Which Dog Breeds Make the Best Family Pets?

When it comes to choosing a dog for the family, it's important that you get the right pet, one that will fit in and make everyone comfortable. If you have children, it's important to select a dog that loves to be around them and will be gentle and affectionate. To help you make an educated decision when it comes to getting a dog, here are some of the best dog breeds for families.

The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever, commonly known as the Lab, is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world because its lovable and has a patient temperament. They are naturally good natured and affectionate towards their owners, other pets and children, which makes them great family pets. Labs are friendly, well balanced and extremely versatile as they can adapt to a wide range of different situations and serve a variety of functions. They enjoy holding objects and can do this with extreme gentleness which is another benefit that makes them great family dogs. In fact, Labradors are so gentle they can carry an egg in their mouth without breaking it. Labradors are known as mellow dogs, which means they get along well with everybody, including children of all different ages. They absolutely thrive on human attention, affection and interaction so if you're thinking of getting a dog, put the Labrador Retriever at the top of your list.

The Golden Retriever

It probably comes as no surprise that the Golden Retriever is near the top of the list of great family dogs. They are as intelligent as they are lovable and extremely easy to train. They are known for their gentle and very patient temperament, especially when it comes to children. Along with being gentle and patient, these dogs possess just about every personality trait you would want in a young family. They are loyal, eager to please, obedient and love to please their masters. They are friendly with other dogs; at the same time they make great watchdogs although they are unlikely to attack. They are also great at hunting, tracking and performing tricks. When you're looking for a family dog, keep this one on the short list.

The Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is an especially playful and extremely social dog. If you're interested in bringing a Collie into your family, it is best to get it from a reputable dog breeder as they make the best pets. They love to be with people and are great with children of all ages. If you are willing to spend the extra time to help them work off their excess energy they are a joy to have in the family and can be very affectionate. They'll be ready to greet you when you come home from work or school and they love attention.

The Siberian Husky

It may come as a surprise to know that the Siberian Husky actually makes a great family pet. They are wonderful with small children and love to play. Believe it or not, they won't overpower children despite their size and are fairly easy to train. They do however require some patience and training if you get one when it's a pup. Much like a child there is a lot of work to be done but well worth the effort.

The Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a smaller dog, often classified as a toy dog. They make great lap warmers and are great if you're living in a small space like an apartment or condo. They love company and are excellent around children. They are also smart, gentle, affectionate and full of energy. They may have sudden bursts of energy where they race around in circles until they collapse on their backs. While Bichon Frise make great watchdogs, they tend to be friendly towards people even those outside your immediate family.

If you're looking for a family pet, these are some of the best dog breeds for families. Make sure you do as much research on your prospective dog as possible before you decide on one as some of them may surprise you with how much time and money they require to keep them healthy and part of the family.

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