Best Dog Breeds for the Whole Family

These dog breeds are perfect for children (and adults) because they are full of curiosity and energy.

Best Dog Breeds for the Whole Family

Young children are a bundle of fun and energy. As they learn and explore more about the world around them, they’re happiest when doing so with a buddy. And who better to share exciting adventures with than a furry four-legged friend?

Of course, all dog personalities — no matter what the breed — can vary greatly, so be sure to take the time to get to know, train and understand the needs of your dog before you let them hang out with your kid. But many dogs who grow up with children (and plenty that are introduced later to families) will gel immediately with their young human friends.

Luckily, the following family-friendly dog breeds have plenty of patience and a ton of energy that often perfectly matches the needs of little kids.

Golden Retriever

The tried and true lovable goldens seem like they were practically made for young kids.

Between their patient, loving nature and their natural playfulness, there’s a reason these beauties are often spotted hanging out with little ones.

Golden Retriever Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted

Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (male)

Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

* All breed information is sourced from the American Kennel Club.

Labrador Retriever

Like their golden brethren, labradors are some of the most popular amongst families because of their lovable personality.

With their naturally sweet nature, they already consider themselves kids. So, it only seems appropriate that they hang with the other children in the family all day, every day.

Labrador Retriever Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Active, Outgoing

Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)

Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Collie

Whether it’s the brilliant Border Collie whose mind is almost as smart as a young child’s or another type of the tried-and-true trainable Collie, this breed is particularly great for children.

Not only will they happily hang out with little ones for hours, but they are also really responsive to training. The Collie can even help show a child some of the benefits of training and positive interactions with your pup.

Collie Summary

Temperament: Devoted, Graceful, Proud

Height: 24-26 inches (male), 212-24 inches (male)

Weight: 60-75 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Beagle

This sweet breed is happiest exploring, just like a child. Its mellow nature means it will be pretty chill with whatever shenanigans your kid may get up to.

And a Beagle will be happy spending as many hours playing as their young friend wants because it’s constantly curious to discover new sights and sounds with its nose.

Beagle Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry

Height: 13 inches and under, 13-15 inches

Weight: Under 20 pounds (13 inches and under), 20-30 pounds (13-15 inches)

Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

Vizsla

If your kid loves to run around, this breed may be perfect for you. The skinny Vizsla has a ton of energy and loves to burn it off as much as possible. Like many pups, they’re naturally curious and playful, but they particularly love to do anything that helps get their blood pumping.

So, if you have a nice backyard and kids who appreciate a good game of chase, a Vizsla playmate could be an absolutely perfect match.

Vizsla Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Energetic

Height: 22-24 inches (male), 21-23 inches (female)

Weight: 55-60 pounds (male), 44-55 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred for years specifically to be a sweet, cuddly partner. While they may be shy with kids they don’t know, they’re incredibly affectionate and patient with their owners.

They make great partners for any kid who likes to cuddle, but they’re especially great for shyer kids who may want to have a buddy around while they hang by themselves.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful

Height: 12-13 inches

Weight: 13-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Chow Chow

These teddy bear–looking critters can be great family playmates if properly socialized and trained. While they’re not always given the credit of being really patient — and understandably so because they are independent and enjoy being alone — they can be really loving and protective of their family members.

They’re fun partners and can help teach your children to respect animals and give them boundaries.

Chow Chow Summary

Temperament: Dignified, Bright, Serious-Minded

Height: 17-20 inches

Weight: 45-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 8-12 years

Airedale Terrier

These dogs love to have a job. And if that means their job is being besties with a little one, they will take it seriously and do it well.

This breed is the biggest of all the terriers, and it has a big heart to go with it. Plus, they’re extremely fun-loving and playful, which means they’ll have the best time with like-minded, fun-loving and playful kids!

Airedale Terrier Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Clever, Courageous

Height: 23 inches

Weight: 50-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-14 years

Whippet

These majestic and fast creatures absolutely love to run around and show off their athleticism. They have a lot of energy and will be happy to use it running around with their family members.

When they’re playing, they’re more than happy cuddling up with their owners, which makes them an all-around charming pup to welcome into the family.

Whippet Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Calm

Height: 19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)

Weight: 25-40 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Bernese Mountain Dog

These big babies are big fans of kids, especially because having little ones running around gives them a chance to practice their natural herding abilities. Even though they’re large, they typically have easy-going and gentle natures to accompany their big bodies.

Plus, they tend to be really calm, so it will take a lot to throw them off, which is a good trait to have when there are curious kids nearby.

Bernese Mountain Dog Summary

Temperament: Good-Natured, Calm, Strong

Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)

Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Newfoundland

Newfies are gentle giants that like to give slobbery kisses.

If you’re in the market for gentle giants, there’s no more gentle (and almost no more giant) than the Newfoundland dog. Great for infants, children, adults and everything in between, these big slobbery pups just want to hang and cuddle.

Their incredible patience and delightfully positive personality make them one of the most charming breeds in existence. As long as you can handle some serious daily brushing, these guys are well worth the necessary care.

Newfoundland Summary

Temperament: Sweet, Patient, Devoted

Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)

Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 9-10 years

Poodle

These dogs appear on list after list of great breeds to include in your family, and for good reason. They’re not only incredibly intelligent, but they also have a delightful sense of humor to go along with their beautiful fur.

These dogs don’t just interact with their human counterparts, they’ll also try to figure out ways to play fun games and act as mischievous as any other young sibling would.

Poodle Summary

Temperament: Active, Proud, Very Smart

Height: Under 10 inches (toy), 10-15 inches (miniature), over 15 inches (standard)

Weight: 10-15 pounds (miniature), 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)

Life Expectancy: 10-18 years

Pug

Pugs make the perfect travel companions.

These hilarious-looking and -acting animals are excellent companions for young ones. They’re small and gentle, which makes them easy to bring to all sorts of the busy locations your family may travel.

And they’re incredibly patient and cuddly, which makes them happy to hang with kids no matter what the circumstance.

Pug Summary

Temperament: Charming, Mischievous, Loving

Height: 10-13 inches

Weight: 14-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Boxer

If you’ve ever met a Boxer, you’ll know immediately why they’re great for and with young children. They have the energy to keep up with all the craziness young kids have to offer in addition to their go-with-the-flow nature.

They pretty much consider themselves big kids anyways, so having more around will only feel natural to these gorgeous goofballs.

Boxer Summary

Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active

Height: 23-25 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)

Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Mastiff

This large breed loves to have a job and will happily play with and protect its small human family members. Because they can get pretty large, it’s a good idea not to introduce them into families with tiny toddlers — not because they’re not calm and collected but because they are so large that they may accidentally hurt a young one due to their size alone.

But if your kid is big enough to hold their own, this breed will happily (and gently) play with them all day long.

Mastiff Summary

Temperament: Courageous, Dignified, Good-Natured

Height: 30 inches and up (male), 27.5 inches and up (female)

Weight: 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 6-10 years

Maltese

This Toy breed has the opposite issue with toddlers than the Mastiff. These tiny pups tend to be so little that they’re not recommended for toddlers who may mistake them for an actual toy and mishandle them.

But if you have young kids who understand how to be gentle, this loving and sweet breed will be happiest cuddled up and hanging with their families.

Maltese Summary

Temperament: Gentle, Playful, Charming

Height: 7-9 inches

Weight: Under 7 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Bull Terrier

Don’t let the “bull” in the name fool you. These strong and hearty dogs are excellent playmates for a young family once the kids are taught how to interact with a dog.

For very young kids, they might be a little intense at times. But if your young ones know how to properly treat an animal, this breed will never tire of spending time playing with its family members.

Bull Terrier Summary

Temperament: Playful, Charming, Mischievous

Height: 21-22 inches

Weight: 50-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-13 years

Australian Shepherd

An incredibly intelligent and easy-to-train breed, this dog loves to have a job. Even though they tend to be very independent and can sometimes feel a bit standoffish to owners who just want a dog that cuddles, they are absolutely awesome companions.

They’ll happily learn new tricks throughout their life and will be happiest when hanging with their pack. Plus, they typically regard any new children who hang out with “their” kids as new pack members, even treating them with the same love, playfulness and protective energy.

Australian Shepherd Summary

Temperament: Smart, Work-Oriented, Exuberant

Height: 20-23 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)

Weight: 50-65 pounds (male), 40-55 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Bulldog

Don’t let their seeming scowls intimidate you. These hefty-looking dogs are bundles of love.

They’re easy-going, gentle and don’t require much exercise to be satisfied. They love to be around humans and relish all human affection.

Bulldog Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Courageous, Calm

Height: 14-15 inches

Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 8-10 years

Irish Setter

These energetic companions are always happy to be the life of the party. Loving and loyal, they’ll happily run around with little ones for as long as either side can stand.

When they’re not getting out their energy, they’re busy being gentle companions who just want to be by your side. As an added bonus, they are naturally protective and will typically warn loudly if anyone comes too close to their pack.

Irish Setter Summary

Temperament: Active, Outgoing, Sweet-Natured

Height: 27 inches (male), 25 inches (female)

Weight: 70 pounds (male), 60 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Portuguese Water Dog

The official pet of the Obama family, these beautiful and intelligent dogs are easy to love. They have tons of energy, so they can happily keep up on any exciting adventure your family takes.

Plus, they’re known to be pretty goofy little clowns. So, if you get this pup, be prepared to laugh a lot.

Portuguese Water Dog Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Adventurous, Athletic

Height: 20-23 inches (male), 17-21 inches (female)

Weight: 42-60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Great Dane

This huge breed also has a huge heart. These dogs have some of the gentlest and sweetest dispositions in the entire dog kingdom and are usually completely oblivious of their size.

They have a natural desire to please and are difficult to upset, which makes them excellent for training to hang around children.

Great Dane Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Patient, Dependable

Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)

Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Havanese

These dogs are not only stunning and expressive, but they’re also loyal and delightful companions for any family.

They prefer to be around people and can get anxious if left alone for too long, so the bigger your pack, the happier they’ll be.

Havanese Summary

Temperament: Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny

Height: 8.5-11.5 inches

Weight: 7-13 pounds

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

Papillon

These energetic little “butterfly” dogs (as their name denotes) are more than just another pretty face. They’re eager to please and enjoy active activities.

They’re not exactly the cuddliest pets, but they do love being by your side and hanging out with any little ones that might be around.

Papillon Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Alert, Happy

Height: 8-11 inches

Weight: 5-10 pounds

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

Brussels Griffon

These little bearded furballs are hyper-intelligent and generally happy pups. They love attention and will be whiny if they don’t get it.

But if your family wants a loyal dog that loves to play and won’t stray far from your side, this breed is perfect.

Brussels Griffon Summary

Temperament: Loyal, Alert, Curious

Height: 7-10 inches

Weight: 8-10 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

German Shepherd

Extremely intelligent and highly trainable, these dogs are consistently used by police and search and rescue forces regularly for their dependability and loyalty. Most families, of course, don’t need a highly trained hero, but it’s nice to know that your pup could be one.

This breed is happiest when it has a job to do and boundaries are set out for it. Tell it to be your child’s best friend, and it will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.

German Shepherd Summary

Temperament: Confident, Courageous, Smart

Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)

Weight: 65-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

French Bulldog

These playful and affectionate pups are one of the most popular breeds for a very good reason. They love attention and companionship, so they’ll undoubtedly stick by your family like glue.

Like other flat-nosed breeds, they’re a little louder when they sleep and play less than the average dog, but their lovable and playful personality makes up for all of their silly snorts.

French Bulldog Summary

Temperament: Adaptable, Playful, Smart

Height: 11-13 inches

Weight: Up to 28 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Their fur may cover their face, so you don’t always know what’s happening in their intelligent little brain. But rest assured, these sweet dogs are some of the best family pets around.

They adapt easily to all sorts of living situations. Plus, they absolutely love to meet new people and make new friends — four-legged or not.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Happy, Deeply Devoted

Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)

Weight: 35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Basset Hound

These dogs are mild-mannered and hard to rile up. Like other hounds, they’re led by their nose, so they prefer to slowly follow an interesting smell rather than run around in circles.

They love to have company, too. Whether it’s interacting with other animals or humans, this easy-going dog won’t care either way, as long as they have a buddy to hang with.

Basset Hound Summary

Temperament: Charming, Patient, Low-Key

Height: Up to 15 inches

Weight: 40-65 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-13 years

Weimaraner

If you have an active lifestyle and family, these active dogs are a perfect fit for you. These happy and smart dogs love (and need) plenty of exercise, but they don’t care how they get it.

Whether it’s running around a yard to go exploring or running around a living room playing with little ones, they’re loving and sweet family pets with playful and easy-going natures.

Weimaraner Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Fearless, Obedient

Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)

Weight: 70-90 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

Old English Sheepdog

These perpetual puppies retain their playfulness well into their adult years, making them the perfect pups for families since they’re always down to have a good time.

They love to be a part of the pack and have sometimes been considered a great “nanny” for the little ones since they’re so affectionate and protective.

Old English Sheepdog Summary

Temperament: Adaptable, Gentle, Smart

Height: 22 inches & up (male), 21 inches & up (female)

Weight: 60-100 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Bichon Frise

These enthusiastic and mischievous little dogs will steal your heart and make you give them all the affection in the world to get it back. They may be small, but they come with big personalities.

They prefer to be with families and people who have time to give them all the love and affection their sweet faces deserve.

Bichon Frise Summary

Temperament: Playful, Curious, Peppy

Height: 9.5-11.5 inches

Weight: 12-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: 14-15 years

Dalmatian

dalmation — Dalmations make incredible pets.

This unique dog breed has been featured in movies and circus acts for years for a very good reason: They’re absolutely incredible pets.

They have a lot of energy that they’ll want to get out in as many adventures as possible, and their natural desire to please makes them particularly easy to train.

Dalmation Summary

Temperament: Dignified, Smart, Outgoing

Height: 19-24 inches

Weight: 45-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Cocker Spaniel

These snuggly love bugs will make a perfect addition to any family because they’re happiest when making you happy.

They love to be a part of any adventure, whether it’s an invigorating walk around the park or a movie night on the couch. They’ll be right by your side enjoying every minute of it.

Cocker Spaniel Summary

Temperament: Gentle, Smart, Happy

Height: 14.5-15.5 inches (male), 13.5-14.5 inches (female)

Weight: 25-30 pounds (male), 20-25 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-14 years

Dogue de Bordeaux

Similar to the lovable Mastiff, this breed is loving and loyal — but will need some serious boundaries set. They’re natural leaders and protectors, which make them great family pets.

If you let them know you’re in charge, they’ll happily take a back seat and focus all their energy on being the best friend possible.

Dogue de Bordeaux Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Loyal, Courageous

Height: 23.27 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)

Weight: 110 pounds & up (male), 99 pounds & up (female)

Life Expectancy: 5-8 years

Dachshund

dachschund — Dachschunds make playful, albeit stubborn, companions.

Their unique look alone makes them a popular family pet.

While they can be a bit stubborn, with a little patience, they’ll be excellent, cuddly and playful companions.

Dachshund Summary

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Spunky

Height: 8-9 inches

Weight: 16-32 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-16 years

Chinese Crested

Despite the fact that they can be very athletic and active, these dogs excel at laying and cuddling for most of the day.

They’re not insanely extroverted and may be a little wary of strangers. But they bond intensely with their people and their pack and are extremely devoted companions to the ones they love most.

Chinese Crested Summary

Temperament: Affectionate, Alert, Lively

Height: 11-13 inches

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Life Expectancy: 13-18 years

Bolognese

If their face alone doesn’t make you want to do whatever they want, their sweet (but demanding) personalities will have you eating out of their little paws in no time. These curious and confident pups love hanging with their family more than anything in the world.

They’re highly intuitive once they’ve bonded with their owner and can be excellent little problem solvers — in between getting plenty of pats, of course.

Bolognese Summary

Temperament: Playful, Easy-Going, Devoted

Height: 10-12 inches

Weight: 5.5-9 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Doodle

So many different types of poodle mixes are particularly excellent for and with children. If you want the loving, loyal nature of the golden retriever with the playful intelligence of the poodle (and, usually, way less shedding) try a Goldendoodle.

If you want a high-energy independent little goofball that will sprint with your kids as happily as they’ll cuddle, check out an Aussiedoodle. Pretty much all of the doodle breeds tend to bring out the best of both worlds, so do some research and see if this mix might be right for your young family.

Doodle Summary

Temperament: Active, Proud, Very Smart

Height: Over 15 inches (standard)

Weight: 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)

Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

Mutt

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a surprise. While it can be nice to know what to expect in a dog breed’s personality, mutts can have some of the sweetest and most patient personalities of all dogs.

They can bring out the best of whatever breeds make up their mutt-ness and make some of the best — even if mysterious — family pets on the planet.