Kids and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly. When your kids finally wear you down, and your family decides to get a dog, the number one question families ask first is:
What dog breeds are kid-friendly?
We’ve put a list together of the top picks.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Irish Setter
- Newfoundland
- Beagle
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Boston Terrier
- Pug
There are more friendly dogs out there, and plenty of lovable mutts, too. But hopefully this list gets you started!
So What Makes a Dog Friendly?
Some dog breeds truly are genetically more sociable than others, but a couple other factors come into play.
- Dog Age
- Your dog’s age my have an impact on how easily they meld with your family. Puppies often socialize easily and form close bonds with your kids. Older dogs are easier to take on but may have a slower time / difficulty socializing depending on their background.
- Training
- If a dog has been trained poorly or treated badly, the likelihood is they won’t be a good family fit. When getting a puppy, think through training costs and what lengths you’ll go to to ensure it’s well behaved.
After you think through your top breed picks and these other factors, it’s time to start exploring!