Are you kiddos begging you for a dog? Many families come to a point where they’re ready to welcome a furry member into the pack. However, you have to be careful about the kind of dog you bring home. Some pups have behavioral concerns or quirks that make them dangerous around kids or not a good fit for chaotic households. We are here to help Black parents navigate the process with the following guide to finding a good family dog.

Qualities To Look for in a Family-Friendly Dog

When you’re choosing a family dog, temperament matters more than looks. You want a pup that’s patient with kids, gentle during playtime, and calm enough to handle the chaos that comes with family life.

Look for dogs that are naturally social and enjoy being around people. Breeds known for their loyalty and protective instincts can be great choices, as they’ll watch over your little ones while still being loving companions.

Size is another important factor. While small dogs can be wonderful family pets, medium to large breeds are more likely to have the patience and energy to keep up with active kids. They’re also tough enough to handle enthusiastic hugs and play from your kiddos.

So which breeds match the qualities we just discussed above? These are the top contenders:

  • golden retrievers
  • Labrador retrievers
  • beagles
  • Newfoundlands
  • Irish setters
  • bulldogs
  • cocker spaniels
  • boxers

Keep in mind that you don’t have to get a purebred. Just looking for mutts with traces of these breeds can guide your adoption process.

Getting a Puppy or Adult Dog

Should you adopt a puppy or a full-grown adult dog? There are a few things to consider here.

Training Needs

For one, puppy and adult dog training are very different, with puppies requiring a ton more hands-on effort. That said, they don’t have hard-set patterns and potentially traumatic histories that could affect how they integrate into your home. A puppy is essentially a blank slate ready to become your family’s perfect companion. Adult dogs, however, are perfectly trainable with enough time and effort.

Your Family’s Schedule

Do you have the time to care for an energetic, rambunctious puppy? Will you have people home all day? Or do you need a dog that can handle its own while you are at work and the kids are at school?

Your Kids’ Comfort

Puppies will probably be huge jumpers and biters until you train these behaviors out of them. If you think this could be a serious problem for your children, definitely consider getting an adult dog with better manners.

Buying or Adopting Your Pup

Lastly, should you adopt or shop? Adoption is almost always the way to go! Local shelters give deserving dogs a second chance, and these pups don’t cost thousands of dollars to adopt. Plus, many shelter dogs are already spayed, neutered, and vaccinated.

With this in mind, it’s possible your family should buy your dog from a local breeder. If anyone has allergies or your home environment is very delicate and requires specific personality traits from your dog, then you could benefit from the reliability of a purebred. Just be careful about who you buy from by doing thorough research into ethical, local breeders.

Your Family’s Paw-fect Match Is Out There

We hope this guide helps you find a good family dog that will bring so much joy to your household. Trust your instincts, involve your kids in the process, and get ready to enjoy endless snuggles, tail wags, and kisses!