Having pet dogs is something all of us love. And if those dogs are a perfect fit to our families, then there’s nothing better we could ask for.
There are some types of dogs which are not suitable for living with families, for whatever reasons; aggression levels or solitary nature.
And then there are others, which are magical when it comes to forming a bond with your family members and kids. Some are large, while others are small and miniature in size.
A few of these ‘family friendly’ breeds are mentioned below; take a look and choose for yourself.
Labrador Retriever
These dogs are typically gentle and good-natured. They are very gentle with kids, and this makes them a perfect fit for any family.
They can be trained quite well and they are also very eager to please their owners.
They make for good companions because you can take them on walks every evening, or play fetch with them. They can keep you occupied and very healthy as well.
Bernese Mountain Dog
A family which lives in a big spacious home can think of getting a Bernese. These big dogs are gentle, calm, sturdy and affectionate.
They are also very kind and gentle towards kids, and make great companions. They are alert watchdogs and are very good with other pets such as other dogs or even cats.
With these dogs, you get a two-in-one— a guard dog and a companion for your kids. Therefore, they make excellent family dogs.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is one of the most affectionate dog breeds out there owing to their physical features, which include long ears, low-slung faces and sturdy looks.
They have low bodies and small legs. By nature, they are very loving, loyal and love to live with a lot of people. This makes them a wonderful choice of pet for the family.
They can also keep you company as they love games and puzzles like other intelligent breeds.
Shih Tzu
These are very small dogs, commonly classified as a ‘toy’ breed. They are characterized by very long coats that make them look super adorable, and makes you feel like having a live soft toy.
They are very easy to train, and love to be around kids. They are also very low maintenance (except for the hair grooming) and like to sleep indoors with their family members.
If you have never owned a dog before, then the Shih Tzu can be your dog of choice.
Cockapoo
The toy cockapoo is essentially a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a cocker spaniel.
A designer breed, they are very extroverted and friendly. Unlike certain dog species which bond with only one family member, they bond with multiple family members.
This is the reason they do well in large families. Also, they have a large coat, but they shed minimally. They are low hassle and a good fit for households.
Jack Russell Terrier
These terriers are very small and friendly dogs. They make very good pets for families who have very small kids.
They love playing fetch and dig small holes in the sand. They’re very athletic and need to go on regular walks.
They are very energetic and need a lot of exercise, so they can also make good play buddies for kids.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This one is a very sweet and caring breed with an amiable nature.
Like a lot of other dogs on this list, spaniels are very easy to train and have an inherent need to please their owners. They love people, and are suitable for children of every age. They also tolerate other pets well.
Since they are small in size, they are perfect for families living in apartments. They, however, require a short walk every day.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
They are a very good pick for families which have kids that are over eight years old. They’re very intelligent and are fast learners.
They are suitable for families that have a lot of members, since they don’t like being kept alone for a long time. They are yet another breed that has no problem living in small apartments.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are characterized by sausage-like long bodies and very short legs.
Dachshunds are very smart and quite easy to train. They come in miniature and toy sizes as well, so they could be the perfect dogs or pups to give your kids.
Alongside this, Dachshunds are very fun-loving and enjoy long walks. They like human company and form bonds quite fast. An ideal dog for adults and kids alike!
Japanese Spitz
This is a very fluffy dog which comes in small to medium sizes. They have long muzzles and small adorable boop-worthy black noses.
They are great dogs for your family, and can form a close bond with all your kin.
They are also very low-maintenance since they have fur that is resistant to dirt.
They love to have fun and typically sleep indoors. You can fall asleep while they are curled up in a ball next to you; isn’t that sweet?
English Cocker Spaniel
These are dogs of medium size that have long ears and silky fur. This breed is adventurous and loves a lot of attention.
They love attention and are great with kids. In fact, they are ideal for you if you have a large family with a big backyard for the spaniel to play in.
They love running around, and are able to pick up commands easily.
Border Collie
Collies are one of the most intelligent and athletic dogs. They require a lot of exercise, almost 90 minutes per day.
So if you have kids who love playing, you can get a Border Collie as a playmate for them.
They form very deep bonds with their owners, and guard them with utmost fierceness. So with a Collie, you get a two-in-one: A playmate and a guard dog. It excels in both roles!
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds of family dogs. They are an upbeat, happy breed which loves to swim and splash about.
Since their fur is naturally water-resistant, this breed is very low-maintenance.
Your kids are going to have a gala time hopping in the mud with your Collie, which means that they are ideal for you as a family; not to mention that they are excellent babysitters.
Conclusion
This was a short and comprehensive list of what kind of dogs you should choose in order to have a great permanent member of the family.
The breeds mentioned here are loving, adorable, loyal and kid-friendly– you’d have a blast around them!
Not to mention the fact that many of them are excellent guard dogs as well. So, you literally have the best of both worlds!
So, which one of these breeds do you like the most? Have you ever owned any of them? If yes, how was the experience? Let us know in the comments.
