The 25 Best Family Dogs for Homes With Kids

Family dogs are just that—dogs who get along with all members of the family, both children and adults. Whether you’re looking for a new family member who’s a gentle giant or one who’s high-energy enough to match the enthusiasm of an active family, we’ve rounded up the best family dogs for those looking to bring home a canine companion.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 10–15 years
• Temperament: High-energy, intelligent, loyal

The Beagle dog breed thrives in family homes—as long as it’s an active family. Known for their strong sense of smell, these hounds become great companion dogs with attentive training and when their exercise needs are met.

Beagles are cheerful, clever, and love to howl. They’re also good with other dogs and kids. In fact, they make excellent playmates because of their friendly and playful nature.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
• Temperament: Social butterfly, quick learner, adventurous

The Golden Retriever is the ideal family dog—they are outgoing, eager to please, and great with children of all ages as well as other pets. They are known for their double coat of golden, fluffy fur and their devoted personality.

Goldens are also intelligent, easy-to-train sporting dogs who require a lot of exercise, so they’re best suited for busy households with constant activity.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Adventurous, animated, ready for anything

Another sporting dog breed, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.—and for good reason. These excellent family dogs get along with practically every human and other breed and are great dogs for children of all ages.

That said, Labs do require a lot of exercise, like playing catch and swimming. So, they’re not the best dog for families looking for a more low-key lap dog.

• Size: Varies based on the type of Poodle
• Life Expectancy: 10–18 years
• Temperament: Sporty, smarty pants, loves the spotlight

You might think the Poodle is high-maintenance, but don’t let that reputation fool you. While their hair may require some extra grooming, Poodles have perfectly pleasant personalities.

There are three types of Poodle—Standard, Miniature, and Toy—so pet parents can choose the size that’s best suited to their home and ages of their children.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Loving, goofy, curious

With their almost-overly-friendly nature, Irish Setters make good family dogs. They are great with kids of all ages and other pets, but keep in mind that this sporting dog does require a lot of exercise to thrive, so they do best in homes with large yards and active pet parents.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Family first, super-trainable, friend to all

You may recognize the Collie from TV and movies as Lassie. But this herding breed is more than just a celebrity of the dog world; they are devoted family dogs who are good with children, playful, and adaptable.

Keep in mind that Collies do tend to display typical herding behaviors, but they are relatively easy to train. They’re often used as service dogs and therapy dogs and are well-rounded dogs for an active family.

• Size: Extra Large
• Life Expectancy: 9–10 years
• Temperament: Sweetheart, devoted companion, patient

The Newfoundland dog breed is known for being a gentle giant. And when you put their calm demeanor with their highly adaptable nature, Newfoundlands are one of the best dog breeds for families.

Make sure your home has enough space for this dog breed—Newfoundlands typically weigh over 100 pounds! They also need early socialization to know how to play well with others, because they don’t realize how big they are. But with the right training, these sweet-tempered “Newfies” make a great family dog and get along well with kids of all ages, even babies and toddlers.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 14–15 years
• Temperament: Fun-loving, smart, Velcro dog

The Bichon Frise a small dog breed known not only for their great personality, but also for their low-shedding coat that may be less irritating to certain people with dog allergies (though remember that no dog is truly hypoallergenic!).

Bichons are adaptable family dogs who get along well with other pets and children. These playful pups are “Velcro dogs” who don’t like to be left alone for long; therefore, they’re best suited for pet parents who are home a lot. They have a moderate energy level, ideal for low-key lifestyles.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Gentle, sweet, jolly

While the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is part of the toy breed group, they have a large, up-for-anything personality. These family dogs easily adapt to your lifestyle, loving both low- and high-activity households and enjoying both playtime and cuddle sessions.

Cavs make good dogs for first-time pet parents, and their affectionate, gentle nature makes them a good fit for homes with young kiddos.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
• Temperament: Cuddly, loyal, strong-willed

The English Bulldog is the wrinkly-faced pup that probably springs to mind when you hear the word “Bulldog” (as opposed to the American or French versions). Hailing from England (it is the country’s national symbol, after all), these stocky pups make good family dogs, as they live for attention and affection.

Heavy on drool, these pups don’t make good hiking companions, but they’ll happily join you for short walks and outings.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–17 years
• Temperament: Intelligent, fun-loving, full of energy

The Pointer is known for, well, their ability to point at game. Also known as the English Pointer, these sporting dogs are hardworking and friendly but require a lot of exercise. They are eager to please and have boundless energy and a love for adventure.

Pointers require proper training and socialization due to their high prey drive, and they require work using their nose—so even if you aren’t a hunting family, you’ll want to engage that sniffer using exercise, nose work, or games.

• Size: Extra Large
• Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
• Temperament: Laid-back, social teddy bear, attentive friend

You may have been introduced to the Saint Bernard via the “Beethoven” movies, which show this big dog breed being the ideal family dog. These lovey-dovey gentle giants from the Swiss Alps are brainy and friendly, and they’re known as the original rescue dogs used along the Italian-Swiss border.

This ancient breed’s rescue missions date back as far as 1050 C.E., when they were widely known as the rescue dog of monks. And today? These powerful working dogs prefer a large home, focused training, and plenty of cuddle time.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Active, loyal, eager to please

Don’t believe the bad rep—the American Pit Bull Terrier tends to become friendly with everyone they meet once they’re properly trained and socialized. These pups are friendly, goofy, and overly enthusiastic with everyone they meet.

With a Pittie, you’re signing up for sloppy kisses and a pup who follows you everywhere you go, and you couldn’t ask for a better family dog. Pitties are best for active, experienced pet parents and families with older children.

• Size: Extra Large
• Life Expectancy: 7 years
• Temperament: Affectionate, gentle, playful

Yes, the Leonberger dog breed is extra large, high-maintenance, and a heavy shedder—but if you have the space and time to spend on them, they make excellent family pets.

They are friendly with kids, playful and tender, and these “gentle lions” love as big as you do. They need to be socialized as puppies to bring out their naturally friendly nature; otherwise, they may be wary around new people.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 14–16 years
• Temperament: Bright, outgoing, amusing

The Havanese may be a tiny toy breed, but these fun-loving pups are more than just a standard lap dog. Havanese dogs are social butterflies with a big personality and love to share affection with everyone, kids included.

Known as the only dog breed that is native to Cuba, these low-maintenance, smarty-pants pups just want to please their family by learning—and showing off—new tricks.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Independent, brave, affectionate

The Border Terrier may be small, but their busy nature and strong work ethic make these active little dogs a great fit for homes with older children. They were originally bred to be a working dogs who guarded homes and caught vermin, but these days they’re more suited to on-the-go family life.

Border Terriers are confident and outgoing, so they’d be best suited for an active family that’s excited to train them and teach them new skills.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
• Temperament: Gentle, intelligent, active

The Old English Sheepdog may be known for the pups’ herding abilities, but they also make great family dogs. Gentle yet active and even-tempered, they are best suited for homes with older kids, as they can be nervous around small children who don’t yet understand boundaries.

Sheepdogs do take their job as professional herders seriously and love to keep busy, so they need a lot of exercise and opportunities for mental stimulation. Once they know you, you’ll have a loyal and devoted playmate for life.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Devoted, sociable, intelligent

If you don’t mind some heavy shedding, the Keeshond makes a good family dog. This outgoing and loving breed gets along with almost everyone they meet, and they are highly intelligent and easy to train.

Keeshond dogs have a history as working guardians and will bark loudly as an alert or a welcome. The friendly dogs tend to suffer from separation anxiety and prefer to be around their family as much as possible.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Social butterfly, energetic, smart

The Brittany dog breed is a friendly, high-energy pup who needs a lot of exercise. They were bred to be versatile hunting dogs, so they are adaptable and ready for action—whether they’re going for a walk or competing in a tracking event. Though they’re energetic, the sensitive Brittany doesn’t thrive in chaotic homes, so maybe wait until the kids are a bit older to bring one home.

They are named for the westernmost region in France, as it was there where, hundreds of years ago, French hunters developed this breed that’s now considered one of the world’s most versatile bird dogs. Brittany pups are a nice fit for families who like the great outdoors. They make a terrific all-purpose hunting partner, dog-sport teammate, and hiking companion.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12 years
• Temperament: Affectionate, high-energy, social butterfly

The English Setter is gentle, affectionate, and great playmates for kids. While they are not ideal to be around smaller pets (thanks to their long history as hunting dogs!), this sporting dog is trainable and loves to be at the center of the action. English Setters do best with active families, as they need a lot of exercise.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Affectionate, outgoing, intelligent

The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is considered the smallest of the retrievers, bred to entice ducks to the shore. But off the field, they make nice family dogs for active homes.

If you (or your kids) like water sports, this energetic pup is in. Their webbed feet make them great swimmers, and their boundless energy means very long games of fetch for you and your older children.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Patient, devoted, smart

The Chinook dog breed is patient, friendly, and super smart—everything you expect of a good family dog. As social butterflies, they form strong attachments to their family.

This big dog requires proper training and socializing, but once they are well-mannered, they will thrive in a busy home. Chinooks need a lot of daily exercise and attention, and they would do well with a large, fenced-in backyard to run in.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
• Temperament: Good-humored, cheerful, optimistic

The Flat-Coated Retriever is known for being friendly, outgoing, and highly social, with their family always coming first. They bond to their people and get along well with kids, other dogs, and cats.

This active pup is a high-energy sporting dog, so they do best with an active lifestyle, whether that be a retrieving game of fetch, tracking, scent work, or agility. They will always have a puppy-like energy and love having a playmate—whether two-legged or four-legged—to go on adventures with.

• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 15–16 years
• Temperament: Sensitive, affectionate, loyal

Known as the “Holy Dog of Tibet,” the Tibetan Terrier is an ancient watchdog and companion dog who has long been associated with Buddhist monasteries. Because of their snowshoe-like feet and a double wooly coat, they’re better suited for colder climates.

This funny, mischievous dog breed is extremely smart with a gentle temperament, making them a good family dog for homes with older kids and other pets. They require regular grooming because of their heavy coat, but they are easy to train.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 11–12 years
• Temperament: Tenacious, devoted, smart

The Bluetick Coonhound is known for two things: their “ticked” or mottled black-and-blue pattern on their coat, and their braying bark. They are sweet and affectionate but do best in single-family homes where their loud, drawn-out braying won’t bother the neighbors.

These hounds were bred to be working and hunting dogs, so they have plenty of stamina. They need space to run and get a lot of exercise, but they are also sweet-natured family pets who are a great match for fun-loving families who are active and experienced with hunting dog breeds.