10 Dog Breeds that Make Good Pets

Adopting a pet is like welcoming a new family member into your house. For this reason, you must perform thorough research before selecting a dog breed. It’s important to ensure that the size and nature of the canine are suitable for your family. Following are 10 of the most popular dog breeds that make good pets.

Beagle

The cool attitude and small size of Beagles make them suitable for families. Although these canines were originally bred for hunting, they have evolved into very good pets. Being pack animals, Beagles thrive on companionship and don’t like to spend long spells of loneliness. Consequently, this dog breed is not recommended if you work full-time.

A beagle has a never-ending supply of energy and likes to play around with his/her family. Similarly, this friendly breed is generally quite comfortable with other pets and enjoy their company.

Bulldog

A bulldog is a perfect fit for your family if you are looking for an easy-going pet. This sweet, little pup loves to relax on your couch and will need nothing more than regular walks. Having said that, you need to keep a check on their diet because they can gain weight, very quickly.

The calm nature of these dogs allows them to get along well with children and other pets. Likewise, space is not much of an issue for this breed and they are completely suitable for apartment life. The only drawback of their outgoing nature is that they cannot be trusted as guard dogs.    

Collie

Collies are quite easy to train because they are one of the smartest dog breeds that you will encounter. These gentle and loyal canines extremely predictable in their behavior and love companionship. Despite their herding background, Collies adore children and enjoy playing with them.

In addition to their behavioral benefits, Collies have a long and beautiful coat that adds even more to their personality. However, you will need to groom your pup regularly to maintain his/her good looks.

Golden Retriever

This all-around dog breed is an automatic choice for this list of good pets. Being a pack animal, a Golden Retriever bonds quickly with all members (including children and other pets) of the family. These family companions love to please their people and are incredibly easy to train. Similarly, they can adapt efficiently to apartment life.

One thing that you need to be careful about is that these quick-learners do require a significant amount of exercise. Therefore, you should give them sufficient physical activity that could keep them happy.  

Irish Setter

These gifted athletes are perfect for those families that have an active lifestyle. Irish Setters are ideal workout partners as they will motivate everyone in the family to get moving. Likewise, these smart and highly-trainable canines love to indulge in different dog sports.

Irish Setters like to be with their people and get along well with children. Some of these dogs may also suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods.

Labrador Retriever

There is a reason why Labs have been the most popular dog breed for decades. The loving and gentle nature of these dogs is simply unmatched as they love everyone. They are very eager to please their families and are exceptional with children and other pets. Just make sure that your kids don’t feed them too much because weight gain is an issue with this breed.

Although they have an easy-going personality, Labradors do require plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Lack of physical activity can make them restless and it can lead to destructive behavior. The homes with a swimming pool are simply the best for Labs because they are extremely fond of water.

Newfoundland

The title “Nature’s Babysitter” is the perfect description of Newfoundlands. They adore children and have a very protective attitude towards them. Due to their sweet temperament and patient nature, some people also regard this breed as the ‘Mother Teresa of Dogs’.

Owing to their large size, Newfoundlands are best-suited for families that have large, open spaces. They are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world and can be trained easily. These gentle giants excel at swimming and have worked as rescue dogs in the past. Therefore, a pool can be quite a handful for giving them some physical activity.

Poodle

There is much more to a Poodle than fluff and flamboyance. These smart dogs have all the ingredients (like loyalty and devotion) that are required to become good pets. Likewise, Poodles are excellent with children and can become their perfect play buddies. Because they come in different sizes, you can select a Poodle that is most suitable for your family.

In contrast to their beautiful looks, Poodles require daily exercise to control their excessive energy. This stylish breed was originally developed for hunting purposes, and they still have the same stamina. Therefore, you must provide them with regular stimulation to avoid negative behavior.    

Pug

Do you need a couch potato to match your inactive lifestyle? This cute, little dog is the perfect companion for your family. Pugs appreciate the idea of snoozing and eating and would spend hours on your couch. The fact that these small canines don’t require too much space is another reason why they make good pets.

These affectionate dogs get along well with people of all ages. They don’t need much activity but will appreciate some playtime with kids. The only drawback with Pugs is that they can gain excessive weight. Consequently, you need to keep a close eye on their diet.   

Vizsla

This dog breed is not very common as domestic pets, primarily due to the rigorous exercise needs. Having said that, Vizslas make an exceptional companion for energetic families with older children. They have a gentle demeanor and form a super-strong bond with their people. Similarly, they have an affectionate nature and don’t like to stay alone for too long. 

The short coat of Vizslas adds to their utility as it is easy to maintain. This confident breed is also very smart and these pups hardly take any time to learn new things.