Children love pets. If they are fond of dogs, then they surely would have begged you for a puppy.
Not all dogs are great for all children. Some require great care and some less. Some breeds might be protective of your children, and some don’t have the patience to deal with children at all. Finding the best dogs for children is not an easy job.
But we’ve done that for you.
We did some research, and here we are with 21 dogs that are good with kids. Dive right in and find the one who will fit in your family perfectly.
1. Beagle
Beagles are ideal dogs for children. They are energetic, and your kids will absolutely love them. They might require a bit more maintenance than most of the breeds of there. But that doesn’t stop them from making it one of the best dogs for children.
Just be sure to give him a lot of exercises. Else, he can turn into a restless, excessive barker, and that is not desirable.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are known for their intelligence and patience. You want your dog to have both when it is around your kid. They are also energetic which your children will love.
They can be trained easily, and you can teach them to play games as well. The lifespan is kind of short at 10 to 13 years. But not all dogs will be intelligent, patient and loyal as this one.
3. Pug
Anyone who sees a pug falls in love with it, instantly. They are cute, adorable and friendly pets. But are they good with children? Pugs are delicate and need to be taken care of. If your child can take responsibility for his/her pet, then he or she can have a great playmate in a pug.
4. Keeshond
Keeshonds are companion dogs that enjoy the presence of people. They are lively, smart and alert. He can easily get used to anyone, and that doesn’t make him a great guard dog.
Children will love him as he accepts them quick. You don’t have to give them physical stimulation often which is less work on your side. They usually have an average life span of 13 to 15 years.
5. Collie
Collies are perfect for a family. They are gentle and can be trained with ease which makes them suitable for kids as well. They rarely bite and are good-mannered dogs.
For a large dog (can weigh up to 70 pounds), Collie has a lifespan of about 15 – 16 years which is better than average. They need exercise often and once you give them that, you’ve got the best dog in the world.
6. Boxer
Boxers are very good companions for children. These are very alert as they are bred as guardian dogs. They are very energetic, and your kids will love this energy.
They need exercise and mental stimulation as well. They are prone to a number of health conditions and gas problems. But they, still, are an excellent choice for your kids and your family.
7. Bulldog
Bulldogs are wonderful pets. They are known to be good guard dogs, but they are also great for families. They get used to kids very fast and play time usually starts sooner than expected.
They are full of energy and kids will love them. Though they might get aggressive without proper training, correcting the behavior is easier which makes them a good choice for children.
8. Newfoundland
This breed is very protective of your kids and loves them making them one of the best dog breeds for kids. It loves to stay with the family rather than in its place or outside. They are excellent swimmers and very helpful.
This is also a large dog breed. It can grow up to 29 inches tall and weigh up to 150 pounds and has a lifespan of 10 years on an average.
9. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog breed with a beautiful coat. They are intelligent, agile and obedient. They do not need a lot of exercises which makes them easy to maintain.
They are good companions for children. In fact, they can herd young children restricting them to a particular area. This gives them the name, nanny dog.
10. Dalmatian
Kids love Dalmatians thanks to the movies. But the good thing is Dalmatians like kids as well. They are energetic playmates and will go well with children.
They have to exercise often and not for the lazy families. With an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, a fully grown Dalmatian can weigh up to 55 pounds.
11. Poodle
Poodles are good with families and children. They are smart, fun-loving and gentle. You need to give them good exercise else they can easily become overweight.
Go for standard poodles as miniature poodles are not that suitable for families. Also, poodles shed less and are easy to have around children with allergies.
12. Bull Terrier
Bull Terriers are often mistaken for aggressive dogs. But they are very friendly and protective dogs. They love children and need a lot of playtimes. They can tolerate (to an extent) even if your child handles them roughly.
You need to give them a lot of exercises. If you can provide them that then they can live happily even in the smallest of places.
13. Bernese mountain dog
The Bernese mountain dogs make excellent family pets. Once the kids are given proper training on how to behave with them, they can be very good.
They are big dogs so make sure your child is not alone with the dog until he is a little grown up. The average lifespan is only around 6 to 8 years which is lesser than other dogs this size. A fully grown Bernese mountain dog can weigh up to 115 pounds.
14. Mutts
Mutts are mixed-breed dogs you can find in your local animal shelters. You can adopt a mutt, and they’ll get along with your family as most of them long for love and affection.
Some might have behavioral issues. So be sure to ask the local shelter guy if there is anything you should be worried about. You can select a small or medium breed as they are easier to maintain.
15. Labrador Retriever
These are popular dogs and are great with kids. Labrador retrievers are known for their patient and loving nature. They come with a beautiful coat, but they also shed a lot.
They should be trained well and should also be exercised regularly. They need a lot of space so if you are in a small apartment or have a small-sized yard, we don’t recommend them.
16. Puggle
As you might have guessed, Puggle is a mixed breed with a beagle parent and a pug parent. Puggles have the best characteristics of both the breeds and enjoy the company of children and even other dogs.
They shed a lot, and this is a problem if your children have allergies. These are small breed dogs, and they weigh up to 30 pounds when fully grown.
17. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are great for families and love children. They are known for their intelligence. They even carried the nickname, the little American gentleman, thanks to its tuxedo-like marks on its smooth coat.
They were originally bred to be fighting dogs and should be given a lot of exercises. They are known as affectionate companion dogs especially for people who live in apartments.
18. Bichon Frise
These are adorable dogs that anyone can fall in love with. They are friendly, but they need regular grooming. They don’t shed at all in case you are worried about it.
Bichon fries might develop small dog syndrome, so it important to note that they are better off with slightly grown children. You should give them enough exercise and with good care they can live up to 15 years.
19. Cocker Spaniel
A lot of people assume cocker spaniels are not good with kids. But they are energetic, and your grown-up kids will love them.
You can easily housetrain one. If you can spend enough time with him, he’ll love you for life which makes him a good choice for families.
20. Vizsla
This is not a common breed you come across every day. But it is one of the best dogs for kids. They are gentle, affectionate and loyal.
Vizslas need a good amount of play time. They might a little too much for young kids/toddlers. But if your children can play for hours, then they have found the right companion.
21. Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a smart dog with tons of patience. The breed needs a lot of exercises, so if you are not willing to spend time for that he may not be a good choice for you.
They go well with children. They can be stubborn at times but are easily trained. They can weigh up to 65 pounds. And for that we can call them big dogs.
That brings our list to an end. What do you think? Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comment section below!