An addition to any family, a dog is an invaluable companion – but which breed should you select?
Labrador Retrievers are widely considered one of the best family dog breeds. Not only are they intelligent and easily trainable, but their large energy requirements require plenty of daily physical exercise!
Border collies–whether rough or smooth–are intelligent and loyal family dogs who enjoy following their people on adventures.
1. Labrador Retriever
Labradors are popular family dog breeds known for their intelligence, social nature and eagerness to please. Furthermore, Labs serve as wonderful assistance dogs for the blind.
These lively pups love playing and spending time with children for movie night or Sunday morning snuggles (as long as they get enough exercise). This breed makes an excellent addition to families with plenty of outdoor space.
2. Golden Retriever
Goldens are highly attentive family dogs that make excellent companions. Their easy training makes them great companions even for active children!
Poodles are smart, athletic dogs who easily adapt to different activities and are extremely friendly with children, other animals, and cats – an ideal combination for families living with allergies. Furthermore, hypoallergenic Poodles make the perfect companions!
3. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise dogs are known for being small, friendly pets that make great additions to family households. With boundless energy and endless patience when it comes to playing with children, the Bichon Frise makes an excellent companion animal for children of any age.
These dogs require daily walks in a safe fenced-in yard as well as frequent grooming sessions that teach children responsibility.
4. Weimaraner
Weimaraners make great companions for active families, taking pleasure in joining them on road trips and weekend outdoor adventures. Their intelligence makes them highly inquisitive.
German nobles bred German Shepherd Dogs for hunting purposes due to their courage and endurance, before spreading across to America in the 1920s where they became beloved pets of notable Americans such as Grace Kelly and President Dwight Eisenhower.
Weimaraners can be energetic dogs with strong prey drives that need to be closely managed in homes with other small pets. Furthermore, their barking can become excessive; therefore training is required in order to manage this behavior effectively.
5. Poodle
Poodles are elegant, regal and intelligent dogs who make wonderful family companions. Eager to please and excelling at obedience training and agility challenges.
Poodles make excellent family pets, particularly smaller breeds like Toy and Miniature Poodles that make great companions on walks and jogs. Easy to train, Poodles can also be taught entertaining tricks that children will adore! Additionally, this breed does well indoors while remaining hypoallergenic.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These toy breeds exude charm, making it impossible not to love their adorable fluffy ears and luxurious coats. Ideal for new dog owners!
Cavaliers make wonderful family pets; provided they are properly socialized with children. However, one major health risk for Cavaliers is syringomyelia (SM), an incurable progressive condition in which cavities form in the spinal cord and must be managed regularly to stay healthy.
7. Beagle
Beagles are great family pets, getting along well with children and other animals alike while being easy to take care of.
Beagles make great companions in apartments or suburban homes alike. However, they need ample daily exercise and access to a large backyard; as beagles have an instinct for following scents on walks they should always be leashed while out and about.
8. Irish Setter
Irish Setters are beloved dogs that make excellent companions for active families, but require lots of daily exercise to maintain their exuberant spirits and maintain energy levels within acceptable parameters.
Beagles are great with children, easy to train and tolerant when visiting unfamiliar environments. Their playful temperament makes them great watchdogs for any home with yards – the more space there is the better these breeds perform in.
9. English Bulldog
Before selecting a breed for your family, take time to understand its lifestyle and activity level – this will allow you to determine which breed best meets your family’s requirements.
The English Bulldog makes an ideal companion for families with young children, as its playful nature and sturdy build make them suitable for roughhousing. Furthermore, they adapt well to both apartments and large homes alike.
10. Bull Terrier
Bull Terriers want to be part of every aspect of family life. Being lively extroverts, these playful dogs need families that provide them with plenty of exercise while at the same time consistently enforcing household rules.
Collies are smart, easily trained dogs who make great companions for children of all ages. Additionally, as herding animals they thrive best when living in households with large yards and plenty of outdoor activity.https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CairX07h5U