What's the best dog breed for your family? Experts share the top 10 child-friendly dogs

If you’ve got kids around, some dog breeds are better than others. Whether you’re after a small dog, a dog that doesn’t shed, or a great protection dog, these are the best family dogs to consider.

Best small family dogs

1. Cavalier King Charles spaniel

Weight: 13-18 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-15 years (find out more about the life expectancy of dogs here)
Height: 12-13 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

A brown and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel running on grass with agility poles behind it — A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel runs in the Agility demonstration during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show / credit: Getty Images

There’s plenty to enjoy about Cavalier Kings Charles spaniels, which are generally considered to be great with families, thanks to their affectionate and relaxed nature. They’re known for their playful spirit, but they’re also equally happy to curl up on the sofa with family members in quieter moments. Having been originally bred as companion dogs, they are perfectly suited to the homebody life – but the spaniel in them is always happy to head out for long walks with more active owners.

Best dog walks in the UK

2. Schnauzer

Weight: 30-50 pounds
Life expectancy: 13-16 years
Height: 17.5-19.5 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

Three black schnauzers with their mouths open, sitting on a bale of hay — Three black schnauzers enjoy a day on the farm in the sun / credit: Pixabay, Creative Commons

The Schnauzer is small, with a gentle disposition, making them a good choice for families with young children. They also act as protection dogs, known for their fierce loyalty. This comes from their initial breeding, which was for guarding and helping with tasks on the farm. They come in three sizes: miniature, standard and giant, depending on the size of your house! Schnauzers are athletic dogs with highly developed senses, which must be considered by owners in their training and creating a comfortable environment for them. A garden or access to green spaces would be useful for schnauzers, who are energetic and like being taken out with the family on long walks.

3. Shih Tzu

Weight: 9-16 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-18 years
Height: 9-10.5 inches
Hypoallergenic: Yes

A grey shih tzu stands in the sun with its hair straightened out and put in a top knot — Babe the Shih Tzu attends AKC Meet The Breeds in New York City / credit: Getty Images

The Shih Tzu was bred to be companions in Chinese palaces, and they’ve remained in this mould as friendly, sociable dogs, which are happy to spend time at home. This makes them a good choice for families with younger kids. These little ‘Lion Dogs’ (the name ‘Shih Tzu’ comes from the Mandarian word for ‘lion') are charming little balls of fluff, with a coat that comes in many colours. As they were bred to sit on thrones in palaces, they’re very happy to do the same in houses in the suburbs, so are a good choice for those lacking huge amounts of outdoor space. Short daily walks and plenty of indoor playtime will satisfy their needs.

Best medium-sized family dogs

4. Poodle

Weight: 50-70 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-18 years
Height: over 15 inches
Hypoallergenic: Yes

A blonde poodle jumps over a hurdle at Crufts with a Crufts sign to the keft — Standard poodle Ruben, aged 5, jumps over a hurdle at Crufts / credit: Getty Images

Poodles are popular breeds for families, thanks to their hypoallergenic coat. They come in three sizes – standard, miniature and toy – and are often mixed with other breeds, the results of which also make excellent family pets. The cockapoo, goldendoodle, labradoodle, maltipoo and shihpoo are all worth considering. Poodles are smart, athletic dogs and, with good training, can be among the best behaved dogs. A standard poodle named Ricky won Best in Show at Crufts in 2014, in fact. Originally bred as waterfowl hunters, they are happy in water and excel in agility and retrieving. They’ll need good amounts of daily exercise and will be happy chasing after balls and sticks (or any of our recommended puppy toys) for as long as possible.

5. Airedale terrier

Weight: 50-70 pounds
Life expectancy: 11-14 years
Height: 23 inches
Hypoallergenic: Yes

A blonde and grey Airedale terrier sits in the middle of some grass — An Airedale terrier sits patiently waiting to be thrown a ball / credit: Flickr, Creative Commons

The largest of all the terrier breeds, the Airedale terrier is a docile and patient dog which can be an excellent companion and part of the family. Early socialisation and good training is key for these lively and boisterous dogs, as well as continued exercise and mental stimulation. They can also live happily alongside cats, as long as they’ve been introduced at an early age. As with all terriers, they can be stubborn and independent, so you’ll need to keep them in check throughout their life, but they are a very versatile dog breed.

6. Beagle

Weight: 20-30 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-15 years
Height: 13-15 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

A beagle lies on a grey sofa with its tongue hanging out as a human strokes its belly — 13-year-old beagle Hammy enjoys having the undivided attention of his owner / credit: Getty Images

Having been originally bred for hunting, beagles are energetic and love being part of a pack. They are keen to be involved with whatever’s going on with the family and are friendly and excitable. As with many of the other dogs featured here, they do need daily walks of at least an hour, so need to be part of a family with time to do this. With a strong hunting instinct, beagles need to have an eye kept on them – or they might be in danger of following a scent too far. The beagle is a great companion in larger families and are one of the more popular hound dogs.

7. Staffordshire bull terrier

Weight: 28-34 pounds
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Height: 14-16 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

This might be a surprise to some, but Staffordshire bull terriers are thought to be one of the best dog breeds for kids. They’ve even earnt themselves the title ‘nanny dog’, for their ability to be left alone to entertain the smallest family members. When they’re well socialised and trained, they have sweet, kind temperaments and are keen to play with their family.

A black staffordshire bull terrier looks to the right with a big smile against a black background — Baby, an eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, sits for a portrait at Battersea Dogs and Cat's Home / credit: Getty Images

Because the roots of the breed have been associated with fighting and aggression, the Blue Cross alone takes in over 400 Staffies a year – so it’s well worth looking into rescue centres if you’re interested in a family Staffordshire bull terrier. ‘We know that people who don’t have any experience of staffies are sometimes wary of them, because of the bad reputation they have due to a minority of irresponsible owners,’ says Jay Cruikshanks, Rehoming Centre Manager for Blue Cross in Tiverton. ‘But we have so many sweet-natured staffies at our centres – we would urge anyone thinking of rehoming a dog to look further than skin deep and come and meet some of them. Once you get to know them you will realise they can be fantastic, loving pets.’

Best large family dogs

8. Labrador

Weight: 55-80 pounds
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
Height: 21.5-24.5 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

A white labrador lies on the floor with a nametag and yellow tabard — Molly, a seven-year-old labrador therapy dog, takes a rest during her work shift soothing anxious children at a temporary NHS Covid vaccination centre / credit: Getty Images

There’s a reason labradors are among the most popular dog breeds in the UK and around the world. They’re great with children, as well as with other pets around the home, making them a great choice of dog for many. Labradors are playful, affectionate and full of energy. This does mean they require quite a lot of exercise, so they’re best suited to families with active lifestyles. While they don’t require as persistent grooming as other dogs, their thick, double coat (yellow, black or chocolate in colour) does shed, which means a vacuum cleaner needs to be on hand at all times to keep the house hair-free.

9. Bernese mountain dog

Weight: 80-115 pounds
Life expectancy: 7-10 years
Height: 23-27.5 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

A Bernese mountain dog runs through the snow with a big smile on its face — A Bernese mountain dog races through the snow / credit: Getty Images

Known as the ‘gentle giants’ of the dog world, Bernese mountain dogs have fun-loving, enthusiastic personalities. They’re probably best suited for houses with older children, due to their exuberance – and the fact that they underestimate their own (quite large) size! Nevertheless, they’re well-socialised and very cuddly and placid. Born from the farms and mountains of Switzerland, they’re hardy dogs that thrive in colder weather, and enjoy outdoor activities, long walks and hikes. Unsurprisingly, their beautiful tricolour coat sheds quite significantly, so regular brushing – particularly during the two shedding seasons – is vital.

10. Greyhound

Weight: 60-70 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-13 years
Height: 27-30 inches
Hypoallergenic: No

Two Italian greyhounds wearing checked jackets look at the camera — Italian Greyhounds arrive on the first day of Crufts / credit: Getty Images

The Olympic sprinters of the dog world, greyhounds are sweet-tempered dogs with a calm, placid nature that suits families. Surprising perhaps, considering its sprinting background, the greyhound doesn’t need huge amounts of exercise. While they are capable of incredible speed, they are equally happy to lounge around on the sofa. They just need letting off the lead in a safe, enclosed area on a regular basis to run freely. They also require minimal grooming, so are a relatively low-maintenance dog. It’s worth mentioning that greyhounds in rescue shelters are often ex-racers and may have lived in kennels throughout their life, so may need some house training – but they are quick to adapt.

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Top image: Getty Images