Choosing a family dog is big decision. There are many breeds that make great family dogs but to understand which dog is best for your family, you should consider a few factors. The dogs temperament, size, energy levels, safety for all family members, ongoing care and compatibility with other family pets are all important factors. Although, there are some breeds that are better fitted to family life than others.
Here’s a list of the top 10 most popular family dogs.
Always a popular choice, this breed is friendly, patient and easily trained. They are outgoing, playful dogs that are good with other animals. Labrador Retriever’s are eager to please, loving, protective and reliable.
They require a lot of exercise, so make sure your family is up to the challenge. Be prepared for weekly grooming.
British Bulldogs are loyal, calm, courageous, friendly and amusing. Their smaller size makes them suitable to large houses and small apartments and they are happy to spend most of their time with their families.
They can become lazy, so they require regular walks. Take care if you live in a warm climate as their short snouts make them prone to overheating.
Golden Retrievers are known for their intelligence and playful personality. They are a confident, friendly and loyal dog that is neither aggressive nor timid. The Golden Retriever is extremely patient, which makes them a perfect match for kids.
This dog is very energetic and needs daily exercise. Their coats require twice-weekly brushing.
Beagles compact size, happy demeanour and intelligence make them an excellent family dog. This calm and curious breed is highly trainable and good with other dogs. However, they need companionship and don’t like to be left alone all day.
If your kids love the outdoors, the Beagle will fit right in, as they enjoy exploring outdoors. Their short coats makes grooming low maintenance.
The Newfoundland is intelligent, loyalty, gentle and kind making them excellent family dogs. They love children and are very protective of them. Sweet, patient and devoted, these giant dogs are easily trained.
The Newfoundland best suits a family with large, open spaces. Their long coats will also require regular grooming.
The Poodle is a very smart and gentle dog. Proud and elegant, this dog breed is caring, loyal and energetic. Poodles are available in standard, miniature and toy, meaning you can choose a Poodle size that best suits your living situation.
They’re great for kids with allergies, as their coats rarely shed.
With their distinguishable red coat, the Irish Setter is playful, smart and energetic. They love being around people and is a good match for energetic kids.
A trainable breed, the Irish setter requires a lot of exercise and is ideal for families with a big yard. Irish Setters require regular grooming and brushing.
The Vizsla is a lively but gentle, loyal and affectionate breed. They are obedient, confident, and smart and their sensitive nature helps them form close bonds with family members.
This breed is active and energetic, ideal for families with older kids. They have a short coat, so their grooming is low maintenance.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (or Staffy) are friendly, loyal, affectionate and fearless, so they love to get involved in any family activity. They are incredibly loyal to their owners and prefer people over other dogs which makes them such popular family dogs.
Staffies can live with children, other dogs and small pets, but early socialisation and training is a must to help your Staffy become a calm and gentle family member.
While your family might be considering purebred dogs, don’t discount mixed breeds. Mongrels often provide the best traits of great breeds all in one dog. By adopting a mixed breed dog from a shelter, you’ll be made aware of the dog’s personality and habits.
Unfortunately, if adopting a puppy, the full size of your dog may not be easily estimated.
When you find your ideal family dog, ensure you have your new best friend checked over by your local vet. Feel free to contact the friendly staff at Karingal Veterinary Hospital to make an appointment or book online today.