Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pets

The 15 Best Dog Breeds for Families, According to Vets

Experts say these are the best dogs for kids.

The 15 Best Dog Breeds for Families, According to Vets
Shutterstock

Dogs are man's best friend—not just because they're cute, but also because they teach us wonderful life lessons about responsibility and unconditional love. However, adopting a pet isn't a decision to be taken lightly, especially when there are little kids in the house. Though temperament ultimately depends on the dog, certain breeds are better suited for families with young children. With that in mind, we've consulted veterinarians to find out which breeds make the best family dogs and the best dogs for kids.


1 | Labrador Retrievers

Labrador puppy playing with a babyShutterstock

"Labs are some of the best dogs for families," says veterinarian Sara Ochoa, veterinary consultant for DogLab. "These dogs are very playful and easy to train. They can be very active to run around all day with kids or curl up on the couch and watch a baby sleep."

Veterinarian Rachel Barrack, founder of concierge practice Animal Acupuncture, agrees, noting that Labs are "great with kids, adults, other pets—basically everyone!"

2 | Golden Retrievers

Golden retriever puppy with a childShutterstock

There's a reason why Golden Retrievers are such popular family dogs. As Barrack notes, these pups are "friendly and energetic, making them great companions for any member of the family." This dog breed is more active, though, so only adopt a Golden Retriever if you have the space and energy to handle it!

3 | Vizslas

Vizsla dog with a childShutterstock

If you want a larger, more energetic family-friendly dog that isn't a Lab or a Golden Retriever, consider a Vizsla. According to veterinarian Shelly Zacharias, vice president of medical affairs for Gallant, this is "an active, sporty breed who is sensitive, affectionate, and level-headed. When 'working,' the Vizsla is all business, but when it's family time, not many breeds compare to the devoted, loving nature of this intelligent breed."

4 | Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell terrier puppy playing with a childShutterstock

If you live in an apartment with limited space, you might be wondering which small breeds make the best family dogs. According to Ochoa, Jack Russell Terriers are some of the best dogs for kids thanks to their vibrance. "These dogs can be very high energy and love to run and play," she explains.

5 | Pugs

Pug and little boy looking out the windowShutterstock

"Pugs are another option if you are looking for a small and lovable dog," says Barrack. Unlike Jack Russell Terriers, these smaller pups are more mellow, "so if your family is looking for a dog to snuggle up with, this is the one."

6 | Bulldogs

Little girl with bulldogShutterstock

Though Bulldogs and pugs often get mistaken for each other, the two family-friendly breeds could not be more different. While pugs prefer to snooze and cuddle, Barrack notes that Bulldogs have "tons of energy for kids who like to chase and roughhouse with their dogs." She also says they're great with other animals, "so if you are [thinking about] adding a pup to your family and you already have one pet, consider a Bulldog!"

7 | Boston Terriers

Boston terrier giving a girl pawShutterstock

"Boston Terriers are small, sweet, and lively with very good temperaments," explains Zacharias. "While they are very playful, they are also gentle and affectionate dogs. These personality traits make them ideal family dogs for young families. They are called the 'American gentleman' due to their wonderful personalities and black-and-white color markings."

8 | Beagles

African american mother and daughter playing with their beagle dogShutterstock

Beagles are "cute, loyal, friendly, fun, lovable, active, and intensely devoted," making them one of Zacharias' favorite family-friendly dogs. This breed is a companion above all else, and "they are happy to sit on the couch with you, go on hikes, or play with the kids."

9 | Pit Bulls

Funny pitbull eating baby's spaghettiShutterstock

Though pit bulls get a bad rap, Ochoa argues that they are actually "great family dogs." In her practice, she sees many of these dogs, all of whom are "very loyal and protective of their families."

10 | Newfoundlands

Newfoundland dog and baby in the leaves in the fallShutterstock

Don't let the giant size of the Newfoundland fool you. According to Barrack, this dog is "sweet, patient, and loyal," making it one of the best family dogs. She notes that "they also have a watchful nature that will look out and protect your children." D'aww!

11 | Irish Setters

Cute irish setter puppy being heldShutterstock

"Irish Setters are intelligent and easily trainable, which is important to consider when choosing a dog," notes Barrack. "These dogs are playful, energetic, and love being around people, especially kids."

One thing to keep in mind if you're considering an Irish Setter, though: According to Barrack, they "get very lonely when their family is not around," so if you plan on being out for most of the day, this probably isn't the dog for you.

12 | Bernese Mountain Dogs

Bernese mountain dog playing with a childShutterstock

"The Bernese is a versatile dog who is happy, patient, and does well in various situations whether at home or in public," says Zacharias. It's loyal, well-tempered, and sweet, making it an ideal family dog for those seeking a bigger breed.

13 | Poodles

Asian kid playing with a poodleShutterstock

Who doesn't love a Poodle? As Zacharias explains, these dogs are "extremely intelligent" with "non-shedding, hypoallergenic coats." The best part? This breed comes in standard, miniature, and toy sizes, so whether you want a big or small dog, the Poodle is still right for you.

14 | Border Collies

Border collie giving kisses to a childShutterstock

The border collie is as smart as it is sweet. These "sensitive dogs" are "easily trained and eager to please," Zacharias says. If you want a dog that's obedient, kind, and oh-so-cuddly, then a border collie is definitely up your alley.

15 | Mixed-Breed Dogs

Child getting a kiss from family dogShutterstock

"Mixed-breed dogs are great for kids," says Ochoa. Not only are they friendly and fun, but thanks to their mixed genetics, "they rarely have health issues."

As Zacharias notes, "A rescued mutt can be appreciative, affectionate, intelligent, active and most of all, they cherish being part of a family." Head to any shelter and you'll find tons of mixed-breed pups just waiting for a forever home!

US actress Blake Lively looks on during the premiere of the movie "It ends with us" in Copenhagen on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (

Cast Drama: Blake Lively Rumors

It Ends With Us opened to $50 million at the domestic box office, but rumors about a behind-the-scenes rift between director Justin Baldoni, 40, and Blake Lively, 36, continue to rumble on. Lively plays Lily Bloom, a florist who ends up in a toxic relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), in the first major adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. The movie hadn’t even been released before the first rumors started about possible friction on set between Baldoni and the rest of the cast. No one has gone on the record to make a statement either way, but plenty of sources have been leaking gossip from the set. Here’s what’s been reported so far.

Creative Differences?

US actress Blake Lively poses for a photocall during the premiere of the movie "It ends with us" in Copenhagen on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

20 Best Cult Classic Movies

You never quite know when a movie might become a beloved cult classic—many of the following films were not runaway successes when they first came out, but have since cemented their place in cinema history. Comedy, science fiction, romance, and fantasy all feature heavily in this collection, which includes a movie where an actor made Mel Brooks laugh so hard the director lost money from ruined takes. Can you guess which one? Read on to find out!

RELATED: 20 Unforgettable Moments from Iconic Classic Films

Keep ReadingShow less
9 Warning Signs You're Drinking Too Much Water

9 Signs of Overhydration

Have we reached peak hydration culture? It’s become totally normalized for people to walk around carrying giant tumblers of liquids (remember the Stanley cup craze?) but is it necessary, or even dangerous to be drinking this much water? “People have this fear that they’re always dehydrated or underhydrated and they need to fix that regularly,” Colleen Muñoz, director and co-founder of the Hydration Health Center at the University of Hartford, tells the Wall Street Journal. “That’s probably not usually the case.” So how do you know if you’re overdoing it with the water? Here’s what the experts have to say.

RELATED: Your Drinking Water May Have These "Shockingly Toxic" Chemicals, EPA Now Warns

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman eating popcorn and watching Netflix.

Discover 8 Hidden Netflix Features

There’s no denying that the rise of Netflix has forever changed how we watch our favorite shows and movies. Anyone who has ever lost an evening—or even an entire weekend—to a binge-watching session can attest to just how easy it can be to get sucked in and hit that “Are you still watching?” prompt again and again. But even though the streaming service has made it simpler than ever to access content on demand, there are still some handy tricks you might not know about. Read on for eight cool and useful Netflix features you’re probably not using.

RELATED: Netflix Just Renewed These Hit Series for a Thrilling Second Season

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman coughing on the plane.

COVID Spikes: Top Ways to Stay Safe Amid Surge

It wouldn’t be quite accurate to say COVID is back when it never left, but the virus is making itself felt again. “We've seen a bit of a seasonal pattern emerge where we've had an uptick in COVID in the summer and then another one in the winter—usually the winter one being more severe,” Michael Ben-Aderet, MD, associate medical director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai, tells Cedars-Sinai Newsroom. “The FLiRT variants is just a technical term for the continued mutation of the Omicron variants of COVID-19. And for the last year or so, pretty much all the variants of COVID-19 that we've seen circulate in the United States have been variants of Omicron.”While it’s natural to get nervous about COVID spikes, summer surges are not unusual. “This has been the case for a couple of years,” Dr. Ben-Aderet says. “Why that is, I don't think anyone truly understands. A lot of viruses are seasonal in nature. Some viruses are seasonal in summer; some are in winter. COVID-19 seems to be in both. Some of that has to do with the virus itself—the virology, how it spreads. And another aspect of it is human behavior: School being out, people being on vacation, people traveling, people mixing and doing more activities does play a role in that summer surge.”

With COVID surging in places, here’s how to protect yourself—and others—from getting sick.

Keep ReadingShow less