Photo credit: h4w3l

When deciding which breed of dog is right for your family, the basic rule is to match the breed’s traits to your family’s personality and lifestyle.

With so many dogs fitting the bill as a good family pet, here are some questions to ask yourself and help you decide:

What size of dog will be right for your family?
Are any members of your family allergic to dogs?
What kind of activity level will match your family?
Do you want a puppy or a more mature dog?
Who will be exercising your dog - i.e., how much time can you dedicate to your new dog?
What are your living arrangements - i.e., do you live in a house with a backyard or are you in a condo or apartment? Do you live in the country or are you a city dweller?
Are you looking for a playmate for your kids or a calm companion to help your sensitive child?
Will a dog fit in with your work, school and after-school activity schedule?
Do you want a low maintenance kind of dog or one that needs more grooming and attention?

Of course, it’s important to note that all dogs, no matter what breed they are, possess their own personality traits. Some of these traits won’t present themselves right away, but often you can tell by spending some time with your new puppy or dog before bringing them home from the breeders or rescue shelter.

There is also the option of fostering a dog or two before you decide. Many families help out rescue shelters by giving their dogs a temporary place to live until they find their forever homes. This can be heart-wrenching if you fall in love with the dogs. On the other hand, it might just seal the deal for your family and give you the incentive to adopt.

A visit to the nearest off leash dog park during peak times when lots of different dog breeds are racing around and playing is also a good way to get to know the many varied dog types out there. It will also give you the chance to interact with a few canines to help you make a decision.

Similarly, if you have family or friends with dogs, you can pay them a visit and spend some time with their dogs to see if they are a good fit.

So what breeds make the best family dogs?

Labrador Retriever

Almost everyone recognizes the labrador as a family dog. With its gentle, affectionate nature the labrador retriever is friendly, outgoing, very active and easy to train. They can be very playful and love to play fetch for hours on end. They do shed quite a bit and require regular bathing to keep them smelling fresh and sweet. Labradors also like to eat just about everything in sight. They will gladly scarf down a sock or chewy toy or sticks and even dog poop, so supervision is a must.

Cocker Spaniel

A playful, loving, active dog that needs plenty of exercise, the cocker spaniel gets along well with other dogs and kids. Cocker spaniels require a lot of grooming and are known to raise the alarm bell when visitors come to the door. These dogs love being part of the action and will be up for a walk whatever the weather.

Beagle

Affectionate, playful and intelligent, the beagle responds well to training and is easy to groom. Beagles are the perfect size for any member of the family, but they do need a lot of exercise. They can be quite vocal and love nothing more than to have a conversation with their caregivers.

Golden Retriever

One of the most friendly and sociable dog breeds out there, the golden retriever is one of the most popular dogs for families. Super friendly, they are more inclined to welcome strangers into your house than scare them away. Retrievers love exercise but don’t do well in hot weather. They will seek out water to cool down and are prone to hot spots. They also fall into the category of smelly dog, as their beautiful coat can pick up all sorts of scents and debris. They require regular grooming and are high shed.

Pug

A sweet, affectionate dog that requires little exercise, the pug will happily spend an evening curled up beside you on the couch. Because of their squished-in faces, extra care is needed in hot weather. They can be mischievous but will adapt to almost any situation. Perfect for urban or rural settings.

French Bulldogs

French bulldogs, together with the British bulldog, are happy-go-lucky dogs with a big personality in a small package. They can adapt to any living arrangement, make ideal city companions and are quiet and low maintenance.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise always has a smile on their face and will make friends with everybody they meet. They are affectionate, lively and active. A great companion for energetic children, they love nothing more than playtime with their peeps. Low shed, hypo-allergenic, the Bichon Frise is loyal, fun-loving and responds well to consistent training.

These are just a few of the dog breeds that do well with families and children of all sizes. So when deciding which breed is best for you, consider your lifestyle and personality and match it to the traits of your favourite dogs to find the perfect pet.

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