13 Best Dogs for Families of Every Kind

Looking for a pup to join your family? Whether you’re looking for a dog who is small or big, active or happier in your lap, or somewhere in between, we’ve got you covered.

Of course, every family is different, so when looking for the best dog for your family, make sure their attributes will mesh well with your tribe. Some dogs get along well with young children, some have separation anxiety and prefer if you’re a homebody, and some have so much energy that they want to run alongside you while you ride your bike. Keep all of this in mind when you scroll through this list and brainstorm what breed of dog would make the best addition to your family.

Best Dog Breeds for Families

1. Rescue Dog

Rescue dogs can make the best additions to your family. It doesn’t matter which breed they are (and they’ll likely be a mix of many breeds) — rescue dogs have so much love to give. When choosing a rescue dog, ask the rescue organization or shelter questions, such as whether or not they get along well with children or other pets; even if you don’t have them, it’s good to know when they encounter them outside your home. With a rescue, you’re not only saving your dog, but you’re also creating space for the shelter or rescue to save another pup.

2. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog, also known as the “Berner,” is a gentle giant who can weigh up to 115 pounds. Hailing from Bern, Switzerland, this breed used to help cart cheese around, protect farmland, and herd dairy cows. This double-coated, tri-color pup has silky soft fur, but like many pups with double-layered coats, they will leave a layer of fur on everything in your home.

Berners love to spend time around people, including young children and other dogs, and are very affectionate. Although they aren’t as active as some other large dogs, these working dogs still need up to an hour of exercise a day, and they’re always happy to stretch their legs to accompany their family on hikes or other outdoor activities.

3. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland, also affectionately known as the “Newfie” or “Newfs,” gained a reputation as a “nanny” dog, in part thanks to Nana, the dog who looks after the children in J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Newfies are known for their mellow and sweet natures. They will calmly endure children trying to ride them like horses and like to take slow, leisurely walks, which makes them ideal pets for seniors or families with little kids. Because they can weigh up to 150 pounds, training a Newfoundland is important, but, luckily, they take well to it. The Newfie has a coarse, blowing coat that requires regular brushing and drools profusely (you might want a designated towel for it).

4. Keeshond

The Keeshond hails from the Netherlands and was originally known as a “Dutch Barge Dog” because their job was (you guessed it) to guard barges. This medium-sized pup is famous for the glasses-esque markings around their eyes, bushy fox-like coat, and plume-like tail. Their triple-layered coat should be brushed twice a week and should not be shaved ever — even in the summer months — as it helps keep them insulated from heat.

Keeshonds bond closely with their family and are known for being intelligent, loyal companions, and patient around young children. Weighing up to 40 pounds, the Keeshond needs moderate exercise and enrichment activities that let them use their keen minds.

4. Basenji

The Basenji is a small African hunting dog who weighs up to 24 pounds. Lean and compact, this small pup is high energy and has a high jump to match (keep an eye on them around fences). The Basenji is a so-called “barkless” dog but don’t think that means they’re noiseless; they make yodeling or screaming sounds instead. This breed can have a chestnut red, black, tricolor, or brindle coat that is short and low-maintenance and which they meticulously groom themselves, much like a cat would.

Basenjis can be tricky to train because they’re so clever and sensitive, so the process requires patience — and because the training process is a bit more involved, the Basenji is best suited for childless families or families with older children. The Basenji loves their family and prefers that they’re in their sight whenever possible, which means they can become anxious and destructive when left alone for too long.

5. Boykin Spaniel

The Boykin Spaniel, sometimes called a “swamp poodle,” is one of the few breeds that originated in the United States. Hailing from South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniel was originally bred to be a bird-hunting dog and companion, but they also make mellow additions to families with young children. If your family prefers to spend summers on the beach or dockside, you’ll likely find your Boykin Spaniel alongside you in the water. The Boykin Spaniel is adaptable, friendly, obedient, and loyal but prone to separation anxiety. This type of pup is slightly larger than a Cocker Spaniel at 30 to 40 pounds and has a curly brown coat that needs to be brushed regularly.

6. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the cousin of the more popular Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but the Cardigan is slightly larger (though still medium-sized at 35 pounds) and has a full fluffy tail. They were bred to herd cows and sheep, and they are not recommended for families with young children because that herding instinct can kick in, and they can nip and become defensive.

These intelligent dogs are task-oriented, trainable, and sweet. They are happy to play a long game of fetch and then take a long nap with their family. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi makes a great city dog because they’re happy in small spaces as long as they get plenty of exercise. Just be aware that they often use their voice and have a double-layered “blowing” coat that will shed substantially twice a year.

7. Papillon

The Papillon, which means “butterfly” in French, is a sweet, wing-eared pup. Despite their furry ears, they don’t require much grooming. This dog only clocks in at 10 pounds max, so families with small children will need to teach kids to play gently with this petite pup or avoid getting this breed until the kids are older. The Papillon will want to play, though, because they’re part of the Spaniel family and are surprisingly daring despite their small stature. They are equally interested in spending the day (and night) napping with you while you catch up on your favorite show. This easy breed also gets along well with seniors and other dogs and cats.

8. Samoyed

Samoyeds, also called “Sammies” and “Sams,” were originally Arctic sled dogs tasked with pulling people and things across the tundra. But these white, fluffy, and high-energy big dogs, who weigh up to 65 pounds, are also big hams — they love attention and their pack (which, in this case, would be you). They’re good with young children but might not be the best for seniors due to their high-energy levels. They will look to you as the pack leader and respond best to gentle but firm commands. Because of their Arctic roots, they thrive in cold climates and big, wide-open spaces. It’s also not surprising that this double-coated dog is a huge shedder and will require frequent grooming.

9. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a pint-sized pup full of love, affection, and sass. Chihuahuas only reach seven pounds and are lap-dogs through and through, so they make ideal pets for homebodies, city dwellers, seniors, and families with older children. They can’t take much (if any) roughhousing, so they aren’t recommended for families with younger children who are learning to live with pets, and it’s important to socialize and train Chihuahuas when they’re young.

Pets are always a life-long commitment, but it is important to note that Chihuahuas live longer than most other dogs — up to 18 years old. Chihuahuas can have long or short coats in various colors, but these coats don’t keep them warm enough in cold weather, so you will need to invest in sweaters and jackets for them.

10. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers, nicknamed “Labs,” might be the first breed that comes to mind when you think of a family dog. One of the most popular dogs in America, this medium-to-large athletic pup, who can weigh up to 80 pounds, was originally tasked with retrieving birds for hunters and fishing. Labs now focus their retrieving skills on balls, toys, slippers, and other household objects. They have a friendly and affectionate temperament and are patient with young children, though they need plenty of exercise. Labrador Retrievers can have yellow, chocolate, or black coats, which are double-layered and shed but are also thick and water-resistant, which makes them great swimming companions.

11. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are often confused with Labs, but their fur is more feathery, lion-like, and a richer gold color rather than yellow. They also appear bigger-boned than Labs and have a rounder rib cage but technically weigh a little less at 75 pounds. Golden Retrievers are also much more likely to be glued to your side than a Lab, so if you want a furry shadow following you around the house, they’re the dog for you.

Golden Retrievers are loving, patient, and good listeners (for the most part). That’s why you’ll often see a Golden serving as a search-and-rescue or service dog. They get along well with just about everyone, including younger children. These pups like having a purpose and being active, so be prepared for many games of fetch and long walks. And as beautiful as that fluffy coat is, it will need to be brushed up to twice a week and daily during their twice-yearly shedding season.

12. Bichon Frisé

The Bichon Frisé is a small white dog with curly fur that puffs around their face. If the Bichon Frisé were to compete in a pageant, they would walk away with the Miss Congeniality award; Bichons aim to charm and impress family, friends, and strangers. They’re great with younger kids and families with multiple animals. They’re gentle, upbeat dogs who are easily trainable and love showing off the tricks you teach them. Luckily for families who are allergic to dogs, the Bichon Frisé is hypoallergenic. Their curly fur can be difficult to maintain, and they need trips to the groomer every four to six weeks or a monthly bath and trim at home.

What makes a good family dog?

“There is a lot more that goes into choosing the right dog for your family than picking a breed that’s a ‘good family dog,’” according to behaviorist Karen B. London, Ph.D in her article on best family dogs.

A “good” family dog depends on your family’s needs and wants. A senior citizen looking for a companion will do better with a different dog than a family with young children. Just make sure the dog of your choice fits what you’re looking for. Here are some factors to consider.

A Dog’s Individuality

“It’s important to consider what you are looking for in a dog and also to evaluate an individual dog based on more than just its breed,” according to London. “Dogs from the same breed vary a lot in their behavior.”

For example, London says, “Some friends of my parents had a sweet Jack Russell Terrier who was calm, cuddly, and very biddable. This is not typical of the breed by any stretch of the imagination, yet many people that met this dog subsequently wanted to get a Jack Russell. I was always worried about these elderly people in my parents’ social circle acquiring a dog that was not right for them as a result.”

The point is that all dogs are individuals, and breed should only be used as a general guide.

Training

Whether they’re a puppy or a senior, a dog who is new to your family will need to be trained. Training is incredibly important for you and them and will likely require patience, but it will also bond them closer to you, make life safer for you, your family, and the people who interact with your dog, and will help ensure that your dog is less likely to behave destructively in your absence. Also keep in mind that puppies will need more training than adult dogs.

Age

A dog’s age matters; getting a puppy is a whole different ball game from an adult dog. If you go the puppy route, London’s advice is to “meet the parents if possible and only get a pup from a litter if you like the behavior of the parents. The parents’ behavior is one of the best predictors of a puppy’s behavior because so much of behavior has a genetic basis.”

Although an obvious benefit of getting a puppy is that they are soft, floppy, and overall adorable, there are plenty of more practical reasons to choose an adult dog over a puppy that you should consider.

“One of the advantages of adopting an adult rather than a puppy is that the dog is already developed and you have a better idea of what you are getting,” says London. “If you adopt your dog from a shelter or a rescue (both of which are wonderful ways to acquire a fantastic dog and that I support wholeheartedly!), an adult dog is less likely to surprise you by developing into an individual very different than what you anticipated.”

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