Best Dogs for
Large Families
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I am often surprised when I learn how many large families have dogs. I guess I shouldn't. Dog aren't called "man's best friend" for nothing. Unlike cats, dogs tend to take to children, enduring their pokes and jabs, bonding, forming friendships, and protecting of them. Of course, that is a generalization. Not all dogs are friendly, and not all dogs take well to children. However, for many, adding a dog to your family can be a wonderful thing.
That said, a sobering fact remains: approximately 4 out of 10 families give up their dog after the first year. With overcrowding in shelters, even in this age of aggressive spaying and neutering, there are far too many animals that are abandoned and need homes.
The key to avoiding this problem is education and research. Most people will do lots of footwork before purchasing a new car, but don't think twice about going to the pound or pet store and picking up a dog. Just as one should be contientious adding a new baby to your family, adding a new pet should be a thoughtful and informed decision. Particularly with all the information available on the internet, finding information about the various breeds is easy, and can provide you with data you need to narrow down what dog breeds would be right for your family.
With that goal in mind, we set out to find not only what dogs would be good for families in general, but which breeds would be best suited for a large-family household. Below are our picks, as well as some general information on selecting a breed. Please note, while this list provides a lot of information, it is only meant as a starting point. As mentioned earlier, we urge all parents to do their own research and get as much information possible about a breed before considering a new dog. Also, a small warning, while these breeds generally work well with children, remember there are good dogs and bad dogs. It's important to know that individual dogs within breeds can demonstrate their own, unique personality traits. No matter what breed you choose, you should never leave dogs and young children together unsupervised, for the safety of both.
General Advice
Before we get to the list, a few things should be mentioned. We all know that the dynamic of the large family can be drastically different than that of the smaller family. What is sometimes not considered is that this can have a huge impact on animals, including dogs. While most people tend to think of dogs as social animals, the fact remains that certain breeds, as well as certain individuals dogs, do well in homes without children, or with a more limited number of people. It is important when choosing a breed that you consider this, as well as the amount of attention and exercise the dog needs. A dog that is generally sedatary may not do well at all with many children trying to play with it. In fact, overstimulation can make a dog nervous and lead to snapping and biting.
A few questions potential dog owners should ask themselves are:
Is a dog...any dog...right for your family? This is a key question. Just because you have lots of kids doesn't mean a dog will fit well into the mix. Particularly if you are an active family and don't have a lot of time to devote to training and caring for a dog. Don't assume that just because you have a lot of kids that the dog will get the proper amount of attention and/or exercise.
Do you want a puppy or a full-grown dog? Another important question. Puppies take a lot of work, and require training. They also get into mischief and chew on everything. There are benefits of getting a full-grown dog, who has been trained and is past the manic puppy-stage. However, an older dog may have a harder time adjusting to a new environment and large family, particularly if it came from a smaller home.
How active will/can you be in training the dog? Even in the family-friendly breeds, there is a variance in how easily trained a dog is. Determining how much time you have to devote to training (and this includes the kids if they are going to be included in the process) is something important to consider.
Purebred or Mutt? - There are pros-and-cons to both. Some purebreds have health problems that are associated with their breeds, and mutts tend to be more hardy. However, mixing certain breeds can actually bring out the worst qualities in both. Not to mention that cost can be a big consideration.
What size dog are you looking for? - This is something some people don't consider until it is too late. Particularly on television and in movies, the breeds featured are usually large, domineering dogs. A big dog may be too overpowering for your family, particularly if you have small children. On the other hand, small dogs can present problems, especially if your children are very aggressive or you have a special needs child, thus they could easily injure the dog.
Do you want a Guard Dog and Watch Dog? - There is a very clear distinction. Guard Dogs will usually become aggressive towards intruders. A Watch Dog will most likely be a big softy towards anyone that enters, but will be keep an ear open and bark when someone approaches. There are good family dogs in both breeds. However, Guard Dog types are generally more aggressive, so that should be a consideration.
Where will you get your dog from? This is an important question too. Most experts will strongly recommend using a reputable breeder, which may require some footwork on your part. If you go to the local pet shop, do their dogs come from puppy mills? Is the human society or local pound your best bet? Research the options and find the best route for your family.
Top 10 Breeds of Dogs for Large Families
Here is our list of the top 10 breeds for large families. The list is quite electic, with some expected entries, and some rather unusual ones.
 Golden Retriever - On almost every single list we found of top family dogs, the Golden Retriever was on it. This breed is wonderful with children. Gentle and tolerant. They also do well with other household pets. Lifespan is 10-13 years. This dog is considered a large-sized breed.
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Labrador Retriever - Again, almost every list featured the Lab. It is one of the most popular breeds in the world, and is the most popular breed in the United States. This breed is intelligent, energetic, good-natured. They do well with children, and crave human attention. We've seen lists that classify this dog both as a medium and large-sized breed. |  |
Beagle - Another favorite featured on most lists we found. The beagle is a member of the hound group. They do exceptionally well with children. They are also a "pack dog" which means they prefer to be in groups, either with other dogs or people, which make them exceptionally suited for large families (more on this later in the article). This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Boxer - At a first glance, the pouty mug of the Boxer makes you think he's a bit of a meanie. The opposite is true. These dogs are bright, energetic, and playful. They do well with children, but sometimes have problems with other dog. This breed can be difficult to train. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Collies - We found so many lists with the various collie breeds, we decided to lump them all together. Collies are generally wonderful with children and families. They are herding dogs, and they tend to be protective and watchful of family members. The one drawback to this breed is the long hair, and it is not recommended for those with allergies. Also, note that while we found Border Collies on many family-friendly lists, they are generally work dogs and do better on farm-type environments; they can get aggressive, and are not advised if you're simply looking for a family pet. Depending on the type of Collie, this is a medium to large-sized breed.
Bassett Hound - Bassett Hounds are big dogs on short legs. They are quite long. They are loving animals that like to make friends, and enjoys human interaction. They are great with children. They don't like a high level of activity, but enjoy walks and easy running. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Cocker Spaniel - These dogs are very playful, devoted, and eager to please. They can get a bit stressed in an overly aggressive environment, which should be considered if you have smaller children. Though we found many accounts of Cocker Spaniels doing well with any member of the family, a few sources noted they may not be suitable for families with very small children. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
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Irish Setters - This is a happy, playful breed. It loves to run and needs a lot of exercise, so it is not well-suited for the sedatary family. It is friendly and loves to be pet. It does exceptionally well with children. This dog is considered a large-sized breed. |  |
Poodle - Poodles are considered one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. They are extremely people-oriented, and love human companionship. They have a great distinction of getting along with all family members, and do exceptionally well with children. A plus to the poodle is they shed very little. Depending on the type (i.e. minature, etc) this dog is considered a small to medium-sized breed.
Boston Terrier - Almost every list we saw had a terrier on it, from border terrier to yorkshire terrier, but the Boston Terrier seemed to win overall. This breed is very friendly and loves human companionship. They are loveable, cuddly, but can also be independent. As with most terriers, they tend to be energetic dogs and require a lot of activity. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Herding and Pack Dogs
Because of the unique make-up of a large family, another consideration when choosing a dog is whether a breed is considered herding or pack.
As their names suggest, Herding Dogs have been bred for the purpose of herding animals. These animals tend to be more comfortable in a large group, and have the natural instinct to keep an eye on and protect their family...particularly children. It should be noted that herding dogs need a lot of exercise, particularly when a puppy, which may not be a problem if you have children to keep it active. Also, due to their larger size, they need a lot of room to move, so may not be best suited if you have a small house or lack a yard. These dogs are generally not recommended for a sedatary family.
Pack dogs are pretty much as the name suggest. They like to travel in packs/groups, whether with other dogs or humans. They do well with lots of people, and actually may be more comfortable in a large family home than in a single household. The only drawback is that pack dogs can experience separation anxiety if away from their "pack" too long. In a large family, where there are always people around, this may not be a significant problem.
We did some research and found several dogs in each category which are considered good family dog breeds:
| Herding Dog Breeds | Pack Dog Breeds |
German Shepherd
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
Collie breeds |
Beagle
Basset Hound
Husky
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Designer Dogs
A new trend in breeds are designer dogs. These dogs take two compatible breeds and mix them. The intended result is a dog with the positive qualities of the two breeds, while eliminating many of the particular health issues. Many of these dogs have been bred with a particular eye toward creating good family pets. A slight warning, some breeders are trying to cash in on the craze of these designer dogs, and some are charging prices comparable and even double/triple their purebred counterparts. We have seen prices about half of the full-breed, though some argue a pricetag on par with the full breed is acceptable. Anything more should be considered gouging.
There are too many family-friendly mixings to mentions, so we'll just list a few of the more popular breeds:
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Puggle - A mix of a purebred Pug and a purebred Beagle, Puggles are the most popular designer dog breed. Both Pugs and Beagles are considered excellent family dogs, and the resulting Puggle is no exception. They are non-aggressive and love children. The Beagle in them makes them pack dogs and thus they love being with a large group. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed. |  |
Labradoodle - This breed is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and a purebred Poodle. By mixing two of the most friendly family dogs, you get the benefit of the non-shedding poodle, and loveability of the Lab. They are a highly trainable breed. These dogs do need a good deal of exercise and are best suited for an active family. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Buggs - A mix between a Boston Terrier and a Pug, this dog is energetic and loving. Both the Boston Terrier and Pug are great family dogs, and this mixing is no different. They love human companionship and are non-aggressive and playful. This dog is considered a medium-sized breed.
Other Breeds and Some Final Words
Aside from the dogs mentioned above, we personally know many large families who have Pugs, German Shepherds, and Saint Bernards, and swear by those breeds as being child-friendly. Many others will swear that a good old fashioned mutt from the pound is the best way to go. My husband's childhood dog was an undetermined mixed breed, and he insists she was the best dog on the planet.
That said, when going to the pound, or the pet store, in the search of a new friend, it's best to keep an eye out for aggressive dogs. As we said earlier, even though a breed is friendly, particular animals within the breed may not be. Also, if the dog has been rescued from an abusive environment, the dog may have aggression issues as a result. Be sure to talk to the staff at the shelter, since they spend time with the dogs and get to know their personalities. However, it's also a good thing to keep an eye out for these dangers signs:
Does the dog growl at you, other people, or other dogs?
Does the dog snarl at you or other people?
Does the snap or snarl when you try to take something away from him (a toy, blanket, or food)?
Does the shrink away or cringe when approached?
Does the dog stare at you with glassy eyes?
Lastly, while the idea of buying a new puppy as a surprise is appealing, many experts urge that bringing a new dog home during the holidays, or even as a birthday gift, is not adviseable. It can give children the impression the dog is a toy instead of a living being that needs care and respect. If you are looking to give a dog as a present, consider putting a collar and a leash in a gift box. Once the child opens it, announce that you'll be getting a new puppy. In a few weeks, after things have calmed, have the child(ren) accompany you to pick out their new pet. Giving the child a part in the process helps give them a sense of responsibility, and can lead to good conversations on proper dog care and family involvement.
For additional information on selecting a dog for your family, check out these sites:
Select Smart - Online survey helps you pick the best breed for your family and lifestyle.
Dog Breeds and Children - Lists numerous different breeds and how they rank with respect to getting along with kids.
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Article by: Michelle Lehmann
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