Got young kids and thinking of getting a dog? Almost any dog can be trained to get along with kids, however some breeds definitely have a much better suited temperament. Below are some of the dog breeds that make the best family pets.
Labradors
Labradors are renowned for getting along well with kids. They’re social animals that love to play. At the same time, they’re one of the least aggressive larger breeds of dogs and are very gentle around kids. While lab puppies are known for being quite a handful, they are one of the easiest dogs to train. This guide at Smoky Mtn Labradors explains everything you need to know about adopting a lab puppy.
Poodles
Poodles are very similar in temperament to labradors in that they are social and love to play, making them also great family pets. They are one of the most diverse breeds in terms of size, shape and appearance – standard poodles are quite large, while toy poodles are very small, and they come in all different colors from white to brown. You can also adopt a labradoodle, which is a cross between a labrador and poodle.
Beagles
Beagles are much smaller than labradors and regular poodles, but have a similarly playful and placid temperament. This makes them a very popular breed for households with kids. Like a lot of small dogs, beagles do like to bark, but they tend to do it more for attention than in an aggressive way. As with most playful breeds, make time to play with them, and they will be happy.
Cavalier King Charles spaniels
Of all the spaniel breeds, King Charles spaniels are known for being some of the most social and friendly. This makes them great pets for families. They aren’t as energetic as breeds listed above – for those that don’t have the time for long walks and constant playtime, they can sometimes be better suited family pets.
Border collies
Border collies are the most traditional ‘sheepdog’ breed. They are very similar in temperament to labradors in that they are very energetic and playful. Their overexcitement and ‘herding’ instinct means that they can sometimes knock over young kids. However, with older kids they are generally very friendly and display low aggression, making them ideal family dogs. This post at The Puppy Mag explains more about getting a border collie with kids.
French bulldogs
If you’re looking for a small breed of dog that gets on well with kids, a french bulldog could be a good option. Unlike a lot of other small breed, they don’t bark often and enjoy being cuddled. They may get defensive towards strangers, but are placid towards their owners. French bulldogs are not an energetic breed and are generally happy with short daily walks.
Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands are gentle giants that are sometimes referred to as the ‘nanny dog’. They enjoy being petted and will rarely show aggression unless they are being protective of kids. They are very big dogs and can be clumsy, so you do need to monitor them around young kids as they may accidentally knock them over. Compared to many breeds, they have low energy levels and do not need long walks.
