You’re ready to add a four-legged friend to your family, but with 200 American Kennel Club-recognized purebred dog breeds and endless breed combinations available for adoption, knowing where to begin your search can be a challenge. So, the Neighborhood Veterinary Centers team has chosen our top five family-friendly breeds to help you get started.

In no particular order, our favorites include: 

  • Golden retrievers — Golden retrievers (i.e., goldens) have been America’s sweetheart for decades. Known for their sweet disposition and gentle nature, golden retrievers adore everyone and children in particular. The breed is a quick study for basic obedience skills, which means they integrate easily into home life. Because they are a sporting breed, goldens have plenty of energy and enthusiasm and can easily keep up with a busy household—nor will they ever turn down an adventure. Golden retrievers are considered easy-care with low-maintenance grooming. They are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, cancer, hypothyroidism, and gastric dilation volvulus (i.e., bloat), so adopting your puppy from a reputable breeder and staying dedicated to their veterinary care is important. The golden retriever’s expected lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

  • Labrador retrievers — The Labrador retriever’s sporting background and willingness to work for and please their owner make them an ideal family companion. Labradors are intelligent, active, and loving dogs, who can be easily trained, as long as they have physical outlets for their sometimes boundless energy. Labrador retrievers can be food-impulsive, which can lead to weight gain and serious health problems, so owners must stay vigilant to ensure their adult dogs aren’t receiving extra calories from well-meaning children or other family members. Labradors are a “wash-and-wear” breed whose double coat is water-repellent, although they do shed heavily. Labradors can be susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and bloat. Well-bred Labrador retrievers’ average lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

  • Beagles — If portability is part of your family dog criteria, a beagle may fit the bill—and your arms. Beagles are small hounds (i.e., 20 to 30 pounds) with big hearts, keen intelligence, and an independent streak. Many families find the beagle’s compact size, low-maintenance coat, comical personality, and endearing expressions a winning combination for family members of all ages. Beagles are considered a relatively hearty breed with few inherited health conditions. 

Beagles were bred to hunt rabbits and have a powerful sense of smell, meaning they require regular exercise to ensure they don’t cause mischief or become obese. Because beagles can be vocal, they may not be a suitable companion for apartment-dwelling families.

  • Pugs — Despite their small size and adorable wrinkled expression, pugs are a robust and sturdy family friendly breed who possess charm and child-like curiosity. The American Kennel Club standard for the pug describes the breed as “multum in parvo,” which is Latin for “big dog in a small space.”

Pugs are gentle and affectionate with children and strangers, and have moderate exercise needs and relatively low-maintenance grooming. As a brachycephalic (i.e., flat-faced) breed, pugs are susceptible to breathing problems and can suffer from heatstroke, so pug owners must limit their dog’s activity during warm weather and monitor their weight to avoid exacerbating their respiratory challenges. Pugs are otherwise healthy and can live 13 to 15 years.  

  • Collies — This Scottish herding breed is perhaps the iconic American family dog. Collies are noble, gentle, and loyal dogs with an instinctive need to shepherd their human companions, making them an excellent choice for active families with small children. Despite their long and luxurious coat, rough-coated collies (e.g., Lassie) are seasonal shedders and require only moderate grooming. Smooth-coated collies have a shorter coat with the same features as the rough-coated collie. Collies are athletic dogs built for herding livestock, so when they’re not gathering your family, be prepared to exercise them daily and provide mental stimulation. Collies are generally healthy, but can be susceptible to inherited eye and skin conditions, multiple drug resistance (MDR1) disorder, and epilepsy. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years.

These five dog breeds are only a sample of purebred and mixed-breeds who make excellent family companions. After you’ve done your research, ensure you adopt your new dog or puppy from a reputable shelter, rescue, or breeder.

For local recommendations and more breed-specific advice, contact a Neighborhood Veterinary Centers location. And, when you bring home your new family member, check out our puppy welcome guide and contact us to schedule their all-important first exam.