Best dogs for families

When choosing the best dog for your family, it's important to pick a breed that fits your lifestyle, living space, and children’s ages. Some dogs are famously patient with toddlers, while others do better with older kids. And just like people, dogs have unique personalities and needs. Some are happy to lounge on the couch, while others thrive on constant activity.

With this in mind, here are some things to think about when deciding which dog is right for you and your family:

•        Size: When choosing the best dog for your family, a good starting point is its size. While big dogs like Newfoundlands or Great Danes can be lovely, and surprisingly gentle, they do take up a lot of room and need proper training to make sure they’re manageable. 
•        Energy levels: All dogs need exercise, but some dogs require more than others. If your family loves going for long walks and being outside, a high-energy breed like a Labrador might be ideal. But if you're shorter on time, or simply not the outdoorsy type, you might want something a bit more chilled.
•        Grooming: Again, all dogs need grooming, but some are higher maintenance than others. Think Golden Retrievers with all that fluff – they make lovely family pets, but you’ll need a decent brush and a vacuum. Similarly, breeds like Poodles, Bichon Frises and Shih Tzus all need a more active grooming routine involving regular brushing, bathing, and even the odd professional trim.
•        Health issues: Some breeds are more prone to certain health issues than others, so it’s worth doing your research here when deciding if a dog is right for you. For more information, Agria has a range of dog breed guides with information about specific health issues to look out for.
•        Temperament: While a dog’s breed can give you a rough idea of their temperament, each dog has its own quirks. Therefore, it’s worth meeting your potential new pet before deciding as personality is key, especially if you have children.
•        Dogs and children: Dogs and children can be brilliant companions, helping kids learn about responsibility and empathy, as well as making fantastic playmates. They can even help little ones become more confident and sociable. That said, not all breeds are cut out for overexcited toddlers or noisy households, so it's important to pick a dog that can handle a bit of the chaos that comes with family life. And obviously, all dogs should be supervised when they’re around babies and young children.

Best dog breeds for families

Here are some of the best dog breeds for families by size and what makes them suitable for family life.

Best large family dogs

Many large dog breeds often have calm, gentle natures that make them great family pets. Saying that, due to their size, there are some things to think about when it comes to assessing their suitability for family life.

For example, do you have the space for them to stretch out? Are you comfortable with strong dogs that might need extra training? Do you have small children that will need constant supervision around the dog? And can you handle the extra food, grooming, and vet bills that come with bigger breeds?

Here are a few larger breeds that may be more suitable to family life.

•        Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are the classic, family-friendly dog. Medium to large in size, they’re typically gentle, affectionate, and brilliant with children. They love being part of the action and thrive in busy homes. Just be prepared for a bit of moulting and plenty of games of fetch to keep them happy.

•        Labrador Retriever

Labradors are another popular choice among families. They’re seemingly always happy, hungry, and up for a walk. They’re also loyal, smart, and very trainable, which tends to make them good for families with children of all ages. Just make sure they get enough exercise to avoid boredom (and mischief).

•        Lurcher

Tall and leggy, Lurchers are generally gentle in nature, affectionate, and love a good snuggle. Being part greyhound, these crossbreeds are naturally quick sprinters when outside. But indoors they're often couch potatoes and will happily lounge on a sofa for large parts of the day (as long as they’ve got in a good run first), making them a good choice for families who want a calm companion.

•        Poodle (Standard size)

Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, making them relatively easy to train. They’re also generally great with kids and tend to be low-shedding, which can make them a better choice for family members with allergies. With Poodles it’s important not to skimp on the grooming (their curls need regular care) and exercise as they’re quite high-energy dogs. But all in all, they could be a good choice for active families.

Best small and medium-sized family dogs

If you’ve not got loads of space at home or just prefer a smaller companion, there are plenty of smaller breeds that make brilliant family dogs.

Some things to think about with smaller breeds, include: Are they sturdy enough to handle kids’ enthusiastic cuddles? Do they get on well with other pets? And do they need lots of grooming or exercise?

Here are a few small and medium-sized dogs that might fit the bill.

•        Beagle

Beagles are generally curious little dogs with bags of energy. They tend to be super-friendly, good with children, and love being part of a busy household. You’ll just need to keep an eye on them when out and about as their scent-tracking instincts can sometimes lead them astray.

•        Bichon Frise

The fluffy-furred Bichon Frise is a cheerful, affectionate little dog. They're potentially a good choice for allergy sufferers too thanks to their low-shedding coat (although individual allergy tolerances vary). And their gentle nature can make them a good choice for families with young children.

•       Border Terrier

Terriers are small but tough, making them a good choice for lively households. These scruffy little dogs are hardy, friendly, and typically brilliant with kids. They tend to love a run in the park but are happy to chill out at home too.

•       Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Sweet, affectionate, and one of the friendliest breeds you’ll ever meet, these dogs can make brilliant family pets. Cavaliers are generally good with children, easy to train, and small enough for flat living. They do enjoy company, though, so they’re best in homes where someone’s around most of the time.

•       French Bulldog

The Frenchie is a sturdy little dog - affectionate, laid-back, and brilliant for families with less space. They don’t need loads of exercise and are happy with short walks and sofa snuggles. Just be mindful of their breathing issues.

Best dogs for busy families

There’s no getting around the fact that all dogs need a certain level of care, including exercise, training, grooming, feeding and simple companionship. If you’ve got a hectic schedule, you might want to consider whether you can meet the demands of dog ownership at this point in time.

Some things to think about here, include: How much time can you realistically give to exercise, training and socialisation? Do you need a dog that’s okay being alone for short periods? And is minimal grooming a priority?

Still, if you’re confident that you can juggle the demands of family-life and pet ownership, there are some breeds that might be a better fit for those with busy lifestyles.

Greyhound

Ex-racers or not, Greyhounds are surprisingly lazy for such tall (and quick) dogs. A daily sprint and they’re pretty much good to snooze for the rest of the day. They're generally calm, gentle, and don’t need much grooming, which can be great for time-poor families.

Mixed breeds

Sometimes the best dog isn’t a purebred at all. Mixed breed dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and rescue centres and shelters will often help you match a dog with your lifestyle. Plus, you’ll be giving a dog a second chance at a happy life.

Whippet

Whippets, like greyhounds, are elegant, affectionate, and generally super chilled once they’ve had their daily zoomies. They're quiet, clean, and love a cosy blanket, making them ideal for busy families.

Care and training are key to a great family dog

Finally, it’s worth noting that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the perfect family dog. It’s all about finding the right match for your home, routine, and lifestyle.

And while certain breeds may be more predisposed to family life than others, all dogs are different and an individual animal’s temperament and personality can vary. Therefore, whichever breed you choose, it’s care, patience, and training that really turn a good dog into a great family companion.