Fetch FinderThe best family dogs are patient with kids, easy to train and forgiving of beginner mistakes. Labs, Golden Retrievers, Beagles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels top most lists for good reason: they're friendly, sturdy and want to be part of everything the family does.
Breeds rated 5/5 with kids and easy for first-time owners
Large · 55–80 lb👪 Great family dogLabrador RetrieverFriendly, eager to please and easy to train. Labs are one of the best all-around family dogs, as long as they get daily exercise.
Large · 55–75 lb👪 Great family dogGolden RetrieverGentle, patient and famously friendly. Goldens are great with kids and other pets, but bring a lot of hair and energy.
Small · 13–18 lb👪 Great family dogCavalier King Charles SpanielSweet, gentle and adaptable. Cavaliers are happy in an apartment or a house and get along with almost everyone.
Large · 70–115 lb👪 Great family dogBernese Mountain DogA gentle giant that loves families and cold weather. Berners are calm and affectionate, but their large size and shorter lifespan matter.
Small · 20–30 lb👪 Great family dogBeagleCheerful, curious and great with kids. Beagles are a manageable size but follow their nose everywhere and are known for howling.
Small · 14–18 lb👪 Great family dogPugFunny, loving and happy to nap all day. Pugs are excellent apartment dogs but their flat faces need careful handling in heat.
Small · 7–13 lb👪 Great family dogHavaneseOutgoing, gentle and eager to please. The Havanese is one of the best small breeds for families and first-time owners.
Small · 12–18 lb👪 Great family dogBichon FriseA cheerful, fluffy companion that gets along with everyone. Bichons are low-shedding and easy for beginners.
Medium · 40–50 lb👪 Great family dogEnglish Springer SpanielA happy, eager bird dog that loves families. Springers are trainable and affectionate, with energy to spare.
Medium · 40–65 lb👪 Great family dogBasset HoundLaid-back, patient and great with kids. Bassets are low-key at home but have one of the best noses in dogs.
Medium · 35–45 lb👪 Great family dogKeeshondA friendly, fluffy companion that loves people. Keeshonden are easy to train and very good with kids.
Large · 100–150 lb👪 Great family dogNewfoundlandA sweet, patient giant famous for water rescue and gentleness with kids. Newfies are calm but very big and very hairy.
Small · 20–30 lb👪 Great family dogCocker SpanielA sweet, merry spaniel and one of America's longtime favorites. Cockers are gentle family dogs with beautiful coats.Small · 11–16 lb👪 Great family dogBorder TerrierA scrappy, otter-headed little terrier that's friendlier and easier than most terriers. Great with kids.
Small · 8–15 lb👪 Great family dogCoton de TulearA cotton-soft, white companion dog from Madagascar. Happy, gentle and wonderful with families.
Large · 50–75 lb👪 Great family dogCollieThe loyal, gentle dog made famous by Lassie, in rough and smooth coats. Devoted, smart and great with kids.
Medium · 35–55 lb👪 Great family dogWelsh Springer SpanielA red-and-white spaniel that's loyal, steady and great with kids. A bit more reserved than the English Springer.
Large · 60–70 lb👪 Great family dogFlat-Coated RetrieverA cheerful, forever-young retriever with a glossy black or liver coat. Flat-Coats stay puppyish well into adulthood.
Large · 64–86 lb👪 Great family dogSpinone ItalianoA gentle, shaggy-faced Italian bird dog. Spinoni are patient, sociable and calmer than most pointers.
Medium · 25–40 lb👪 Great family dogBoykin SpanielA compact brown spaniel from South Carolina, bred to hunt from small boats. Friendly, eager and great with kids.
Medium · 35–65 lb👪 Great family dogBarbetA shaggy French water dog with a joyful, friendly nature. Barbets are low-shedding, affectionate and great swimmers.Large · 55–90 lb👪 Great family dogChinookNew Hampshire's state dog, a rare sled dog that's gentle, calm and family-friendly.
Medium · 25–30 lb👪 Great family dogIcelandic SheepdogIceland's only native breed: a cheerful, curly-tailed spitz that loves people. Friendly and playful.
Medium · 33–53 lb👪 Great family dogFinnish LapphundA fluffy reindeer-herding dog from Lapland. Gentle, friendly and calm.
Small · 15–25 lb👪 Great family dogDanish-Swedish FarmdogA compact, friendly farm dog from Denmark and Sweden. Playful, easy to train and great with kids.What makes a great family dog
- Patience: kids are loud, grabby and unpredictable. A good family dog shrugs it off.
- Sturdy build: tiny toy breeds can be hurt by a toddler who falls on them or picks them up.
- Easy to train: busy families need a dog that learns house rules quickly.
- Moderate energy: enough to play with the kids, calm enough to settle down at night.
How to choose for your family
- Kids under 5? Look for medium or large, easygoing breeds rather than toy breeds.
- Busy schedule? Skip high-energy working breeds like Border Collies unless someone will exercise them every day.
- Allergies in the house? Start with low-shedding breeds.
- Small home? See the best apartment dogs.
Safety tips with kids and dogs
- Always supervise young kids and dogs together, even with a gentle breed.
- Teach kids not to hug dogs tightly, pull ears or tails, or bother a dog that's eating or sleeping.
- Give the dog a retreat, like a crate or bed, where kids leave it alone.
Want a match for your exact family? Take the breed quiz and tell it about your kids, home and schedule.