Best Large Dog Breeds for Families

The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever lead because they combine a 5/5 kid score with 5/5 trainability and moderate grooming. If you want a calmer big dog and can handle more hair, the Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland are rated 5/5 with kids as well, but they weigh 70 to 150 lbs and live shorter lives. For an active family that hikes or runs, the Boxer or Irish Setter fits better.

Many large breeds are patient with children, and every breed on this page scores 4 or 5 out of 5 for kid-friendliness. The risk is mostly size and enthusiasm: a young Lab or Boxer can knock a small child down while playing. The AVMA advises never leaving young children alone with any dog. Baby gates, a crate the kids stay out of and a trained "settle" command make a big dog much easier with toddlers.

Lifespan falls as size rises. In our data the Labrador Retriever lives 10 to 14 years and the Golden Retriever and Boxer 10 to 12, while the Newfoundland reaches 9 to 10, the Saint Bernard 8 to 10, the Bernese Mountain Dog 7 to 10 and the Irish Wolfhound 6 to 8. If your children are young, a giant breed may not see them through school, which is worth talking about before you buy.

Our yearly running cost, covering food, routine vet care and grooming, is $1,200 to $2,000 for a Golden, Lab, Boxer or Irish Setter, $1,500 to $2,500 for a Bernese Mountain Dog or Bloodhound, and $2,000 to $3,500 for the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Irish Wolfhound and Leonberger. Giant breeds also cost more at the vet because drugs and anesthesia are dosed by weight.

According to the AKC, giant breeds keep growing until 12 to 18 months, and the very biggest, such as Mastiffs, may not reach full size until 24 months. Growth plates stay open during that time, so the AKC advises against jogging or road work before 14 to 18 months, especially with large and giant breeds. Plan on free play and moderate walks for the first year and a half, even when the dog already looks adult.