9 Dog Breeds That Often Do Well With Families and Children

The Labrador stands 21.5 to 24.5 inches, weighs 55 to 80 pounds and lives 11 to 13 years. The short, dense double coat sheds heavily, so plan on regular brushing and the occasional bath.

Labs are friendly, outgoing and affectionate, eager to please and very energetic. The distinctive point is how well they fit retrieving games, swimming and active family outings. Insufficient exercise can lead to hyperactive or destructive behavior, so a daily routine of running and play is part of the deal.

Young Labs can overwhelm toddlers with sheer bounce, and they may struggle with long isolation. They usually enjoy children and other pets. The breed suits an active family with time for exercise and training, and a family wanting a calm, low-energy dog will find other breeds easier. Named health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, exercise-induced collapse and obesity.

The Golden Retriever stands about 21.5 to 24 inches, weighs 55 to 75 pounds and lives 10 to 12 years. The medium-length double coat sheds moderately all year and heavily by season, and it needs brushing one or more times a week.

Goldens are friendly, affectionate, adaptable and highly trainable. They combine athletic outdoor ability with a social, people-oriented temperament, so retrieving games and daily exercise keep one happy. They usually aren't heavy barkers.

A Golden commonly fits children and other pets, but it does poorly with prolonged isolation and isn't a match for a sedentary household. The breed suits families who spend time together outdoors and can make training a daily habit. Hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer risk, heart disease and eye disorders are named health concerns, so ask breeders about health screening.

The Beagle comes in two varieties. One stands under 13 inches and weighs under 20 pounds, and the other stands 13 to 15 inches and weighs 20 to 30 pounds, and the breed lives 10 to 15 years. The short, dense coat sheds moderately, and weekly brushing is generally enough.

Beagles are merry, curious, friendly and energetic. They are scent-driven and trainable, but independent, so recall training takes patience. That scent drive is the practical point. A Beagle that catches a trail can ignore your call, so you need secure fencing and a leash outside plus plenty of sniffing walks.

Beagles can bark, bay and howl, and a lonely one may turn destructive. They are generally social with children and dogs, and AKC says they do best in active households. A family that wants a quiet dog or has no safe outdoor space will have a harder time. Named concerns include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, obesity and intervertebral disc disease.

The Cavalier stands 12 to 13 inches, weighs 13 to 18 pounds and lives about 12 to 15 years. The silky medium coat sheds moderately and needs regular brushing, ear checks and monthly nail care.

Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate, adaptable and eager to please, with moderate exercise needs. They are small and adaptable enough for an active home or a quieter one. They are highly people-oriented and may not tolerate long absences, so they suit a household where someone is home most of the day.

They often fit children and other pets, but their small frame is fragile around rough toddlers. Teach children to be gentle, and supervise. Heart health deserves attention from day one, since mitral valve disease is a named concern along with syringomyelia, eye disease and patellar luxation. Ask breeders about cardiac screening.

The Standard Poodle stands over 15 inches, weighs about 40 to 70 pounds and lives 10 to 18 years. The curly coat sheds minimally, compared with the other large breeds here, but it needs intensive brushing and professional clipping.

Standard Poodles are extremely intelligent, trainable and people-oriented. They are active and mentally demanding, so daily exercise, training games and puzzles keep them settled. Without company and stimulation, a Poodle can become distressed or destructive.

They are often good with children and other pets after socialization, and barking is moderate. The low shedding comes with a grooming commitment, so a family that wants no coat care should look at short-coated breeds. Named health concerns include hip dysplasia, eye disorders, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand disease and bloat. For smaller Poodles and other lower-shedding coats, see our guide to dog breeds that don't shed.

The Collie stands roughly 22 to 26 inches, weighs about 50 to 75 pounds and lives 12 to 14 years. It comes in rough and smooth varieties. Shedding is moderate and heavier by season, and the rough coat needs regular brushing.

Collies are devoted, gentle and watchful, responsive to training and moderate to high in exercise needs. AKC describes them as famously fond of children. The practical point is that a Collie brings alertness and trainability without the bulk of a Newfoundland or a Boxer.

They are often vocal, they like regular human contact, and their herding background may lead them to chase or herd moving children. Redirect that habit with training and a ball or a game. A Collie suits a family that is home often and enjoys daily walks. Named health concerns include Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, dermatomyositis and drug sensitivity.

The Boxer stands about 21.5 to 25 inches, weighs about 50 to 80 pounds and lives 10 to 12 years. The short coat sheds moderately and needs little grooming.

Boxers are playful, athletic and energetic, and they respond to consistent, positive training. They have high exercise needs and an excitable streak, so bouncy physical play needs careful management around small children. A Boxer is often good with older children who can burn off that energy with it.

Barking is moderate to high, and a Boxer left alone can become frustrated. The breed suits an active household that trains daily, and a home with frail adults or toddlers may find the bounce difficult. Named health concerns include cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, hip dysplasia, cancer, degenerative myelopathy and bloat. In Spanish the breed is usually written Bóxer.

The Newfoundland is a giant. Males stand about 28 inches and weigh 130 to 150 pounds, females stand about 26 inches and weigh 100 to 120 pounds, and the breed lives about 9 to 10 years. The heavy, water-resistant double coat sheds substantially and needs weekly brushing, with more during shedding seasons.

AKC describes the breed as sweet-tempered, patient and watchful, and Newfoundlands are often called nanny dogs. That nickname describes a reputation, and no dog replaces an adult. Expect at least about 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, plus drool, a large vehicle for transport and careful heat management.

Newfoundlands need daily human contact and are a poor match for long isolation. They are often patient with children and pets, though a giant dog can knock a toddler over without meaning to. They suit families with space, a cool climate and the strength to manage a large dog. Named health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, cardiac disease, cystinuria and bloat. Spanish speakers know the breed as Terranova.

The Bichon Frise stands 9.5 to 11.5 inches, weighs 12 to 18 pounds and lives 14 to 15 years. The curly coat sheds little, and it needs frequent brushing and regular professional grooming.

Bichons are affectionate, playful and cheerful, generally trainable and moderate in exercise needs. The low shedding and small size suit some homes, but the coat takes more upkeep than its fluffy look suggests. A Bichon that is bored or left alone may bark and may develop separation-related problems.

They are often good with children and other pets. A small body is easy to injure, so children should learn gentle handling, and the breed is not a match for rough play or for a family unwilling to groom regularly. Named health concerns include patellar luxation, dental disease, bladder stones, eye disease and skin conditions. For more small companions, see our companion dog breeds.