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If you are searching for a dog that can get along with children, many breeds fit the bill. In theory, almost any dog has the potential to get along great with children. Factors such as obedience training, age, size, and breed type can all affect your chances of finding a good family dog. Think about the ages and activity levels of your children. Toddlers can be knocked over by an awkward, gangly puppy that does not know its size. Bigger kids could crush a small dog if they are not always careful.
Tip
You can speculate about which dog breeds are best for kids, but you just never know how each individual dog will turn out. Seek out your local dog rescue group and ask about foster dogs. Foster “parents” want the dogs to go to the right homes and tend to be honest about the dogs’ personalities and temperaments. If you decide on a breeder, spend time talking about the temperament and socialization history of the pups. An experienced, responsible breeder will know the pups and parents and should share information freely. No matter what breed you get, teach your children how to act around dogs too.
Breed Characteristics
Many dog breeds have a reputation for getting along well with children. A family with kids ideally needs an intelligent, trainable dog with a good, even temperament and moderate energy level. Also, a dog with a soft mouth or bite inhibition is essential. Dogs like goldens and Labs have “soft mouth” ingrained in their DNA from their working days as retrieving fowl dogs; they were trained to not bite down on the quarry when they retrieved it. Ideal child-safe dogs need to be non-aggressive and tolerant of some hair grabbing and lots of hugs, too. Here are 15 types of dogs that have a history of good behavior around children.
Boxer
Boxers are known to be playful and do not mind befriending kids as playmates. A lively dog, it can go toe-to-toe with children who also seem to have endless energy and a love of the outdoors. It has a goofy, childlike personality that children can appreciate. It can be sometimes clumsy and bump or knock over a kid or two, so watch it closely around toddlers.
Breed Overview
- Group: Working (AKC)
- Height: 20 to 24 inches
- Weight: 55 to 70 pounds
- Coat and Color: Short coat with fawn and brindle as standard colors, standard markings include a black mask, black mask with white markings, and white markings
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Labrador Retriever
Labs are loyal family dogs. Even-tempered, they are one of the last dogs to get aggressive. They are outgoing, kind, gentle, and very smart dogs. They get along great with kids and other animals in the house. They tolerate a child hugging, patting, or prodding it. Their relaxed demeanor is a big plus for families with young children. They appreciate a lot of space, preferably with a backyard, since they need plenty of daily exercise.
Breed Overview
- Group: Sporting (AKC)
- Height: 21 to 24 inches
- Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
- Coat and Color: Short, dense double coat in black, chocolate, or yellow
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Golden Retriever
A golden retriever is much like a longer-haired, furrier Labrador retriever. Their temperament is very similar: gentle, laid-back, tolerant, and non-aggressive. This breed can get hyperactive and a little unmanageable if it does not have a constructive way to release its bountiful energy. A playful and smart breed, it can make a great companion for school-aged children, enjoying a game of fetch and other yard games.
Breed Overview
- Group: Sporting (AKC)
- Height: 21 to 24 inches
- Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
- Coat and Color: Medium-length lustrous light to dark gold double coat
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Poodle
Poodles are extremely smart and have a great temperament. A poodle’s high energy often matches a child’s energy. Poodles are loving, cuddly, gentle, and patient. Plus, you have a size choice: toy, miniature, or standard. The larger, standard poodle is probably the best choice for families with children; it is the sturdiest and can withstand more roughhousing than the smaller varieties.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
- Height: Standard: over 15 inches; Miniature: 10 to 15 inches; Toy: 10 inches and under
- Weight: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds, Miniature: 15 to 18 pounds, Toy: 5 to 9 pounds
- Coat and Color: Curly, dense single coat; may be one of many solid colors, including but not limited to white, black, grey, brown, and apricot
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Bichon Frise
This little cotton ball of a dog loves to play and is not usually too hyper. It is affectionate, charming, and has the energy to match a kid’s endless spirit. It is also a small dog, which doesn’t intimidate or overwhelm little kids. Although, if a child is overly rambunctious or rough, it might give a warning snap to let them know there is only so much it can take.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
- Height: 9 to 12 inches
- Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
- Coat and Color: Fluffy and curly white hair (may have traces of apricot, buff, or cream), resembles a cotton ball or powder puff
- Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Beagle
Beagles are the dog breed popularized by “Snoopy.” These dogs are friendly, clever, and not too big, making them suitable for kids. Though some can be a bit high-strung, they typically respond very well to training. They are a social breed that enjoys being around people, including children. They are loyal will easily bond with a child. It may even be one best guard dogs for your little one, letting you know with its distinctive baying cry when someone comes near. A vocal breed, it may not be the best dog for napping young infants and toddlers who wake easily from barking or sounds.
Breed Overview
- Group: Hound (AKC)
- Height: 13 to 15 inches
- Weight: 20 to 25 pounds
- Coat and Color: Short coats in all hound colors, including but not limited to tri-color (tan, black, and white), red and white, and lemon and white
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
Cairn Terrier
These active little dogs seem to have a natural affinity for kids. Also made popular on the big screen—think Toto from “The Wizard of Oz”—they can keep up with kids and tolerate just about anything. They are an affectionate, gentle breed, particularly with children. While many smaller dogs usually can’t handle roughhousing children, the Cairn terrier seems to love them.
Breed Overview
- Group: Terrier (AKC)
- Height: 9 to 10 inches
- Weight: 13 to 14 pounds
- Coat and Color: Scruffy-looking double coat with a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat; coat comes in many colors, including red, brindle, black, sand, and gray
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
German Shepherd
This breed is extremely loyal and protective but must be well-trained. German shepherds have a playful side, especially at a younger age. They can be sweet and gentle with their family but are wary of strangers. An intelligent breed, they can be taught to do almost anything.
Breed Overview
- Group: Herding (AKC)
- Height: 22 to 26 inches
- Weight: 60 to 100 pounds
- Coat and Color: Double coat, comprised of a thick undercoat and a dense, slightly wavy or straight outer coat with tan and black or red and black coloring
- Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties are much like collies, the “Lassie” dog. They are calm, gentle, and tolerant breeds that often do well with children of all ages and sizes. Shelties enjoy human company. The breed is playful and well-behaved with children but needs some training to break its natural inclination to nip or herd. Overly active children might overwhelm the dog, so keep a watchful eye on their interaction to make sure they get along well.
Breed Overview
- Group: Herding (AKC)
- Height: 13 to 16 inches
- Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
- Coat and Color: Double-coated with long, harsh outer coat and short, dense undercoat; ; black, sable, and blue merle, with white markings
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Pug
Pugs like to play, and that includes playing with children. This brachycephalic breed (flat-faced) shouldn’t get overworked since it’s prone to overheating, so short play sessions and rest snuggling with its humans is perfect for this pup. This lower energy dog is ideal for families looking for a lap dog or cuddle companion.
Breed Overview
- Group: Toy (AKC)
- Height: 10 to 13 inches
- Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
- Coat and Color: Smooth, short double coat in fawn or black
- Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Irish Setter
Irish setters are full of bounding energy and perhaps a little rambunctious for the littlest of children, but they are the perfect play companion for older children. This dog loves to fetch and accompany families on hikes. It’s more of an active dog, so it would do best in a home that plans plenty of activities that include the family pooch.
Breed Overview
- Group: Sporting (AKC)
- Height: 25 to 27 inches
- Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
- Coat and Color: Medium length with feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail; red coat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Boston Terrier
These small to medium-sized dogs reach about 25 pounds and are accustomed to city living, including fitting in fine in apartments. Boston terriers are a non-aggressive breed that appreciates games and playtime with children. They can sometimes get overly excited or unintentionally knock down a toddling tot, but they don’t mean any harm.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
- Height: 15 to 17 years
- Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
- Coat and Color: Smooth, short coat. All Boston terriers have a white muzzle and chest. The rest of their body will be either black, seal, or brindle
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavs are a friendly bunch. These small toy-sized dogs can get along with just about anyone, including children and other dogs. They have spunk and love to play, but they can also settle in for an affectionate, enveloping cuddle.
Breed Overview
- Group: Toy (AKC)
- Height: 12 to 13 inches
- Weight: around 13 to 18 pounds
- Coat and Color: Long, sleek and silky coat with feathering around ears, feet, chest, and tail; four color varieties: tricolor, Blenheim, ruby, and black and tan
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Bulldog
Bulldogs, like pugs and boxers, are another brachycephalic breed that should take it easy when it comes to tons of activity, especially on warm days. This breed will enjoy a short romp or round of play but will likely plop down for a snoozefest afterward. These dogs have a sweet disposition and will tolerate a bit of roughhousing with children.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
- Height: 14 to 15 inches
- Weight: 40 to 50 pounds
- Coat and Color: Straight, short, fine-textured, smooth, and glossy; red, white, fawn, or fallow (pale brown), or any combination of these colors, with or without such patterns and markings as brindle, piebald, ticking, black masks, or black tipping
- Life Expectancy: 8 to 10 years
Mixed-Breed Dogs
Mutts can be well-balanced and intelligent dogs. Overall, you can find a truly amazing dog in a mixed breed. They come in a huge variety of sizes and coat types. Mixed breeds are often physically healthier than purebred dogs and can be less high strung. Plus, you can save a dog from life in a shelter or, in some cases, death row.
Breeds to Avoid
Some dogs do not adapt well to households with young kids. The children may not be respectful of boundaries; some kids may stare, move quickly, or like to scream or squeal with high-pitched voices. Generally, the breeds that might not be the most amenable to a child in the household include spitz breeds like Akitas, chows, huskies, or malamutes—these intelligent breeds tend to be more aloof. Also, a few smaller attention-hog breeds with big attitudes may not be the best fit, such as Chihuahuas, Pekingese, or shih tzus.
