Seven 'best family dogs' that are perfect for smaller homes

Whether you have children of your own, or your son or daughter is now bringing children of their own to your home, you would want to make sure the environment is safe; this is also true if you have family friends who like to visit with their little ones.

Introducing a dog into the family can be an exciting time for all, but there are some dog breeds that are considered more family-friendly than others.

According to the American Kennel Club, there are seven dog breeds you might want to consider as they're the "best family dogs" - especially if you don't have a large amount of space at home for a dog to stretch its legs.

If you have a small garden, or live in an apartment, then you might wonder which is the best dog for your living space, as well as other factors.

One such factor could be how much they shed, or bark, or the amount of exercise they need: it would make sense that you research before you buy.