15 Best Dogs for Families with Kids

The Drummonds can vouch for this loyal breed—they have two of them! According to the AKC, labs are the most popular dog in the United States thanks to their friendly, trainable demeanor. They get along well with human family members and other pets.

Another popular retriever breed, the golden is beloved for being trustworthy, outgoing, and easer to please. They're very welcoming to strangers ("Everyone is my friend!") and this breed is great for an active family—swimming and fetching are two of their favorite things to do.

The Drummonds love their docile basset hounds: Ree's lived with them since she was three! "I've loved bassets all my life," Ree says. "Their excess skin, floppy ears, droopy eyes, and hilarious personalities keep me entertained and make my heart leap."

City and country kids alike will love snuggling up with the adorably wrinkly bulldog. They're low energy and don't need too much exercise, making them great for less active families or apartment dwellers.

If you're looking for a family dog of smaller size, opt for the beagle. This breed's incredible sense of smell makes it a great working dog, and it's worth giving your dog a task. Otherwise, they are prone to roaming so a fenced yard where the kids and dog can play together is important. The beagle is also one of the most vocal dog breeds, and kids will be entertained by their three different sounds.

Kids will love the hilarious smooshed face of a pug! They're even-tempered and mischievous, making them great dogs for families. They do well indoors (they'll happily spend much of the day snuggled on the sofa with you) and outside (so long as it's not too sunny, hot, or humid).

The Irish setter is a great companion for active families with lots of space. What makes them a good family dog is their dual personality: a sweet-tempered companion for the adult folks and rambunctious playmate for the kids.

This spunky breed is proof that great things come in small packages! The Brussels griffon only grows up to about 10 pounds, but they love play and social interaction. Just keep an eye on them so they don't get hurt as a roughhousing playmate for kids.

The gentle giant Newfie is known for being sweet, docile, and loyal. They've even earned a reputation as a patient and watchful 'nanny dog' for kids. But don't be fooled by their chill personalities: these big dogs need room to romp!

French bulldogs continue to grow in popularity, and are now one of the most popular dog small breeds. They're playful, alert, and adaptable to either city life or out in the country.

Known as excellent working dogs for their herding skills, border collies also make great pets! They're not ideal for city living, however, as they need lots of room to run. That said, they might do best with older kids who can keep up with them.

Forget the poodle's reputation as a prissy dog. They're super smart, athletic, and love to play! If you're looking for a smaller dog, this popular breed also comes in miniature and toy sizes. And their curly coats are hypoallergenic, so they make a great pet in a household with kids who have allergy sensitivities.

There's a big personality in this tiny dog! Bichons are known for their peppy attitude and their soft hypoallergenic coat. They make cute little watchdogs, but act under the assumption that there are no strangers—just friends they haven't met yet!

Active families will love the sleek Weimaraner, a dog bred long ago in Germany for hunting. They love a good walk but a well-paced run even more. Their easy grooming and trainability also make them great family dogs.

Bred as one of the best herding dogs, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a strong, athletic, and affectionate little pup. They're also very smart and respond well to training.