10 Safe Dog Breeds That Are Least Likely to Bite

Looking for a dog that is not aggressive is essential for most families. However, keep in mind that all dogs have the potential for aggressive behavior based on how it has been raised. This is particularly true if a dog has come from an abusive background or has been improperly trained and socialized by a previous owner. The overall outcome of any dog’s personality falls primarily on the owner and less on the breed.

Nevertheless, many dog breeds are known to be gentle, patient, and not as likely to bite. This list has taken into account dogs that are known to be sweet and patient with children. However, children need to be taught how to approach and treat a dog appropriately, so everyone (including the dog) is happy and safe.

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1. Labrador Retriever

labrador retriever
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Considered the most popular dog in North America, the Labrador Retriever is an exceptional family pet that is known to be brilliant with children. Labs are outgoing, enthusiastic, and intelligent dogs. They are renowned for their friendly and loving nature with their family but are also comfortable with strangers and other dogs.

The Lab has a lot of energy and ensuring they have adequate walks and playtime will help to release any pent-up energy. They are easy to train thanks to their intelligence and devotion to their family. The Lab’s eager-to-please and happy temperament make them the perfect family dog.

2. Golden Retriever

golden retriever
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The Golden Retriever is the third most popular dog in North America and is famous for being an excellent family dog. Their energy and devotion to their family, in addition to their eager-to-please temperament, make them trustworthy pets.

The Golden needs a lot of exercise and play to avoid any destructive behaviors as they are very energetic dogs. The Golden is also a popular working dog and is commonly used as seeing eye and search-and-rescue dogs. Goldens are friendly, intelligent, and devoted dogs that have a joyous and sociable nature.

3. Boxer

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The Boxer is patient, protective, and great with children. They can sometimes be silly, goofy dogs that also have a sweet nature. As long as they are trained and appropriately socialized as puppies, they will make fantastic pets for the entire family. The Boxer can be trusted with children but might require some supervision with other dogs.

Like the Lab and the Golden Retriever, the Boxer is high energy and will need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation as they can become bored with repetition. They are intelligent, happy, playful dogs that are exuberant and independent.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

two king charles spaniels
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, gentle family-oriented dog. Their affectionate, eager-to-please natures make them trustworthy pets for families with children. The Cavalier is easy to train because of their intelligence and devotion to their family and will fit in with any active or couch potato family.

The Cavalier gets along well with other dogs and people, and their affectionate, sweet and gentle temperament makes them one of the most trustworthy dogs.

5. Newfoundland

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The gentle giant Newfoundland might look intimidating because of its extra-large size, but it is a sweet and devoted dog known to be a ‘nanny dog’ because of its patience and gentleness with children. The Newfie is a very loyal, intelligent, and loving dog that is easy to train and can be trusted with children and other dogs.

The breed standard of the Newfoundland is its sweet nature, making them the perfect dog and companion for a family.

6. Collie

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The Collie is known to be an excellent family pet and is a devoted and intelligent dog. Collies are easy to train as they are very intelligent and love to spend time with their family. They love children but might need supervision around other dogs, although they are not aggressive.

Spending time with and exercising the energetic Collie will help your dog expend some energy and will give you a healthy and happy dog. The Collie is a loyal, affectionate, and smart dog that would be a fantastic addition to almost any family.

7. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dog
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The good-natured Bernese Mountain Dog is gentle with children and is sweet and affectionate with everyone in the family. Berners are easy to train as they are intelligent, obedient, and want to please their owners. They become very attached to their family and won’t do well if left alone for long periods.

Berners are also high energy and will need a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. They are calm and affectionate dogs that will love spending time with the entire family.

8. French Bulldog

Adorable french bulldog_Angyalosi Beata_shutterstock
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The French Bulldog is a calm, friendly, and sweet dog that has an easygoing temperament. They are great with children but might need supervision with other dogs. They are eager to please but can be prone to stubbornness. This combination makes them both easy as well as a challenge to train.

The Frenchie only requires a moderate amount of exercise, which could include a short walk or some outdoor play. The Frenchie is a quiet and calm dog that is affectionate, playful, and fun to spend time with.

9. Beagle

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The adorable Beagle is a happy, friendly, and loving dog that makes an amazing family pet. They are very easygoing, clever, and curious dogs that are commonly described as “merry.” They get along very well with children and other dogs and are generally easy to train.

Beagles are very active dogs that will need a minimum of one hour of exercise every day. They are also very social dogs that cannot be left alone for long periods. Beagles love to play and are very affectionate dogs that will fit in nicely with most families.

10. Irish Setter

irish setter in mountains
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The beautiful Irish Setter is known for its sweet nature and loves spending time with children. They are active, outgoing, and eager to please, which also makes them easy to train. They are very playful and friendly and get along very well with children and other dogs.

The Irish Setter needs a lot of exercise in the form of long walks and daily play to help expend some of their energy. They are affectionate, energetic, and sensitive and would be an excellent dog for almost anyone.

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This list of dogs that are less likely to bite will hopefully help you in your search for the perfect dog for your family. As already mentioned, while many breeds might be less prone to biting, proper training and socialization while they are puppies are paramount to an adult dog’s personality. It’s also essential to teach strangers and children how to approach your dog appropriately and treat it with kindness.

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