The Best Dogs for Kids and Families

By: Nelson Ansah

Wondering about the best dogs for kids and families? Well, you’re in the right place.

Adding a dog as a pet to your family is an excellent option for people of every age. Dogs are extraordinary companions. They’re responsible, loyal, and patient, making them excellent pets for your kids and family.

Moreover, getting a new dog is an exciting decision to make as a family. Yet it can be challenging too. Why? There are many options as far as perfect breeds for families or kids, each with its own qualities. You need to choose one that the whole family can identify with; that’s no easy task.

In this article, we’ll highlight the different dog breeds you can choose for your kids and family. We’ll also identify some pros and cons of each breed so you can make an informed decision for your home. Let’s get to it.

The Best Dogs for Kids and Families

Though choosing a dog breed for your family or kids entirely depends on your home lifestyle and budget, here is a comprehensive list of the best dogs for kids and families:

Labrador Retriever

Labrador retrievers love to be around literally everyone, including kids, adults, and other pets. This quality makes them the most popular dog breed for families and kids.

They have a constant urge to play, making them suitable for kids with high energy levels who love to play. They weigh about 55 to 80 pounds, and their life expectancy ranges from 10 to 12 years.

Pros

• Friendly and can be around everyone
• Easy to train

Cons

• High shedders
• Require intensive exercise

Bulldog

Bulldogs are another famous breed among the best dogs for kids and families. They possess a straight and smooth coat in red, white, or pale brown color and weigh around 50 pounds.

Some bulldogs have a patterned coat, like brindle, piebald, ticking, black masks, or tipping. If patterns are your family style, these are options as well.

Bulldogs are an excellent fit for smaller homes with not-so-active lifestyles. Like the Retrievers, bulldogs are energetic dogs. However, they become inactive as they age. If you have a quiet home and want to keep it that way, the bulldog is an option.

Pros

• They don’t bark unnecessarily.
• They require moderate exercise.

Cons

• They aren’t suitable for families with an active lifestyle.
• They can be destructive when bored.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers possess glossy double coats, weigh about 75 pounds, and generally live for 10 to 12 years.

They are a perfect fit for a family with an active lifestyle and are loving towards kids. They provide you with the most pleasing companionship you can ever demand.

Pros

• They’re quick learners.
• They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds.
• You can effortlessly fit them into any size house.

Cons

• They can be destructive.
• They require higher levels of exercise.

Beagle

Beagles possess every characteristic to be among the best dogs for kids and families. They have short coats in all dog colors, including black and white but are not limited to only these colors.

They weigh about 25 pounds and live for 10 to 15 years. They are cute, loving, and goofy. Beagles are among the best dogs for kids or families because they ideally thrive on friendship.

Pros

• They love to be around people and other animals.
• They are easy to care for.

Cons

• They can be destructive when alone.
• They howl unnecessarily when alone.

Pugs

Pugs love to eat and sleep like humans. They possess a smooth double coat in black or fawn color. They are almost everyone’s favorite since they bring a cuddle factor with them.

However, you have to provide them with a lot of food and require plenty of exercises. They weigh about 18 pounds and live for 13 to 15 years. They love to be around people and are quite joyful. They were bred to be lap dogs, making them a perfect family dog.

Pros

• They’re gentle towards kids.
• They have an urge for socialization.
• They are easy to groom. Just brush these animals, and they are done.

Cons

• They snore because of their short snouts.
• They are not good guards because of their friendly nature.

Conclusion

Dogs are the most enthusiastic playmates you could ever ask for. But with so many breeds to choose from, it can become challenging quickly.

We hope this article has made your decision easier. Remember, there is a breed for everyone; all you have to do is choose.