Best Dog Breeds to Buy as Pets
Part One: Best Dog Breeds for Families with Kids
Whether you’re starting a family and your kids are eager for a pet dog or whether you’re not ready to have a family and a dog is the best companion you can imagine, you need to know what dog breeds work the best for pets.
Obviously, depending on your specific situation, you may need different qualities in a pet dog. For example, if you have kids, you need an energetic pup who doesn’t tend to be aggressive.
If you’re using your dog as a companion in your older years, you need one with a lot less energy who enjoys lots of pets and good food.
If you’re seeking a pet to keep you company, you want one with plenty of energy for long walks but not so much that they can’t stand being cooped up while you’re busy with your career.
Let’s look at a few of the best dog breeds for pets so you can decide which one works best for your situation. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide, and some things come down to what dog you think is the cutest and how much money you want to invest.
But we’ll help you make a choice by giving you some options to get you started. In part one, we’ll consider the best dog breeds for families with kids.
Best Dog Breeds for Families to Buy
If you have kids running around, chances are they’ve asked for a dog a time or two…or maybe they never stop asking! Dogs can be great companions for kids and can also provide an extra level of protection when kids are outside playing or taking neighborhood walks.
However, certain types of dogs are high-maintenance and some can be aggressive toward small children. So, it’s best to be wary about what type of dog you buy for your kids. Plus, you’ll want to think about size, temperament, and breeding, among other considerations.
Here are some of the top dog breeds to buy for a family pet. Each of these dogs is relatively easy to groom and mainly needs help in the summer. They’ve also got great temperaments, love kids, and get along well with other dogs too. All these dogs vary in size, but you can expect most to weigh in between 14 and 70 pounds—just the right size for playing with kids!
1. Labrador Retriever
A labrador retriever has a lot going for it! These dogs are generally energetic, but also pretty easygoing. They tend to enjoy playing but be easy to train when you want them to listen to you and quiet down for the day.
Labs are usually great at playing with kids, adults, and other dogs. They enjoy all kinds of activities, from hunting to showing. They do need lots of exercise, so they’re definitely best for older kids. You can expect a typical lab to live for 10-12 years…just about the right amount to grow up with your kids from elementary school to college.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are similar to labrador retrievers. They’re generally quite energetic and love hunting, swimming, fishing, and running! They’re also friendly, intelligent dogs who enjoy playing outside with kids and taking long walks with adults.
Golden retrievers usually live 10-12 years and maintain a medium size, perfect for a growing family. Be aware that they, too, will need LOTS of exercise and social engagement. However, golden retrievers are fun and easy to please, so they’re a great choice for a family with lots of kids and a busy lifestyle.
3. Bulldog
Bulldogs are renowned for their wrinkly faces, but there’s a lot more to these small dogs than meets the eye. While they have a reputation for being a bit higher maintenance, this mainly comes from the fact that their small snouts makes them prone to overheating.
Other than that, bulldogs are pretty easy to care for. Their short hair makes them easy to brush, and while they love to play, they’re not incredibly high energy and are great at quieting down for a cuddle and a nap in the afternoons. Bulldogs generally live 8-10 years and love kids. They’re also incredibly loyal!
4. Pug
Pugs are some of the cutest and kid-friendliest dogs around! They’re great fun to play with and like to get plenty of exercise, but they’re also fond of good naps and delicious foods (just be careful not to give them too many table scraps—they can gain too much weight fast!).
Pugs are generally even-tempered and playful, and they’re almost always agreeable. They generally love kids, especially if the kid brings games and food along, and they’re also great for cuddling on the couch with! Pugs usually live longer than other dogs—many make it 13-15 years.
5. Beagle
Beagles are intelligent, well-behaved, and lots of fun to be around! They enjoy a good romp with the kids and tend to be pretty vocal about anything they love (or don’t love). Beagles are pretty small, which is perfect for playing with little ones and keeping space needs in mind.
Most beagles live for 10-15 years and will provide a happy companion for kids and adults alike. Just be sure you don’t leave them inside for too long, as they can quickly get unhappy and devise ways of escape. This quick and energetic dog will need LOTS of playtime with your kids!
6. Irish Setter
Irish setters are beautiful dogs and kids tend to love their long red coats and big friendly snouts. Irish setters need a lot of exercise as well, so don’t buy one to leave in the house! Your kids will love romping and running with their Irish Setter all over the town.
Of course, Irish Setters are made of much more than just energy. They’re also sweet, outgoing, patient, and easy to train. Most live for 12-15 years and are pretty good about keeping quiet around the house too. Overall, Irish Setters are great pets for families of old and young kids alike!
7. Collie
Collies are famous for their long fur coats, great herding skills, and incredible loyalty. If you buy a collie, you won’t be disappointed in their babysitting skills—though obviously, you can only expect so much from a dog. Collies are smart and love playing with kids of any size!
Collies need a lot of exercise and some need a little extra grooming, but they’re friendly, easy to train, and very family-oriented. Most collies live for 12-14 years and do enjoy a bit of extra barking! But, they’re great to play with and will spend plenty of time indoors relaxing with you when playtime is over for the day.
Some other popular dog breeds for families include Newfoundlands, Poodles, Terriers, Brussels Griffons, and French Bulldogs, among others. And, of course, there’s no harm in getting a playful, family-friendly mutt!
Whatever dog you choose, make sure you do your research and also check into vaccine prices and regularity. Once you’ve got that taken care of, though, any of these dogs will be perfect for your family!