All dogs can interact well with children, especially if they're introduced as puppies to a home where children are already underfoot, says pet expert Marc Morrone. Still, many breeds have proven over the years to be particularly gentle and accepting of children in the household. To create this list, we turned to the World Atlas of Dog Breeds, 6th Edition, which rates breeds for their compatibility with children. Remember, however, that no matter the breed, be sure to monitor the first interactions between your children and any new pet.

It's easy to see why the beagle is one of the most popular dogs in the United States. It's a happy-go-lucky, friendly breed and makes a wonderful family pet.

The basset's sweet, gentle disposition makes him a great companion for families, but as a scent hound par excellence, he needs to be kept on a leash during walks.

Active, outgoing, and affectionate, beardies make wonderful family pets. They do require regular exercise, and like most long-haired breeds, bearded collies need a few minutes of brushing or combing every day.

Like many breeds within the herding group, the beauceron is happiest when assigned a task. He is eager to learn and easily trained, but may display independence. The breed's short coat does not require extensive grooming. Although the beauceron can be reserved with strangers, he is loving, loyal and protective of his family.

Farm dogs by heritage, berners need a moderate amount of exercise as well as consistent obedience training, and they also require regular brushing. But their gentle, easygoing manner and the need to be close to their people makes them a good fit for families.

The Boston terrier is a lively and highly intelligent breed with an excellent disposition. The breed is easy to train, and they are easy keepers, preferring to remain by their owner's side.

Another popular breed, bulldogs have a lovable, gentle disposition and are excellent family pets because of their tendency to form strong bonds with children.

This popular breed is intelligent and gentle, and it thrives as part of a family. Despite their small size, cocker spaniels are an active sporting breed, and they need daily exercise. Regular brushing and a trim every few months help keep the coat free of mats.

The collie is a devoted family dog, especially with children. Although they require daily walks, they can also be couch potatoes.

Energetic and intelligent, curly coated retrievers are an excellent companion, but they require training and daily exercise or a job to keep them from getting bored and destructive. Being among the more independent retriever breeds, curly coated retrievers may appear somewhat aloof, but they are always willing to please. The breed's coat is easy to care for, requiring only occasional bathing.

Less familiar than its American counterpart, the English cocker spaniel shares its merry, affectionate nature. They make excellent family companions due to their even disposition and trainability.

These gentle, affectionate family dogs love to be with their people and do not thrive when isolated in a yard or kennel. Athletic and energetic, they also require vigorous daily exercise either on leash or in a fenced area. Their beautiful, feathered coat requires regular maintenance, including brushing and clipping.

A docile and fun-loving companion, the field spaniel sticks close to his family and wants to participate in any and all family activities. They may be reserved initially when meeting strangers but are quick to warm up to people.

Cheerful, optimistic, and good-humored, this breed excels as a family companion whose tail never stops wagging. He requires regular vigorous exercise, however, due to his working heritage.

The German shorthaired pointer thrives as part of an active family. It makes an even-tempered, intelligent, and loyal family watchdog that has enthusiasm for its work. An athlete, a German shorthaired pointer can adapt to most living situations but requires consistent exercise.

Consistently one of the most popular breeds in America, the active and energetic golden can adapt to many different living situations but requires daily exercise. With his friendly temperament and striking golden color, this breed is both beautiful to look at and a joy to own.

Alert and confident, the Gordon setter is devoted to his family. Although they are bright, they are not blindly obedient and may appear stubborn. Gordons are capable of adapting to a variety of living situations but need plenty of daily exercise on a leash or in a fenced area.

While affectionate with his family and quiet and tolerant in general, if there is something to guard or protect, the great Pyrenees can become quite territorial. New owners should be prepared for barking, especially at night, and brushing about once a week.

The Swissy is a social dog that enjoys being a member of the family. Daily exercise is necessary but should be moderate due to their large size and dark, thick coat, which can cause them to overheat in high temperatures.

This breed is extremely social, loving, and patient with children, making them an ideal family dog. Intelligent and eager to please, Icelandic Sheepdogs are easily trained.

This breed's kind and friendly attitude makes it a great family dog. Courageous, spirited and determined, red and white setters require regular exercise. They need minimal brushing or trimming since owners prize a natural appearance, and the breed tends to carry less coat than the Irish setter.

The rolicking Irish setter is a high-energy breed with a clownlike personality that requires regular exercise. The breed's outgoing, stable personality makes it a favorite with families.

An affectionate, good-natured companion, the Keeshond is outgoing and friendly with people and dogs, following the lead of their owners when welcoming strangers. The breed learns quickly, is energetic, and requires daily exercise.

America's most popular dog breed is an ideal sporting and family dog who thrives as part of an active family or as a trusted hunting companion. Because of its even temperament and trainability, Labrador retrievers are owned as pets by millions of Americans.

Lagotti are working dogs with lots of energy, so owners must be prepared to exercise their new dog daily. The breed especially enjoys swimming and retrieving work. They are easy to train, affectionate, and devoted to their families but can be somewhat reserved around strangers.

Leonbergers love children and make excellent family pets with regular training. The breed needs moderate daily exercise.

This diminutive breed adapts easily to any living situation and loves children if introduced while the dog is a puppy. Despite their small stature, the miniature schnauzer can give an alarm just as well as a larger dog, which makes them excellent watchdogs.

The Newfoundland's sweet disposition makes it a good fit for families. Although the breed appears somewhat docile, it is active and will need daily exercise. Newfs are also an intelligent breed and are readily trained.

This breed makes a wonderful companion for active people or families and will thrive in a home where plenty of exercise is provided. While Norwegian buhunds make excellent watch dogs, they are also content to lie at your feet at the end of a hard day. Grooming is minimal -- brushing will maintain the breed's medium to short easy care coat. Training wise, the buhund is considered by many to be the most trainable of the spitz breeds, but obedience training is still a necessity.

The Norwegian elkhound is bold, energetic, an effective guardian (yet normally friendly), and does well with children -- especially when introduced to them at a young age. A very people-oriented breed, the elkhound does not like to be shut away from its family.

Highly intelligent, alert, and outgoing, the toller is normally ready for action, desiring a job to do or some kind of activity. He is affectionate and loving with family members and is good with children, showing patience.

Although affectionate with his family, the OES may try to herd people or other objects. He is an athletic animal, filled with clownish energy, and therefore requires regular exercise or a job to do.

Amiable, boisterous, and even-tempered, the otterhound makes a great addition to an active family with older children, but may not be the best breed for toddlers or a frail elderly person due to his size. Exercise should be on leash or in a fenced yard due to the breed's tendency to follow his nose.

Confident, happy and extroverted, the PBGV is best suited to the active, experienced dog owner with older children and a well-fenced yard. The breed is not a couch potato and needs daily exercise -- if not, he may express his displeasure by using his "hound voice" or creating amusing diversions of his own.

Intelligent, friendly, and playful, the pharaoh hound is affectionate with its family. Extremely athletic, they require daily exercise, but should be kept in a fenced area, as they possess a great keenness for hunting and may try to chase after small animals.

Plotts are eager to please, loyal, intelligent, and alert in the home -- but aggressive, bold, and fearless while hunting. Owners should be prepared to hear the Plott's "voice" in the home at times. An athletic breed, they require daily exercise, but their short coats are low-maintenance.

The pointer's even temperament and alert good sense make him a congenial companion in the field and the home, but he requires both physical and mental exercise.

Polish lowland sheepdogs (known as "PONs," from their Polish name, "Polski wwczarek nizinny") are affectionate and loving toward their family, but they may be suspicious of strangers. Training should start early, as the PON is independent and can be stubborn.

The PWD is good with children and a great watchdog who takes a vested interest in the well-being of his family, to whom he is devoted. This breed, chosen by the Obama family for its hypoallergenic coat, requires daily vigorous exercise. He is very intelligent and responds well to obedience training.

This breed makes a wonderful family companion with obedience training and daily exercise, but due to its large size may do better living in the country or suburbs. New owners should be prepared for drool -- there is no such thing as a dry-mouthed Saint!

While he possesses a quiet and dignified personality in the home, the Scottish Deerhound may try to chase any furry animal that runs past him. Although he enjoys his family, his size may be intimidating to smaller children.

New owners of Siberian huskies should be prepared to provide an outlet for exercise daily, whether through walks or an enclosed space in which to run. Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home.

An active, energetic breed, the spinone loves to romp in the field but is happy as long as it's with its family. Owners should socialize this cautious breed and begin training early.

The Staffordshire bull terrier is extremely courageous and obedient, highly intelligent, and affectionate with a sense of humor. This, coupled with its affection for its friends -- children in particular -- off-duty quietness, and trustworthy stability makes it an all-purpose dog. He looks forward to daily exercise, and his powerful jaws enjoy a supply of sturdy chew toys. While he is a sweet-tempered, affectionate dog, his strength and determination require an experienced owner who can work with him in a firm but gentle way. The staffie's coat is short and smooth and needs only a quick brushing once a week.

Despite its somber and serious expression, the Sussex is friendly, with a cheerful and tractable disposition. They enjoy walks with their families and are good with children and other dogs. The Sussex requires weekly brushing, with special attention paid to anything that might have gotten caught in their long, thick ear hair. Owners should also be prepared for a large quantity of drool.

The griffon's easy trainability, devotion to family, and friendly temperament endear him to all. He thrives on human companionship and prefers to be house dog. The breed's wiry coat will not develop fully until the dog is about 2-3 years old and is maintained with regular brushing and stripping. This sporting dog needs plenty of exercise to keep it physically and mentally fit.