15 Dog Breeds That Are Ideal Companions for Babies

With so many breeds, finding a dog that aligns with your family’s lifestyle can be overwhelming. Choosing the right dog for your family, especially when you have a baby, is a decision that should not be taken lightly. The ideal family dog should not only be affectionate and loyal but also patient and gentle with babies and young children. This list highlights 15 dog breeds well-suited for families with babies.
Labrador Retriever

Only besting the golden retriever on account of fur length, Labrador retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle nature. They exhibit patience, which is crucial when dealing with babies. Their high tolerance for noise makes them great companions in a lively household with a crying baby. Labs are also protective, ensuring a safe environment for your little one.
Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are incredibly affectionate and form strong bonds with family members. They have a calm temperament, which is necessary for a household with a baby, and their intelligence allows them to be easily trained to behave gently around infants.
Beagle

The small to medium size of beagles makes them less intimidating for babies and prevents weight-exertion mistakes. Beagles are known for their friendly and gentle personalities, which ensures they interact well with children of all ages.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Standing out for their adaptation to a limited play area and ability to thrive in a contained apartment, they are small in size and have a gentle disposition. They are affectionate and thrive on human companionship. This eliminates the risk of acting out from having limited play space around babies.
Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is characterized by more than just its temperament and disposition. In addition to being known for their friendly nature, these dogs have a hypoallergenic coat that can be especially good for households with babies. Furthermore, their small size and gentle demeanor make them well-suited for safe interactions with people of all ages.
Pugs

Renowned for their gentle and laid-back nature, they often prefer to curl up for a relaxing cuddle session. Due to their compact size and robust physique, pugs are considered safe and reliable companions around babies, as they are not inclined to engage in rough and high-energy activities.
Newfoundland

Fondly called “gentle giants” due to their calm and patient nature, Newfoundlands have protective instincts that make them excellent guardians for babies. Despite their large size, they are very gentle with infants and form strong bonds with their families.
Collie

Due to their intelligence and protective nature, Collies form strong bonds with children. This stems from their gentle herding instincts, which make them take on a nurturing role within the family, translating into a watchful yet patient attitude toward babies.
French Bulldog

With their short walking paces, French Bulldogs are ideal for a day out with a baby in the stroller. While at home, they’re just like babies—they’d be content to eat and lie beside the babies and would gladly clean up any food dropped by the baby.
Australian Shepherd

Australian shepherds are highly intelligent and trainable, making it easy to teach them how to interact safely with infants. Their protective nature guarantees they keep a watchful eye on young children, protecting them from external harm.
Boxer

Boxers are energetic and playful, making them great companions for active families. Their patience and protective instincts ensure that they will guard the babies. Boxers are known for their loyalty and affectionate behavior.
Cocker Spaniel

They are like furry babysitters with wagging tails! Their gentle and affectionate nature makes them patient and loving companions for little ones. Plus, their playful yet calm demeanor means they can engage with babies without getting overly excited.
Corgis

Corgis’ sturdy and compact size means they can interact gently without posing a risk. Their friendly and sociable nature helps them form strong bonds with children, providing constant companionship. Moreover, Corgis are intelligent and easy to train, allowing them to adapt quickly to the routines and needs of a family with a newborn.
Poodles

Besides poodles coming in three sizes —standard, miniature, and toy— allowing families the choice of picking which suits their comfort level around babies, poodles are also widely known for their intelligence, friendly demeanor, and hypoallergenic coat, making them a popular choice for families with babies.
Shih Tzu

Overall, Shih Tzus’ small size, hypo-allergenic fluffiness, gentle demeanor, patience, and loyalty help them become great buddies for babies. They provide comfort, warmth, and a loving presence as they grow and explore the world around them.