5 Fantastic Dog Breeds for Families With Kids

These days, many parents are looking for amusing stay-at-home kids' activities that don't involve screens. Games like Frisbee and tug-of-war can be so much more fun with a canine companion -- so if you're hoping to inspire your kids to spend some time away from their video games and TV set each day, a dog could be just the motivation your family needs. But what kind of dog would be the perfect kid-friendly pet? You might want to consider choosing any of the following dogs, because all of these breeds get along well with children:

1. English Setters

English setters tend to be calm, mellow dogs that are not known for being overly excitable. If you need a dog you can trust to be quiet and well-behaved, an English setter makes a good candidate. These dogs are typically gentle and patient with children.

English setters are intelligent dogs that respond well to training. They're suitable as watchdogs; you could expect them to be protective but not overly aggressive. They're also reliable hunting dogs.

Caveats to be aware of with English setters include the following:

• They aren't the best choice for families who also own one or more birds.
• They're not well-suited for apartment living.

2. Labrador Retrievers

Labrador retrievers are noteworthy for their high intelligence, their friendly disposition and their eagerness to please their owners. They tend to be exceptionally patient with children, and they're playful companions for kids. Many labs love splashing and swimming in water, so it can be enjoyable to bring them to the doggie beach, the lake or the river for an outdoor adventure.

There are a few important considerations to be aware of with Labrador retrievers:

• You'll want to be sure of training the dog not to jump up on people. While this is true of any dog, it's especially important when you have a strong, exuberant lab who is likely to knock a person over when it jumps up.
• Because of their high energy levels and their large size, you'll want to carefully supervise your lab when it's playing with small children.
• While some of these dogs can adapt well to living with other pets, some of them have a well-developed prey drive. Use caution when adopting a lab if your family already has other small pets including cats, rabbits, rodents or smaller dogs.

3. Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers are beautiful dogs that tend to have sweet, adoring personalities. They are generally fun, playful, sociable and lovable. They're one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They're patient and affectionate with children, and they can withstand a fair amount of rough-and-tumble play.

This breed is well-known for its intelligence. Golden retrievers are some of the easiest dogs to train.

Cautions to be aware of with golden retrievers include the following:

• These dogs are not well suited for apartment life. They tend to be excessively energetic, and they require significant amounts of exercise. They are also not the ideal pets for overly sedentary families.
• While these dogs are great with kids overall, it's always advisable to keep a close eye on them as they're playing with toddlers or smaller children.
• Golden retrievers are easily bored - and when they get bored, they may be prone to destructive behaviors like chewing or digging. You'll need to devise ways of keeping them busy.

4. American Cocker Spaniels

American cocker spaniels are friendly, playful, sociable dogs who are eager to please. They tend to have a sweet, affectionate disposition and get along well with family members of all ages. They make fantastic playmates for energetic kids. Their relatively small size makes them ideal companions for small children. They also tend to get along well with other pets, including cats.

Cocker spaniels are smart and relatively easy to train. Hunters and sports enthusiasts frequently utilize this breed, as they are readily trainable for sporting activities. They also make great show dogs.

There are a couple of caveats you'll want to be aware of with cocker spaniels:

• They're excitable.
• Frequent barking may be an issue with some of them, although they can be trained to bark appropriately.
• Because their hair grows long, these dogs tend to need constant grooming and brushing. Also, you will have to get comfortable with the presence of copious amounts of dog hair; expect to spend time sweeping or vacuuming your floors at home more frequently after you've adopted a cocker spaniel.

5. Beagles

Beagles are friendly, companionable dogs. They aren't an overly aggressive breed, and they're usually tolerant and patient with children.

Things you'll want to think about before you adopt a beagle:

• Beagles can be noisy; they like to bark and howl.
• While they're smart dogs overall, they can be a bit stubborn. They also tend to get distracted easily. Compared to some other breeds, they aren't as readily trainable. They can be trained, but you could expect to invest significant amounts of either money or energy in the process.

If you're interested in choosing a dog that gets along well with kids, these breeds are all fantastic options to consider. We also invite you to check out some suggestions on the best dogs for people with allergies.