11 Dog Breeds That Were Beloved by Children Before Screens Took Over

Irish Setters were the red-haired rascals of childhood homes, sprinting through backyards like they were born to win the neighborhood Olympics. With endless energy and a love for being in the middle of the action, these dogs were always the first to start a game and the last to stop. Their joyful spirit matched the energy of kids hopped up on Kool-Aid and summer break freedom. They didn’t care about rules—only that you were having fun. And was there a hose or mud involved? Even better.

Alaskan Malamute

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Alaskan Malamutes were like oversized fluffy siblings—strong, goofy, and willing to pull just about anything, including kids in wagons, sleds, or laundry baskets. They were cold-weather champions but excelled at being furry footrests during blanket fort downtime. Kids loved their expressive faces and how they seemed to communicate with dramatic howls and side-eye glances. They could be stubborn, which made them more relatable to the average ten-year-old. You hadn’t lived until you’d tried to race one and lost. Badly.

Poodle

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Poodles weren’t just fancy—they were fantastically fun. Underneath all that fluff was a highly intelligent, eager-to-please bestie who could learn every trick in the book and then invent three more. Whether standard, miniature, or toy-sized, Poodles were beloved for being easy to train and impossible to bore. They were willing participants in talent shows, tea parties, and backyard obstacle courses. And if a child ever gave them a ridiculous haircut? They forgave them with grace. (Mostly.)

English Bulldog

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The English Bulldog didn’t do speed, but that didn’t stop kids from loving them fiercely. With their squishy faces and snort-filled breathing, they brought comic relief to every moment—especially when they tried to run and looked like a loaf of bread with determination. Bulldogs were patient and tolerant, and their low-key energy made them perfect companions for quiet play, movie days, or reading time in a blanket cocoon. They didn’t demand attention—but somehow, they always got it. And no one could drool with more dignity.

Australian Shepherd

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Australian Shepherds were high-energy herders with the heart of a babysitter and the stamina of a sugar-high kindergartener. They didn’t just play—they organized the play. If the kids were scattered, the Aussie would gather them up like a sheepdog with a mission and a purpose. Always alert, always involved, and almost too smart for their own good, they were both playmate and supervisors. These were the dogs who thrived in households that never sat still.

Papillon

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Papillons were tiny dogs with giant personalities, loved by kids who wanted a lapdog that also had zoomies. With ears resembling butterfly wings and energy rivaling a pinball machine, they were the small but mighty force in many a backyard game. Papillons could keep up with kids in agility, hide-and-seek, or just chasing after giggles on hardwood floors. They didn’t take up much space, but they sure took up a lot of hearts. And their fashion-forward fluff made them excellent princess sidekicks.

German Shorthaired Pointer

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German Shorthaired Pointers were born to run, swim, and never refuse a new adventure. Their athletic build and playful spirit made them perfect companions for kids who believed in turning everything into a sport. They sprinted across lawns, jumped into ponds, and fetched tennis balls like their lives depended on it. When the fun was over, they’d lean against you with that signature Pointer look—equal parts loyalty and, “Are we doing that again tomorrow?” Their energy was endless, and so was their affection.

Chihuahua

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Chihuahuas may have been small, but their sass and loyalty were larger than life. The Chihuahua was the ultimate companion for kids who wanted a portable sidekick with strong opinions and even stronger snuggle skills. They sat in doll strollers, curled up in beanbags, and alerted everyone to incoming guests—or butterflies. While they weren’t into roughhousing, they were into sticking close and defending their favorite human with all the ferocity of a lion in a dog sweater. They were pint-sized protectors of the fort, both real and imaginary.

Weimaraner

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Weimaraners were sleek, affectionate shadows that followed kids like bodyguards with separation anxiety. Known as “Velcro dogs,” they stuck close—very close—always wanting to be in on the fun or right in the middle of cuddle piles. Their graceful frame made them great runners, while their loving nature made them perfect for bedtime snuggles and quiet companionship. They were the dogs that played hard and loved even harder. And yes, their longing stares could win any child’s last bite of sandwich.

Standard Schnauzer

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Standard Schnauzers were bearded besties who always looked like they were plotting something—and often, they were. These intelligent and spirited dogs were endlessly loyal and full of goofy charm, making them ideal companions for kids with big imaginations and even bigger snack stashes. They played rough, loved hard, and had a bark that sounded far tougher than their cuddly tendencies let on. Whether guarding a treehouse or stealing a pillow spot, they did everything with gusto. And let’s be real—those eyebrows made every kid laugh at least once a day.

Belgian Tervuren

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Belgian Tervurens were the elegant herders who took their job of “watching the kids” very seriously. With their sharp minds and strong bonds, they were always nearby—especially if the backyard fun started getting too wild. They participated in games but monitored the rules like a polite supervisor who would prefer if no one fell off the trampoline. Fast, protective, and deeply affectionate, they offered both play and protection in equal measure. If you had a Tervuren, chances are they herded you into bed every night without fail.

They Were the OG “Play Now” Button

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Long before kids begged for Wi-Fi passwords, they pleaded for five more minutes of backyard time with their dog. These pups weren’t just playmates—unofficial siblings, backyard bodyguards, and expert secret-keepers. No screens, no passwords, just paws and play. With every wag, they turned ordinary afternoons into epic adventures. While trends fade and apps get deleted, the bond between a child and their dog stays logged in for life—strong, pure, and totally unscrollable. Because some connections don’t buffer—they’re just always there.