Dogs for kids: the gentlest breeds for families

Patience, tolerance for slightly clumsy hugs, no aggression: some breeds are known for their gentleness with little ones. No breed removes the need to supervise a child with a dog.

Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.

Refine with your own criteria

Golden Retriever

Scotland · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire, England · Terriers

Small · high energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Cocker Spaniel

England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Small · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Labrador Retriever

Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Setter

England · Pointing dogs

Large · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Brittany

Brittany, France · Pointing dogs

Medium · boundless energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Beagle

England · Scent hounds

Small · high energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone
French Bulldog

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Bernese Mountain Dog

Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Large · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Switzerland · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Medium · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Small Münsterländer

Germany · Pointing dogs

Medium · boundless energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Boxer

Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Medium · high energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone
Coton de Tulear

Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Springer Spaniel

England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Medium · boundless energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Samoyed

Siberia · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Havanese

Cuba · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Bulldog

England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Small · very calm · low coat care

Demanding to train
Bichon Frise

Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Pug

China · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Finnish Lapphund

Lapland, Finland · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · high energy · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

France · Pointing dogs

Medium · high energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Continental Bulldog

Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone
Leonberger

Leonberg, Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · moderate energy · high coat care

Sheds a lot

Breeds to avoid with young children

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