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Picking the right dog for your lifestyle isn't an easy job – and it can be made even trickier when you have a family to consider too. Look for a dog with a temperament that matches your family’s lifestyle . Friendly, patient, and gentle dogs are often best for households with children. Consider how active your family is. Some breeds require lots of exercise and playtime, while others are content with short walks and more downtime. Meanwhile, size, grooming requirements, health issues and trainability are other factors you should mull over. Thankfully, there are experts out there that can offer some helpful advice. And one of them is Casey Ray, who says he's been working with man's best friend for years. While he acknowledges Labradors and golden retrievers are often fantastic with children, there are some other breeds that can be overlooked that are equally good options. He added: "Everyone knows those are great dogs. That's why they're always one and two in the AKC rankings." So here are the other dogs that Casey recommends. Just remember that every pet is different and you should thoroughly do your research before adopting one. No matter what the breed is, it's a huge commitment and dogs will need plenty of training and care... Casey started his list with the boxer, an intelligent, playful, loyal and energetic breed. The pets guru described them as "fantastic" and "great with children". He explained: "You can pretty much do anything you want with them. You know, some of them are more lower energy, some [are] higher energy." To bring out their best, ensure you've got "basic training and basic structure". In fourth place, Casey recommended the small, affectionate and outgoing Shih Tzu. The expert said: "Fantastic breed. Again, minimal training, smaller. A lot of people can travel with these dogs. They're very easy." Next up is the corgi – a small, intelligent and loyal breed. While they require training, exercise and proper socialisation, they are known to be good family dogs. Casey stated: "Fantastic dogs. They come from the [herding] group... there's a lot of intelligence in there. "So, as long as you do basic training, take this intelligence and do something with it, they thrive in family situations. I love this breed." In second place is the cute poodle. They're regarded as one of the most intelligent and adaptable dog breeds and typically have a gorgeously curly coat too. Casey said: "I love these guys... You can do all kinds of things or you can make them more into a companion dog." The expert added: "But a poodle - whether toy, mini, or standard - are fantastic dogs for families. That's why they're so popular." Even though the dogs are sometimes known to have health problems, Casey ranked the Cavalier King Charles spaniel in first place. This is because they are known for their gentle and eager-to-please personalities. He added: "All they want to do is love on you, be around you. They're going to hang out with the kids."
