There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a dog breed for the family: exercise and grooming, temperament and trainability, size, good with kids, how it fits into your family's lifestyle. While every dog is different, some breeds are more family-friendly than others. Here are our top picks of breeds best suited for families.
Choosing the right dog for your family
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers will quickly become one of the family with their loving and playful nature. They relish the outdoors and enjoy bounding around in wide-open spaces. They are naturals in the water, so take them to the beach to see them show off their swimming skills. While they have a lot of energy, they are also happy to sit and relax but are prone to packing on the kgs if they don’t get enough exercise. Generally, Labs are good for families with older toddlers and up.
Poodle
These smart and gentle doggies are great for families with allergies as they shed very little hair. Their endless patience and good nature make them a perfect playmate for energetic children, and they rarely get bored or annoyed. Given their intelligence, they require mental stimulation through games and tricks. They are a loyal pet and a friend to any family.
Saint Bernard
Known for being gentle giants, Saint Bernards can be the perfect addition to any family if properly trained from a puppy. They are loyal and protective and require obedience training for control and mental exercise. Their sheer size alone means they need a large house and yard to live and play in. Originating from the Italian Swiss Alps, these dogs enjoy cooler weather and need regular brushing to keep their coasts tidy. Not too dissimilar from their reputation in the 90s movie Beethoven, Saint Bernards are known for their gentle, friendly, and clever nature.
Beagle
These happy hounds are the perfect size to romp around the backyard with little ones. They love family life and running around with kids. They are generally easy-going with a placid temperament but if they catch a tempting scent on the breeze they’re off. As a natural hunter who can’t resist following its nose, Beagles respond best to reward-based training.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers love pats and cuddles making them a family favourite. They are trustworthy and eager to please and have an aptitude for learning. With their happy attitude and outgoing temperament, they are good with strangers and get along well with other pets and dogs. They love to retrieve to the point of seeming compulsive. Take them to the beach and they will run and swim for hours with the kids.
Border Collie
These beauties are a hard-working breed and can run up around all day. Border Collies are fast learners and need plenty of mental stimulation including learning new things. Without stimulation they can become frustrated and destructive. Collies are endlessly enthusiastic and will be a great companion to any energetic family.
Pug
Known for their clownish behaviour and sense of humour these quirky and loving canines will quickly win over the family’s affection. Just keep them away from the water as they are terrible swimmers. While they can have a stubborn streak, pugs are generally calm, willing to please and gentle with children making them excellent companions.
Find out more about dog breeds.
Shelter dogs
Giving a dog a second chance at life is a special thing. Choose your newest family member together and watch them grow to love you unconditionally. The great thing about rescue and adoption centres is you’ll get first-hand knowledge of the dog’s personality. You may even find your new family member is past chewing up your shoes.
The benefits of having a dog
There are many benefits to having a dog, especially for children. It’s a great way to teach kids about responsibility. Taking on tasks like feeding and walking will give your child a sense of responsibility. There are also physical and mental benefits. Research shows dog owners are more likely to be physically active than non-dog owners and kids with a dog in the family get more minutes of walking and unstructured activity. What’s more, connecting with a dog can help boost your family’s mental health and, in some cases, reduce feelings of loneliness, stress or anxiety.
Learn more about the benefits of pets for children.
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