, playful breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require a lot of daily exercise. Boxers are known for their protective nature and make great guard dogs.

9. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are a low-energy breed that is great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do have a strong sense of smell and may be prone to chasing small animals. Basset Hounds require regular exercise, but they don’t need as much as some of the other breeds on this list.

10. English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniels are energetic, playful breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require a lot of daily exercise. English Springer Spaniels are known for their love of water and make great hunting dogs.

11. Border Collie

Border Collies are intelligent, energetic breeds that are great with children. They are easy to train, but they do require a lot of daily exercise. Border Collies are known for their herding instincts and make great working dogs.

12. Pug

Pugs are small, low-energy breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require regular grooming to maintain their short coat. Pugs are known for their playful, laid-back personality and make great lap dogs.

13. Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis are small, energetic breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require a lot of daily exercise. Welsh Corgis are known for their herding instincts and make great working dogs. They have a strong prey drive and may be prone to chasing small animals. Welsh Corgis require regular grooming to maintain their thick, fluffy coat. They are a great choice for first-time owners who have the time and energy for daily walks and activities. With their friendly, loyal personality, Welsh Corgis make great family pets.

14. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are small, low-energy breeds that are great with children. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they do require regular grooming to maintain their fluffy white coat. Bichon Frises are known for their friendly, playful personality and make great companion dogs.

When considering which breed to bring into your family, it’s important to do your research and choose a breed that fits your lifestyle, experience level, and living situation. All of the breeds listed above are great options for first-time dog owners, but it’s important to remember that each breed has its own unique characteristics and needs. Make sure to consider the breed’s energy level, grooming requirements, and training needs before making a decision. With the right breed and proper training, a furry companion can bring joy and love to your family for years to come.

What Breeds are Not Recommended to Have if You Have Little Kids?

It is generally recommended to avoid certain breeds if you have small children, as they may be prone to chasing or nipping. Some breeds to be cautious of with small children include:

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Mastiffs

It’s important to remember that any breed has the potential to be aggressive, but these breeds may be more prone to it due to their history as guard or protection dogs. It’s always important to properly socialize and train your dog, regardless of breed, to ensure that they are well-behaved around children. It’s also important to supervise all interactions between children and dogs to ensure the safety of both.

Are Hunting Dogs Good Family Dogs?

Hunting dogs, such as English Springer Spaniels, Border Collies, and Basset Hounds, can make great family dogs. These breeds are intelligent, energetic, and typically have a friendly, outgoing personality. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hunting dogs may have a strong prey drive and may be prone to chasing small animals. This can be a concern if you have small children or pets in the household. It’s important to properly socialize and train your hunting dog to ensure that they are well-behaved around children and other pets. With the right training and socialization, hunting dogs can make great family pets.

Conclusion

Choosing the right breed for your family is an important decision that requires careful consideration. It’s important to do your research and choose a breed that fits your lifestyle, experience level, and living situation. All of the breeds listed in this article are great options for first-time dog owners. However, it’s important to remember that each breed has its own unique characteristics and needs, so make sure to consider the breed’s energy level, grooming requirements, and training needs before making a decision. With the right breed and proper training, a furry companion can bring joy and love to your family for years to come.