6 Best Dog Breeds for Families: A Quick Guide

Bringing home a dog can change your life. Dogs are affectionate and loyal. They provide companionship, love, and support, communicating how much they care even without saying a word.

Canines play many different roles in human societies: as rescuers, protectors, therapists, and companions. They may even grow up to be reliable brothers or sisters for your children. However, not all dogs fit into the family dynamic.

If you’re planning to introduce a pet to your family, you must consider their care requirements and disposition, among other things. In this blog, we’ll guide you through our curated list of the best family dogs​ to help you make the right decision.

1. Beagle

Dubbed as one of the friendliest dogs out there, beagles are energetic pups with cheeky personalities that fit right into the family dynamic. They love their pack and enjoy playing with their smaller companions. Although excitable, they remain calm and tolerant of children, making them an excellent choice for families with kids.

When feeding beagles, you need to focus on balance. Whether wet or dry, buy dog food that contains a combination of fish, chicken, or whole meats, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Beagles need plenty of exercise, but this is actually what makes them great for multi-pet households.

If you’re worried about your other pets at home, choosing a beagle makes the transition easier since they get along well with others. Of course, you must still remember to ease them into the new environment and follow these steps for introducing a new pet to your cat or dog.

 Size: Under 13 inches or 13 to 15 inches

Coat and Grooming: Short fur, weekly grooming

Exercise Needs: High

Temperament: Friendly

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes

2. Labrador Retrievers

A labrador retriever is another excellent breed to choose if you’re starting a family with fur babies. They love being with children as the kind, playful, affectionate dogs that they are. They play well with other canines, too.

The thing about labradors is that they are incredibly smart and full of energy, jumping and bouncing around a lot during puppyhood, making them more suited for families with active lifestyles. But if you still have small kids in your family, it would be best to bring home an older labrador.

 Size: 22.5 to 24.5 inches (male); 21.5 to 23.5 inches (female)

Coat and Grooming: Double coat, weekly grooming

Exercise Needs: High

Temperament: Easy-going

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes, to dogs

 Labrador retrievers are considered one of the best large dog breeds for families​, though females tend to be smaller in stature. In terms of diet, be sure to feed labrador puppies high-quality, balanced meals to support their growth and development.

 

3. Golden Retriever

Like labradors, golden retrievers are also popular among families to the point that they’ve starred in plenty of family-oriented shows and films. This is probably because of their kind and friendly personality.

With loads of energy, golden retrievers make for excellent nanny dogs, playing with kids to no end. They also like to follow little ones around to find the perfect time to cuddle with them.

 Size: 23 to 24 inches (male); 21.5 to 22.5 inches (female)

Coat and Grooming: Double coat, weekly grooming

Exercise Needs: Medium

Temperament: Friendly

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes

 While they may have longer fur, retrievers (both golden and labrador) are also deemed the best dog breeds for hot climates as long as they have enough water to drink. It also helps to offer them high-quality dog food made with real fish, chicken, or other tmeat.

 

4. Poodle

Poodles are among the most popular family dog breeds. These fluffy canines come in a variety of sizes that are suitable for different living situations.

For instance, miniature poodles can be considered one of the best dogs for families in apartments because they are only 11 to 15 inches tall — much smaller than the standard poodle. They are affectionate, social, and playful dogs that love to spend time indoors and outdoors as long as they are with their fur parents.

One thing you need to know about poodles is that grooming is essential to their routine, especially during puppyhood.

Unlike other dogs with fur, poodles have hair that rarely sheds, making them hypoallergenic. However, this also makes grooming them a bit more time-consuming. You’ll need dog supplies, particularly grooming products, designed for long, curly canine hair.

Have questions? Read our blog about frequently asked questions about grooming.

Size: Standards - over 15 inches tall; miniatures - 11 to 15 inches; toys - under 10 inches

Coat and Grooming: Hypoallergenic curly hair, frequent brushing

Exercise Needs: High (Miniature Poodle)

Temperament: Friendly, Trainable

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Needs some supervision

5. Yorkshire Terrier

Besides being among the best small dog breeds for families​, Yorkshire terriers are popular for being brave, loving pets.

They are great companion dogs for people who are physically active. Despite being small, Yorkies require more exercise than most dogs in their size category, which means you’ll need to play with them or walk them around the neighbourhood.

Yorkies are also very vocal, so they may bark a lot, especially when adjusting to a new environment. Still, their courageous personality is what makes them quite charming.

Size: 7 to 8 inches

Coat and Grooming: Long and silky coat, daily grooming

Exercise Needs: High

Temperament: Friendly, vocal

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Tolerant with other dogs

6. Bulldog

Bulldogs are the prime couch potatoes of the canine family. They love to snuggle up on the couch and just chill, making them one of the best dogs for busy families​.

They’re not big barkers, but they are definitely not silent. In fact, they snore quite a bit — or snort or grunt, depending on the situation. This is mainly due to their short snouts — which is also the reason behind the breathing problems they may have in hot weather.

But while they may have low energy levels, bulldogs still need regular exercise to remain healthy. The good news is that only a short pace in nearby streets would suffice for most dogs of this breed.

Size: 14 to 15 inches

Coat and Grooming: Short and smooth, weekly grooming

Exercise Needs: Low

Temperament: Calm, friendly

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes

Pet Adoption in the UAE

Pet adoption in the United Arab Emirates offers plenty of benefits whether you’re adopting as a solo fur parent or with your family. Besides not costing anything, adoption teaches children responsibility and how to care for properly for a pet.

Adopting locally makes it possible for shelters to set aside space and resources for other strays. That means, when you give one canine a home, you’re saving at least two lives.

Adult rescue dogs are more likely to have existing training and vaccinations compared with puppies. Many of them are also familiar with the family setting and are more likely to get along well with other pets, making their adjustment to your home easier. That being said, adopting puppies can also be rewarding as you get to raise young canines familiar with you and your home early on.

While all canine pets love unconditionally, shelter dogs offer twice the affection because they long for a sense of belonging and seek stability they likely didn’t have as strays or orphaned pets.

We’re proud to be the official sponsor for K9 Friends since 2011, a wonderful non-profit organisation that has led the way for stray dog rehabilitation and adoptions in the UAE. With every purchase at Pet’s Delight, you help feed a pet in need at K9 Friends. So when you’re looking to add a four-legged friend to your family, you know just where to look!

Find the Perfect Canine Match

From energetic beagles to calm bulldogs, each dog breed has unique qualities that may fit what you’re looking for in a canine companion.

Once you find the perfect match, be sure to prepare your home with essential dog food and other supplies to make your new pet’s transition smooth and joyful.

Need pet care supplies? Shop for the best pet care products on Pet’s Delight today.