For those that are looking to bring a new dog into their family, a large and fluffy breed will offer lots of love to match their huge hearts. Here are five breeds that are perfect for families who want a little bit more to love.
1. Newfoundland
This breed is a perfect one for a family with small children. They're very nurturing and protective with a kind and gentle heart. Their weight ranges from 120 to 150 pounds on average, but they can easily get heavier due to their sweet expressions at the dinner table. If you're looking for a very large fluffy breed that your children can ride like a horse, the Newfoundland is for you.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese is a breed ideal for families who want an even-tempered dog. These dogs are considered very mellow, but very affectionate. They will lay by your side for hours and not cause a huge ruckus. Their weight ranges between 80 to 120 pounds. Full of hair and affectionate gestures, the Bernese is the ideal sweetheart.
3. Samoyed
What they lack in weight, they sure do make up for in hair. The Samoyed is the sassiest marshmallow that is ideal for families with older children. Due to their lively and stubborn behavior, these dogs require a bit more training and have higher energy levels, which is more suited towards children who are adept enough to handle this behavior. They typically weigh between 40 to 70 pounds depending on gender, but the amount of hair they have can make their size deceiving. The Samoyed is perfect for families who want an energetic, fluffy marshmallow.
4. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is another breed that is suited more towards older children due to their protective nature. They have a similar hair-to-weight ratio as the Samoyed. The Tibetan's weight ranges from 100 to 160 pounds, and they have enough hair to double or triple their size. They're the perfect guard dog for families because they are territorial and more difficult around strangers, but to the immediate family they are calm and very loyal. The combination of their size and attitude toward threats go hand in hand.
5. St. Bernard
Popular in movies like "Beethoven" and "Peter Pan," the St. Bernard has the reputation of being the big nanny of the family. They're ideal for children of all ages and temperaments and do well with all sorts of play behaviors. They're fluffy, gentle giants who weigh between 110 to 200 pounds. Despite how large they can become, their calm temper, friendly manner, and gentle approach are the most ideal for families who want a large fluffy dog, but have small children.
