If you have young children and are one of the growing number of people looking to add a puppy to your family, here are the dog breeds that should top your list – and those you should avoid.If you have young children and are one of the growing number of people looking to add a puppy to your family, here are the dog breeds that should top your list – and those you should avoid.
If you have young children and are one of the growing number of people looking to add a puppy to your family, here are the dog breeds that should top your list – and those you should avoid.

Family Friendly and Unfriendly Dogs: Here are the 10 most and least suitable breeds of dog for families with young children

If you have young children and are one of the growing number of people looking to add a puppy to your family, here are the dog breeds that should top your list – and those you should avoid.

Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to the Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent – and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.

There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.

Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.

There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.

One thing worth considering before making a decision is that certain breeds of dog get on really well with children, while others are really only suitable for grownups.

So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that make perfect pets for families with young children – and those that should be avoided.

Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.