If you have kids at home, life feels truly complete with a loyal, loving dog by your side. A family dog brings warmth, joy, and a sense of companionship that lights up the entire household, especially for little ones.
However, choosing the right breed is key. Not all dogs are naturally suited for the unpredictable energy of children. You’ll want a calm, patient, and even-tempered pup; one that can handle spontaneous hugs, sudden noise, and endless playtime without getting overwhelmed.
The best kid-friendly dogs are not only gentle and nurturing but also playful and protective. They form deep bonds with children, love being part of family adventures, and instinctively step up when needed.
Let’s explore some of the calmest and child-loving dog breeds that can become the perfect furry friend for your family.
Calm Dog Breeds That Love Children
1. Dachshund
Dachshund is a phenomenal dog that loves being around kids.
If you have a home that has children who are always bored, get yourself a Dachshund, and you’ll be amazed to see how this brings so much love and joy into the house.
They are playful and full of life. Your kids will not only play the regular game of fetch with them but will also invent new and fun games to play.
In fact, these dogs tend to form a strong attachment to one person in the family, often choosing the individual with whom they bond the most. Often, it’s a child in the house whom they love the most.
This Reddit Threat says these dogs are great with kids!
This doesn’t mean these dogs are always joyous. When needed, they showcase their calm disposition, especially when a small kid is sleeping nearby!
Bring a puppy into the house, and it will grow up with your kids. Socialize and introduce it to the children slowly so it doesn’t feel betrayed. Positive reinforcement by using lots of treats will really do the magic in molding this dog’s behavior.
2. Papillon
Papillon is an adorable little dog that everyone, especially the kids, loves.
The main reason why it is so famous amongst children is due to its temperament. The dog is friendly, full of energy, and loves playing.
What kids need is an energetic and playful companion with whom they can mess around for the whole day without getting tired.
However, you need to remember that these high-energy dogs are feisty but super small in size. Hence, some rough handling by big kids may hurt them.
The right way to deal with this adventurous dog is by socializing it since it’s a puppy. As it is an easy-to-train dog owing to its intelligence, easy training will help it learn how to behave in a family with kids.
It is super playful. However, it turns calm when the kids are studying or playing, knowing how to behave in certain situations.
Affectionate, loyal, and lovely, this dog is surely a great family pet for your home!
3. Havanese
A Havanese is a gentle and affectionate dog in nature.
As they are super small in size, they are a convenient pet for a home with kids. What further makes them the best dog breed around kids is their relaxed attitude and a sense of reassurance that they will keep the children busy even when parents are not around!
PetMD says they have a calm nature and know how to act around youngsters.
This family dog breed is naturally gentle and affectionate. However, as a responsible pet parent, you need to ensure proper supervision of playtime between your kids and the pet, give the dog opportunities for early socialization, and train it from puppyhood.
When compared to most other dogs, these love to sleep, and you’ll often spot them taking naps with your little ones.
4. Lhasa Apso
This is yet another little, adorable dog that the kids love. Its cute appearance is the main reason why this small dog is an absolute favorite of the children.
Opting for early socialization will help this dog get along well with children. In fact, it is always recommended to bring them into homes where there are older kids, as they know how to interact with them nicely and gently.
Britannica says the Lhasa Apso comes with an independent streak. This is why, while you are training it, this little dog may test your patience quite a lot!
Oh, and they are alert and vocal! Expect a lot of barking from them whenever they spot something weird happening around them.
Warning: These dogs are delicate. This is why you need to be cautious at all times, as they won’t be able to tolerate roughhousing from younger kids. Teach your kids how to behave properly around this dog breed.
5. Maltese
With their affectionate nature, a friendly disposition, and a love for human companionship, Maltese surely make the best family dogs out there!
Be a bit strategic in introducing your dog to the kids.
It is best to introduce the Maltese to the children gradually. This way, neither party feels betrayed. In fact, keep the dog in a crate till the time it gets used to the presence of kids around it.
Purina mentions that these calm dogs are not boring. Rather, they are lively, playful, and cheerful.
This dog also loves to bark. If you live in an apartment building, be ready to get a lot of complaints from the neighbors as this dog will start barking whenever it sees something interesting or strange, without caring whether it’s day or night!
6. Bichon Frise
If you want a dog that is playful and gentle around young kids, consider a Bichon Frise.
These dogs are highly adaptable. They’ll manage in most of the living situations quite easily. However, make sure to give it daily exercise sessions so it is properly stimulated both physically and mentally.
Bichons love being around people, as per PetMD! In fact, they get along with most other dogs and other animals as well.
As a responsible pet parent, you need to supervise interactions between young children and these dogs to keep things safe and under control.
Also, give them regular grooming sessions, and it will help you avoid matting and tangling of their coat.
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a playful dog that enjoys interacting with kids and being around them!
They also make great companion dogs, thanks to their gentle and playful nature. When the parents are not around, they can take good care of the little ones and have the ability to make quick decisions when required.
These dogs are especially known for their friendly, outgoing, and affectionate nature.
You can also easily bring them into a multi-pet home, and they wont throw a tantrum. They’ll show equal affection to owners, kids, and other animals living in the house.
However, they are wary of strangers, and if you don’t socialize them well, they may exhibit weird behaviors when they spot someone new in the house.
Conclusion
A dog in the house where you have kids is a great decision. Most dogs love kids and get along with them pretty well. Where the older dogs are good with big children, the smaller dogs manage well with kids.
Generally speaking, dogs that are too small and petite must be well handled by the kids. Golden retrievers and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are also good breeds to have in homes with children.
