Choosing a dog
The best dog breeds for families
Ask ten people for the best family dog and you'll get ten answers — usually the dog they grew up with. So here's our honest version: the breeds below are steady, forgiving and genuinely enjoy living with children. But the individual dog matters more than the breed name on the kennel club paper, and no breed makes children and dogs safe together on its own. That part is on us adults.
What actually matters
- A steady, forgiving temperament beats any reputation. You want a dog who shrugs off a clumsy pat, an unexpected hug, a toy grabbed mid-chew.
- Size cuts both ways. A big, joyful dog can flatten a toddler by accident; a tiny one can be hurt by rough play. Medium and steady is often the easiest place to start.
- Energy should match your family's real week, not your best intentions. A breed that needs two hours of running a day is wonderful — if someone actually has those two hours.
- Puppies and toddlers at the same time is two full-time jobs. Many families have a far calmer start with a dog who is already a year or two old.
The rules that matter more than the breed
- Never bother a dog who is eating, sleeping or in its bed.
- An adult is always in the room when young children and dogs are together.
- Children learn to read the dog — a turned head or a yawn means 'give me space'.
Our family shortlist
Eight breeds that consistently score well with children in our data, with the honest trade-offs. Crossbreeds with these parents often do just as well.
Labrador Retriever
An open-hearted, food-motivated working dog that has become the default family companion for good reason — and that still needs a real job to be content.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- Very high
- Shedding
- Very high
- Energy
- High
Golden Retriever
Gentle, biddable and endlessly patient. A Golden asks for company more than it asks for anything else.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- Very high
- Shedding
- Very high
- Energy
- High
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A small, soft-natured companion that wants to be wherever you are. Calm company rather than a project.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- Very high
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Energy
- Low
Havanese
Sociable, funny and adaptable, provided company is part of the deal. The long coat is a choice between daily work and regular clipping.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- Very high
- Shedding
- Very low
- Energy
- Moderate
Rough Collie
Gentle, observant and eager to cooperate. A Rough Collie is softer than many herders but still needs training, brushing and company.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- Very high
- Shedding
- Very high
- Energy
- Moderate
Pug
Comic, affectionate and shadow-close. A Pug asks for company far more than exercise.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- High
- Shedding
- High
- Energy
- Low
Labradoodle
A bright, people-centred cross with real working ancestry. Size, coat and temperament vary more than the familiar label suggests.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- High
- Shedding
- Low
- Energy
- High
Goldendoodle
Affectionate, clever and usually enthusiastic about people. The adult coat, size and steadiness depend heavily on the parents.
- With children
- Very high
- First-time owners
- High
- Shedding
- Low
- Energy
- High
A quick word on allergies: no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Some shed less and spread less dander around the house, which helps many families — but spend time with the actual dog before you decide.
Your family is the other half of the match
The best breed on paper still has to fit your week — your home, your time, your children's ages. Our quiz weighs all of it and shows you the reasoning behind every match.