Best Family Dogs
Some breeds are known for their affectionate temperaments and ability to adapt to family life. But the right dog depends on your children's ages, your household's activity level, the individual dog's temperament, and the time you can devote to training and care. No breed is automatically safe with children, and young children and dogs should always be actively supervised.
↓ Skip directly to Recommended BreedsEssential Traits for Family Dogs
- Generally sociable and comfortable with appropriate family activity
- Responsive to consistent, reward-based training
- A temperament that suits the ages and activity levels in your household
Temperament & Household Fit
- Consider the dog's size, strength, sensitivity to noise and activity, versus your household.
- Be realistic about daily exercise, mental enrichment, grooming and the amount of time your dog will spend alone.
- Compatibility with visitors and other pets, considering the individual dog.
- Budget: Food, grooming, veterinary expenses and health needs can vary by breed and size.
A Family Dog Is Only Part of the Story
Choosing the right family dog is important, but teaching children how to understand dogs is just as essential. Help your child recognize canine body language, respect boundaries, and build safer, happier friendships with dogs.
Discover Our Children's Colouring BookFamily-Friendly Dog Breeds by Size
Shih Tzu
Height: 9-10.5"
Weight: 9-16 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #21
Companion-oriented and affectionate; content with moderate daily activity.
Best For: Families seeking a small indoor companion and able to teach children gentle handling.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
Brachycephalic; High grooming needs.
Learn More
Coton de Tulear
Height: 9-11"
Weight: 8-15 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Cheerful, affectionate and companion-oriented; enjoys being involved in family life.
Best For: Families seeking a small, playful companion who can spend plenty of time with them.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
High grooming needs.
Learn More
Havanese
Height: 8.5-11.5"
Weight: 7-13 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #25
Friendly and playful, with a strong interest in being part of family life.
Best For: Families who want an interactive small dog and can commit to grooming and training.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
High grooming needs.
Learn More
Bichon Frise
Height: 9.5-11.5"
Weight: 12-18 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #49
Cheerful, playful and sociable, happy to join indoor family activities.
Best For: Families able to provide companionship, training and regular coat care.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
High grooming needs.
Learn More
Boston Terrier
Height: 10-12"
Weight: 12-25 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #23
Lively and people-oriented; enjoys play and family involvement.
Best For: Families who can balance playtime with rest and monitor breathing and heat tolerance.
Learn More
Pug
Height: 10-13"
Weight: 14-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #38
Affectionate and entertaining, with a companionable nature.
Best For: Families prepared for careful heat management and potentially significant veterinary care.
Learn More
French Bulldog
Height: 11-13"
Weight: 16-28 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #1
Affectionate and adaptable to indoor family routines.
Best For: Families prepared for breed-related breathing, heat and veterinary-care needs.
Learn More
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height: 12-13"
Weight: 13-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #12
Affectionate and gentle in a calm, attentive household.
Best For: Families wanting a small companion and willing to supervise handling by young children.
Brachycephalic; mitral valve disease
Learn More
Miniature Schnauzer
Height: 12-14"
Weight: 11-20 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #17
Engaged and playful, enjoying games and training with family members.
Best For: Families who enjoy an alert companion and can manage barking and coat care.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
Can be vocal; high grooming needs.
Learn More
Basset Hound
Height: 11-15"
Weight: 40-65 lbs
Energy: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #34
Sociable and easygoing, with a distinctive scent-hound personality.
Best For: Families comfortable with a strong nose, patient training and managing food intake.
Drools, may howl, strong scent drive
Learn More
Beagle
Height: 13-15"
Weight: 20-30 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Sociable, playful and sturdy, with enthusiasm for shared family activities.
Best For: Active families prepared for daily walks, scent games and patient training.
Can be vocal and highly scent-driven; secure fencing and supervision outdoors are important.
Learn More
Bulldog
Height: 14-15"
Weight: 40-50 lbs
Energy: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #10
Companionable and comparatively laid-back in the home.
Best For: Families prepared for substantial health-related care and careful heat management.
Learn More
Cocker Spaniel
Height: 13.5-15.5"
Weight: 20-30 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #33
Affectionate and playful, with a strong desire for family companionship.
Best For: Families able to provide daily activity, patient handling and consistent grooming.
High grooming needs, ear infections common
Learn More
English Springer Spaniel
Height: 19-20"
Weight: 40-50 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Affectionate and eager to join family activities, with a responsive, energetic nature.
Best For: Active families who enjoy outdoor exercise and can provide training and companionship.
Needs substantial exercise and grooming.
Learn More
Whippet
Height: 18-22"
Weight: 25-40 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #48
Gentle and relaxed indoors after appropriate exercise.
Best For: Families with a secure area for exercise and children who respect a dog’s need for rest.
Needs secure fencing; sensitive to cold
Learn More
Portuguese Water Dog
Height: 17–23"
Weight: 35–60 lbs
Energy: 5/5
Affectionate, athletic and eager to participate in family adventures and training.
Best For: Very active families who can provide substantial daily exercise, mental stimulation and companionship.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
High exercise needs; hgh grooming needs.
Learn More
Golden Retriever
Height: 21.5-24"
Weight: 55-75 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #3
Sociable, eager to engage and responsive to training.
Best For: Active families who can provide exercise, enrichment and training through adolescence.
Energetic youngsters may jump or mouth; regular grooming
Learn More
Labrador Retriever
Height: 21.5-24.5"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #2
Enthusiastic, affectionate and keen to participate in family activities.
Best For: Active families prepared for energetic adolescent behaviour and consistent training.
High energy; jumping and mouthiness can be challenging around small children
Learn More
Boxer
Height: 21-25"
Weight: 50-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #18
Playful, devoted and exuberant with familiar people.
Best For: Active families comfortable training a strong, bouncy dog.
Mildly Brachycephalic; high energy; boisterous when young.
Learn More
Collie (Rough or Smooth)
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-75 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #39
Attentive and responsive, with a reputation for close family bonds.
Best For: Families who can provide companionship, training and regular coat care.
Rough coats need more grooming; some Collies can be vocal
Learn More
Standard Poodle
Height: 18-27"
Weight: 45-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #6
Intelligent, athletic and closely engaged with family members.
Best For: Active families who enjoy training and can budget for substantial coat care.
Bonus: Hypoallergenic
High grooming needs.
Learn More
Bernese Mountain Dog
Height: 23-27.5"
Weight: 70-115 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #20
Affectionate and steady, but large enough to need early manners training.
Best For: Families with room, a suitable climate and a realistic budget for a large dog.
Short lifespan; prone to cancer
Learn More
Newfoundland
Height: 26-28"
Weight: 100-120 | 130-150 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #46
Gentle and people-oriented, with a calm adult disposition.
Best For: Families prepared for a very large dog, extensive grooming and early training.
Drooling, grooming and size; teach manners before the dog is fully grown
Learn More
Great Dane
Height: 28-34"
Weight: 110-140 | 140-175 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #22
Affectionate and companionable, but their size changes everyday family logistics.
Best For: Families prepared for giant-breed costs, space needs and consistent training.
Very large size; accidental knockdowns and high care costs
Learn MoreRemember: A breed description is a starting point, not a guarantee of an individual dog's behaviour. Choose a dog whose needs fit your household, and teach children to respect the dog's boundaries. Learn more in our children and dogs safety guide.