7 Best Dog Breeds for Your Family in Plymouth Meeting, PA

Choosing a dog for your household is a wonderful, exciting challenge, and it will reward you with many years of unconditional love. Still, there are several factors you should take into account. In this article we explore the best dog breeds for your family.

You need to figure out which dog is appropriate for your family. You should consider whether you want an active, feisty pup you can take for adventures in the great outdoors or a quiet dog you can cuddle up with. The right dog will be a welcome addition to your happy home.

There is no shortage of great dogs who are in need of a doting and caring family. If you want to distinguish the best dog breeds for your family, check out this pawsome article.

What Are the Best Breeds for Families?

It is a great feeling when your family is complete. Nothing completes a family better than a good dog. Dogs are loyal and loving, and they give you and your family many years of affection and bonding. With all the different breeds to choose from, you want a dog that would be the ideal addition to your happy home:

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is an extremely popular canine in The United States and has been since 1991. Labs are well-known for being wonderful family dogs. Labs can be used as a law enforcement section for discovery and assessment. They can also be therapy dogs for disabled people. Labs have lovely temperaments:

• Intelligent
• Kind
• Loyal
• Obedient

Labs are “pawriffic” with kids and other dogs, and a Labrador Retriever is one of the best breeds for socializing with cats. They additionally have a high level of energy, which means they are fun to play catch with and always up for an adventure.

Labs have an interesting history behind the breed. The Labrador originated in Newfoundland, which is an eastern territory in Canada. They were first called Newfoundland dogs in the 1800s. Labs were brought to Britain to keep fisherman company.

In addition to their friendly demeanor, Labs were excellent retrievers of waterfowl. They have been subsequently retitled Labrador Retrievers, and in 1903, The American Kennel Club acknowledged the breed. They have been beloved helpers and four-legged family members ever since.

Golden Retriever

Another Retriever, the Golden Retriever, is basically like a Labrador Retriever with long hair and trademark golden fur. The Golden Retriever makes a great family pet, and they are also competent working dogs who help the disabled and make good police dogs. Labs also have a great sense of smell and are frequently utilized for search and rescue.

The temperament of Golden Retrievers:

• Gentle
• Outgoing
• Playful
• Trustworthy

Golden Retrievers are in the sporting group and are very active pups. They require about an hour of physical activity daily. They will dutifully retrieve the ball when playing catch, bringing it back to you, as they are eager to please.

The Golden Retriever’s history is quite remarkable. They came from the Highlands of Scotland in the later 1800s. A man named Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks cross-bred a Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) with his golden-colored Retriever named Nous to create the world’s first Golden Retrievers.

As it turned out, Golden Retrievers made great sporting dogs. The American Kennel Club recognised the class in the year 1913. The Golden Retriever maintains its gun dog and sporting dog heritage, as they still have these instincts today.

Poodles

Poodles are excellent family dogs as they are hypoallergenic, which means they are better for those family members with sensitive allergies. They are also effortless to train. These gorgeous dogs are known for their elegance and pom-pom head and tail. A few of the traits of the poodle:

• Energetic
• Loving
• Smart
• Social

Poodles make excellent service dogs for those with disabilities and have the innate ability to learn complex tasks. They are also good emotional support pups and great with kids. Poodles require intellectual and physical stimulus and exercise daily to keep them content.

Poodles started as hunting dogs in the 1800s, and they excelled in retrieving waterfowl. They also quickly became show dogs due to their lovely coat, which could be styled in various ways. The only caveat is they require quite a bit of grooming.

Beagles

Beagles are some of the best dogs for families with kids. They love to play and have fun-loving personalities. These sturdy, spunky canines get along with family members and other animals. They are well-known for their cute expressions and small stature. Some of the characteristics of beagles:

• Clever
• Curious
• Easygoing
• Lively

Beagles are great for active pet parents and do very well with all types of families. They love to exercise and play, and the dog park is the perfect place for the energetic Beagle. Beagles are also very vocal pups, so they might not be ideal for families who live in small apartments.

Beagles were originally bred as rabbit hunting hounds. They were used as hunting companions due to their scent sniffing abilities, and some still use them for this purpose today. These dogs love to keep their nose to the grindstone, searching endlessly for an exciting trail to follow.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are great family dogs because they are incredibly loyal and protective of their families. They have high energy levels and will play with your children all day. They love kids but must be adequately socialized from an early age. They are also easily adaptable to any lifestyle. Some of the greatest attributes of the German Shepherd:

• Confident
• Courageous
• Gentle
• Intelligent

They are used as service dogs for the disabled due to their ability to perform a wide variety of tasks. The German Shepherd is the number one police dog. They are utilized more often in K-9 units than any other canine breed. The German Shepherd has a calm demeanor and is well suited for working in high-stress conditions.

German Shepherds were at first bred in the early 1900s to be working dogs, as well as for police and military use. A man named Max von Stephanitz was a German military veteran who began breeding these dogs, and he saw they had powerful personalities and were dedicated workers. They began working as police dogs and worked on the battlefield during World War I.

German Shepherds are dedicated animals who, when they have a job, do it, following their handler’s commands to the letter. They are athletic pups who thrive when in working situations. However, they are also great for families looking for a dog for protection and companionship.

Shetland Sheepdog

Affectionately called Shelties, these pups are a lot like Collies. They are well-known for their exquisite lengthy mane. They are calm and sweet and do well with children. Shelties love to be in the company of their humans. They are a sensitive breed and require companionship to be happy. Some of the attributes of the Shetland Sheepdog:

• Affectionate
• Energetic
• Gentle
• Intelligent

Shetland Sheepdogs are exceptionally trainable, and they are utilized as medic-alert dogs, as well as assistance and therapy dogs. They are also great with sports like agility training. They are little champions in the dog sporting universe. Shelties are an excellent dog to play with your kids because they are a high-energy breed that loves to exercise.

Shelties were first bred in the Shetland islands, off Scotland’s coast. They were born to be wonderful herders. During the 1800s, farmers began receiving offers to purchase these herding dogs as pets because they were irresistibly adorable. In 1911, The American Kennel Club acknowledged the Sheltie.

Rescue Dogs

Rescue dogs make wonderful family pups. They will sincerely be grateful for having a home and show gratitude for you with lots of love and kisses. You and your family will develop a connection with your rescue dog that is extremely special. They will learn that not all people are bad, and you will discover that any dog can be a good dog; they just need a chance.

Nothing feels equal to caring for an animal that needs your love and support. Depending on the emotional damage done to the pup, you will show them the path to healing. You will come to be a better person for it, and your family will wonder how they ever got along without them.

Conclusion

Many breeds of dogs make good family pets, as they have a reputation for getting along well with children and loving their family members. No matter what breed of pup you choose, open your heart and home to give them a happy, healthy life.

For dog parents in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area, The Village Vets are available to serve you and your dog. Call us today at (484) 820-1700 or make an appointment!