Good Family Dogs: Get to Know These Breeds

What breeds make up good family dogs? Any family that is starting to have thoughts about bringing in a dog into their family has probably asked this question. Before beginning to think about the best family dog for your family, you should list how your family is and how the dog will fit.

Do you have children? What is your lifestyle? Are you active, or do you like to chill at home often? Are you away from your home most of the time, and if you are, will you be taking your dog with you? Do you live in a small apartment or a house with a yard for plenty of room to roam? These are all valid questions to ask yourself when choosing a good family dog.

Top-Rated Family Dogs

There are many reasons why a family would like to welcome a new pup into their family. If they have children, a dog can teach responsibility. They might be looking for companionship, or maybe it is protection. There are many breeds to choose from, but especially with children looking for a good family dog, some breeds are above the rest. Some of the best top-rated family dogs include the Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Labrador Retriever, Bulldog, and Beagle. Choosing the right family dog for you and your family depends on many different factors. 

Good Small Family Dogs

To those who live in a small apartment or small space but still want to have a companion of a family pup, there are smaller breeds available that will work well in a smaller area. It is essential to not only look at a dog’s size but their breed’s temperament before you bring them into your home. Here are some examples of good small family dogs.

Bichon Frise

If a pint-sized, low-maintenance pup is what you are looking for, then the Bichon Frise would be an excellent fit for a family. They weigh only between 10 to 20 pounds, minimal shedding if adequately groomed, and will always cheer you up. Despite their tiny stature, they are easily trained, which is ideal for a family addition; they don’t need much exercise in comparison to a German Shepherd because their wee-little bodies can get tired quickly.

French Bulldog

If your lifestyle is more laid back and you want a dog to match your ‘chill’ level, then the French Bulldog is perfect for your family. They are not only laid-back, but they are great with children. Their small size is the leading reason they wouldn’t fare well with an active family as they would tire rather quickly. French Bulldogs are one of the few dog breeds that would be okay if left alone during the day if you had to work. They will mostly sleep and patiently wait for you to get home.

Good Family Guard Dogs

For those looking for a larger family dog, this list is for you. One might think that a guard dog is not a suitable match for a family, especially those with young children. However, that simply is not true. There are many good family guard dogs to choose from if properly trained.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are known for their many job descriptions. They are known to be trained for the police and the military. Their ferocious and courageous demeanor makes them a perfect fit to combat against the bad guys. They are also incredibly obedient, which is essential for the line of work that they do. Don’t let their dangerous job fool you; this breed is a top pick for a family dog. They are loyal, loving, and just want to be loved and played with often. They are great around children and should be paired up with an active family. They need plenty of room to run to exhaust their energy. The German Shepherd is a perfect fit for a family looking for a family dog but also protection.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers seem to get a bad reputation for not being a good choice for a family. However, this breed is intelligent, and if appropriately trained, Rottweilers are a great mix of a guard and family dog. It is important to remember that any dog not properly trained can be dangerous. Rottweilers should have a consistent training program from the very beginning as a pup. They are highly energetic and need space to run and play. A properly trained Rottweiler is excellent around kids, but they are always protective, giving you the peace of mind that you and your family are safe when your dog is around.

Conclusion

Good family dog breeds are abundant for families to choose from. Still, it is the family’s lifestyle that should be considered to honestly know if a dog will thrive when joining their family. Many dog breeds don’t fair well with being left alone all day, the Golden Retriever, for example, where others are more resilient and don’t need to be more active, like a Basset Hound. Therefore, potential pet owners need to research if a specific breed is suitable for their family but also consider if their family’s lifestyle and temperament suit the dog. 

Are German Shepherds good family dogs?

The simple answer would be yes. German Shepherds are good family dogs, but they work best with active families. However, if you have a more relaxed lifestyle and have a small yard where your German Shepherd doesn’t have room to run, this breed might not be ideal.

What is a good family dog?

To define a good family dog, it is ideal that you adopt a breed that is playful, protective, loyal, but also gentle. The top family dog breeds are Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, Beagles, Pug, and Irish Setters, among many others.

Are Huskies good family dogs?

Huskies are an excellent match for families. Huskies are known to be friendly, loyal, and active. Huskies are great around children and should be with busy families, or they are known to get into some mischief.

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• Here Are the 5 Best Small Family Dogs
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