What Are the Best Dog Breeds for the Family?

By Staff Writer 8 Min Read

Dogs have been bred for many years to perform various activities like hunting prey, leading livestock, protecting their masters, and sports. Beyond these needs, canines are known to be adorable, friendly, and because of these, they are a part of many families today.

While it is nice to have a dog in your home as a pet, you need to think of factors like their features and the activities you want them to perform before getting one. You also need to put your environment, financial capacity, and children into consideration if you have any.

What are Dog Breeds?

Dog breeds are the various classes of the different canine types intentionally bred by humans. Some of these pups were developed to perform functions like hunting and securing their owners, while others for certain pleasing appearances like their looks, furs, or sizes.

There Are How Many Breeds of Dogs?

Over 400 canine breeds have been accepted by the different kennel clubs around the world. The American Kennel Club (AKC), however, recognizes only 197 of them. The roles of these kennel clubs are handling, describing, and supervising the display of every pup type. They are also responsible for setting each breed’s standard to define the typical features of each canine.

What Are the Groups of Dog Breeds?

There are seven known groups of dog breeds. But you can be sure that you will find more of them from holistapet dog breeds list to help you decide which one would be ideal for your home.

Sporting Group

They were reproduced to recover feathered game from swamp areas like the Spaniels and the water in the case of Labradors, while others tempt the game closer to their owners. Sporting group pups mostly have webbed toes and water-resistant furs.

Well-known Sporting Group Dog Breeds include the Irish Setter and Golden Retriever, while not so common ones include Spinone Italiano and German Wirehaired Pointer.

Non-Sporting Group

This group is made up of a large variety of hound types. Some have been known to be charming buddies, and others have done specific activities in history. However, they are majorly known to be warm, friendly, and charming buddies and family canines in these times.

Famous Non-Sporting Group is French Bulldog and Chow Chow, while the less famous ones are the Keeshond and Lhasa Apso. 

Hound Group

The canine classes in this group were bred to chase and get a warm-blooded game. They are known to be fast, intelligent, smooth, dedicated, and solidly built. The canines here are very hard working with a very sharp sense of smell and strong target drives.

Common Hound Group canine breeds are Basset Hound, Beagle, and Greyhound. The uncommon ones are Treeing Walker Coonhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Working Group

These hounds are said to be one of the oldest kinds worldwide. They widely vary in looks and activity coordination and are outstanding go-getters. They are reared and trained to shield livestock, pull sleds, and act as protectors for families.

Famous canines in this class are Husky, Rottweiler, and Great Dane, and the rare canines are Kuvasz, Tibetan Mastiff, and Giant Schnauzer.

Herding Group

They are intelligent, devoted, and pack-oriented hounds initially reared to lead and protect livestock. They can still be seen in farms worldwide to date; nevertheless, they can be found in homes where they watch over children because of their protective nature.

Canines common in these sets are Border Collie, Old English Sheepdog, and Australian Shepherd. The dogs not well-known here are Belgian Tervuren and Swedish Vallhund.

Terrier Group

What Are the Best Dog Breeds for the Family?

Terriers were initially reared for pursuing and digging up vermins. They are spontaneous and courageous with short legs. Most of the canines in this class are kept in families though their desire to run after rodents and other preys still drives them at times.

Well-known canines in the Terrier Group are Jack Russell and Bull Terriers, while the uncommon ones are Lakeland, Bedlington, and Wire Fox Terriers.

Toy Group

They are tiny and full of energy, with the ability to bond well with humans. These canines were not bred for practical activities, so they have weak instincts.

Popular options in this group include Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Miniature Pinscher, while the least popular ones are Yorkiepoo and Pekingese. The page here has more on the toy category for those shopping for this breeds.

The most popular hound type, according to the American Kennel Club, is the Labrador Retriever. This is because the hound is very friendly with a great sense of family and devotion. It also gives the best kisses and is fun to play with, making it loved by everyone, dog lovers and haters alike.

The Rarest Dog Breed?

Many hound types are not well known, so the most uncommon type changes from time to time, with the Norwegian Lundehund and Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli) being among the rarest in past years. 

However, the English Foxhound tops the list as the rarest type in America currently.

What Dog Breed Is Best for You and Your Family?

The choice of pup for you is based on your taste and decision, as no one knows you as you do. Picking the right pet for you goes beyond the finest and the most adorable one. There are a lot of factors to consider, especially if you can take good care of them.

If you live in an environment that is not so safe, then you might consider getting a big and fierce dog that can protect you and keep you home safe, like a German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher or Pit Bull, among others.

For your family, especially with children around, you need an adorable, friendly, and trainable pet that is also protective. Some examples with these characteristics are Labrador Retriever, Bull Dog, and Irish Setter. This website https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-teach-kids-safety-around-dogs_uk_5bc6fc7fe4b0d38b5873430e has more on how to stay safe with canines and kids at home.

Final Notes  

There are so many canine types to pick from. Some are so cute, and friendly and others are fierce, strong, and protective. One thing all canines have in common, though, is that they are all lovable; you only have to take the time to pick the best one for you and your home.

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