How to Choose A Companion 

Golden Retriever – The Ultimate Family Dog They are very loving, gentle and patient with children. HavaneseWith their smarts, Havanese are a breeze to train, which makes them perfect for novice dog owners. Playful and outgoing, Golden Retrievers will also need a lot of exercise and outdoor activity. They have remained one of the world’s most popular family companions due to their loyalty and pleasant disposition. They are so charming with their rich golden coats that just make you smile along with them.

Another great choice for families listed in the top 3 was, of course, Labrador Retrievers; known to be social and outgoing — a lab will wow anyone they meet. The breed forms strong bonds with their human family members and is particularly gentle with children. With high energy levels, Labs need daily activity which is ideal for an active family that enjoys outdoor fun like hiking, swimming, hopping and running in the backyard. Labs are generally good at obedience, and with their intelligence we haven’t had any problems (they’re really easy to train! They naturally adjust to the activeness of a house but can also enjoy calm family downtime.

The beagle has a friendly, happy and playful demeanor and is the ideal size for anyone seeking a small- to medium-sized dog. Curious and adventurous they are just fun to have in the home especially for families with children. Beagles are social dogs,they love being around people and other pets. And while they need daily exercise, they are just as happy romping around the yard with you or cuddling up to watch TV inside. The beagle makes a distinct baying howl that gives even more character to its general personality. Both small homes and large dwellings can accommodate the Cavaliers considering their size and temperament making them especially great for families.

For families that like a fun sidekick with a calm personality, the Bulldog is always a good option. Bulldogs may look gruff, but they tend to be gentle with kids and have a unique calmness that matches up well with the energy of children. Its low-energy status makes it very accommodating to apartment living. Bulldogs also make for a faithful friend, forever at your side. Plaudit to their admirable patience and wise disposition, Mini Labradoodles are wonderful around families with younger children. While they do need some attention for those unique looking faces, they are fairly low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming and exercise.

Whether standard, miniature or toy sized, poodles are extremely intelligent and adaptable to family life. Recognized for its low allergen coat, it is perfect for an allergic family. But Poodles are quite intelligent, playful and energetic — near the top of that category when it comes to standard and larger poodles! The friendly and sociable nature of the Rough Collie makes it great with children, while their desire to please means they are easy to train. They are energetic but have a very playful disposition which, when combined with the right level of exercise and mental stimulation, make themselves at home in busy households and are highly popular as fun, interactive pets for families.

Boxers are playful dogs that have tons of energy and love children. They are wonderful watchdogs, as their protective tendencies are very strong, and they are also very loving and always loyal. Boxers are very active and need lots of physical activity, which is perfect for energetic families that can give them lots of playtime and exercise. While its patience and protectiveness around children offer evidence of their well-balanced nature, it is their popularity with families seeking both a family pet as well as guard dog that has seen an increasing interest in the breed. They are strong, muscular dogs and yet have a gentle spirit—suitable for family life.

The small breed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel excels as a gentle, affectionate and friendly dog that would be a great fit in families. These dogs have a good temperament and loving, friendly nature – they are great family pets who do well with children as well as other pets. Since they are adaptable, Cavaliers can live well in apartments or large homes. They are really a breed of lap dogs, and love to be with people all the time. With a silky coat and expressive brown eyes, the Bichon Frise has been a popular addition to families looking for smaller dogs that are easy to handle on walks.

If you live in an apartment or a small home, Shih Tzus are small companion dogs and they will get on well with your family. Friendly and social, these dogs do best when they can spend as much time with their people as possible. They are excellent with children — playful, but happy to snuggle inside a lap or snuggling on the sofa. Their soft fur must be brushed weekly, but they are hypoallergenic and make good pets for people who have mild allergies. It means that the Shih Tzu is versatile and can live alike in an active or a calm home, making it perfect for the modern family.

The Border Collie is a great choice for active households that appreciate the unique mental and physical challenges of this breed. Renowned for their stunning intelligence and hardworking nature, Border Collies are leaders in dog sports, agility, and obedience training. Since these dogs are high-energy, they need more exercise and stimulation than many other breeds, so they are ideal for families that have the time to keep up with their activity level. Border Collies have working-dog roots, but they are affectionate and loyal to their families. Herding instincts protect babies and make them good family companions to an active family.

The Bichon Frise is a small, playful dog with a benign outlook on life. With their hypoallergenic coat, they are popular among those with allergy sufferers in the family. The Bichon is a highly-strung, affectionate, social dog that loves to be the center of attention. One benefit to the breed is that they interact nicely with kids and other animals, making them great for families. As they are both fun(loving) and affectionate, the Schnorgi is equally happy tearing around in the backyard as curled up on the couch alongside you. Bichons are very happy go lucky dogs with teddy bear looks that brighten up any home.

Selecting the best dog breed for your family is incredibly gratifying; it will contribute to your household and bring you enjoyment for many years to come. Every breed has something that stands out, be it a Border Collie’s intelligence and energy or the Bulldog’s calm, affectionate nature. These are some of the best dogs that you can get if you have a family, to keep everyone on their toes and provide warmth during the long cold winter nights. But keep in mind, all dogs need to be loved and nurtured like members of the family–regardless of their breed.