In short 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.
How we rated
Scored on family-friendliness, patience and tolerance of boisterous play. A high score = the dog gets on reliably with children.
Rankings:For apartmentsFor kidsFor beginnersMost affectionateQuietestHypoallergenicActiveSmartestСторожовіНайбільшіНайменшіДовгожителіНайздоровішіНайспокійнішіДружні до котівМорозостійкіМисливськіНе слиняві
1
LabradoodleFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 4.55.02
WällerFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 4.55.03
PugFamily 5.0Energy 2.5Training 2.55.04
Cavalier King Charles SpanielFamily 5.0Energy 3.0Training 4.05.05
Blue Picardy SpanielFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 4.05.06
Staffordshire Bull TerrierFamily 4.5Energy 4.0Training 3.55.07
BeagleFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 2.55.08
HarrierFamily 5.0Energy 4.5Training 3.05.09
Bernese Mountain DogFamily 5.0Energy 3.0Training 3.55.010
LeonbergerFamily 5.0Energy 3.0Training 3.55.011
Labrador RetrieverFamily 5.0Energy 4.5Training 5.05.012
Golden RetrieverFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 5.05.013
White Swiss ShepherdFamily 5.0Energy 4.5Training 4.55.014
Bucovina Shepherd Dog (Ciobănesc de Bucovina)Family 4.5Energy 3.0Training 3.04.515
Pyrenean Mastiff (Mastín del Pirineo)Family 5.0Energy 2.5Training 3.54.516
Treeing Walker CoonhoundFamily 4.5Energy 5.0Training 3.54.517
Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog)Family 4.5Energy 2.5Training 2.54.518
Redbone CoonhoundFamily 4.5Energy 4.5Training 3.54.519
American English CoonhoundFamily 4.5Energy 5.0Training 3.54.520
American Pit Bull TerrierFamily 5.0Energy 4.5Training 4.04.521
English FoxhoundFamily 4.5Energy 5.0Training 3.04.522
Rat TerrierFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 4.54.523
Estonian HoundFamily 4.5Energy 4.5Training 3.04.524
Slovak CuvacFamily 4.5Energy 3.0Training 3.04.525
OdisFamily 5.0Energy 3.5Training 4.04.526
Lucas TerrierFamily 5.0Energy 3.5Training 4.04.527
Panda German ShepherdFamily 5.0Energy 4.5Training 5.04.528
Hertha PointerFamily 4.5Energy 4.5Training 4.04.529
CavapooFamily 5.0Energy 3.0Training 4.04.530
English ShepherdFamily 5.0Energy 4.0Training 4.54.5FAQ
Which breed is safest for a small child?
The Labrador and Golden Retriever are traditionally among the most patient and child-friendly breeds.
From what age can a child have a dog?
From about 5–6 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.
Are small breeds suitable for children?
Small breeds are more delicate and can be hurt by rough handling — for small children, sturdy medium breeds are often a safer bet.