Finding the perfect large dog breed for your family can be a challenge, especially when you want a gentle and friendly pet. Golden Retrievers are one of the best large dog breeds for families, known for their loving personalities and intelligence. These dogs are beloved for their patience and make excellent companions for children.

Another great choice is the German Shepherd. These dogs are loyal, protective, and great with kids. They are highly trainable, making them a versatile addition to any family. Despite their size, German Shepherds can be surprisingly gentle and affectionate.

The Newfoundland is also an excellent option for families. Known for their sweet demeanor and gentle nature, these dogs are among the friendliest breeds. They are large and strong, yet they are excellent with small children, making them a fantastic choice for a family pet. To learn more about other large dog breeds perfect for families, check out our list of the best large dog breeds for families.

Top 10 Big Friendly Dog Breeds

These large dogs are known for their friendly nature and make great family companions. From the loyal Labrador Retriever to the gentle Newfoundland, here’s a look at some of the best big friendly dog breeds.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds. They’re friendly, outgoing, and great with kids. Labs are intelligent and easy to train, which makes them good family pets. They’re also energetic and love to play, so they need plenty of exercise.

Their short coat is easy to groom, and they come in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. Labs are also known for their versatility. They excel in various activities such as hunting, agility, and service work. Their affectionate and gentle nature makes them perfect for families looking for a loyal companion.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are often depicted as the ideal family dog in movies and TV shows. They are known for their sweet and loving personalities. Goldens are patient, making them fantastic with children.

These dogs are also highly intelligent and trainable. They have a friendly and tolerant nature, which is why they often serve as therapy and service dogs. Golden Retrievers have a beautiful golden coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. Their friendly demeanor extends to everyone they meet, making them a beloved member of any family.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy dog with a calm disposition. They are known for their gentle nature and are excellent with children. Berners are very loyal and enjoy being part of family activities.

They have a thick, tri-colored coat that needs regular grooming. Despite their size, they are known for being gentle giants. Bernese Mountain Dogs require moderate exercise and are happiest when they have a job to do. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them wonderful companions for families.

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are gentle and patient, especially with children. These dogs are also known for their swimming ability and have an instinct to rescue people in water.

They have a thick, water-resistant coat that requires regular grooming. Newfoundlands are generally calm and easy-going but need space to move around due to their size. Their friendly and gentle nature makes them excellent family pets.

Great Dane

Great Danes are known for their impressive size and gentle demeanor. Despite their large stature, they are often referred to as “gentle giants” because of their friendly and affectionate nature.

Great Danes are great with children and can be quite playful. Their short coat is easy to maintain. They need plenty of space and regular exercise to keep them healthy. Their loyalty and loving personality make them excellent companions.

Mastiff

Mastiffs are large dogs with a protective but friendly nature. They are calm and gentle, making them great family pets. Mastiffs are also very loyal and protective of their families.

They have short coats that are easy to groom, but their size requires ample space and regular exercise. They are known for their patient and loving demeanor, making them good with children. These dogs need a strong leader to guide them, but their friendly nature makes them wonderful companions.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are known for their towering height and gentle nature. They are friendly, calm, and great with families. These dogs are very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners.

They have a wiry coat that requires regular grooming. Despite their size, they are gentle and patient with children. Irish Wolfhounds need plenty of space and regular exercise. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them great companions for families.

Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are large dogs with a friendly and gentle nature. They are excellent with children and are known for their patience. These dogs are also famous for their role in mountain rescue missions.

Saint Bernards have a thick coat that requires regular grooming. They need plenty of space and moderate exercise. Their friendly and loving personalities make them excellent family pets.

Leonberger

Leonbergers are large, friendly dogs that are great with families. They are known for their gentle nature and patience, especially with children. Leonbergers are also very loyal and protective of their families.

They have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming. These dogs need plenty of space and regular exercise. Their friendly and gentle demeanor makes them wonderful companions for families.

Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhounds are known for their tall stature and gentle nature. They are friendly and good with families. These dogs are very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners.

Scottish deerhounds have a wiry coat that requires regular grooming. They need ample space and regular exercise. Despite their size, they are gentle and patient with children, making them excellent family pets.