Choosing the right dog breed for a family with young children is an important decision that can provide years of companionship and enjoyment. The best dog breeds for children under 10 are gentle, patient and playful, with temperaments that match the energy and curiosity of young children. These dogs are often easy to train, friendly and adaptable, making them great companions in a family setting. In this article, we will explore 12 dog breeds that are particularly well-suited to families with children under 10, offering a mix of popular and lesser-known breeds that excel in patience, loyalty and playfulness.
12. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, affectionate dog breed known for its gentle and friendly nature. These dogs are great with children as they are patient, easy-going and enjoy being involved in family activities. Cavaliers adapt to a variety of living environments, making them a great choice for families living in houses and apartments. Their affectionate nature ensures that they form strong bonds with their younger companions, and their playful yet calm personalities make them a perfect choice for children under the age of 10. Cavaliers are also known for being easy to train, making them ideal for families who may be bringing a pet into their home for the first time.
11. Brittany Hound
The Brittany Spaniel is an active and affectionate dog breed that thrives in an active family environment. These dogs are known for their playful nature and endless energy, making them great companions for children who love to run and play outdoors. The Brittany Spaniel is also extremely loyal and forms strong bonds with their family. They are patient and gentle with children, making them a safe and loving choice for families with young children. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them easy to train, ensuring they fit in well with the family. With their friendly and active temperament, the Brittany Spaniel is a great choice for families with active children.
10. Greyhound
Beagles are small to medium sized dogs known for their friendly and curious nature. They are great with children because of their playful and patient temperaments. Beagles are known for their endless energy, making them perfect companions for children who love to play outdoors. They are also very sociable and enjoy participating in family activities. Beagles are relatively easy to train, although their curious nature can cause them to follow interesting scents, so supervision during outdoor play is essential. Their sturdy build and friendly demeanor make them a great choice for families with young children.
9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small, sturdy dog breed known for its intelligence and playful nature. These dogs are great with children because of their friendly and outgoing personalities. Corgis are energetic and love to play, making them great companions for active children. Despite their small size, Corgis are very healthy and can handle the rough play that often occurs with young children. They are also very easy to train and eager to please, making them a good choice for families looking for a well-behaved and loving pet. Corgis are known for their affectionate nature and will quickly become a beloved member of the family.
8. Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is a small, active dog breed known for its affectionate and friendly nature. These dogs are great with children due to their playful and gentle nature. Norfolk Terriers are very sociable and enjoy participating in family activities, making them great companions for children under the age of 10. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to learn, making them easy to train. Despite their small size, Norfolk Terriers are very healthy and can handle the active play that often comes with young children. Their affectionate and loyal nature makes them a perfect choice for families looking for a loving and playful pet.
7. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog breed known for its friendly and playful nature. These dogs are great with children due to their gentle and patient temperament. Wheatens are energetic and love to play, making them great companions for active children. They are also very sociable and enjoy participating in family activities. Wheatens are known for their loyalty and will quickly form a strong bond with their family. Their gentle nature and affectionate demeanor make them a perfect choice for families with young children. Wheatens are also relatively easy to train, ensuring that they fit well into the family dynamic.
6. Clumber Hound
The Clumber Spaniel is a large, gentle dog breed known for its calm and affectionate nature. These dogs are great with children due to their patience and easy-going nature. Clumbers are very loyal and form strong bonds with their families, making them great companions for children under the age of 10. They are not overly active but love to play and participate in family activities. Clumbers are also known for their intelligence and trainability, making them a perfect choice for families looking for a docile and loving pet. Their gentle and affectionate nature makes the Clumber Spaniel a perfect choice for families with young children.
5. Havanese Dog
The Havanese is a small, sturdy dog breed known for its friendly and affectionate nature. These dogs are great with children due to their gentle and playful temperament. The Havanese is very sociable and enjoys participating in family activities, making them great companions for children under the age of 10. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to learn, making them easy to train. Despite their small size, the Havanese is very healthy and can handle the active play that often comes with young children. Their affectionate and loyal nature makes them a perfect choice for families looking for a loving and playful pet.
4. Vizsla Dog
The Vizsla is a medium-sized dog breed known for its affectionate and active nature. These dogs are great with children due to their gentle and playful nature. The Vizsla is very active and loves to play, making them great companions for active children. They are also very sociable and enjoy participating in family activities. The Vizsla is known for its loyalty and will quickly form a strong bond with its family. Their gentle nature and affectionate demeanor make them a perfect choice for families with young children. The Vizsla is also relatively easy to train, ensuring that they fit well into the family dynamic.
3. Pug
Pugs are small dogs known for their affectionate and playful nature. These dogs are great with children due to their gentle and patient temperament. Pugs are very sociable and enjoy human company, making them great family pets. They are healthy little dogs that can handle the energetic play that often comes with young children. Pugs are also known for their sense of humor and love to be the center of attention, which can be very fun for children. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them a perfect choice for families looking for a small dog that enjoys being around children.
2. Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog breed known for its friendly and affectionate nature. These dogs are great with children due to their gentle and playful nature. The Icelandic Sheepdog is very sociable and enjoys participating in family activities, making them great companions for children under the age of 10. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to learn, making them easy to train. Despite their medium size, the Icelandic Sheepdog is very healthy and can handle the active play that often comes with young children. Their affectionate and loyal nature makes them a perfect choice for families looking for a loving and playful pet.
1. Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized dog breed known for its friendly and active nature. These dogs are great with children due to their playful and patient temperament. Bearded Collies are very sociable and enjoy participating in family activities, making them great companions for children under the age of 10. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to learn, making them easy to train. Their friendly nature and loyalty make them a perfect choice for families looking for a loving and playful pet. Bearded Collies are also very active and love to play, making them great companions for active children.
The perfect family companion
These 12 dog breeds are some of the best choices for families with children under 10. Whether you’re looking for a gentle and patient dog or an active and playful dog, these breeds offer the perfect mix of temperament, loyalty, and adaptability. By choosing a breed that fits your family’s lifestyle and your children’s energy levels, you can ensure a happy and harmonious home for everyone.
