Often when parents think of adding a dog to their family, the trusty Golden Retriever is the first breed that comes to mind, but many other breeds can make fabulous family pets. Today our Concord vets share a few family-friendly dog breeds to keep in mind.
Picking the Best Dog Breed for Your Family
When you're trying to decide on the right breed of dog for your family, it's important to look beyond the cuteness factor and consider more important factors such as the overall temperament of the breed and how much space and exercise the breed requires to be content.
Take your time to find a dog that suits the space you live in, as well as the energy level of your family, and how much time each family member is willing to commit to training your new canine companion.
To help get you off to a good start picking the best dog for family life, here are a few of our favorite breeds:
English Bulldog
English bulldogs weigh around 50-55 lbs and tend to be less energetic than many other dog breeds, making them suitable for apartments and smaller homes. These people-loving pups will seek out socialization with their family and are happy to cuddle up on the couch to relax. English bulldogs are a sweet, gentle, and dependable breed that can make excellent family pets.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
At about 10-18 lbs, the compact size of this lively but gentle breed makes it the dog for smaller homes or apartments. Cavaliers tend to get along well with kids and other dogs. They can be both playful and cuddly making this sweet-natured pooch a great pet for kids of many ages and energy levels.
Boston Terrier
Weighing in at about 25 lbs or less, these bundles of fur and fun adore people come with their own easy-to-care-for "tuxedo" coats. Happy to play with the kids and go for short walks, this lovable dog breed adapts well to apartment living and makes a great companion for children of all ages.
Irish Setter
A slightly larger breed to consider is the strikingly beautiful Irish setter. This breed typically weighs in at around 65 lbs and can make a great family pet. These dogs are lively, intelligent, and have a great sense of mischief. Irish Setters love to chase balls, and go for long runs, but also enjoy playing in the backyard with children. If you have high-energy kids, they will love spending time with an Irish Setter!
Beagle
The Beagle is one of the best medium-sized dogs for family life. This mid-sized pooch typically weighs in at between 18-30 lbs and adores spending time with its people, playing games, and going for walks. Beagles are intelligent, affectionate dogs that can make terrific family pets provided that they get plenty of family interaction and exercise. Beagles are not appropriate for families who are out of the house a lot.
Pug
Your family will love these adorable little characters! Pugs are pretty happy to just eat and sleep, which means that you'll need to keep an eye on their weight! If your children are small or calmer, they might appreciate a dog that will play with them indoors and then curl up beside them to watch tv, a pug may be just the right breed for your family. Weighing around 15 lbs, this is a breed that doesn't need much space, and only requires a couple of short walks each day to be content.
The Mutt
The ideal dog for your family could be at your local animal shelter or dog rescue organization. Mixed-breed dogs, commonly referred to as 'Mutts', can make loving and loyal family dogs! These dogs can be as great as kids and tend to be less susceptible to breed-specific genetic diseases. If you are considering a mutt for your family be sure to take your time to visit local animal shelters and be patient in your search for the right dog to fit in with your family life.
Often shelter workers can provide you with a doggie report card that lays out all of the known personality quirks of the pooch you're interested in.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.