Thinking of bringing a friendly and calm pup home?

Every parent knows the joy of seeing their child laugh and play with a loyal four-legged friend. But the real magic happens when that same dog greets your child’s friends with the same wagging tail and gentle spirit.

A dog that can be both a protector and a playmate, not just for your kids but for the whole circle of little visitors, creates a home filled with trust and love.

However, there are several factors to consider, especially if you have kids at home, such as the dog’s temperament, size, energy levels, and lifestyle. All these things matter a lot; otherwise, your dog may end up being destructive.

Here in this article, we have gathered the top 10 dog breeds for you to learn about their activity levels, temperament with kids and strangers in the house, their nature, and whether they make good family dogs or not.

Read on to find out dog breeds that stay friendly with kids and their friends!

Dog Breeds That Stay Friendly With Kids And Their Friends

1. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are truly “Golden” at heart and have an affectionate nature, which allows them to form strong bonds with humans. They are not only great companions for adults and visitors, but are also great with children of all ages.

Goldies thrive on human companionship, which makes them ideal family dogs. They should not be left alone for a long time, as they might show destructive behavior or fall into depression.

Though calm, Golden Retrievers have high energy levels and love spending time with their family. They can spend all day playing with kids and entertaining them with their goofy charm. Their sweet and gentle nature makes them the perfect furry friends for children.

A Golden Retriever prefers active families as they require a lot of exercise to burn off their energy. They are an excellent family pet for first-time dog owners.

2. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the US and all over the world. These ultra-lovable dogs are the perfect companions for your kids. Their gentle demeanor, playful nature, and cute appearance are the perfect fit for your kids and their friends.

According to Pawlicy Advisor, these water dogs love swimming and are actually quite good at it because of their “otter-like” tail. These dogs have a high demand for attention and physical contact, which is why leaving them alone for a long period of time wouldn’t be a wise choice.

They require a good amount of activities and training sessions to feed their energy level. These dogs thrive on physical and mental stimulation, and if you fail to provide it, they may show destructive behavior.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Though small in size, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a dog with a heart made of gold and filled with lots of love for their pet parents, especially children, making it an affectionate and loving companion dog for kids of all ages, as noted by PetMD.

These low-energy dogs prefer snuggling on the couch, being lap dogs rather than going out to play in the park. However, they will never say no to occasional long walks with their favorite humans and would definitely be up for a game of fetch with children.

These are low-maintenance dogs with no need for daily exercise and would thrive in a relaxed home environment rather than an active one. Though they have lower energy levels than other dogs, they still have enough to have a good time with your kids and their friends.

4. Beagle

Beagles are small dogs with a big personality. These are compact and friendly dogs who are curious and active, making them good family dogs because of their easy-going nature.

This family dog is easier to train compared to other pets and is food motivated, meaning they prefer to be trained with treats as rewards.

Beagles are suitable companions to a toddler and would do anything to please their owners. This friendly dog breed has the perfect small size, which is easier for middle schoolers to handle.

There is no doubt in the breed being great companions of small children and enjoying a fun time with them; however, diligent supervision during play sessions is recommended, as they may tend to bark, which can scare away kids.

Beagle has high energy levels and need a lot of exercise. You can take help from our “Dog Exercise Calculator” to plan a well-formulated activity plan:

5. Pugs

Member of the Brachycephalic family, Pugs are a small dog breed with a big personality as compared to their size. They are kid-friendly dogs, affectionate, and love getting a lot of attention from their pet parents.

Pugs are great with kids of all ages, making them the perfect companions. This pup loves spending time with kids, lounging, and cuddling on the couch.

Pugs are regarded as the best buds of children and are kind playmates. This fun-loving and friendly dog likes playing with kids both indoors and outdoors. Though these are mediocre energy dogs, they won’t back down from participating in fun activities such as a game of fetch and entertaining kids for hours.

6. Collie

Collies were originally bred to be herding dogs, but are much more than that. These beautiful dogs with their long fur and luscious tails are not just beautiful but are also incredibly loyal and loving when it comes to their families.

Their affectionate nature allows them to form close and unshakable bonds with their owners, making them great companions to humans. These intelligent dogs are easy to train, which is why they learn new tricks and pick up on commands quickly.

Collies are great working dogs, making them ideal for families looking for smart and obedient dog breeds to be around their children. They are a watchful, reliable, and friendly dog breed that loves to hang out, play, and cuddle with kids.

Collies are extremely protective of children and keep all threats away from them. This big dog is better suited for families with older kids who have enough time for this new family member.

7. Bulldog

Another dog who thrives on human companionship, Bulldogs are known for their gentle nature and easy-going personality. These smart dogs are great companions for kids of all ages, which makes them excellent family dogs.

These pups have a lot of tolerance for kids, which is why they are very careful around them. Though not an easy-to-train dog, Bulldogs are naturally well-behaved, which is why they are so loved.

Despite their size, they still try to cuddle up on your lap for a relaxed time. These are low-energy dogs who do not require a lot of exercise and are well-suited for a family with older children.

Younger Bulldogs have boundless energy, which is why they love to play and will run around the house and participate in every game or activity your kids can think of. However, when these dogs grow older and mature, they still enjoy having fun play time but would prefer a quiet time over too much fun.

8. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise might be the perfect dog breed if you have kids in the house. Because of their small size, this breed can adjust to a small apartment as well as a big house. Bichon Frise has a big personality as compared to its size.

These dogs are charming, playful, and curious, which is why they are great companions for kids and can keep them busy for hours. These are hypoallergenic dog breeds, which is why you don’t have to worry about kids or other family members being allergic.

Bichon Frise is a friend to all strangers, so no matter how many children your kids invite, these dogs will be the best of friends with each one of them and entice them by performing new tricks. They love hanging out with kids, playing a game of fetch, and running around the house.

You wouldn’t have to worry about your child getting knocked out because of their small size; however, you must teach your children to be careful around these small pets.

9. Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are highly affectionate and protective of their families, making them the best dog breeds to adopt.

According to the American Kennel Club, having a sweet temperament is the greatest trait of Newfies. These dogs are loving and people-oriented and are rated a 5/5 for being great companions for kids, especially young children.

These dogs are calm, easy-going, and have naturally protective instincts, especially around kids, which gives them their nickname of being “Nanny dogs”.

Young Newfies are generally clumsy and may knock over a child; however, they get better as they mature and learn to balance. These dogs are very social, which is why they don’t like to be left alone for a long time.

10. Bernese Mountain Dogs

One of the best family dogs, these gentle giants are child-friendly and are always careful around kids. They are rated a 5/5 for being around young children and being affectionate around their families, making them an excellent family dog.

These dogs are calm and sweet and love to play with kids. They love giving small kids back rides, which makes them more loved by families.

These dogs don’t have such high energy levels, love a good nap, but regular exercise is essential to keep them in good shape. They are easy to train and prefer agility-based activities, but would settle for long walks with their favorite humans.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned dog breeds are the best family dogs you can adopt if you have kids at home. They are highly intelligent, fun-loving, affectionate, playful, incredibly loyal, and thrive in human companionship, which makes them the perfect family dog.

Some of them don’t have a lot of energy needs, but some have boundless energy that is best suited to be around children. So, what are you waiting for? Make the perfect pick today!