Choosing a dog for your family involves more than falling in love with a particular breed. The right companion should fit your daily routine, living space, activity level, grooming budget, and the ages of the people in your household.
Some dogs are happiest spending hours outdoors, while others are more comfortable with a moderate daily walk and time with their family. Some need regular professional grooming, and others require considerable training and mental stimulation to stay settled at home.
If you're wondering which dog you should get, the seven breeds below offer different personalities, care requirements, and lifestyles to consider. Use this guide to narrow down your options before deciding whether a particular breed is right for you.
How to Choose the Right Family Dog
Before comparing breeds, think about what life with a dog will actually look like in your home. A dog that suits an active household may struggle in a home where everyone is away most of the day. Likewise, a breed with a demanding coat can become difficult to manage if you have little time for grooming.
- Exercise: Consider how much time you can devote to walks, play, training, and outdoor activities every day.
- Temperament: Look for an individual dog whose energy level and behavior suit your household rather than relying on breed reputation alone.
- Children: Consider the ages of your children and whether they understand how to approach, handle, and give a dog space.
- Grooming: Long, dense, or continuously growing coats can require frequent brushing and professional care.
- Living space: Match the dog's exercise and enrichment needs to your routine. A large house does not replace daily activity, and a smaller home does not automatically rule out a larger dog.
- Long-term costs: Budget for food, veterinary visits, preventive care, training, grooming, supplies, and unexpected medical expenses.
Remember that puppies need considerable time, training, and supervision. An adult dog with an established temperament may be a better choice for some households, especially those with young children or limited experience.
7 Dog Breeds to Consider for Your Family
1. Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is an intelligent, athletic dog known for its curly coat and ability to learn. Although people often associate Poodles with their distinctive haircuts, they were originally developed as water retrievers. Their combination of intelligence and energy can make them engaging companions for families that enjoy spending time outdoors and teaching their dogs new skills.
Exercise and training: Standard Poodles need regular physical activity and mental stimulation. Walks, interactive games, and reward-based training help keep them occupied. They often learn quickly, but they still need consistent guidance and opportunities to use their minds.
Grooming: Their coat sheds relatively little compared with many breeds, but it continues to grow and can mat without proper care. Regular brushing and professional grooming are important.
Family fit: A Standard Poodle may suit an active household that wants an intelligent, trainable companion and can keep up with its exercise and grooming needs. Its size and enthusiasm should be considered around small children.
Consider another breed if: You want a dog that requires little coat maintenance or can be left without much company and stimulation for long periods.
Related reading: 10 Fascinating Facts About French Poodles
2. Border Collie
The Border Collie is a highly intelligent herding breed originally developed to work with livestock. It is known for its focus, responsiveness, and remarkable ability to learn complex tasks. These qualities can be rewarding for owners who enjoy training, but they also come with considerable daily responsibilities.
Exercise and training: Border Collies need more than a short walk around the neighborhood. They benefit from active exercise, training sessions, scent games, and activities that challenge their problem-solving skills. Without enough appropriate stimulation, some may develop unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, chasing, or destructive chewing.
Grooming: Coat length varies, but regular brushing helps remove loose hair and prevent tangles. Check the ears, paws, and coat after outdoor activities.
Family fit: An experienced, active family that enjoys outdoor adventures and training may find a Border Collie an excellent companion. Its herding instincts may lead it to chase or attempt to control the movements of running children, so supervision and training are important.
Consider another breed if: Your family prefers a relaxed routine, has little time for exercise, or wants a dog that is content with minimal daily engagement.
Related reading: Smartest Dog Breeds in the World
3. Tibetan Terrier
Despite its name, the Tibetan Terrier is not a true terrier. This companion breed developed in Tibet and is known for its shaggy coat, sturdy build, and affectionate nature. It can be a good option for households looking for a medium-sized dog that enjoys being involved in family life.
Exercise and training: Tibetan Terriers generally benefit from daily walks, playtime, and regular interaction with their people. Early socialization and consistent, reward-based training help them become comfortable with different people, animals, and everyday situations.
Grooming: Their long coat requires regular, thorough brushing to prevent mats. Families should be prepared to devote time to coat maintenance or budget for professional grooming.
Family fit: A Tibetan Terrier may suit a household that wants an affectionate companion and can provide regular activity and coat care. Introductions to children and other pets should be handled carefully, with each dog's individual temperament taken into account.
Consider another breed if: You want a low-maintenance coat or rarely have time for grooming.
4. English Setter
The English Setter is a sporting breed developed to locate game birds. It is admired for its feathered coat and graceful appearance, but its appeal goes beyond looks. English Setters are often affectionate and sociable, making them worth considering for families that enjoy outdoor activities.
Exercise and training: This breed needs regular exercise and opportunities to explore its surroundings. Walks, supervised outdoor activities, and scent-based games can help meet its needs. Because it has hunting instincts, reliable recall training and secure outdoor spaces are especially important.
Grooming: Brush the coat regularly, paying attention to the longer hair around the ears, legs, chest, and tail. Check for tangles and debris after walks.
Family fit: An English Setter may work well in an active household that can provide companionship, exercise, and patient training. Its energy and size should be considered when introducing it to young children.
Consider another breed if: You have limited time for daily outdoor activities or need a dog that requires very little exercise.
5. West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, commonly called the Westie, is a small Scottish breed originally developed for hunting vermin. Its white coat, alert expression, and lively personality make it a recognizable companion dog.
Exercise and training: Westies enjoy walks, games, and opportunities to investigate their surroundings. Their terrier instincts can make them persistent and independent, so short, engaging training sessions and consistent boundaries are useful.
Grooming: The Westie's double coat needs regular brushing and periodic trimming or professional grooming. Its coat should not be assumed to be maintenance-free simply because the dog is small.
Family fit: A Westie may suit a family looking for a small, energetic companion. Children should learn to handle the dog gently and respect its space, especially when it is eating or resting.
Consider another breed if: You want a dog that rarely barks, has no digging or chasing instincts, or needs almost no coat care.
Related reading: Best Dog Breeds for Kids and Families and Westiepoo: A Charming Designer Dog for Active Families
6. Brittany
The Brittany is a French sporting breed known for its enthusiasm, agility, and close working relationship with people. Although it is sometimes described as a spaniel, it is recognized as a distinct breed. Its energy and willingness to participate in activities can make it appealing to families that enjoy an active lifestyle.
Exercise and training: Brittanys need regular physical activity and mental engagement. Walks alone may not be enough for a particularly energetic individual, so include interactive play, training, and opportunities to explore safely.
Grooming: Its medium-length coat is generally manageable with regular brushing, especially around feathered areas. Keep the ears clean and dry, and trim the nails as needed.
Family fit: A Brittany may be a good match for an outdoorsy family that can offer plenty of interaction and structured activity. Its hunting instincts mean that care is needed around small animals, and introductions to other pets should be managed appropriately.
Consider another breed if: Your household prefers a quiet routine and cannot provide consistent exercise or companionship.
7. Komondor
The Komondor is a large Hungarian livestock guardian breed recognized by its long, corded white coat. Historically bred to protect flocks, it tends to have a more independent and protective nature than many companion breeds.
Exercise and training: Komondors need regular activity, early socialization, and consistent training. Their guardian instincts and large size mean that owners must be prepared to manage introductions to visitors and unfamiliar dogs carefully.
Grooming: The coat develops into cords that need specialized maintenance. Rather than brushing it like an ordinary coat, owners must keep the cords clean, separated as needed, and thoroughly dry after bathing. This can be a substantial commitment.
Family fit: An experienced owner with suitable space, a thoughtful approach to training, and time for specialized grooming may be able to provide a good home for a Komondor. Its size and protective instincts make it a less straightforward choice for a first-time owner or a household with very young children.
Consider another breed if: You want an easygoing, low-maintenance family companion or have limited experience managing large guardian dogs.
Which Dog Is Best for Your Lifestyle?
Rather than choosing a dog based on appearance alone, compare what each breed is likely to require from you.
- For a family that enjoys training: A Standard Poodle may be worth considering if you can provide regular exercise, mental stimulation, and coat care.
- For an especially active household: A Border Collie or Brittany may suit people who have the time and experience to meet their exercise and training needs.
- For a medium-sized companion: A Tibetan Terrier may appeal to families that want an involved companion and can manage a long coat.
- For a small, lively dog: A West Highland White Terrier may fit a household that appreciates an independent terrier personality.
- For outdoor-loving households: An English Setter may be a good candidate for families that enjoy regular outdoor activities.
- For experienced owners seeking a guardian: A Komondor requires a different level of preparation, training, space, and coat maintenance than a typical companion dog.
These are starting points, not guarantees. Dogs of the same breed can differ considerably in confidence, sociability, energy, and tolerance of handling.
Are Some Dog Breeds Better With Children?
Many families look for a dog that is affectionate, patient, and comfortable around children. However, no breed should be considered automatically safe with every child. A dog's individual temperament, past experiences, training, and socialization all influence how it behaves.
Children also need to learn how to interact appropriately with dogs. They should not pull ears or tails, climb on a dog, disturb it while eating, or approach it when it is sleeping. Even a familiar, friendly dog can react defensively if frightened or hurt.
Young children should always be actively supervised around dogs. Give the dog a quiet place to retreat, and make sure children understand that they must leave it alone when it wants space.
If you are specifically looking for a dog to live with children, explore our guide to dog breeds for kids and families before making your decision.
Should You Get a Puppy or an Adult Dog?
A puppy gives you the opportunity to introduce training routines and household rules from an early age, but puppies require frequent supervision, toilet training, socialization, and patience. Their behavior and adult energy level may also be difficult to predict fully.
An adult dog may already have established habits and a more recognizable personality. If you adopt through a reputable rescue organization, ask what is known about the dog's behavior around children, other pets, visitors, and everyday household activity.
Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on the time you have available, your experience with dogs, and the needs of the individual animal.
Questions to Ask Before Bringing a Dog Home
Before choosing a breed or adopting a particular dog, take a moment to answer these questions honestly:
- Can I provide daily exercise, play, training, and companionship?
- Will someone be available to care for the dog when the household is away?
- Can I afford routine veterinary care, food, grooming, and unexpected expenses?
- Does the dog's energy level suit my household?
- Can I provide safe introductions and supervision around children and other pets?
- Am I prepared to care for this dog throughout its life, including changes in my own circumstances?
Meet the dog whenever possible and speak with a responsible breeder, rescue organization, or veterinarian about its needs. Ask about relevant health screening, inherited conditions, and the care requirements associated with the breed. A responsible decision should account for both the dog's needs and your family's circumstances.
Final Thoughts: Which Dog Should You Get?
The best dog for your family is not necessarily the most popular breed or the one with the cutest appearance. It is the dog whose temperament, exercise requirements, grooming needs, and behavior fit the life you can realistically provide.
A Standard Poodle may suit an active family that enjoys training, while a Border Collie generally demands a particularly high level of engagement. A West Highland White Terrier offers a smaller alternative with its own lively terrier personality, while a Komondor is better suited to people prepared for the responsibilities of a large guardian breed.
Take your time comparing options, meet individual dogs, and ask questions before committing. Whether you choose a puppy or an adult dog, thoughtful preparation gives you a better chance of building a safe, lasting relationship with your new companion.
The goal is not simply to find a dog that fits your family today, but to choose a companion whose needs you can continue to meet for years to come.