Although the size of a dog has little correlation with the relationship between dogs that are good and not good with children (well, to be precise, usually larger dogs are better with children than smaller dogs), the size that the puppy will grow to does play an important role when choosing the perfect dog for your family.

Here is our Top Dogs List for Large Dog Breeds.  Please note that the red "NR" denotes Not Recommended for Small Children and the "*" denotes the sources of information on this particular breed are not in agreement. 

Large Breed Rank	Breed	Family Info	Dominance / Obedience / Affection	Temperament with with Dogs/Pets/Strangers	Care Notes	Biting & Barking Notes
01	Golden Retriever (Overall Rank: 002 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Awesome Affection: Very High	Dogs: Awesome Pets: Awesome Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Great Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 1 out of 10
02	Irish Setter (Overall Rank: 007 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Good Affection: Very High	Dogs: Great Pets: Great Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
03	English Setter (Overall Rank: 008 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Good Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Good Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
04	Flat-Coated Retriever (Overall Rank: 009 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Awesome Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
05	Bloodhound (Overall Rank: 012 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Low Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Awesome Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
06	American Foxhound (Overall Rank: 016 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with acreage	Dominance: Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Awesome Pets: Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
06	English Fox Hound (Overall Rank: 016 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with acreage.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Awesome Pets: Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 7 out of 10
08	Labrador Retriever (Overall Rank: 021 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Awesome Affection: Very High	Dogs: Great Pets: Awesome Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Terrible Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
09	Bernese Mountain Dog (Overall Rank: 026 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard	Dominance: Low Obedience: Great Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
10	Standard Poodle (Overall Rank: 029 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Awesome Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Very High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
11	Old English Sheepdog (Overall Rank: 033 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Fair Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Awesome Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
12	Collie (Overall Rank: 035 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Great Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 3 out of 10
13	Curly-Coated Retriever (Overall Rank: 035 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Good Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
14	Scottish Deerhound (Overall Rank: 037 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Great Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
15	Bouvier Des Flandres (Overall Rank: 046 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Good Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
15	Pointer (Overall Rank: 046 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with acreage.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Average Affection: High	Dogs: Great Pets: Great Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
17	Gordon Setter (Overall Rank: 052 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Good Affection: High	Dogs: Not Good Pets: Great Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
18	Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Overall Rank: 055 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Good Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 1 out of 10
19	Belgian Sheepdog (Overall Rank: 066 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Great Affection: Very Low	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
20	Boxer (Overall Rank: 081 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Terrible Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 3 out of 10
21	Doberman Pinscher (Overall Rank: 085 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Great Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Good Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 3 out of 10
22*	Afghan Hound (Overall Rank: 096 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with acreage.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Low Affection: Very Low	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 4 out of 10
22	Briard (Overall Rank: 090 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Good Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
23	Akita (Overall Rank: 109 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Terrible Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 1 out of 10
24	Bullmastiff (Overall Rank: 123 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Not Good Pets: Great Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Terrible Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
24	Rottweiler (Overall Rank: 123 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Okay With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Awesome Affection: Low	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Not Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Terrible Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 1 out of 10
NR	Otterhound (Overall Rank: 045 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Tolerable With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Average Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 6 out of 10
NR	Greyhound (Overall Rank: 072 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Tolerable With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. OK without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Good Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
NR	German Shorthaired Pointer (Overall Rank: 096 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Great Affection: High	Dogs: Great Pets: Not Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Vigorous Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Black and Tan Coonhound (Overall Rank: 109 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Belgian Malinois (Overall Rank: 118 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Great Affection: Very Low	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Weimaraner (Overall Rank: 121 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Great Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Not Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Vigorous Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 7 out of 10
NR	Borzoi (Overall Rank: 121 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Low Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 3 out of 10
NR	German Wirehaired Pointer (Overall Rank: 123 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Not Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Vigorous Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Alaskan Malamute (Overall Rank: 128 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Very High	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Terrible Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Great Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 1 out of 10
NR	Kuvasz (Overall Rank: 131 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Good Affection: Very Low	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Great Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Rhodesian Ridgeback (Overall Rank: 133 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Not recommended for apartments. Best with a large yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Not Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Giant Schnauzer (Overall Rank: 135 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with acreage.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Good Affection: Very Low	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Not Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10