We may not be able to decide what kind of dog is right for your family, but we can help you narrow down your choices. Our list of the top 20 dogs for families includes breeds that are great with kids, friendly with other pets and even good guard dogs. We’ve also included some fun facts about each breed, so you can learn more about what they’re like.
- Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, thanks to its attractive appearance and friendly personality. This dog was originally bred as a hunting companion, but today it’s often found as a family pet or service animal. Labs are known for being playful, energetic and loyal companions — not to mention great swimmers!
- Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is another popular breed known for its beauty and intelligence. Originally bred as hunting companions, Goldens are known for their gentle nature around children and other animals (they have even been used as therapy dogs). These intelligent dogs excel at obedience training and agility courses because they love to please their owners — which means they’re also great at learning tricks!
Top 20 Dog Breeds For Families
Dogs are wonderful members of the family and make great companions. They can be trained to obey commands, play fetch and walk on a leash. However, some dog breeds are better suited for families than others.
The following list of 20 dog breeds for families features dogs that tend to be friendly, playful and affectionate with children. These breeds are also good choices if you have other pets in the home or spend a lot of time outdoors with your dog.
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Beagle
- Bulldog
- German Shepherd Dog
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)
- Miniature Schnauzer (Schnoodle)
- Shih Tzu (Shitzu)
- Pug Chihuahua Mix (Pugchu)
Choosing the right dog breed is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet owner. So it’s no surprise that many people start their search with a list of dog breeds they want to avoid.
But before you write off any breed, it’s important to understand why they are on the list and if they really fit into your lifestyle.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has created a list of 20 dog breeds that have been found to be well-suited for families with children. You can view this list here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds#/list
These breeds are also good choices for people who want a companion animal who requires less exercise than some other dogs, but still wants a high level of affection from his or her human family members.
- Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States, and for good reason. These intelligent, friendly pups are wonderful with children and make great family pets. Labs are gentle, playful and loyal — they love to play fetch, go swimming and snuggle up with their humans. They can be trained to do almost anything, including agility competitions, search-and-rescue operations and therapy work.
- German Shepherd Dog
German shepherds are known for their intelligence, courage and loyalty — traits that make them excellent working dogs. These large dogs make great family pets because they’re very protective of their human companions and enjoy spending time with their families outdoors exercising or playing games like Frisbee or fetching balls in the backyard pool. German shepherds can also be trained as therapy dogs to visit hospitals or nursing homes where they provide comfort to patients by just being there for petting or listening to stories about past events in their lives (or even helping them remember those events).
- Golden Retriever
The golden retriever’s gentle nature makes it an ideal choice for families with young children — especially those who live in apartments or condos
If you’re looking for a new dog, consider one of these breeds. These dogs are known for their intelligence, friendliness and loyalty. They’ll make wonderful companions for the whole family!
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd Dog
- Belgian Malinois
- Beagle
- Rottweiler
- Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Poodle (Miniature or Standard)
- Dachshund (Long-haired or Smooth)