What Are The Best Dog & Puppy Breeds for Kids?

Dachshunds — Note: While the breeds in this collection tend to be good with kids, individual pets will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

14 Dog Breeds

Only show breeds available for adoption near me

Dachshund

Close to the ground, short and sassy Dachshunds aren’t built to win any canine races, but they are built to win hearts. Part cuddle bug and part tiny dictator, this pup can be a pinch stubborn but remains endearing even in its most frustrating moments. Dachshunds make excellent watchdogs since they are always on high alert for their surroundings.

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French Bulldog

Clowning around comes naturally to the French Bulldog, who enjoys playing and enchanting their families. They make excellent cuddle buddies and are very happy simply snoozing next to their favorite person. Amiable, sweet, companionable, and willing to please, they make excellent companion dogs. 

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Havanese

Havanese are busy and curious little pups who love being the center of attention in a family. They play and clown around and are affectionate toward everyone—family, children, strangers, other dogs, pets, you name it. They love to please and pick up training easily. They can bark a lot. 

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Papillon

Papillons are energetic, alert, and friendly little dogs that love to cuddle and be involved in family activities. These cheerful and intelligent pups get along well with other pets and children, though their small size means gentle play is important. While typically social butterflies (pun intended), some Papillons can be timid around strangers. 

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Highly valued as companion pets, the Cavalier is sweet, gentle, playful, and eager to please their owners. They are affectionate and quiet, happy to go wherever their owners go, whether to the couch or on a walk. They are affable and easygoing towards other pets, family members, and strangers. They do retain spaniel instincts, so they love to explore, sniff, and chase when playing outside. 

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Pug dog breed sitting with tongue hanging out looking at the camera against a white background

Pug

Pugs offer a delightful mix of tranquility and mischief. They're the perfect cuddle buddy but also possess an entertaining silly streak. These devoted companions thrive on human interaction, so they are equally at home with family, strangers, and other pets, making them ideal for bustling households. They may experience separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods on end.

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Beagle

Beagles are bold dogs who pack a hefty punch of personality for their size. Their happy, go-lucky, adventurous demeanor makes them full of life and pizzazz. They are highly active, affectionate, and cheerful dogs who love being involved with their owners.  Developed as pack animals, Beagles love being around others and crave companionship from humans and other dogs. They are great watchdogs who are vocal and will bark or howl at anything unusual and let you know when something is off. However, if a stranger offers them food or playtime, this all goes out the window! They are extremely food-motivated and can get especially vocal around dinnertime.  A naturally curious breed that loves to explore the outdoors, Beagles have an enthusiastic way of approaching life making them entertaining and enjoyable to be around. 

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Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are a high-spirited, energetic breed who love to exercise, solve puzzles, and play with their owners. They enjoy being around their human companions and require a significant amount of care and attention. They are quick-witted, highly intelligent, and love to have fun, but do tend to get bored easily. You can commonly find them running around, swimming,  playing fetch, and loving on their owners. 

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Vizsla

With its larger-than-life personality, the Vizsla is an affectionate and energetic companion. These sensitive souls crave activity and thrive on positive training sessions. Their strong bond with their family makes them natural protectors, but it also means they aren’t a fan of being left alone. Vizslas are brimming with energy, making them perfect for those who love getting active outdoors. While some Vizslas might exhibit stubbornness, shyness, or excitability, their overall temperament is gentle, affectionate, and eager to please.  

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Boxer

Boxers have boundless energy and keep a puppy-like zest for life well into adulthood. Their exuberant spirit is best handled by owners who can match their activity levels. Boxers thrive on human interaction and can become restless and destructive when left alone. They’re a family’s heart and soul, but they do require a home that can keep up with their playful antics. While they adore children, their playful personality might be overwhelming for toddlers. 

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Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have never met a stranger, making friends with everyone they encounter. Sunshine embodied, they are known for their devoted and obedient nature as a family companion. Ignoring a Golden’s active nature and powerful physique can lead to behavior problems, though, so they need to have their physical and mental needs met every day. Some Goldens may be overly exuberant and boisterous, but most are eager to please and enjoy learning. Well-trained and exercised Goldens are calm and mannerly at home, and enthusiastic when invited to play. The Golden Retriever breed’s achievements in competitive obedience are remarkable. This dog especially enjoys games that involve retrieving and loves to carry items in his mouth—it’s preferable that it’s a toy, though, and not a gift from outside. 

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Irish Setter

The Irish Setter approaches everything in life with a good-natured attitude, full of gusto. If given a daily outlet for its energy this breed makes a pleasant companion, but without ample exercise, an Irish Setter can become vocal at home. They are eager to please and be part of family activities. 

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Labrador Retriever

Labradors are the epitome of boundless enthusiasm and unwavering loyalty. These affectionate goofballs crave human companionship. With a seemingly endless appetite for life (and food, too), Labs are always up for an adventure. Their gentle nature and patience make them ideal family companions, thriving in homes with children and other pets alike.  Eager to please, they're quick learners and excel at various activities, from obedience to agility. However, their insatiable curiosity and love for treats may require a firm but loving hand to resist their charming antics. As for their tails? They constantly signal the dog’s joy. 

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Newfoundland

The Newfoundland's most defining characteristic—besides their large physical size— is their gentle and affectionate temperament. These calm, easygoing, and patient pups are known for their friendly demeanor, making them wonderful companions for everyone they meet. Their loyalty extends to their family, where they act as caring protectors.

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