The 10 Best Family Dog Breeds
If you're looking for a dog to be the perfect family pet, then one of these 10 breeds is for you. These dog breeds are all great with children and other pets and have low to medium exercise needs. You may not know that most of them do well in apartments or smaller homes too! Of course, every family has different requirements when it comes to their new best friend, so this list is just a starting point.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are a popular dog breed in the United States because of their friendly and loving demeanor. They can be trained to do a variety of tricks, including retrieving items for you. Labradors require moderate exercise, but they should not be left alone for long periods each day or night as this may cause them to become anxious; however, they need less exercise than some breeds due to their stamina. Labrador Retrievers have an average lifespan of about 12 years.
Pros:
- Friendly
- Healthy for kids to interact with
- Can be trained to do a variety of tricks, including retrieving items
- The average lifespan is 12 years.
- friendly temperament
- trainable to do tricks
Cons:
- Needs moderate exercise but not as much as some breeds due to stamina.
- Some labs sheds more than others.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a sporting dog who has been initially bred for hunting. They are often used to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and geese, which makes them valuable around duck clubs or other areas where there might be downed game birds. Part of the reason that they make so many great family dogs is because they are known for their calm temperament, but can still get involved in all sorts of games like fetch ball with kids or frisbee throwing when encouraged by an owner.
Pros:
- They're very good with kids
- They're easy to train
- They make excellent watchdogs
- Their coat needs minimal grooming
- Intelligent
- Friendly and good around other animals
Cons:
- They require a lot of grooming and exercise.
- Goldens shed a lot.
Beagle
The Beagle is one of the oldest family types in dog breeds. The Beagles have a long history dating back to 1650s England, where they were both hunting dogs and household pets. They are also used for tracking down missing persons or wildlife by their scenting ability. Beagles make excellent pets because they are easy-going and friendly with children and other animals.
Pros:
- known for their strong noses.
- make good tracking dogs
- they can find lost people, things, or animals
- need little exercise
Cons:
- If you live somewhere where there's a lot of activity, Beagles might not be the best choice for a pet.
- prone to ear infections and other problems
Bulldog
Bulldog is a breed of domestic dog that is often bred for its tenacity. Bulldogs are considered to be one the best dog breeds in terms of their attitude and physical appearance, as well as being quite clever. Bulldogs were originally developed in Great Britain from bull-baiting dogs such as the Mastiff with some added Terrier bloodlines. Bullbaiting was banned by law during 1835 meaning Bulldogs had no use left so they became family companions instead.
Pros:
- they are very loyal
- they have a high tolerance for pain
- don't need much grooming
- can live in apartments or with families that travel frequently as they are not big dogs, to begin with
- they can be a good guard dog
Cons:
- bulldogs drool a lot.
- Bulldog also has a reputation of not being the smartest dog out there but that's because most people don't train them properly.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are one of the most popular German dog breeds. German Shepherds were originally bred to be herders and would guard livestock against predators and keep various populations in line. Today, German Shepherd dogs are still used as working dogs for law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams, service providers (such as K-911), military units, and other occupations that require a strong guardian with good intelligence.
They can also make excellent family pets or companion animals if socialized properly when young through obedience training classes or by living with another dog who has been trained on how to live harmoniously with other animals. German Shepherds is a dog breed that should always have access to an outdoor area where they can safely run free.
Pros
- known for being intelligent and obedient
- an active breed with an instinct to protect
- strong herding instincts
- excellent guard dogs or farm animals
- a nice companion for active individuals of family
Cons:
- requires a lot of exercise space and time to be happy
- a large amount of grooming is needed, especially during shedding season
- may not do well in warmer climates or if left outside for long periods
- require an active lifestyle and lots of attention
Collie
Collies are a herding breed from Scotland and Northern England. Collie dogs were originally bred to help herd sheep, but they also do well as family pets. Collies have been popular in the United States since their first appearance at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1878. They are very intelligent, loyal, and protective of people they know - including children. Collies shed heavily which is why it's important to brush them often so that hair doesn't get all over your carpets or furniture! Collie puppies tend to be more active than other dog breeds because they need plenty of exercises every day.
The Collie has a long, graceful body with well-developed muscles and is very agile. The head is broad between the ears, tapering to the muzzle which should be as black as possible on all but red dogs where it may be brown or liver-colored; nostrils large and wide-open; kindly eyes are medium size and dark hazel, showing no white when looking straight forward. Collies are also similar to long haired dalmatians because of their athletic ability and fur type.
Pros:
- quick learners when it comes to learning new tricks
- very friendly and affectionate dog
- a good family pet
- do not bark much at strangers
Cons:
- not the best choice as an apartment pet because they need so much space outside.
- maybe prone to barking, digging, and chewing on items around the home if left alone for too long.
Pug
Pugs are known for their short stiff curly coat, flat muzzle, and round eyes. Pug also has a distinctive underbite which is rumored to enhance the breed’s sense of smell. Pug was originally bred in China but made its way across Europe with Dutch traders from Indonesia where they were called Mopshonden or “to mop” referring to their wet nose-like appearance. They became popular pets among European nobility because of their loyalty and affectionate nature. The Pug dog has been featured on everything from silverware to movie posters over time as an icon of British culture.
Pros:
- relatively easy to train
- their fur isn't prohibitively expensive
- low maintenance animals
- adapts well to apartments & small homes
- Family-friendly
Cons:
- shed excessively which causes lots of allergy issue
- require a lot of grooming
- not great at outdoor activities
Great Dane
Great Dane is a giant breed of dog that originally came from Germany. They were primarily bred to hunt wild boars and other large game in the 1800s, but have enjoyed more popularity as companion animals since then. Great Danes were also used by farmers to guard their livestock against predators like wolves because they often weigh over 200 pounds at maturity. Great Danes can live for up to ten years or more with proper care and diet. Great Danes are one of the longest living breeds on average (a wedge shape).
Pros:
- they are calm, gentle, and affectionate
- Great Danes do not shed much hair
- don't typically drool as often as other large breeds
- do not shed much hair
- large, gentle dogs that make great family pets
Cons:
- need the proper amount of space to live in
- have short coats which means that it is hard for them to stay warm in cold weather
- this can cause damage to furniture if left unattended
Doberman
The Dobermann is an intelligent, loyal dog that makes for a good companion animal. They are often used as guard dogs because they are so protective of their owners and territory. This breed adapts well to new environments with minimal issues but can be wary around strangers if not properly socialized early on in life—they need at least two hours per day of exercise time or they will become destructive. Their intelligence makes them easily trainable dogs that enjoy performing tricks when given positive reinforcement training methods. Dobermans are good indoor dogs as they limit their drooling and barking by themselves.
Pros:
- well-known for being a big, strong, fast breed that is intelligent
- loyal and protective
- can be trained easily
- great family pets because they get along with children well
- great guard dogs
Cons:
- Dobermanns can be aggressive if not trained properly
- do not do well with other animals
Rottweilers
Rottweilers are medium-sized working dog breeds used in Rottweiler police and military dogs. They are also known for their intelligence, strength, agility, and talent as family pets. Rottweilers have a history of being bred with other large herding or guarding breeds such as the Great Pyrenees to create more powerful animals for larger purposes like livestock protection. Rottweilers vary in size from 55–110 pounds (25–50 kg), but generally do not exceed six feet tall when fully grown.
The average height is around 25 inches at the shoulder, while females typically stand shorter than males on average by about four inches. The coloration can be either fawn/apricot or all black or both. It is also possible to adopt a Rottweiler mixed breed such as a Pitweiler which is a mix between a Pit Bull and a Rottweiler. They share many of the same characteristics between Rottweilers and other family dog breeds as well.
Pros:
- known for their loyalty
- be great with children and other pets if they have been raised with them from puppyhood
- they are large, strong dogs
- protective by nature so they can be great guard dogs
- need relatively little grooming
- excellent companion or family pets if trained well
Cons:
- health issues show over time
- can be rebellious if trained poorly
