Are you in search of the perfect dog to add to your family? If you have kids at home, choosing a new dog that’s compatible with your household will help ensure that everyone is happy together. At Dan’s Pet Care, we think kids and dogs are a great combination, but we know that combining the two under the same roof does take a little extra thought and planning sometimes. Whether you’re looking for a protector, a playmate, or just a quiet companion that won’t protest when your kids are being rowdy, you’ve got plenty of family-friendly dog breeds to choose from. Let’s take a look at six breeds that might belong at the top of the list.

Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers tend to have softer mouths than other breeds, and they’re usually not prone to bite. They can put up with a lot of roughhousing without getting aggressive or upset, too. All of this makes them great playmates for children. They tend to be people-pleasers and become strongly attached to owners and their whole families. Kids love swimming with Golden Retrievers, teaching them tricks, and being followed around all day while they play. The inner puppy inside a Golden Retriever sticks around for a long time, so they’ll enjoy running and playing with kids after some other breeds would have matured past that point.

Newfoundlands

Newfoundlands are known as some of the very best dogs you can own in a household with kids. This giant breed tends to be gentle, sweet, attentive, and calm. Despite this, they can also be effective guard dogs if a threat presents itself.

While Newfoundlands are excellent companions for kids, their size is worth consideration before deciding on the breed. Males can weigh up to 150 pounds, and females weigh up to 120. Around very young children, Newfoundlands will need some extra supervision. If they accidentally trip or bump into a child, their sheer size and weight can pose a threat. In addition, Newfoundlands need lots of space in order to be happy. They won’t thrive in an apartment or small enclosed space.

Labrador Retrievers

In 2022, Labs were named America’s most popular dog by the AKC for the 31st year in a row. Experts say that while they’re not the most intelligent dogs around, they are smart and can easily adapt to owners’ plans. They’re happy to go from park to park and play outside all day, but if you want to stay in the house all day and cuddle, they’ll probably enjoy that too. This makes them a great companion for kids. After all, kids aren’t always predictable, and parents can appreciate a dog who will go with the flow as the day unfolds. Primarily, it’s their easy going temperament – combined with their typically no-fuss care needs – that makes Labrador Retrievers such a popular family pet.

Beagles

Beagles were originally hunting dogs, but they also make excellent family pets for many reasons. For one thing, they tend to be fairly healthy, even as purebred dogs. This feature is often appreciated in busy households. They’re sometimes a little shy when first meeting new people, but they’re capable of warming up and are not guard dogs at heart.

Beagles are pretty good at adapting to your family’s energy level and are relatively low maintenance. They can run and play with kids, but they have fairly low exercise needs and are also happy to just sit in the sunshine and watch.

Poodles

If your child has allergies, poodles can help alleviate some of the challenges that come with owning a dog. Their coat is hypoallergenic, though that does mean they’ll need an extra level of regular grooming. They don’t shed, which makes cleaning up in a busy household a little bit easier.

Poodles are both very smart and eager to please their owners. While they can be a little mischievous, they’re generally willing to follow the rules. This helps to cut down on chaos in the home and makes them easy to handle around children. They’re highly trainable and love learning tricks, which makes sense when you consider that poodles used to be popular circus performing dogs.

Bulldogs

A bulldog might not be able to keep up with all of your kids’ active play, but they’ll be perfectly content to sit and watch from a comfortable spot. This is a loving, gentle, calm breed that’s typically patient with noise and being touched. When a family member is sad, bulldogs seem to be able to sense it, and they will often go to kids to comfort them when they’re upset.

Bulldogs do have some unique traits you should be aware of before bringing one home. For one thing, their distinctive shape makes them prone to certain health problems. Four of these include:

• Breathing difficulty

• Skin infections

• Ear infections

• Eye problems

However, if you’re willing to give your bulldog the extra care they need, they will reward you with loyal companionship for years.

Preparing to bring home a family dog

Like any major commitment, choosing a family pet shouldn’t be taken lightly. These steps can help you successfully prepare for your future with a new dog.

• Make sure you have enough space for your new dog’s size and exercise needs. Be realistic about how often you’ll be able to take them to dog parks or other public spaces.

• Create a budget that takes any healthcare needs unique to your dog’s breed into account. Consider purchasing pet insurance.

• Make sure your pet care needs will be taken care of (Dan’s Pet Care can help with this part!).

• Carefully consider your kids’ age and activity levels, and how compatible they will be with your dog’s breed tendencies.

• Keep in mind that every dog is unique, no matter their breed. Within a breed that’s known for being good with children, there might be a dog that doesn’t fit the profile. This is especially true if your dog has trauma in their background. Take time to get to know a prospective new dog before bringing them home.

• Don’t plan to rely on kids for all of the dog’s care. Even if you plan to delegate a lot of the responsibility to kids, you’ll ultimately need to be available to provide care as needed, too.

Join the Dan’s Pet Care family!

If you’ve got kids at home, you’re probably busy getting from school to soccer practice to dance recitals. As Long Island’s favorite pet care provider, Dan’s Pet Care can make your life easier by providing for all of your pet care needs. The specialists on our staff are fully trained and licensed, and they know how to help your dog thrive. Give us a call today at (516) 551-1613 and let us know what we can do to help!