Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved: 15 Best Dog Breeds for Kids

Dogs are without a doubt man’s best friend. But many people overlook the fact that dogs are also perfect for kids. Dogs can be a lot of fun and provide children with an outlet to let off some energy and learn new things at the same time, which is why dogs make the perfect pets for children.

Discover the top dog breeds for families with kids, including Labrador Retriever, Beagle, and Golden Retriever. Perfect for families seeking a playful, kid-friendly pup.

Related Post: Top 15 Small Dog Breeds for Kids

15 Best Dog Breeds For Kids

Dogs of all kinds have been known to teach kids to be more responsible and help them learn what it means to be part of a loving family. But which dog is best for your kid? Before you decide, take a look at this full article to see the top 15 best dog breeds for kids; 

1. Siberian Husky

The first dog on our list is the Siberian Husky. This breed is very friendly and playful, making it an excellent choice for young children. Siberian Huskies are also smart and energetic, making them the perfect choice for kids who want to work out or play sports.

They can be trained to fetch balls and even work in search-and-rescue missions when they are older. Many families love this dog’s gentle nature, so they make a good pet for kids. Their energy can be a bit overwhelming for small children, but with the right training and attention, this dog will do great in any family.

2. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is another great dog for kids. They are super energetic and very playful, making them perfect for kids who love to run and play outside.

Belgian Malinois are very intelligent and easy to train, so they will do well with most children. They can also be trained to search and rescue in case of emergencies, which is a great benefit that these dogs provide, making them wonderful all-around dog for kids.

3. Australian Shepherd

If your kid loves the outdoors, then the Australian Shepherd will be a perfect fit for you. These dogs are energetic and very playful, so you can expect them to chase balls or even herd sheep.

They are great for children who want to be outside playing all day long. This breed is also very protective of their owners, especially when it comes to protecting kids from strangers. They can make great additions to a family with kids.

4. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are very friendly and very intelligent, making them another great dog for kids who learn well through playing. Due to their active search for jobs and need for exercise, they also keep children busy and active.

This is why Labs make great pets because they get the energy out of their system while helping children learn to be more independent and responsible throughout the day.

5. Poodle

The Poodle is another great choice for kids. They are playful and gentle, although they do shed quite a bit. The Miniature Poodle is the best choice if you have smaller children since it only grows to about nine or ten inches tall.

The Toy Poodle may be a better choice if your kids are older since they can grow to be a foot tall. Poodles are easy to train for kids, so they make great pets for children. They are very friendly and playful, but still gentle enough to get along well with young kids.

Poodles can be trained to participate in agility or even water sports like sailing if you want them to be an active part of the family. This is one of the most intelligent dogs around, so they also make great dogs for competitive obedience trials.

6. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is another great dog for kids. They are very gentle and do great with children of all ages, although they can be a bit intimidating to small children.

German Shepherds are known to be very loyal and protective of their human friends, so they make excellent family pets.

This is why they are also well-known as police dogs since they have been trained to recognize threats in any situation, making them useful assets to have around the house.

7. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is another great pet for small children. They are quite friendly and playful, but not so energetic that they will wear the family out.

French Bulldogs are prone to health problems like hip dysplasia if not bred responsibly, so you will need to make sure that any puppies you purchase come from a responsible breeder to avoid this problem.

Do your research and choose a good breeder before purchasing a puppy if you want one of these dogs in your home. They can be trained to participate in many activities, like obedience trials, agility, or even flyball. French Bulldogs can also be trained to participate in search-and-rescue missions too.

French Bulldogs are great companions for children and can be a wonderful addition to any family. Their size makes them perfect for families with kids of all ages and the fact that they are so gentle means that children can have lots of fun playing with them inside or outside. 

8. Border Collie

The Border Collie is a very popular choice for people who have kids since it does well with different ages. This breed is also energetic and playful, so they are perfect for keeping your kids busy with their active jobs.

They are also very intelligent, making them easy to train and participate in different activities with the kids.

Border Collies might be a bit difficult to control at first, but they will do fine once you teach them what they can and cannot do while they are around the kids.

9. Maltese

The Maltese are extremely friendly dogs that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Maltese have very soft coats and are great for kids with sensitive skin because they can’t get into any harm from hard surfaces like stools or tables.

Maltese also love to be held and cuddled by their masters, which is why they make such great pets for kids, because they want to be in on the action.

Maltese are typically very playful and love to run around outside with their owners, so they are the perfect choice for children who love to play outside.

10. Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniels can be trained to hunt and retrieve and make excellent pets for children, who can learn how to train them with ease.

Cocker Spaniels are very playful and have a lot of energy to burn off, which makes them the perfect choice for kids who love the outdoors.

They love being with their masters and will always be ready to go on a long walk or run around with their owners; plus, their playful nature will keep the kids entertained for hours, which is why they are one of the best dogs for children.

11. Golden Retriever

 Golden Retrievers are one of the most well-known dogs in the United States and belong to a very popular family of dogs. These dogs make excellent pets for children because they are extremely intelligent, highly trainable and loyal to their masters.

They love to play ball with the kids, so they are perfect companions for any child who loves sports and playing outside with friends, and they will love going for walks with you and your family as well.

12.  Yorkie

Yorkies are one of the smallest dogs on the list and typically range from 2 to 7 pounds, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep up with the big dogs.

Yorkies love to play with their masters and are highly intelligent; however, they can be a bit stubborn at times when it comes to training and need a firm hand that is consistent in order to teach them new tricks, which is why they are best for kids who have a lot of patience and don’t mind working to train a dog.

13. Beagle

Beagles are one of the most popular dogs for kids because they are gentle and sweet, plus, they love to play with children.

Beagles have short coats that make them relatively easy to care for and clean. They love playing with children but also enjoy being indoors as much as outside.

Beagles also make great indoor companions because of their need for a lot of space, and they are very smart, which means they will learn tricks very quickly.

14. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terriers are the perfect dogs for children because they love being held and petted, plus, they love to play. Boston terriers are very active and have a lot of energy to burn off in the daytime, making them a good choice to take on long walks or runs with the family at night. along with their playful nature that keeps the kids entertained.

15. Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers have been a favorite among kids for ages. They have a lot of energy but are also smart and very affectionate.

Bull Terriers like to be the center of attention, making them perfect for kids who are just starting to learn how to socialize with other children and adults.

Bull Terriers tend to get along well with other dogs and will do best in households that include at least one dog or cat that is friendly and outgoing.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many breeds that are great for families with kids. When choosing a breed, it is important to consider factors such as size, energy level, and temperament.

Some of the best breeds for kids include Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, and Bulldogs. Each breed has its own unique characteristics, making them well-suited for different types of families and lifestyles.

It’s also important to keep in mind that every dog is an individual and may have different characteristics from other dogs of the same breed. Before bringing a dog into your home, make sure to research the breed thoroughly and spend time with individual dogs to get a sense of their personality and temperament.

With the right breed and the proper training and care, your family will have a loyal and loving companion for years to come.

So, when you’re ready to add a furry friend to your family, consider one of these breeds. They are sure to bring joy, love, and lots of playtime to your home!

FAQs

Tell us in the comment down below which other dog you think should have made it to this list. 

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