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Thinking of adding a furry pup to your household? Before adopting one, it is smart to research the most suitable breed for your home, children, and lifestyle. Below is a list of the best dogs for families.
#1 Moodle
Known outside Australia as Maltipoo, the Moodle dog is the result of mixing a Maltese and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. The aim of the crossbreeding was to produce a small dog that sheds little and is safe for allergy sufferers. While it is a fairly new hybrid, it is among the most popular household pets today because of its exceptional temperament.
Affectionate, playful, and loyal, the Moodle makes a wonderful addition to any household. It enjoys human companionship and loves taking part in family activities. It has a relaxed approach to life and can be happy just relaxing on your lap. It also does well with children, the elderly, and other pets, especially when properly socialized as a puppy.
Height: 20 to 30 centimetres
Weight: Two to nine kilograms
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
Coat: Scruffy or curly
Colors: White, black, brown, cream, grey, and blue
#2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Originally bred as lapdogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a direct descendant of the Toy Spaniel seen in many paintings of famous artists back in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. For a long time, it has been associated with the nobles and royals in Europe. Today, it is a household favorite because of its pleasing personality.
Sociable, adaptable, and gentle, the Cavalier gets along with just about anyone and anything. It does well living with both active people and homebodies, so it won’t matter if you are an outdoorsman or a couch potato. It fits perfectly in households with children and seniors, and can easily coexist with other pets. This purebred dog is also eager to meet anyone that crosses its path and takes a fast liking to strangers.
Height: 33 centimetres
Weight: Six to eight kilograms
Lifespan: 12 to 18 years
Coat: Silky
Colors: Back, white, brown, chocolate, red, and liver
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Ask a Vet Live Now#3 Boston Terrier
Historians agree that the Boston Terrier was created in the late 1800s in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. Nicknamed the “American Gentleman,” it was originally bred to be a fighting dog.
Because of its affectionate and lively personality, the Boston Terrier is adored by many. This purebred dog loves children and makes incredible companions for older people. It gets along with all the members of the family, including other household pets. It also adapts well to any living environment, making it suitable for both tiny apartments and large houses with backyards.
Height: 40 centimetres
Weight: Four to 11 kilograms
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Coat: Short and flat
Colors: Black and white, brindle and white, and seal and white
#4 Cavoodle
Also called Cavapoo, the Cavoodle is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. It was first bred in the 1990s in Australia to develop a hybrid that is low-shedding and hypoallergenic. Because of its wonderful temperament, it remains one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia today.
What makes the Cavoodle ideal for families is its loving nature. It combines the best traits of its parent breeds, resulting in a hybrid that is gentle, affectionate, and fun-loving. It is energetic and laid-back at the same time, making it suitable for just about any family’s lifestyle. It thrives on the company of people and enjoys interacting with children and other household pets.
Height: 35 to 38 centimetres
Weight: Five to 12 kilograms
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Coat: Wavy or curly
Colors: Black, brown, cream, tan, and gold, with or without markings
#5 Labrador Retriever
Originally called St. John’s dog, the Labrador Retriever hails from the island of Newfoundland, just off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. It was bred in the 1700s to help local fishermen fetch ropes, haul nets, and retrieve fish. While some Labradors still serve as working today, others stay at home as family companions.
What makes the Labrador a household favorite is its outgoing nature. This high-spirited dog is eager to please and gets along nicely with both people and other animals. It is good with children but requires some obedience training at an early age due to their strength and size. Because of its intelligence, it is easy to train, making it suitable as an assistance dog for people with disabilities. And because it is a natural retriever, it excels as a search and rescue dog, and as a participant in agility and obedience competitions.
Height: 58 centimetres
Weight: 25 to 36 kilograms
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Coat: Short, hard, and flat
Colors: Black, chocolate, and yellow
#6 Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is the result of crossbreeding a Flat-Coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel. This purebred was developed in the late nineteenth century at the highland estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks in Scotland to create an even-tempered hunting companion.
Relaxed, sweet, and loyal are three words that best describe the Golden Retriever. It makes an excellent household companion because of its friendly and tolerant attitude. It is adaptable and gets along with just about any member of the family. It is intelligent and protective of its human and is friendly towards children and other animals. Because of its hunting history, this purebred excels as a therapy and service dog and does well in agility and obedience dog sports.
Height: 53 to 61 centimetres
Weight: 30 to 34 kilograms
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Coat: Straight or wavy
Colors: Golden, light golden, dark golden, and cream
#7 Pug
Bred to be a lap dog, the Pug originated in China back in BC 206 to AD 200. Believed to be related to the Tibetan Mastiff, it was prized by Chinese emperors and lived in luxury.
Today, this purebred is adored for being charming, affectionate, and loyal. With a playful personality, it sometimes is regarded as the clown of the canine world. As a pet, it is playful and thrives on human companionship. It gets along wonderfully with people of ages and other animals, provided it is well socialized as a puppy.
Height: 25 to 36 centimetres
Weight: Six to eight kilograms
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Coat: Short, smooth, and glossy
Colors: Black, silver fawn, fawn, and apricot
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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