By Holly DuBose

Having a dog is one of the best companions a person can have. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and most importantly, different personalities. The breed of dog should match a person’s lifestyle. A family dog should get along with young children and other dogs. The top five family dogs are Newfoundlands, Beagles, Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

Starting with number five, Newfoundlands are gentle giants. They sweet-tempered and trainable, which is important with young children. They are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They love to be around people and activities. Because they were bred to be working dogs, they are great with exercise and can go along with an energetic and athletic family.

Next at number four, there is the Beagle. They are conveniently-sized and it is easy to groom them as well. They get along with not only other dogs, but other pets too. Beagles need exercise, so they would fit perfectly into a family that likes to do lots of activities. The are good-natured and tranquil.
At number three, there is the beautiful Border Collie. They were specifically bred for intelligence and obedience. They live around ten to seventeen years, so it would be a great dog for a young kid to grow up with. Being around young children, it is important for dogs to be trainable. This dog is about as trainable as it gets. They are very energetic and can burn their energy by running around with kids.

Runner-up for best dog is the Labrador Retriever. They are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are outgoing, trusting, and kind. They are also good with children, other animals, and strangers. They live from ten to twelve years and are active dogs. They are seen frequently as seeing eye dogs and hearing dogs.

Number one on this list is the Golden Retriever. Like the Lab, the are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are very trainable, as they are used to help the disabled and during search and rescue. They are gentle and have a good temperament. If you are interested in getting a Golden Retriever, search As Good as Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois, as that is where mine was adopted from.

As a bonus dog, the Pitbull is an unlikely family dog. They are known for their bad reputation with dog fighting, but this is just a stereotype. They are one of the most misunderstood breeds of any animal in the world. In the early 1900’s, they were actually considered to be the ideal dogs to be left in charge of keeping children safe, being called “nanny dogs”. Before believing the rumors, actually meet a pitbull and consider it as a family dog.
Overall, there are over three hundred forty breeds that a family can welcome into their family. A family dog needs to be great with children, young children especially, good around other pets and animals, and good around strangers. A pet should be a companion. Long after they are gone, the memory of them should bring a smile to their owner’s face.