Research shows that over 70% of households own a dog. They are great companions to have, keeping us company, providing entertainment, and giving us the comfort we all sometimes need. It almost seems unimaginable not to have a dog!
If you are in the 30% portion of that statistic that doesn’t own a dog, you may be considering getting one. If that is the case, you may be wondering what breeds you should get!
Is a French Bulldog the best option? Should you get a Border Collie? What about a Lab?
They are all different, so in this guide, we break down the top 8 house-friendly dog breeds and what you should know about them! If you are interested, keep reading!

French Bulldog
A French Bulldog ranks at the top of the list for one of the most house-friendly dog breeds. Odds are you have probably seen a French bulldog walking around your neighborhood or the city streets. They are quite cute!
These dogs typically way under 30 pounds, so they are on the smaller side of breeds on this list. They are not very tall either, averaging around 12 inches. French bulldogs are great family dog breeds because they're so great with young children.
Although they are great with children, they are extremely playful dogs. They are full of energy and will need a lot of attention from you, so be prepared! You can find french bulldog puppies for sale here and explore their different characteristics. Just be sure that you are willing to give this breed the attention they need before deciding on them!
Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are another popular breed. In 2020, more than 98,300 people registered their pet lab in AKC’s registry. Labs have been bred to be a companion to people for decades. They love to be around their humans and they always have a carefree nature about them.
It is important to keep in mind that labrador retrievers are high-energy dogs and need a lot of exercises every single day. Taking them on a couple of walks and maybe even a run is a good idea.
If you are looking for a larger size dog, a Labrador retriever may be the right fit for you! They weigh between 55 to 80 pounds. Beware, though, as some labs do end up weighing a lot more than this.

Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are very similar in demeanor and personality to labrador retrievers. They are extremely friendly dogs. They love to be around other animals as well as around their humans.
Golden retrievers do have long hair and do shed a lot. You may be vacuuming up more than you are used to, but their smiling face will keep you smiling right back!
Golden retrievers weigh anywhere from 55 to 75 pounds, but there are many golden retrievers that tend to get to 100 pounds or more.
Beagle
Beagles are a very happy-go-lucky house-friendly dog breed. They love to play fetch and go on long walk with their people!. On the other hand, they also are very happy to snuggle with their favorite people, curled up right in their lap - whether that is in bed or on the couch.
Because beagles were bred to hunt in packs, they get along very well with other dogs. However, they may wander off if they smell an interesting scent. This means that you need to be careful with them off-leash. It may be best to only get a Beagle if you have a fenced-in yard or never take them off-leash.
Beagles typically end up weighing no more than 30 pounds.
Irish Setter
Although you may not hear about Irish Setters a lot, they are a very popular dog breed. They are carefree and can even have a spunky attitude. They are great family dogs to have in your house.
Irish setters are very active dogs, so they need regular exercise. If you do not give them regular exercise, they will start engaging in misbehaviors such as excessive barking and chewing on your belongings. Since that is the last thing you probably want, we highly recommend that you plan for two walks per day with your dog.
Irish Setters will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds as an adult. Their coat color is usually a mix of red, chestnut, and mahogany - beautiful colors for a dog!
Border Collie
A Border Collie is an extremely intelligent dog that is a great house-friendly dog breed. They're extremely gentle dogs, especially with children. However, they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day in order to be well-behaved. If you do not give them regular exercise, they may start to misbehave.
Border Collies are midsize dogs, and most will live between 12 to 17 years which means that you will have your best companion for a long time!
Keep in mind that this breed does have long hair and will shed a lot.
Poodle
A poodle is known to be a very intelligent and loyal dog to have as a pet. They are great at mastering obedience training, competing, and simply being house dogs.
They're extremely affectionate and devoted to their family. There are also many different mixes of poodles. If you choose to get a mix, you will get part of the poodle personality while also getting the personality of the other mix.
Several popular mixes are:
Bernedoodles
Cavapoos
Labradoodles
Pyredoodles
Goldendoodles
While mixtures are popular, there are many different poodle sizes as well. Toy poodles are popular as well as miniature poodles (10-15 pounds and 20-50 pounds, respectively), however, you can also get a standard poodle that weighs around 60 to 70 pounds. This is all personal preference!
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are known to be the gentle giant of the dog world. They are extremely patient, making them great dogs to have in your house if you have young children or babies.
They are also loyal to the family. Although if they see other people or dogs, they are going to want to go say hi!
Newfoundlands are one of the biggest breeds you can get. At maturity, they weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.
House-friendly Dog Breeds
Now that you know the top house-friendly dog breeds, it is time to start looking for your new furry friend!
Once you determine the size of dogs you want, you can start narrowing down the other dog breeds. Whether you choose to get a French bulldog as a small portable pup or a large Golden Retriever that pretends it is a lap dog, you’ll love the new addition to your family!
If you enjoyed the breakdown of this topic about the top 8 house-friendly dog breeds, we have more articles just like this one. You can check out more under the Lifestyle section.
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