Our Top Five Family Friendly Dog Breeds
Have you been thinking about adding an adorable, loving pooch to the family but nervous about which dog is right for your family? Don’t despair! This article is going to give you the five best options for a family with kids. Let's dive in!
1: Boston Terrier: Alright, I am very biased here because my family had a Boston Terrier but all that means is I can personally attest to how amazing these dogs are as a family dog. Boston Terriers are known to be gentle dogs, even being labeled “American gentlemen”. They are very sweet and loving making them ideal to have around small playful children or angsty hormonal teenagers. They have a naturally gentle, soft temperament making them easy to love by all. While they are gentle in nature they do have lots of playful energy. They do require about an hour of exercise a day. They are energetic and fun loving animals that love to play. When you pair this trait with their gentleness they really are so perfect for families with children.
2: Golden Retriever: I know what you’re thinking…of course I was going to add this breed to the list but it’s for good reasons! This breed is hands down one of the best options for a family. They are incredibly intelligent and very easy to train. This means you can easily teach them boundaries and they will understand and follow expectations laid down by you. You won’t need to worry about puppy school or paying to have someone help you with training, you and your family will be able to train a Golden Retriever to be the best addition to your family. They are known to be a very friendly breed. Will they be the best guard dog against intruders…not likely. However, they will be friendly and loving to any visitors coming over and be excited to greet all newcomers. This is ideal for families with children because you won’t be nervous about playdates. Your Golden Retriever will easily be the life of the party when visitors are over no matter their age!
3: Boxer: If you are a bit more familiar being around dogs or willing to put in a little bit more work than the above mentioned then Boxers are a terrific option. They are very playful, silly, and loyal dogs. They enjoy frequent playtime and being silly which is great if you have kids wanting to play with a dog. They are high energy so expect more playtimes then the breeds mentioned above. These dogs need longer daily exercise times between 1 to 2 hours a day. This is a great dog to take on a family walk through the neighborhood or park. Boxers are intelligent but also stubborn so it’s important to make sure you are ready to train them. They will pick up cues quickly and understand what you want from them but they have a stubborn stream so make sure you are prepared for that when thinking about training.
4: Rough/Smooth Collies: I want to be clear that I am referring to Rough/Smooth Collies because border collies are different in their temperament and did not make this particular list though they are wonderful dogs. Rough/Smooth Collies are sweet and gentle dogs which makes them an ideal fit for families. They are playful in a gentle manner so you don’t need to worry about them being around small kids. This breed is also known to be calm indoors which is a plus if you prefer keeping it more quiet and calm indoors. This is a great option if you have or are planning on having a newborn because they will be calm and quiet inside the house and happy to let baby sleep. While they typically remain calm indoors they are known to be protective of their families making them wonderful guard dogs. They are going to alert you to someone arriving that shouldn’t be there and they will stay by your side to protect you and your family. Overall, this breed is loving, loyal, and protective which are all amazing qualities to have when considering them as an option to be the family pet.
5: Staffordshire Bull Terrier: This incredible dog breed is often referred to as the “nanny dog” because of how well they do with children…does it get more perfect than that! This breed is famous for their known adoration and protectivness for children. They are going to be a second pair of eagle eyes helping ensure your kids are safe. You would be giving your children a best friend that seconds as a nanny. This breed is very affectionate and loves to dote on their humans. They have a loving and affectionate temperament. They can also be stubborn and boisterous so it’s important to consider that when thinking of training. They will need training to help them be the best addition to the family but they are intelligent and will pick up cues quickly. Part of proper training is ensuring they get adequate daily exercise. Prepare for 1 to 2 hours a day for this breed. They need to be able to burn energy and a family trip to the park or a hike would be perfect! This breed is sweet, loving, and protective making them an ideal choice for families.
I sincerely hope you found this article helpful in your journey to find the best dog for your family! They really are the best companions and only ever add warmth, love, and playfulness to your life. They deserve appropriate consideration on if they are the best breed to join your family, so hopefully this list helped you make a decision.
