The 7 Best Family-Friendly Dog Breeds

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If your children have started asking you that question all parents know is coming – “when can we have a dog?” – you may be stuck figuring out how to respond. Are the kids going to help take care of the pet? Is it going to make a mess in the house? Is it even safe to have an animal around children? There is some research that should ease your concerns about having a dog in the house. A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Science found that dogs can provide great stress-relief for kids. Additional research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed that children with dogs are more securely attached both to their parents and their friends. Pediatric Research reports that kids with dogs are even better behaved than those without pets.

As tough as it is to admit, your kid might be right this time. Maybe your household could benefit from a dog. The question is: what kind of dog should you get? The American Kennel Club (AKC) currently recognizes around 200 unique breeds. Some breeds are best for hunting. Some are great guard dogs. Some are excellent at tracking things down. So which one will make a good best friend for your children? Below, we’ve listed seven of the best family-friendly dog breeds.

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1. Labrador Retriever

Labradors are notoriously gentle and affectionate. They love adults and children, as well as other dogs. They’re famously patient and calm in the face of little toddlers running around them, and they’re incredibly loyal. If you want a large family-friendly breed, you can’t go wrong with a Labrador. The AKC gives them very high rankings when it comes to openness to newcomers, so they should remain friendly with friends and other visitors who come to your home. The AKC also gives them top scores when it comes to affection towards their family and being good with small children. Just keep in mind this breed needs plenty of exercise, which could actually encourage your kids to get out and play.

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2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

If it’s a smaller dog you’re after with big googly eyes and adorably long ears that will make anyone swoon, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the way to go. They typically weigh between 13 to 18 pounds, making them big enough to cuddle with but not so small that kids can’t enjoy play time with them. The AKC gives this breed very high rankings when it comes to affection levels towards family and being good with children. What’s more is that, for a dog that is not hypoallergenic, they actually don’t shed too much. They have a medium playfulness level, and are quite open to strangers.

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3. Pug

If your kids have fallen in love with the squishy faces and googly eyes of pugs, you’re in luck: pugs make great family dogs. The AKC ranks them high when it comes to trainability, so you shouldn’t have obedience issues with these dogs. They’re also very good with children and affectionate with family. If you’re looking for a quiet dog, this is the breed to get, since they rank very low on the barking scale. Pugs will generally just bark to let you know when someone is at the door, and that’s about it. They’re highly adaptable, so if your family has plans to move in the future, your pug should go along with that just fine. They have a moderate energy level, so regular walks should do the trick.

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4. Bernese Mountain Dog

These big dogs aren’t just beautiful – they’re about as friendly as a breed comes. They get top markings from the AKC in affection towards the family, being good with kids, and openness to others. They’re also great with other dogs, so if you’re hoping to have a multi-canine household, a Bernese mountain dog could be the way to go. With the females weighing between 70 to 95 pounds and the males weighing between 80 to 115 pounds, there’s a lot of dog to love here. They’ll definitely be good for cuddling up with the whole family on the couch for movie night. This is another breed with a high energy level that would do best with a big yard to run in.

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5. Beagle

This cute little hound dog has big sweet eyes and floppy, velvety ears that kids love to pet. They’re very good with children, and moderately affectionate. They also have a high playfulness level, so they’ll be good for kids who want to romp around in the yard and throw a dog’s toy. Beagles do great with other dogs, says the AKC, so they’re a good breed to get in families hoping to have multiple canines. Beagles fall in two weight ranges: under 20 pounds and between 20 to 30 pounds. So you can get either a small one or a medium-sized beagle. This is great for apartments with 25-pound weight limits on dogs.

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6. French Bulldog

If your family lives in an apartment and doesn’t have much access to big parks or yards, a French bulldog is a good choice. They have a modest energy level and mostly just like to lounge around inside and cuddle up with their owners between short walks. The AKC says that they are very playful, and very open to strangers, so they’ll enjoy having houseguests. They’re also excellent with small children and highly adaptable, making them another good choice for families who move often. If you want a quiet dog, you’ll appreciate that these dogs rank very low on the barking scale – another quality that makes them good for shared-wall environments like apartments.

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7. Poodle

If allergies are an issue in your home or you simply have a concern about shedding, get a poodle. The great thing about poodles is that this hypoallergenic breed comes in three sizes: standard (40 to 50 pounds for females, 60 to 70 pounds for males), miniature (10 to 15 pounds), and toy (four to six pounds). If your apartment has pet size limitations, you can get a toy or mini poodle. But if your family wants a big dog, standard is the way to go. Each of the three sizes rank highly when it comes to affection with the family and with good behavior with small children. They’re also highly trainable and eager to please, says the AKC.