For many families, owning a pet is the norm. Over half of the households in America own a pet. No matter your family’s size, there’s a dog out there that's perfect for you. Whether you’re looking for a small dog, a big dog or a dog who you can take hunting, you can find a pup that fits in best with your family. If you’re someone who’s got one or more kids, you might be wondering what dogs are best for you. Here are the best dog breeds for families with kids! REASONS TO ADD A DOG TO YOUR FAMILY If you’ve never owned a pet before, considering bringing a four-legged friend into the family can seem like a huge deal. As you decide whether or not to bring a pet into your home, here are some reasons you should add a dog to your family! The days of worrying about losing your dog are long gone. A lot of people stress about losing their dog. That fear is real. A little over three million dogs are surrendered to a shelter annually. Of course, this doesn’t account for only lost or runaway dogs. Some people surrender their pups because of time, money or unchangeable behavioral issues. However, for potential pet owners, the fear of losing your dog is easily mitigated once you realize how much new technology is out there. Our Tile for pets is the perfect trackable dog tag that uses Tile’s state of the art Bluetooth technology to ensure your pup stays safe. Even if they do happen to wander beyond the Bluetooth range, you can easily find their last known location, share it with friends and family and head out on a quick search to locate them. This is especially helpful for potential pet owners who grew up with dogs known for being escape artists or happened to run away. Now, rather than stressing about your dog’s location, you can use our TraQ tag to ensure your dog stays where they’re supposed to! Dogs make you feel happier and healthier. It’s true! Many studies have shown that dog owners are happier and healthier than those who don’t own dogs. Dogs play a huge part in bringing happiness to people’s lives. And, when you’re happier, your quality of life increases. Having less stress and more happiness can really change your outlook on life. The science backs us up here. Who are we to try and dissuade you otherwise? Owning a dog means you get outside more. When you own a dog, you have to take the time to go outside with them. Whether you take them out for a walk or take them out to relieve themselves, you’ll get to spend more time outdoors. The increased sunlight will do wonders for your complexion, stress levels and your bond with your dog. It’ll also mean better health for your dog, too. They’ll get the exercise they need, and you get the joy of watching them spend time in the outdoors. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to keep your dog safe when outside. A quality dog collar and leash set will go a long way in keeping your dog from wandering too far or harming themselves while outside with you. Kids love dogs. On average, most children enjoy spending time around animals. There are some exceptions, but overall, kids and pets go hand-in-hand. Having a dog in the house does more than make your kids happy, though. Dogs are a big level of responsibility. They need to be fed, bathed, groomed and walked. Having a dog in the house is a great way to teach children responsibility and prioritize care as they grow older. For many kids, this is the opportunity they need to learn about taking care of something or someone else. There’s a variety of reasons why it’s good to have kids grow up with dogs in their household. When kids get to grow up with dogs, they get to experience the unconditional love that a pet provides plus all the developmental benefits of growing up with a pet. Dogs can help you make new friends, too. Dogs are great ice breakers. Walking your dog might lead you to meeting a new friend. Spending time in the dog park allows for your pup to socialize with other dogs and gives you the chance to interact with other owners. This is perfect if you move to a new city or find that you and your family spend most of your time indoors. The socialization opportunities that dogs bring to a household make for increased interactions that you can’t always get elsewhere. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING A DOG If you’ve made the decision to bring a dog into your household, there are a few things you’ll want to check off your list or consider before you go running to the nearest shelter. What your finances look like. While there’s never a concrete amount of money that a pet owner will spend over the course of their pet’s lifetime, there are some studies that show the average cost of owning a pet can come pretty close to the cost of having a kid. This is ultimately a major factor in whether or not you decide to add a pet to your household. If you and your spouse don’t feel like you could afford to have another kid, then you might not be able to afford bringing a pet to your home. When you own a pet, you’ll have to provide them with food, water, toys and health care. Vet bills can be costly, and there aren’t always health insurance options for pets in the same way there are for humans. How much space you have in your home. Some dogs need more space than others. If you’re someone who lives in a smaller apartment or doesn’t have a yard, think twice before getting a large dog. Unless you have easy access to a dog park or a space where you can let a large dog get the run and play space they need, then you’ll want to look at a smaller pup to bring into your home. It’s also important to consider that some shelters won’t let you adopt if you don’t have access to a closed or fenced-in yard area. While our custom pet tags are a great solution for all dog owners, having a large enough space for your dog to roam will do wonders for ensuring they don’t run off at the first chance they get. The time of year you’re looking to get a dog. Are you thinking of getting a dog because it’s Christmastime and you think it’d be a good gift for your kids or partner? Maybe you’re looking to get a dog in the springtime because you noticed how busy the shelters are with puppies during that season. Either way, it’s important to consider the time of year and reasoning you’re looking to get a dog before you start the process. Many animals get surrendered to shelters in the spring and summer because kids want a puppy, not a dog. Parents often gift their young children a puppy for Christmas or their birthday, but the children often aren’t ready for the energy a puppy will bring to the household. Take a step back and really consider when and why you’re looking to get a dog. Discover Our High Quality Pet ID Tags & More BREEDS BEST FOR FAMILIES There are hundreds of dog breeds around the world, with just under 200 present in the U.S. With so many breeds, it can be tough to decide which ones will be best for you and your family. If you have children, here are some of the best breeds perfect for your family! For the adventurous family. Border Collie. A Border Collie is a great adventurous dog breed. They love to run, jump and explore. If your family is one who loves to hike, road trip or explore new places, then a Border Collie might be the perfect dog breed for you. German Shepherd. German Shepherds are known for their wild personalities, and they love to go on adventures. They have so much energy, thanks to their entire breeding purpose being to assist in hunting and tracking. There are plenty of funny videos online that will give you a glimpse into a German Shepherd’s quirky but energetic personality. If you feel like their weird but gentle personality is a good fit for your family, then they might be the best dog breed for you. Labrador Retriever. Labs are often considered gentle giants. Known for their big smiles, wagging tails and happy-go-lucky personalities, Labs are a great addition to any family. Most don’t realize just how much Labs enjoy adventure. Whether it’s hiking, swimming or just exploring new places, Labs are great for families of all sizes and ages. For the young family. Beagle. Beagles are a great family dog! They’re tiny but mighty, and they definitely have the temperament to be around young children. If your children are young — five years old or younger — then they’ll love having a Beagle. Beagles are also very curious and friendly dogs, making them a great companion for kids of all ages. Newfoundland. Don’t let their size intimidate you. Newfoundlands are great with young kids and even other dogs. They really are the dog world’s definition of a gentle giant. They aren’t overly vocal, which is perfect for families who have very young children who can wake up or cry easily. They’re open to strangers, so you don’t have to stress about them making a scene at the dog park. For families with young kids, dogs that come with minimal stressors are always going to win out over dogs that are highly energetic. Golden Retriever. Similar to Labrador Retrievers, Goldens have a playful energy that makes them great for young families. They also have a naturally protective nature, which is perfect for families who have young children. While it might seem like a lot to handle a Golden Retriever and a young child, the benefit is that Goldens tend to enjoy being around children, being the perfect companion for kids. For the city family. French Bulldog. Tiny but mighty, French Bulldogs are a great addition to any family, especially those who live in the city. Since they’re small, they usually fit within weight restrictions typically imposed by many landlords or rental companies. You also won’t have to worry about not having the right sized space for these pups, as they aren’t as large as many other dog breeds. Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus are good family dogs because they’re small, cuddly and don’t carry allergens as much as other dog breeds. They can be a little yippy, but that’s nothing compared to how loud some other dogs can be. If you live in the city and you’re looking for a dog that will make sense in your space, a Shih Tzu might just be perfect for you. Bichon Frise. Similar to a Shih Tzu, Bichons are great dogs to have in the city. If you’re looking for a dog breed that is hypoallergenic and has a usually cheerful personality, then a Bichon is a great option for you and your family. They do require a lot of grooming, so you should consider the recurring grooming costs if this is the breed you decide to go with. THE BOTTOM LINE Dogs come in all sizes and personalities, just like children. If you’re someone who has kids and wants to add a dog to your life, there are a variety of breeds you can consider before running out to bring a dog home. Take some time to focus on finding a breed that will fit well with your family. Talk with the experts at your local shelters. You may find that the dog that clicks best with your crew isn’t the one you were expecting at all! Image Credits Leavector/Shutterstock.com