Wonderful dogs for families are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cavaliers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Miniature Schnauzers, French Bulldogs, Whippets, Poodles, Beagles, Boxers, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, English Cocker Spaniels and crossbreeds. You should look at how much space you have, how much time you will have for them, how active you are, how much time you can spend grooming them and how old your children are. High energy dogs need daily exercise and games to keep their minds active. Cavaliers and French Bulldogs are often good for apartment living. Take the time to meet crossbreed dogs and ask about their health and temperament. Below you will find information on which breed would be best for your family.
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Key Takeaways
- Labrador and Golden Retrievers are affectionate, trainable family dogs that thrive on daily walks, games, and shared activities.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels suit smaller homes, offering gentle companionship and moderate exercise needs.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs provide a calm, devoted presence, while Miniature Schnauzers offer a lively, manageable family-friendly option.
- Poodles, English Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Boxers, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds reward active families committed to training and enrichment.
- Choose a breed based on your household’s space, activity level, grooming capacity, supervision needs, and time for companionship.
Labrador Retriever
A Labrador Retriever can be a friendly and gentle family dog that gets on well with children and other pets when they are supervised. They will quickly become your family’s friendly greeting, fun buddy and eager walking companion.
Their friendly nature makes them perfect for families who want an easy-going companion. You will have to provide your family with regular exercise such as walks, playing fetch or training games as they are very energetic and can easily put on weight if they do not get enough exercise.
You will have to brush your dog once a week to help with their shedding throughout the year. Feed them measured amounts of food and talk to your vet about their joints. They can suffer from problems such as elbow dysplasia and arthritis. With some guidance and supervision they can become a reliable family member.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers make great additions to families due to their loving, patient and intelligent nature. They will be eager to join your family and will want to learn your routine.
Schedule regular walks, playing times or days out as this breed is very active. Some useful training tips include using treats, keeping sessions short and getting all family members involved.
They have a double coat which will shed so create a grooming routine. They should be brushed a few times a week. Adult females usually weigh between 25-30kg and males between 30-34kg. Regular vet visits can help with monitoring any hip issues they may have such as cruciate ligament disease and arthritis as they get older.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate and gentle companion, ideal for an apartment setting and busy family.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a moderate weight of between 13-18lbs, making them perfect for apartment living.
Your Cavalier will love getting involved with everyday activities. They will enjoy relaxing close by or playing with children under supervision.
Having time together regularly will help build family bonds. They are easy to train.
- Moderate energy level
- Friendly and calm
- Easy to brush
- Can be supervised
They will enjoy having time with you every day. They will enjoy gentle exercise.
If you have a busy lifestyle, make sure they have someone to keep them company. They do well when they are included.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs can be a great addition to any family. They are very gentle and loyal but also playful. They have a calm and friendly personality which can make bonding easy.
With males weighing between 80-115 lbs and females weighing between 70-95 lbs, they are a large dog so will need enough space. This breed requires more exercise so taking them on regular walks, playing games and having fun with them as a family will help. Easy walks or playing in the garden will help.
When training your Bernese, keep it consistent and positive. They are great with children so will be easy to teach them good manners. They have beautiful fur so will need regular grooming once a week.
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are loving and lively, and often like to spend time with all members of the household. Their friendly nature will make it easy to bond with them in an apartment or large home.
They can be met with:
- Daily walks and playtime.
- Consistent training and early socialisation.
- Regular brushing and professional grooming.
- Relaxed time with children.
They are easy to manage due to their size, but they still must have plenty of exercise and attention. They may not shed as much as a heavy shedder, however no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Keeping them on a regular grooming schedule will ensure they are comfortable and your household is prepared.
Poodle
The intelligent and trainable Poodle comes in 3 sizes (Toy, Miniature, Standard) making them a great choice for most family homes.
Use simple training methods to teach good manners. Short sessions using positive reinforcement will engage the whole family. They are quick learners and will enjoy active family time.
They do not shed much but regular grooming is required. Use this poodle grooming guide to keep your dog looking their best. Regular brushing, professional haircuts every 4-6 weeks and ear and nail checks.
Regular trips to the vets can help keep an eye on hip and eye issues.
English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniels are cheerful, loving dogs that are easy to manage thanks to their average sizes, usually between 25-30 lbs. They make great companions who are often very kid friendly and get on well with other animals including dogs.
They can easily adjust to your lifestyle with:
- Regular daily walks and play
- They can be trained easily with positive reinforcement
- Regular grooming to control their shedding
- They can be left with small children if they are supervised.
Their friendly nature means everyone can feel part of the pack. By having regular routines they will form trusting bonds. Teaching them good manners from an early age, providing companionship and regular exercise will ensure that your English Cocker Spaniel can be a dependable and loving addition to your family with careful consideration.
Beagle
Beagles are friendly and curious, and their small to medium size (usually 20-30lbs) makes them an easy pet to manage. They are cheerful and loving which can make all members of the family feel involved.
Training will need to be consistent due to their curious nature. Positive reinforcement, short sessions and close supervision will help.
To help with house training, have a routine. Take them out after they eat and reward them when they go.
Daily walks, playing and scent games will help with their exercise requirements.
They will need attention and supervision to stop them getting into trouble from boredom.
Grooming is easy with weekly brushing and bathing every 4-6 weeks.
Boxer
Boxers are playful and protective, so will be a loving addition to your family. They are friendly and gentle.
Will a Boxer fit your lifestyle?
- Temperament: Gentle, patient and playful with respectful children.
- Exercise: Will need daily walks, play and exercise to avoid becoming bored.
- Size: They are a strong breed and will weigh around 50-80lbs.
- Grooming: Only needs occasional brushing.
If you include your Boxer in your family, they will flourish. They will need consistent training and enough exercise. With your family’s attention they will become a loyal, lively member of your family.
Border Collie
Border Collies are brilliant companions for active families due to their intelligence and energy levels.
They will require daily exercise, play and mental stimulation.
They have high training requirements however often enjoy learning new tricks such as obedience, agility or useful home behaviours.
If you are consistent with your training, they will not get bored and your relationship with your family will improve.
They are a great fit for families if everyone gets involved. Children will know how to play respectfully.
Useful tips for supervision include:
Guide their interactions, provide them with safe outlets for their energy and monitor for over excitement.
They are a good size dog for most homes, weighing between 30-45lbs.
Brush them regularly to help with shedding and keep their coat healthy.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are intelligent and lively dogs who will love being part of an active family. They will love having lots of exercise, training and attention.
They are very friendly and can be a great family dog if socialised from an early age and kept under control whilst playing with children.
Positive training will help to utilise their busy nature.
Provide them with some brain stimulation by using puzzle toys, tricks and learning games.
Plan some outdoor time for them with walks, hikes or fetch.
They will enjoy having a routine with your family.
Regular brushing will help to keep their shedding under control.
If they do not have enough to do they can become bored so give them some meaningful tasks to do with a consistent routine.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are gentle, loyal dogs that can be great companions for families looking for something more relaxed. Their friendly disposition makes them perfect for creating a warm home and their size of 16-28lbs makes them great for apartment living.
| Family need | What you’ll find | Helpful approach |
|---|---|---|
| Activity | Low energy routine | Take regular, gentle walks |
| Care | Grooming basics | Brush occasionally |
| Manners | Child friendly training | Teach calm, kind handling |
They have low to medium energy levels, but it is important to manage their daily activities. Ensure that they are always supervised when interacting with children and use positive training methods. Your French Bulldog will make a relaxed and loved member of your family thanks to their reliable nature and easy care.
Whippet
This sweet dog can be a great family companion. If you’re looking for a dog that likes short bursts of exercise outdoors but also likes relaxing inside then a Whippet is a great choice. They often settle down nicely after their daily needs have been met.
Exercise should be balanced with:
- Short walks
- Daily walks around the neighbourhood
- Safe walks on a leash
- Relaxing play with your family
They may enjoy relaxing inside after their exercise.
They have a silky coat which will only need regular brushing.
As they may chase small animals make sure doors, gardens and leashes are secure.
With consistent care your Whippet will feel part of the family.
Mixed-Breed Dogs
While finding a perfect family friend with a crossbreed, you might find it difficult to know what kind of dog they will be as an adult. However getting to know the dog will help you decide if they are right for you. Observe how they play, react and how they handle being touched.
A well-matched temperament will help you to have a great family friend. Ask staff at the shelter about their behaviour, health and lifestyle requirements.
If you are looking for a puppy then you can train them from an early age. They can learn socialisation, basic obedience and structured exercise to avoid them getting frustrated in a busy household. Focus on what kind of dog they really are, rather than just their crossbreed. You will feel like they belong with some careful planning.
Choosing the Right Breed for Your Lifestyle
Find a breed that matches your lifestyle and energy levels. Some breeds such as Border Collies and Golden Retrievers will need lots of exercise and stimulation whilst others like Shih Tzus and Cavaliers often make great apartment pets.
Consider:
- Yard space – Labs and Goldens will thrive with a yard or daily walks.
- Grooming – Poodles and Shih Tzus will need regular brushing and cutting.
- Lifestyle – Portuguese Water Dogs would be a great breed for an active family who enjoys hiking and swimming.
- Temperament – Beagles, Labs and Goldens are often good with children.
Choosing the right breed for your children’s ages and how consistent you are with training will mean that you all can get into a good rhythm together.
