Whether you are planning to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue or buy one from a reputable breeder, it’s important to research first. You need to make sure a dog will fit into your lifestyle, living environment, and more. This is especially true if you need to make sure they will get along well with your kids, other dogs, and/or other pets. This means looking for one of the great dog breeds for large families.

3 Qualities to Look For in a Family Dog

Socialization and training make a huge difference, but there are some dog breeds that are known for being kid-friendly. You want to make sure that the dog you’re considering adding to the family will fit in and won’t have a hard time handling a louder, busier, and more chaotic household.

1. Size of the Puppy

You also want to think about the age of your kids and the size of the dog you’re thinking of adopting or buying. Small or toy breeds are tiny, especially when they are puppies. Because of this, they aren’t always the best fit for a household with very young children.

Fragile pups can be easily injured by trips, falls, and accidental rough play from young children who are still learning how to master motor control. closely supervising interactions between young kids and puppies can help, but this is an important consideration when you are thinking about the right dog for your family.

2. Trainability

When you have a large family, it’s nice to have an active dog that can keep up with the kids. Finding a naturally energetic, playful dog may be key. At the same time, you need to consider how much experience you have training dogs and how easy or difficult the dog breed you’re considering tends to be when it comes to training.

A dog with a reputation for showing signs of dog intelligence can be a good start. Smart dogs pick up on things easily, but they can also get bored easily, so you will want to find a dog with the right balance that will be easy for you and your family to train.

3. Social and Friendly

With kids in the house, it’s going to be a busier, louder environment. A social dog that naturally tends toward being more open and friendly is usually better able to handle and enjoy this type of environment. Thankfully, there are several kid-friendly dog breeds that also tend to be a great fit for large families and these environments.

They also tend to be a better fit when it comes to other dogs and potentially other pets in the family. Your home is a social environment and your dog will need to interact with not only your family, but your friends as well.

5 Great Dog Breeds for Large Families

Based on the qualities that make for a great family-friendly dog, these are a few great dog breeds for large families:

1. Newfoundlands

One breed that definitely meets the sturdiness requirement is the Newfoundland. Big and fluffy with a reputation of being eager to please, Newfoundlands make amazing family dogs.

They often take on the role of a babysitter or “nurse”. They were bred for water rescue and are great swimmers with heavy coats that insulate them from the chilly water.

2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

This breed is a great fit for affectionate families. If your kids are pet-happy, then you might want to choose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed will eat up all that physical attention instead of becoming annoyed.

They’re a toy breed known for being lapdogs. Tiny and sweet with big floppy ears, Cavies are adorable and gentle. They are tiny as puppies and remain small when they are fully grown so your kids will need to be gentle with them, but these little dogs will love the attention.

3. Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are famously great family dogs, too. They are hard workers, that are easy to train, and are great companions with a sense of humor. Their playful, friendly nature tends to fit right in with everyone.

They can be trained to go on search-and-rescue missions, but they also know how to relax. Golden Retrievers are devoted, friendly, and intelligent. Plus, they have plenty of energy to keep up with your family.

4. Bernese Mountain Dogs

The Bernese Mountain Dog was originally bred for farm work, but members of this breed are now often employed as family pets. Big and outdoorsy, Bernese Mountain Dogs are affectionate, personable, and calm.

5. Border Collies

Border Collies, originally bred for herding, are highly intelligent and athletic. They tend to be better with older children, but can do well with younger children and are typically good with other dogs.

Border Collies are affectionate and high-energy dogs. One of the facts about Border Collies is that they are natural herders. They may try to herd people or other animals, but the behavior can be easily redirected.

This list is not exhaustive by any means! It’s just a few great dog breeds for large families to get you started. With some consideration, research, and face time, you and your family will be able to find the perfect canine companion to bring home.