Looking to welcome a furry friend into your human family? Any dog's behavior will ultimately be influenced by their environment and training, but there are some personality and dispositions that can be tied to breed type. 

What do the best family dogs have in common?

The best family dogs typically have an affectionate demeanor, playful spirit, and good temperament with young children. Based on breed characteristics, there are specific pups considered to be the best dogs for kids. Still proper preparation, training and care when making introductions is very important for longstanding harmony. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to adopt a pup of these specific breeds. Mixed dogs and other breeds are known to be great family dogs too. By choosing the best dog breeds for families, there’s a lower risk of adopting a pup that isn’t the right fit.  

Small Breed Best Family Dogs 

Pug

Height: 10-13 inches

Weight: 14-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Families with young children may desire a small breed pup that doesn’t outweigh their kids. If this is the case, we recommend welcoming a classic Pug into your home. At 14 to 18 pounds, children will quickly outgrow these pups in size but will never outgrow their love for playing with them. 

Pugs are some of the best dogs for kids because they are playful, mischievous, and affectionate. They can meet their exercise requirements simply by playing with their human family. Pugs are also notoriously lazy and laid-back once playtime is over – so they’ll get a nice break when your kids are down for their naps. 

Border Terrier

Height: 12-15 inches

Weight: 11.5-15.5 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Affectionate Level: 4/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Outdoor playtime is a blast with a Border Terrier by your child’s side. These pups are from the working group and were originally working as country dogs. Time exploring the outdoors is time well spent for a Border Terrier. Welcoming this breed into your family may encourage your screen-addicted children to spend more time outside. 

Border Terriers are a fantastic choice for busy parents, too. They are one of the best dog breeds for families because they are highly trainable and have a moderate energy level. Their wiry coats may look high-maintenance, but Border Terriers only need a bi-weekly brushing and occasional bath. 

French Bulldog

Height: 11-13 inches

Weight: Under 28 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Affectionate, playful, and adorable pointy ears? Everyone can agree that French Bulldogs are one of the best family dog breeds around. Frenchies are the perfect combination of playful and peaceful. They are down to play with young kids and ready to snuggle when it’s time to settle down. 

Another reason we consider French Bulldogs to be the best family dogs is because they don’t bark often. They have a low noise level, so you won’t hear a bark from them every time someone walks past your front door. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Height: 12-13 inches

Weight: 13-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Although this breed has regal roots, they are always ready for a game of fetch or tag with your kiddos. Their natural urge to play is one reason Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the best dog breeds for families. Cavs also love humans of all ages and even other dogs. These pups are a friendly, social addition to your family. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are extremely intelligent and love to please their pet parents. This makes them a highly-trainable breed that can easily learn obedience commands and even agility skills. You’ll find Cavs to be the ideal cuddle companion for your family, as well, with their sweet disposition and urge to be close to their humans. 

Medium & Large Family-Friendly Dog Breeds

Irish Setter

Height: 25-27 inches

Weight: 60-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Adventurous families will enjoy the companionship of Irish Setters. These pups are the best family dogs for outdoorsy folks since they originated as fast-running gun dogs. Irish Setters are the supreme fetch partners, hiking companions, and playtime friends for children. 

As long as Irish Setters get enough exercise, they are easy to train and are generally well-behaved. Kids may enjoy teaching the Irish Setter new commands as they are eager to please. This breed can even excel when trained in hunting, dock diving, rally, flyball, and agility.

Labrador Retriever

Height: 21.5-24.5 inches

Weight: 55-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Look up the best dog breeds for families and Labrador Retrievers will often top the list. These pups are the complete package – affectionate, outgoing, social, and adaptable. Labs, as they are affectionately called, are so versatile that they are often trained in specialized roles for police work, search and rescue, bomb sniffing, seeing-eye companions, and therapy dogs. 

Labs are incredibly loyal to their human pack. Adding a Labrador Retriever to your family means you have a companion dog for life for each member of your family. These pups are ready to play, train, snuggle, or all of the above with any of their humans. Although they grow up to 80 pounds, you can count on Labs to be gentle and loving with even young children.

Collie

Height: 22-26 inches

Weight: 50-75 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Affectionate with Family?: 4/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

With their beautiful long hair, every member of your family will be fighting over who gets to snuggle with a Collie. This breed isn’t quite as affectionate as the others listed, but they are still one of the best dogs for kids. 

Collies have a natural love and loyalty to children. Whether it’s time playing tag in the backyard or cuddling on the couch, any time with a child is time well-spent for these pups. Collies are herding dogs that can run incredibly fast over long distances. That being said, playtime with these pups is sure to wipe out your kid long before your Collie gets tired. 

Golden Retriever

Height: 21.5-24 inches

Weight: 55-75 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Similar to their Labrador cousins, Golden Retrievers are iconic family dogs. These pups are just as friendly as their furry, smiley faces make them appear. Goldens love interacting with humans of all ages and they also get along well with other dogs and sometimes cats. The breed is highly affectionate, so the real struggle is setting boundaries with them to avoid licking a stranger’s face. 

Golden Retrievers are game for any activities with their humans. Their athletic nature means activities like swimming, hiking, hunting, and running are all delightful for them. With their soft golden fur, your family also has a cuddle buddy for life with this breed. 

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Height: 24-27 inches

Weight: 70-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Rhodesian Ridgebacks may not sound like the best dogs for kids based on their breed name. Although the breed name sounds more like a fierce medieval dragon, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are naturally sweet and affectionate dogs that are loyal to their human family. 

The breed originates in Africa and is famous for tracking, but not hunting, lions. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are hounds, so they have incredible scenting and running skills. Their need for mental stimulation and exercise makes Rhodesian Ridgebacks the perfect playmate for your children. 

Best Giant Family Dog Breeds

Newfoundland

Height: 26-28 inches

Weight: 100-150 pounds

Life Expectancy: 9-10 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

Newfoundlands adore children so much that they have the nickname “the nanny dog”. In fact, the canine caretaker, Nana, from the classic play Peter Pan is a Newfoundland. The author, J.M. Barrie, had a Newfoundland himself and knew how loving the breed was from his own experience. 

At first glance, you probably wouldn’t guess that Newfoundlands are one of the best dog breeds for families. They can weigh up to 150 pounds and resemble mini grizzly bears. But Newfies are nothing near ferocious, they are docile, sweet, and gentle with young children. 

Mastiff

Height: 27.5+ inches

Weight: 120-230 pounds

Life Expectancy: 6-10 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

The intimidating appearance of a Mastiff is deceptive. Although their size and dark mugs may spook you, Mastiffs are some of the best family dogs in the giant breed category. 

Just because this breed might outweigh human adults doesn’t mean they’re aggressive or loud. Mastiffs are sensitive to human emotions and provide comforting companionship to their family. These pups learn faster with gentle, positive reinforcement training rather than intense commands. 

Mastiffs are a great choice for low-key families that prefer to spend weekends at home. Even though the breed is giant, their need for exercise is pretty low. Playtime and walks are enough to meet a Mastiff’s physical and mental stimulation needs. 

Bernese Mountain Dog

Height: 23-27.5 inches

Weight: 70-115 pounds

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Affectionate with Family?: 5/5

Good with Young Children?: 5/5

This breed has become quite popular over the past few years, especially as a family dog. Not surprising considering Bernese Mountain Dogs are a triple threat: athletic, affectionate, and adorable. 

Each member of the family will get a kick out of their time with a Bernese Mountain Dog. Energetic kids have a playtime buddy for life. Teenagers have a forever–loyal friend to support them through the time when “nobody understands them”. Busy parents can trust a Bernie to protect their home and cuddle with them at the end of a long day. 

Bernese Mountain Dogs are great for both extrovert and introvert families. They are content to stay indoors and relax but are also game to explore the outdoors. These adaptable pups will go with the flow based on your family’s preferences.