Best pet dog breeds for families

If you are thinking about getting a dog you may be looking to find out which are the best dog breeds. But if you have kids, you may wonder what the best pet dog breeds for families are. I’ll share my guide for the best small, medium, and large breeds for families.

Having pets or to be more specific, having a dog can be so much fun and rewarding. But if you have kids, a little more thought has to be taken as not all are the best dog breeds for kids.

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Also, the best dog to get depends on the ages of the kids. Because some may be great for older children with more energy, they may not work as well for really small children.

A few other things to think of when getting a dog for kids is if you should get a puppy or a dog. And if you are ready to care for a dog as kids can get bored with them quickly.

You should only get a dog if you are ready to take it on for the life of the dog. It would not be fair to the dog to have it for a short time while it is new and exciting and then rehome it when the kid is not as thrilled about it.

So please be mindful of this when considering the best dog breeds for kids.

Best pet dog breeds for families

Before we dive into the best breeds, let’s first cover a few of the things I mentioned above. Such as a puppy or dog? Also, should you buy or adopt?

Should I Get A Puppy or a Dog?

There are a few pros and cons to both options. So the best thing to do is weigh them out with your family and kids in mind. Here is a short breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

Puppy Pros:

• Can grow with your child
• Does not have a past or baggage to bring with it
• Has the energy to keep up with energetic children
• Does not have the health issues right away that come with older dogs
• More years to enjoy the dog

Puppy Cons:

• Have to potty train
• Chews up everything
• Super energetic
• Can bark a lot
• They have a longer life span so we need to be ready to have them for years

Now, let us compare the pros and cons of getting an adult dog.

Dog Pros:

• No house training (in most cases)
• Out of the puppy chewing stage 
• More laid back and easygoing 

Dog Cons:

• Shorter life
• More health issues that come with age
• Can come with baggage/trust issues

Buy or adopt a dog?

This is a great topic to consider before getting a dog. It will also depend heavily on if you are wanting to get a puppy or a dog.

That is because when it comes to adopting, there are normally more dogs that are available and fewer puppies. This is partly because people often think they want a dog and then find out they are too much work and ditch them.

That is why I am someone that always pushes for adoption over buying whenever it is possible. It is not these dogs’ fault that no one wanted them.

But I also understand there are times when you may have to buy. That would be when you really want to get a puppy or have a specific breed you need to stick with.

There is nothing wrong with buying, as long as you are doing so from a caring breeder and not a puppy mill.

Best Small Dogs For Kids

1. Beagle

While beagles are great hunting dogs, they make wonderful pets and are great with kids. They normally are about 13- 15 inches tall and get up to about 20 pounds.

2. Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is smart and spirited. While they are on the small dog list they are sturdy ones. They get to be about 10 inches tall and weigh about 15 – 20 pounds. One thing to note is that this breed is normally best in a one-dog house as they do not like to share their owners with other dogs.

3. Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are cute little dogs that normally grow to be about 15 inches tall and weigh about 12 – 25 lbs. They come in a few different colors such as black and white, brindle, or seal. They are a people-oriented breed.

4. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

A Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not as well-known of a breed but they don’t disappoint. They are smart, loyal, and affectionate dogs. They are about 12 inches tall and up to about 25-38 pounds. Their coats come in colors such as blue-merle or red.

Medium-sized dogs good with kids

1. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever may be one of the most popular best dog breeds for kids. On average they get to be about 24 inches tall. They weigh up to 80 pounds. They come in colors like black, yellow, and brown (aka chocolate). This breed is outgoing, friendly, and bonds with the whole family.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are friendly, devoted, and intelligent dogs. They normally max out at 75 pounds and get to be about 24 inches tall. They have a dense coat that is normally a golden color giving them their name. But they can also come in lighter or darker coats too. They are a relatively easy breed to train too.

3. Weimaraner

A Weimaraner looks kinda like a lab just not as stocky. They are an obedient, friendly, and fearless breed that gets to be about 26 inches tall. They normally weigh 70-90 pounds. Weimaraners enjoy lots of exercise. They normally have a beautiful solid color silvery-gray coat and sometimes have a small white dot on the chest. They are easy to groom and are excellent with kids.

Best large dog breeds for families

1. Bernese Mountain Dog

If you are looking for a gentle giant, then check out a Bernese Mountain Dog. They get to be up to 115 pounds and about 27 inches tall. They have a thick silky coat that is normally a tricolor of black, white, and rust. This breed is a hardy dog that thrives in the cold.

2. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is patient, devoted, and super sweet. They get to be about 28 inches tall and can top the scales at 150. While these dogs can be huge they have been given the nickname “nanny dog” because they are so patient and watchful with children.

3. Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff can get to be up to 200 pounds making them one of the largest kid-friendly dogs. They are normally 35 inches or more in height. They are a very intelligent breed. Mastiffs have a range of coat colors such as black, red, yellow, fawn, and gray, and sometimes you will even see them in the brindle color.