It is only common for a household to welcome in a dog, a cat, or any other crazy critter. While it is a big responsibility, dogs are also an investment in happiness for you, your spouse, and your children. They offer unconditional love and will always be at your side no matter what. Even though it’s tempting to adopt the most popular types of dogs, you should also consider their traits and unique characteristics as well.

There is no doubt that dogs make some of the best pets. However, there are so many breeds of dogs that selecting a dog for a family can often be difficult. A major factor to consider when selecting a dog is not just the breed and characteristics of the dog itself but also the fact that the dog should have good compatibility with the dog owner and their family.

For example, if you hate exercise or getting out of the home, a dog is really not the ideal pet for you. Most dogs love to go out for walks, and they also love to run and exercise. But if you really want to have a dog even though you don’t like to go out much, you could always select a small dog that prefers the indoors.

If you want a great family dog, you should look at the dog’s following traits:

• Temperament
• Size
• Energy level

Below are the most popular types of dogs that families take into their home. Some of the best dogs for the family include the following breeds:

1. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular types of dogs in North America. This dog is loving, protective, patient, intelligent and very reliable. The Labrador gets along well with most other animals. Unlike other dogs, it has an even temperament. However, the Labrador loves to go outdoors and run, and therefore the owner must be up for the challenge. Otherwise, the dog could create havoc indoors.

2. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is another popular type of dog. Kind and affectionate, the Golden Retriever is not timid nor aggressive and is an excellent dog if you have children. Golden Retrievers are very protective of children. The one feature about the retriever is that it loves to play. The other feature is that its cost needs regular brushing to prevent the fur from matting. The Golden Retriever breed is adapted for both indoor and outdoor living.

3. Bulldogs

Bulldogs do grow big but are gentle and affectionate towards children. These dogs are also not very energetic but will guard the home and get along well with other animals. Bulldogs are sociable by nature and docile. However, Bulldogs do need extra facial and oral care.

4. Beagles

Beagles are small sized dogs with a calm temperament. They love kids and like to go outdoors. The beagle is smart, gets along well with other humans and pets and requires little maintenance. Do keep in mind though that beagles need to exercise to be happy.

5. Poodles

The poodle is an all-time favourite breed of dog for people of all ages. This small breed is very smart, gentle and will remain devoted for life. They shed little and make great pets even for people with allergies. There are several types of poodles, but overall they love to play. The poodle is extremely alert to noise and strangers. The two most distinguishing features of poodles are that they remain attached to one person in the household and they shed a lot and need regular grooming.

6. Pugs

Another great pet is the Pug. Small and compact in size, this dog with deep wrinkles is a kind soul. It loves to play and is a great companion. More than anything else, this breed loves to sleep with the children. Pugs need regular exercise, but they need little maintenance. Overall, they prefer a cooler temperature as they do not tolerate heat well.

7. German Shepherds

Finally, for those with a large home, a global favourite is the German Shepherd. This dog is intelligent, calm, very confident, an excellent guard dog, a quick learner, loving till the end, gets along with other pets, very obedient and gentle with children. The downside is that the German Shepherd needs exercise and not just a 15 min walk; the dog needs a solid workout every day.

No matter which types of dogs you pick, be sure to ask the following questions when you visit with the breeder:

• Is the dog sociable with everyone in the family or will it select one gender or adult?
• Is the dog energetic?
• How much care will the dog require? Remember dogs need to have their fur brushed regularly.
• Will the puppy require a lot of training and will socialize well or would an adult dog who is already trained might be a better idea?
• Will this dog get along with other pets like cats or dogs?

Bringing a pet into your home is a big responsibility. They are definitely cute when they’re puppies, but that doesn’t mean you can drop the dog off at the Human Society when it gets bigger and is no longer the pup you brought home. That said, when you’re interested in introducing Fido to your family, these are some of the dogs to consider.