Best family dogs — kid-friendly breeds

Choosing a dog for a family with kids? You want patience, gentle play, training ease, and tolerance for chaos. These 20 breeds score highest on family-compatibility from our comprehensive breed database.

1
Labrador Retriever
Will swim through any body of water. Will eat anything. Will love everyone forever.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
2
Golden Retriever
Carries everything. Loves everyone. Sheds everywhere.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
3
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Queen had a reason. Built like a loaf, runs like a fox.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
4
Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy)
Smartest dog in the room. Best dressed. Doesn't shed. Knows it.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
5
Goldendoodle
Teddy bear that shreds tennis balls. Will live for water. Will not stop fetching.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
6
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Royal lap dog. Will love everyone equally and forever. Tail never stops wagging.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
7
Havanese
Cuba's lap dog. Will love you to pieces. Won't shed on the couch.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
8
English Springer Spaniel
Gun-dog goofball. Will love water. Will spring for joy.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
9
Rough Collie
Lassie. Literally. Will save you from the well (probably).
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
10
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Tail-having Corgi. Older, slightly bigger, equally chaotic.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
11
English Setter
Painted speckle coat. Athletic + gentle. Birds beware.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
12
Coton de Tulear
Cotton ball with a 19-year warranty. Will hop for joy.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
13
English Cocker Spaniel
Lady's actual breed. Working English version. Healthier than American.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
14
Australian Shepherd
Cattle? Sheep? Toddlers? Anything that moves becomes a herding project.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Friendly with visitors
15
Vizsla
Will follow you to the bathroom. Will out-run you. Will lay on top of you.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Friendly with visitors
16
American Eskimo Dog
Mini Sammy. Will be your shadow. Will alert-bark at the wind.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
17
Shetland Sheepdog
Mini Lassie. Will out-think you. Will bark at the wind.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
18
Wirehaired Vizsla
Bearded Vizsla. Will out-energy you with style.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Friendly with visitors
19
Leonberger
Walking lion. Will swim like a Newfie. Will live too short.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Easy to train
- ✓ Right energy for active families
20
French Bulldog
Snorts. Gargles. Owns the couch. Will steal your popcorn.
- ✓ Reliably good with kids
- ✓ Right energy for active families
- ✓ Friendly with visitors