Best Dogs for Families

If your idea of the perfect Saturday is being outside tossing around a football, then consider the golden retriever. As the name "retriever" suggests, this dog is in its element chasing a Frisbee or playing fetch with the kids. Golden retrievers are easy to train, a bonus for busy moms and dads. Keep in mind, though, the grooming required: "Their coats are thin, fine, and mat easily, so you have to do a fair amount of brushing," Peterson says.