A dog will be a fantastic addition to your household. There are so many good reasons why it’s beneficial for people to have a dog as a member of their family, from companionship to protection to fun, they’re just formidable animals.

Their status as being ‘man’s best friend’ is pretty undisputed these days, there is no more caring and compassionate pet and for a lot of people, a family doesn’t feel complete unless there is a dog running around the house too.

But as much as we sing their praises and look to them as being the most desirable pet, there are quite a few things that you need to consider before you decide to get a dog. It might not be an option that is genuinely suited to every family.

Dogs are hard work, taking care of them costs money, they require a lot of attention and if you are going to bring one home to your family you have to be sure that the rest of the household will be comfortable and happy about it.

And this is especially important if you’ve got children. In general, dogs are great for children but that will usually depend on the breed. If a breed is too big, too energetic or prone to aggression then they might not be the best one to have around kids. 

So let’s look at 5 reliable breeds to choose from which should be perfect to have around your kids.  

1.    Beagle

Beagles are notoriously cute but they’re also known for being an extremely sociable breed. These guys thrive on companionship and they are gentle and affectionate with the humans and other dogs they encounter.

If properly socialized, which is something that you have to do with any dog breed anyway, they will be quick to bond with your kids. Rarely an aggressive breed unless very badly trained, you shouldn’t have to worry about children being in danger around a beagle.

The only potential issue is that they are very playful. They can be calm too, but it’s possible if they get too excited that they could hurt a small child unintentionally. So it’s important to keep an eye on them when they’re playing but for the most part they’ll be a fun, safe companion for kids.

2.    Cavalier King Charles

A member of the spaniel family, these are very unique dogs because despite not being much bigger than other popular toy breeds like chihuahuas and poodles, King Charles’ are a quite lively breed.

This means of course that they will be a great playmate for your child but also because of their size, a child won’t be in much danger around them. Like the beagles, they are eager to socialize with humans and love companionship.

While they have lots of energy, they are not so energetic to the point that they will be out of control and do overall have quite a laid back personality. I guess if I had to nitpick a reason why this breed wouldn’t suit, you could say they’d be pretty useless as a guard dog!

3.    Labrador Retriever

Probably the most popular family dog of all time, labrador’s are exceptionally friendly. So friendly that they’ve more than earned their place on this list in spite of being very energetic and rather large.

A labrador can grow to be about 80 pounds and on the surface, this sounds like a pretty dangerous size to have around your kids but Labradors are intelligent and gentle enough to where most of the potential risk is negated.

Eager to please, always up for playtime and with more love than they know what to do with, a labrador will be your kids best friend in no time. They do need a lot of exercises and if you’re willing to provide that they should be a perfect choice.

4.    Irish Setter

These dogs are decidedly Irish with their flaming red hair, their good-natured, affable personality and their proclivity towards alcoholism. Okay, the last one’s not true but they are definitely a good-natured breed!

While this dog needs a lot of attention and has to stay active, it’s a smart breed, easily trainable and if you’ve got energetic kids you can rest assured that they’ll get along with a setter like a house on fire. 

They love being around humans and will love being around especially playful kids. As you’ll notice about them, they’ve got a beautiful silky coat which will need grooming and they tend to shed too so keep a good vacuum around.

5.    Cocker Spaniel

The great thing about a cocker spaniel is that they are full of energy which means they’re always up for playing and having fun, but they’re also nice and compact so they’re really not very dangerous at all.

A breed marked by a very gentle temperament, cocker’s are very friendly and will be quick to bond with your kids. They’re quite shy and harsh treatment can lead to defensive aggression but that’s easy to avoid if you are compassionate in your training. 

I say all of this about each of these breeds with the caveat that you train them correctly. Because despite the natural temperament and behaviour of a specific breed, they are still animals and will be shaped by how you treat them.

A dog that’s raised with love and sensitivity will give that in return and will, as a result, be an excellent friend and playmate for your kids.