Best dog breeds for families with kids

How we ranked them

To qualify, a breed needs a rating of 4 or 5 for being good with kids. We then score it by doubling that kids rating and adding its affection, trainability and good-with-other-dogs ratings. The highest score comes first. These ratings come from our breed profiles and describe the typical dog of each breed, so every dog is an individual, and no rating replaces supervising children and dogs together.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Supervision comes first. Stay close whenever young children and a dog share a space, and never leave a baby or small child alone with any dog. Teach children to ask an owner before petting a dog and to avoid rough games like wrestling and tug-of-war.

Give your dog a quiet place of its own, such as a bed or crate in a calmer room, and make it off-limits to kids. A crate-training routine helps a puppy see that space as a safe spot.

Start training early and keep it kind. The AVMA recommends gradually introducing puppies to new people, places and situations, and veterinary behaviorists recommend reward-based methods. New to dogs? Check the first-time owner list too, and use our puppy first-week checklist when your dog comes home.