Best Dog Breeds for Families

Choosing the right dog breed for you and your family is not as easy as it might seem. There are lots of different things that you will need to consider when choosing the right kind of dog to bring into your home, and it can be really difficult to decide which breed would be the best fit for you. There are a variety of breeds that make good pets, especially for those with a family, but there are also other dogs that might be better suited for those who have different living circumstances.

It is no secret that all dog breeds are different, and they also require different levels of attention. There are lots of things that you will need to consider before bringing any dog into your home, and we will explain everything in this article so you can make a well-informed decision. We will also tell you some of the best dog breeds that are suited towards family life, and the traits that these breeds have. 

Golden Retriever 

Golden Retrievers are a well-known breed that is highly intelligent, very friendly, and devoted to those that surround them. The breed is highly versatile and they have a very agreeable personality that makes them well-suited for families. These dogs almost always have good intentions, and they just love to be around other people. They are also known to be great around children and other dogs, and they don’t require high levels of grooming. 

The fact that these dogs are really intelligent, combined with their eagerness to please those around them, means that they are relatively easy to train in comparison to some other dogs. These dogs typically live for around ten to twelve years, and they enjoy the company of other people.

Beagle

While the origin of the Beagle still remains a bit of a mystery, what we do know is that they are small and compact in size, they are easy to groom and maintain, and they are also highly intelligent. All of these features combined make the Beagle an excellent choice for a family dog.

They have a super-friendly approach to others and they are typically up-beat in terms of their personality. They are also very curious dogs that are interested in the environment, people, and other dogs around them. These dogs have a lot of energy and they require a lot of exercise, and they are known for being active. Beagles are also usually great with children and other dogs, though they do require weekly grooming.

This dog breed typically lives from anywhere between ten and fifteen years, and they sure like to be vocal, especially when they aren’t getting your attention. 

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are one of the world’s most popular dog breeds when it comes to smaller dogs. They are typically easy-going and they are very adaptable to new environments and people. They are a great breed for families due to the fact that they are so loving and playful, and it is hard to resist giving them your full attention.

French Bulldogs are not particularly active and they don’t require more than a brisk walk, and they are really easy going dogs that just love getting all the attention. They are great with children and other dogs, and they also don’t require much grooming. They aren’t very vocal dogs, but they might be if they are looking for a fuss. These dogs usually live for around ten to twelve years.

Collie

The Collie breed is well known for their ability to herd, and they are loyal and affectionate dogs that are super fast. This breed would be the perfect fit for an active family due to the fact that Collie’s have so much energy and they love to keep busy. They are devoted animals that bond well with their owners, and they definitely need plenty of daily exercise. As long as they are well-exercised, they are generally relatively calm at home.

These dogs are known to be great around young children, but they may need to be supervised around other dogs. They don’t require high levels of maintenance, and they respond really well to training. Collie’s can live anywhere from around 12-14 years, which is a really long time in comparison to some other breeds, and they sure like to be vocal, especially when they are excited. 

Pug

Pugs are small dogs that are really good at keeping themselves company, but they also won’t turn down affection if you are offering. They absolutely love to be around other people and they are definitely classed as people-pleasers. Pugs are great at adapting to new situations and surroundings, and they are generally even-tempered and loving dogs that will charm their way into your life. They do also have a mischievous side that you will have to look out for, but most of the time, they are pretty relaxed animals.

Pugs are not known for being particularly active, but they do have strong legs that carry their curiosity. They are quite active for a dog their size and will need frequent walks. They are good around children and other dogs, but you might want to supervise on such occasions just to be sure. This is due to the fact that pugs can sometimes surprise you with their unpredictability. They require weekly grooming, but not to extensive levels, and they have a highly agreeable personality when it comes to training. They can live for an impressive length of time of around 13-15 years, and they only really bark when they feel that it is necessary.

Things to Consider When Bringing a New Dog Into Your Home

Bringing a new dog into your home is a really big deal, especially if you have a family. Some dog breeds are simply more suited towards the family lifestyle, whereas others might not be. The same goes for dog breeds that are good around other dogs or children, and not all will be able to deal with these situations on a daily basis. We have left our list of the best dog breeds for families for you to read through, but it is important to remember that every dog is different. 

One of the first things that you will need to account for is the fact that some dogs will require a lot more time and energy than others. If you decide to get a highly athletic dog, you will need to account for the time and energy that you will have to put into daily exercise. There are lots of dog breeds that need to be walked every single day, sometimes even more than once a day, as they need this much exercise. If they are not properly exercised it can lead to a variety of health issues like weight gain, and they might also start to behave destructively at home. Make sure that you will have the time available to you to properly exercise your dog before you bring one home. Not all busy families will have the time to do so, and these families may be better suited towards a less athletic breed.

Another thing that you should think about is the cost of owning a dog. There are so many things that you will need to pay for when you get a new dog that you might not even think about. There are also lots of long-term expenses that can add up, like food or insurance. It can be helpful to write down a list of all of the long-term and short-term expenses that come with owning a dog. This way, you can work the costs into your available budget to see if you can afford a new pet. Sometimes it might be worth waiting a little while for a point where it may be more affordable.

Some dogs also have a predisposition to certain health conditions, especially later on in life, and this is something that you will need to think about too. While you can get pet insurance, dog breeds with health conditions can become a financial strain that not all families can afford. This might not be an issue for a variety of breeds, but it can cause issues for some.

Conclusion

Choosing the right dog for you and your family is no easy task, but as long as you do lots of research before deciding on a dog breed, it should be alright. It is important to look at the temperament of different dog breeds, and whether they are good with children and other dogs. You can also look at any health conditions that they may be more likely to get so that you can be prepared for any issues that could arise in the future. Cost is another important factor to consider in terms of whether or not you can afford to care for a dog, as the costs can easily add up. Don’t forget that all dogs are different, and will require different levels of care, but as long as you are knowledgeable about the breed that you choose, you should be good to go.