{"id":156009,"date":"2026-07-10T16:31:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/rating-dogs-kids-en"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:31:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:31:53","slug":"rating-dogs-kids-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/rating-dogs-kids","title":{"rendered":"Best dog breeds for children and family"},"content":{"rendered":"
In short<\/b> The best breeds for children are patient, gentle and unfazed by commotion. Topping family-friendliness are the Labrador, Golden Retriever and Beagle: kind, playful and rarely aggressive.<\/div>
How we rated<\/div>

Scored on family-friendliness, patience and tolerance of boisterous play. A high score = the dog gets on reliably with children.<\/p><\/div>

Rankings:<\/span>For apartments<\/a>For kids<\/a>For beginners<\/a>Most affectionate<\/a>Quietest<\/a>Hypoallergenic<\/a>Active<\/a>Smartest<\/a>Guard dogs<\/a>Largest<\/a>Smallest<\/a>Longest-lived<\/a>Healthiest<\/a>Calmest<\/a>Cat-friendly<\/a>Cold-hardy<\/a>Hunting dogs<\/a>Non-drooling<\/a><\/div>1<\/span>\"Labradoodle\"Labradoodle<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 4.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>2<\/span>\"W\u00e4ller\"W\u00e4ller<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 4.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>3<\/span>\"Pug\"Pug<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 2.5<\/span>Training 2.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>4<\/span>\"CavalierCavalier King Charles Spaniel<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>5<\/span>\"BlueBlue Picardy Spaniel<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>6<\/span>\"StaffordshireStaffordshire Bull Terrier<\/span>Family 4.5<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>7<\/span>\"Beagle\"Beagle<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 2.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>8<\/span>\"Harrier\"Harrier<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 3.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>9<\/span>\"BerneseBernese Mountain Dog<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>10<\/span>\"Newfoundland\"Newfoundland<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 2.5<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>11<\/span>\"Landseer\"Landseer<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>12<\/span>\"Leonberger\"Leonberger<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>13<\/span>\"LabradorLabrador Retriever<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 5.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>14<\/span>\"GoldenGolden Retriever<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 5.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>15<\/span>\"WhiteWhite Swiss Shepherd Dog<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 4.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>5.0<\/span><\/a>16<\/span>\"AmericanAmerican Pit Bull Terrier<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>17<\/span>\"EnglishEnglish Foxhound<\/span>Family 4.5<\/span>Energy 5.0<\/span>Training 3.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>18<\/span>\"RatRat Terrier<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 4.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>19<\/span>\"EstonianEstonian Hound<\/span>Family 4.5<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 3.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>20<\/span>\"SlovakSlovak Cuvac<\/span>Family 4.5<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 3.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>21<\/span>\"Odis\"Odis<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.5<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>22<\/span>\"LucasLucas Terrier<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.5<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>23<\/span>\"PandaPanda German Shepherd<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 5.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>24<\/span>\"HerthaHertha Pointer<\/span>Family 4.5<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>25<\/span>\"Cavapoo\"Cavapoo<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>26<\/span>\"EnglishEnglish Shepherd<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.0<\/span>Training 4.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>27<\/span>\"Alopekis\"Alopekis<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.5<\/span>Training 4.0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>28<\/span>\"Eurasier\"Eurasier<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.0<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>29<\/span>\"JapaneseJapanese Spitz (Nihon Supittsu)<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 3.5<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>30<\/span>\"IrishIrish Red and White Setter<\/span>Family 5.0<\/span>Energy 4.5<\/span>Training 3.5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>4.5<\/span><\/a>
FAQ<\/div>
Which breed is safest for a small child?<\/summary>
The Labrador and Golden Retriever are traditionally among the most patient and child-friendly breeds.<\/div><\/details>
From what age can a child have a dog?<\/summary>
From about 5\u20136 years is usually advised, once the child understands boundaries with an animal; any contact between a toddler and a dog should be supervised by adults.<\/div><\/details>
Are small breeds suitable for children?<\/summary>
Small breeds are more delicate and can be hurt by rough handling \u2014 for small children, sturdy medium breeds are often a safer bet.<\/div><\/details><\/div>
\u0422<\/span>
The tvaryny.com editors<\/b> \u2014 canine experts and vets
Ranking based on structured breed ratings. Updated regularly.<\/div><\/div><\/div>