Ultimate Family Dogs 2026: These are the 21 most child friendly breeds of adorable dog - including the loving Labrador Retriever 🐶

If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.

Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).

Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ like the popukar Labradoodle (half Labrador, half Poodle) to lovable mongrels.

So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.

Read more:

Dogs Training: These are the 10 easiest to train breeds of adorable dog - including the loving Labrador

Not Aggressive Dogs: These 10 adorable dog breeds are unlikely to show aggression - including the loving Labrador Retriever

There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.

Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.

And if you have young childen - or are planning a family - then there are certain breeds that should top your list.

These are breeds that tend to be calm, gentle, loving and patient - that are unlikley to snap and enjoy playing games and snuggling with their human siblings.

Here are 21 child-friendly breeds of loving pet dog.

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