Top 10 Best Family Dogs Breeds

Whether you’re looking for a large breed or small breed, lap dog or protective dog, long-haired or short-haired, hypoallergenic, or low-maintenance to groom there is a suitable dog breed for everyone and every family! 

With hundreds of dog breeds out there, finding and picking the perfect breed to slot into your family, lifestyle and household can be overwhelming. We have composed our top ten dog breeds that we feel make a family household complete. 

1. Golden Retriever 

Golden Retrievers are incredibly friendly, loyal, intelligent, and tolerant dogs making for a wonderful family pet. Their intelligence and eagerness to please the ones they love make them easy to train and obedient. They’re great with kids and can be very protective of their human family. 

2.Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is outgoing, sporty, fearless, and eager to please dogs making for a wonderful choice for a family pet. Known for their ever-wagging tails, the Cavalier King Charles is happiest when surrounded by humans and outdoors. Although a sporty dog loves to join in on hikes, they enjoy being indoors sitting next to family members on the couch. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does shed profusely, especially in the warmer months. Regular combing and brushing are recommended to prevent major shedding and mats. Although not the best watch dog some Cavaliers will inform you of every event in your neighbourhood and bark ferociously when strangers approach.

3. Beagle

Beagles are one of the most popular scent hounds seen in family households. This active, happy-go-lucky and amiable breed is a popular choice for families who have access to a yard and spend a lot of time outdoors. Beagles are friendly, outgoing, loving dogs and inquisitive, determined, and highly motivated by food. 

The most important thing to know about the Beagle is that he is a scent hound, and its nose is the most important part of his anatomy. His head is always going to be down to the ground, searching for an interesting trail to follow. Beagles will wander off if they catch an enticing smell in the air making them slightly more difficult to train.

4. Samoyed

Originally used for herding and guarding reindeer and for sled-hauling, this strikingly attractive breed is now recognized for its loving traits and companionships as a family pet. Also well-known for its devotion, easy-going, friendly, and playful personality it is no wonder this breed is being seen more and more in family homes. 

The Samoyed’s white, thick, and fluffy coat is beautiful, but to keep it in good condition requires rigorous grooming to brush out loose hair. Due to the Samoyed falling into the working dog group home with a large, securely fenced is necessary so he has room to romp and play.

5. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are the perfect mix between sporty and playful and affectionate and loyal. Similarly, to the Golden Retriever, Labradors are incredibly friendly, trustworthy, intelligent, and easy-going dogs making for a wonderful family pet. Due to their enthusiastic and energetic personality, obedience training and enrichment need to be implemented to prevent destructive behaviour. 

Labradors tend to eat and eat and then continue to look for more food. This can lead to obesity if strict diets suitable for age and size aren’t adhered to. Labrador coats require next to no maintenance with only light brushing recommend helping remove the loose hair.

6. Labradoodle

Originally bred in 1989 to be hypoallergenic guide dogs, the first planned crosses of Poodles and Labrador Retrievers were arranged by the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. Since then, Labradoodles have become a very popular family dog breed which isn’t surprising due to their friendly, affectionate, and sociable nature. Labradoodles are happiest surrounded by people and will shower their families with love and devotion. 

Due to their thick curly coat, brushing is required at least twice a week and regular grooming to prevent knots and mats. Labradoodles are hyperactive, energetic dogs and are best family dogs in nz that have access to a backyard.

7. Border Terrier

Known for its energetic and cheerful terrier’s traits and relaxed personality the Border Terrier is another small breed perfect for the family home. Originally bred for hunting foxes and rats, the Border Terriers still excels in trials but is also considered a highly popular pet with a soft and cooperative temperament. 

Border Terriers still have a strong drive to hunt, chase, and dig. They can adapt easily to apartment living if daily exercise is provided. So long as you can offer this breed the attention it needs, it makes for a loyal and loving companion that is also great with kids. The coat requires weekly brushing and periodic stripping to remove the dead hair. This can be done by hand or using a stripping tool, but clippers should never be used.

8. Border Collie

Border collies are highly intelligent dogs that adapt well to family life if provided with daily exercise and mental stimulation. They are working dogs that love to chase, play and please and are great with kids. Intelligent, hardworking, and versatile, the border collie is a no-nonsense dog who thrives in a home where his brains and energy are put to good use. Although large backyards or acreage would be most suitable for this breed, the border collie can adapt to smaller quarters if adequate stimulation and exercise are provided each day. 

Without exercise and mental stimulation border collies can be very destructive and bark for long periods of time due to boredom. The border collies grooming needs are extremely basic with minimal trimming around the feet and the back of the legs for a tidier appearance if you desire but a good brush through the coat to prevent matting is all the border collie needs.

9. Jack Russell Terrier

Courageous, mischievous, friendly and full of the character Jack Russell is the perfect dog for an active family. Once used for fox hunting in England they have now acquired a reputation for being a well-natured and loyal companion who loves to play. Although at times stubborn and protective they rarely develop aggression tendencies making them the ideal household family pet. The Jack Russell terrier requires daily exercise and mental stimulation as they have tendencies to become bored quickly and bark. 

Jack Russell’s have gained a reputation as a hearty, tough breed but they are sensitive to cold weather with their lack of undercoat on their fur. Their coat types can be divided into three different categories: smooth, broken, and rough. If dealing with a rough-coated Jack Russell it will require a bit more care than those with a smooth coat. A stripping comb is great for grooming a rough-coated Jack Russell. This breed requires a well-balanced diet and exercise as they are at risk of weight gain and food allergies. Jack Russells can be prone to skin issues that cause discomfort, rashes and dry skin.

10. Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is an intelligent, gregarious, and relaxed dog making it an easy city or suburbia companion. Crossed between the toy or miniature poodle and most commonly the English Cocker Spaniel the Cockapoo has all the wonderful traits of both intelligent, well-mannered breeds. Being particularly affectionate, the Cockapoo loves to be close to its humans and is gentle with kids. They are highly food motivated making them enthusiastic and easy to train. 

This happy-go-lucky breed can suffer from separation anxiety and so training as a puppy is important. They are a non-shedding breed that needs regular brushing to prevent mats and knots and requires occasional professional grooming. 

Overall, there are hundreds of best dog breeds that can make the perfect family companion and research should be conducted on all your favourite breeds before deciding which one is suitable. Some breeds are more prone to health concerns or genetic issues and having awareness before choosing is your responsibility as a dog owner. 

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