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The best dog breeds that are ideal for kids

Here are the best dogs for kids to share a happy life together

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Two children petting a dog.
sabina fratila / Unsplash

You see the TikTok videos and commercials where the parents gift their children a dog for Christmas or a birthday. It always makes you tear up. If your children have seen one, they may have asked when they will get a fluffy companion. But which breed would be the right fit for your family and lifestyle? If your family wants to expand by one more, these are the best dogs for kids, so parents know which breeds could be their child’s next best friend.

The go-to family dog breeds

Family with a dog sitting on wooden floor.
LStockStudio / Shutterstock

There are breeds that come first to mind for families when picking out the best dog for their kids.

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Golden retriever

Girl in a field with a golden retriever
Tatyana Vyc / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years

Golden retriever doggos are usually shown in movies and TV shows as the family pets for a reason. They are lovable, goofy, energetic, loyal, and great learners. These are all amazing qualities when you want a pet and have kiddos in the house. They make the best pile of fluffy fur for a child to sink into when they need a little extra emotional support.

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Labrador retriever

Two girls on a couch with a Labrador retriever
Master1305 / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years

Chocolate, black, or yellow, a Labrador puppy is a friend for life. These dogs have a lot of life and spunk, are gentle giants, and would be an awesome match for a family with high-energy children. Labs are a fit for families because they need a lot of exercise. Let the kids and dogs wear each other out.

Beagle

Little girl with a beagle
Przemek Iciak / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 10 to 15 years

If your family lives an active lifestyle full of hikes, walks, and outdoor activities and would love to have a companion on vacations and trips, a beagle would be your match. These dogs live for being out in nature. Though they like to howl, if you have kids, the extra noise doesn’t matter. Beagles are clever, so your children could have a great time seeing what they could get into together.

Dog breeds your children will love

Baby crawling with a dog
Picsea / Unsplash

Kids love any and every type of dog. That’s just a fact. But there are some dog breeds your child might think are more fun than others.

Poodle

Family with a poodle
Standret / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 10 to 18 years

With a friendly temperament and a sporty lifestyle, a poodle could be the last piece of your family’s puzzle. They do need regular grooming for that luscious hair, but are overall a breed that wants to fit in. Depending on the amount of space you have, you could get a toy, miniature, or standard-sized poodle.

Newfoundland

Girl in grass with a black Newfoundland dog
Ermolaev Alexander / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 9 to 10 years

If you want a gentle giant with lots of fluff for your child to love, a Newfoundland could be your family pet. While their large size comes with a lot of hair, these dogs love to play and have a sweet temperament suited for being around children.

Border terrier

Border terrier runs in grass
rebeccaashworthearle / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years

There are many kinds of terrier dogs, but overall, a border terrier makes a great family pet. They love to be with their humans, and small children would be able to train them to be best friends. Hardworking with a great temperament and affectionate with children, a border terrier wants to be a part of your family.

Dog breeds that love people

Girl with bichon puppy
Kuznetsov Alexey / Shutterstock

If your children love attention and dislike being alone, these dog breeds feel the same.

Bichon frise

Little boy reading with a bichon frise
Africa Studio / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 14 to 15 years

If everyone in the family wants a pup, but someone has allergies, a bichon frise would be an option. This hypoallergenic breed is small in stature, but has a mighty large personality. These dogs are known as “Velcro dogs” because they don’t like to be left alone, despite having a low-key, mild energy level. If your family is never home, this might not be the dog for you, but if you have children who crave attention and want a constant companion, a bichon frise would work.

Keeshond

Keeshond dog in red flowers
Doczahi / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years

Another breed that would prefer to be with their humans than left home alone a lot is a keeshond. Highly intelligent with a sensitive side, this breed makes friends with everyone, and that includes your children. While not the best guard dog, a keeshond loves to protect and would be a friendly watcher over your kids.

Japanese spitz

Girl with Japanese Spitz
ERainbow / Shutterstock
  • Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years

If your family loves to be goofy and silly and always shows their funny personalities, a Japanese spitz will fit right in. Good with other dogs and young children, this breed likes to show affection and is loyal to its humans. You will have a life companion that wants to come along on trips to show off their comedic side.

It’s a lot to think about before getting a dog. From who will take care of them if you have younger children to how a breed’s personality mixes with your family are only a few things to consider. But at least knowing the best dogs for kids when it comes to the breed and temperament is a step in the right direction to bringing home a fluffy friend for your child.

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Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle Beardsley
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