Top 10 Best Large Dog Breeds For Family (Pictures and Names)

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

by Josh Billings

If you’re a family with kids that love outdoor activities or looking to find the best dog or puppy breed for children? Here are the top 10 best large dog breeds for family. We’ll discuss the history, characteristics, and breeds of the 10 best large dog we recommended how well it suited for a family.

1. Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky was bred by Chukchi people for sled-pulling in northeast Asia.  He was used as a sled dog and as a hunter. Husky has great stamina and suitable for a family that loves outdoor activity and it’s independent nature makes it perfect choices.

Breed Characteristics

The Siberian Husky stands 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 60 pounds.  The females are much smaller than males.  He has a medium-sized athletic body and a high-maintenance coat that sheds profusely and requires regular brushing to keep it in good condition. The lifespan of Siberian Husky is 10-12 years.

Husky’s fur has great insulation to cold during the winter season. During the spring season, the Husky loses much of its fur. The reason for shedding hair in husky is similar to a golden retriever. There are two common eye colors that husky breeds have, which are blue and brown.

This breed was bred to perform his task with less human control, he tends to be more intelligent and on the stubborn, independent side. Husky can be very resistant to training, particularly with the “Come” command, and tends to howls compare to barking and similar to the vocalizations of wolves.

The husky breed is smart but not easiest to train therefor this can be annoying and hard to change.  But no worry, Brain Training For Dogs program that uses science-based and risk-free training methods that effectively train any dog breeds to become obedient.

He needs lots of exercise and would not be a good choice for an apartment dweller.  He is also a poor watchdog because of his tendency to take off at the first sign of trouble.  This breed loves to run and can make a great jogging partner, provided the weather is not too warm.

This breed can be prone to chronic diarrhea. He has a gastrointestinal tract that can overreact to changes in diet or environment. The husky characteristic is active and bright so avoid leaving the dog in the kennel or he may not eat well, may get diarrhea, and may suffer from what is called kennel fever, a restless state of mind that is best described as a claustrophobic dread of confinement.

2. Standard Poodle

The poodle is a group of dog breeds originated in Germany, stated in British The Kennel Club. Poodle breeds are divided into 3 types, Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle. In these 3 variety types of breeds, the Standard poodle is the largest breed and used as a retriever for duck hunting or bird hunting.

Breed Characteristics

The Standard Poodle stands 15 inches or taller at the shoulder and weighs 50 to 65 pounds.  The poodle’s coat is non-shedding and needs to be groom every two months. Its hairstyle is curly on the body which is about an inch long, and there is a pompom on the tip of the tail. The poodle comes in a variety of colors which are black, white, apricot, gray, chocolate, or cream. The lifespan of a Standard Poodle is 10-18 years.

The poodle breed is obedient, smart, agile, friendly, and easy to please. It has a good-temperament and easy-going with strangers and yet its also a good watchdog. The characteristic of the poodle is fun, high levels of energy. It also likes outdoor activities, particularly retrieving which makes them suitable for family and kids

3. Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is originally from a Portuguese country. Its a working dog that learns and performs tasks to assist or entertain for a human companion which classified by the American Kennel Club. The Portuguese Water Dog has become popular by being the chosen breed of US President Barack Obama.

Breed Characteristics

Male Portuguese Water Dogs stand 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder and weigh 42 to 60 pounds. Whereas Females Portuguese Water Dogs stand 17 to 21 inches and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. The lifespan of a Portuguese Water Dog is 11-13 years.

This dog breed is fun-loving and friendly. For an active family, especially one with a swimming pool, nearby beach, or boat, they can be an excellent choice. They thrive with training and are well suited to dog sports such as agility, obedience, rally, therapy work, tracking, and water work.

No matter what activity you choose, make sure your Portie gets daily exercise — without it, they can become frustrated and destructive. Swimming is a natural choice, but they also make a great walking or jogging buddies.

4. Newfoundland Dog

The Newfoundland is originally from northeast of Canada. Its commonly used by fishermen in Newfoundland to help haul in nets, to rescue drowning victims, to pull carts, and to perform retrieval tasks in the water. His large body and insulative coat keeps him warm and allows him to swim in icy water.

Breed Characteristics

The Newfoundland stands 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 150 pounds. Newfies do shed according to seasons and it has a double coat where the topcoat function as a guard's hairs and the bottom coat is a dense undercoat. Daily brushing with a hard brush is essential to prevent matting. The lifespan of Newfoundland Dog is 9-10 years.

This dog breed is playful, strong, and water-loving. it is a natural life-saving dog with the great instinct to carry anything in the water safely ashore. Newfies makes a good family pet and usually loves swim, retrieve. Just be careful that this giant does not block small children down during play.

5. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever or just labrador is originally from Britain back in 1830. Labrador is well known as retriever gun-dog, their obedience, loyalty, and playfulness. Nowadays, it is a popular dog breed known as a family pet.

Breed Characteristics

Male Labrador weight of 65–80 pounds and 22.5 to 24.5 inches where female labrador weight of 55–70 pounds and 21.5 to 23.5 inches. The lifespan of Labrador Retriever is 10-12 years.

Labrador is always playful and tends to have high energy levels compared to other dog breeds. They require regular mental and physical exercise to keep them happy. It is gentle, intelligent, easy to train, great with children, an excellent retriever and is a fantastic family dog.

Labrador is a highly intelligent dog and ranks the 4th smartest dog breed according to AKC. If you are allergic to dog hair you might reconsider whether you should taking labrador as a family because labrador does shed heavily according to seasons. Here are the reasons why it shed.

6. Golden Retriever

The origin of Golden Retriever was in Scotland mid-19th century. Golden is well known as a retriever on both land and water. Golden can be a wonderful companion for family and highly intelligent dogs which is the 3^rd smartest dog breed.

Is there any difference between Labrador and Golden Retriever?

Yes, they are totally different dog breeds. Just both are retrievers and behaviors are very similar, which means they bred for hunting. But they are different from appearances and origins.

Breed Characteristics

Male Golden weight of 65-75 pounds and 23-24 inches where Female Golden weight of 55-65 pounds and 21.5-22.5 inches. The lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10-12 years.

Sensitive, smart, easy to train, and eager to please, golden retrievers have a lot going for them. They are generally friendly with everyone they meet and are one of the best big dogs for kids.

Golden retrievers are amazingly friendly big dogs, who consider strangers to be friends they’ve yet to meet. They are one of the smartest breeds in the world and even novice owners will usually find them easy to train.

7. German Shepherd

One of well-known family large dog breed, German Shepherd. Its the first breed that appeared in Germany. It's a typical working dog that trains to work livestock, herding and now commonly you can see it service the military work, rescue, and guide dog.

Breed Characteristics

Male German Shepherd weight of 65-90 pounds and 24-26 inches height. Female German Shepherd weight of 50-70 pounds and 22-24 inches height. The lifespan of German shepherds is 7-10 years.

German shepherds are a smart breed dog that is high intelligence, fun-loving, loyal, and easy to train. They can be protective of a family when a stranger is approaching but quickly make friends once they have understood well there is no harm to its owner.

The main problem of German shepherds is they shed heavily, which is not suitable for a family that is an allergy to dog hair, especially first-time dog owners.

8. English Bulldog

English Bulldog also is known as British Bulldog originated from England and is the fifth most popular breed in the US according to the American Kennel Club. In the old days, Bulldogs are used in bull-baiting sports.

Breed Characteristics

Bulldog is a medium-large breed size and many look pretty small but they are definitely well fitted for family members who want to own dogs.

The male Bulldog weight of 50 pounds and a female Bulldog weight of 40 pounds. Both females and males stand only 12-15 inches at the shoulder. The lifespan of a Bulldog is 8-10 years.

Bulldogs are gentle and friendly breeds who can get along easily with family members. Do not get fool by its fierce and grumpy appearance. They are not active compare to Golden and Labrador Retriever so they're well suited for families who work in long hours and busy.

However, Bulldogs are not smart enough to learn dog tricks and commands and they did not get along with other dogs. Therefore it's not a good option family that wishes to get multi-pet for their homes.

9. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher is a medium-large breed originally developed in the United State and Canada in 1890. The male Doberman Pinscher stands at 26-28 inches weight 75-100 pounds, while females stand at 24-26 inches weight 60-90 pounds (female). The lifespan of Doberman Pinscher is 10-12 years.

Breed Characteristics

Doberman pinschers are intelligent, alert, and loyal companions to dog owners, and very protective to kids and yet gentle. Normally they are trained as guard-dog.

What makes Doberman Pinscher popular dog breed for a family is they don't shed heavily. Which is good news for those dog lovers who allergy-suffering on dog coat.

10. Boxer

Boxer originally bred as a medium-sized guard dog in Germany back in the 19th century. The boxer is bright, active, gentle, friendly, and fun-loving which kept as pets nowadays.

Boxers are brave, loyal, smart, easy to train, and love children which makes them a good guard dog.

The male boxer stands at 23-25 inches and weight of 65-80 pounds, females boxer stands at 21.5-23.5 inches and weight of 50-65 pounds. The lifespan of boxers normally in the range of 10-12 years.