Every dog has its own distinct personality, but when it comes to choosing the ideal dog for you, it’s often said that some breeds are more aligned with certain characteristics than others. Energetic, docile, cuddly, protective – most dogs will show a range of behaviours depending on their training and environment, and all can offer brilliant companionship. So how do you know which breed is right for your family?
Though the excellent rescue and rehoming centres around the UK will typically have a whole host of different breeds and mixed breeds looking for new homes, it’s important to consider your own lifestyle and housing situation when bringing a new family member into the mix.
In this guide, we explore the characteristics of a great family-friendly dog, as well as some of the more popular options for busy, working families, and for households who prefer everything from short walks to extended daily rambles.
- Characteristics of a great family dog
- The best breeds for energetic households
- Golden Retrievers
- Border Collies
- Labrador Retrievers
- Jack Russell Terriers
- The best breeds for busy families
- Rescue Greyhounds
- Pekingese and Peekapoos
- What about Cockapoos?
- Essentials for your new family member
Characteristics of a great family dog
Whether you’re an outdoorsy family or the sofa snuggling kind, a great family dog will be one that is good with children and able to tolerate the hustle and bustle of visitors and games. Here are a few characteristics to look out for;
- A friendly, calm temperament
- Tolerance for sudden noise and movement
- Trainability
- Energy levels that match your lifestyle
- A suitable size for your home and garden
- Low-maintenance grooming needs
Temperament and trainability
Whatever the breed, look for a dog that enjoys being around people – a dog with a calm and affectionate nature will settle more easily in a family home than one who is anxious or quick to become defensive.
Even the friendliest dogs can seem nervous in a kennel environment, so when you’re visiting rescue centres, do take the time to talk to staff about how well different dogs get on with each other and with the staff they see day-to-day. While aggression or reactivity can be easy to identify quickly, affection can be less obvious at a first meeting.
Rehoming staff will also be able to give you a feel for how well-trained each dog or puppy is. Breeds who are quick learners, such as Border Collies and Golden Retrievers, are often easier to establish good behaviour with than more stubborn, independent breeds like Chow Chows and Beagles.
Size and energy levels
It almost goes without saying, but a family living in an apartment and a family living in a detached cottage will have very different ideal breeds.
Not all small dogs do well in the confinement of a smaller property, just as not all large dogs require hour-long walks morning and night – but as a general rule, the larger the dog, the more space you should provide for it to live in. A Great Dane doesn’t require any more walks than a dog half the size, but they certainly take up more space than the typical apartment can provide!
Below, we’ll take a look at some ideal breeds for different energy levels in the family unit.
The best breeds for energetic households
Image by Barnabas Davoti
Golden Retrievers - Playful, patient, easy to train
Golden Retrievers are widely regarded as one of the best dog breeds to have as a family pet, due to their friendly temperament, intelligence, and adaptability. They are an incredibly patient and gentle breed, making them excellent companions for children of all ages when trained well and provided with a safe and comfortable living environment.
Known for their playful and energetic nature, Golden Retrievers thrive in active households and love outdoor activities like walks, garden games and seaside swimming. Their high trainability means they can pick up family routines easily and learn new commands with ease. Golden Retrievers are also typically sociable dogs, meaning they are a winning choice for homes with existing pets or those who are planning to expand the family further.
“They’re incredibly loving, kind, and gentle and they form really strong bonds with people.” says Dogs for Good trainer, Clare.
“They don’t forget who they’ve given their love to, either – there are golden retrievers I’ve trained and then see years later who still remember me and greet me like a long-lost friend.”
Border Collies - Intelligent, active, protective
“Border Collies are worker dogs that love exercising and being active, which makes them great companions for those who enjoy outdoor activities.” Says Dylan Austin of Figo Pet Insurance. “Highly intelligent, affectionate, and active, these pups are great protectors and family dogs.”
Border Collies are one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there, which is why they’re often chosen as working dogs as well as family pets. Quick to learn commands and full of seemingly boundless energy, this is an ideal breed for active families who want an affectionate, loyal companion to take on long walks and enjoy plenty of runarounds and games of fetch in the garden.
Border Collies do need plenty of physical and mental stimulation but settle well in boisterous households with children of different ages.
Labrador Retrievers - Affectionate, calm-natured
No list of great family dogs would be complete without the trusty Labrador – consistently one of the UK’s most popular breeds overall. In fact, as of 2024, only mixed breed dogs are thought to be more popular than this beloved hound.
Vet Joe Dunne says “Labs are renowned for their good nature. They tend to be sensitive, willing to please and affectionate (which makes them good guide dogs). As they are considered intelligent dogs, they require a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy. This can make them more difficult to manage for busy owners, but suitable for families who can provide them a lot of attention. It is frequently described how Labradors are good with children and other dogs.”
Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers have a lot in common, but Labradors win points for having lower-maintenance grooming needs. With a short, dense double coat, weekly brushing is usually enough to keep your Labrador looking its best – meanwhile the longer coat on their Golden cousins will typically require brushing several times a week.
Jack Russell Terriers - Confident, lively
Jack Russell Terriers are a fantastic choice if you’re seeking a new companion who will bring plenty of personality to the home, and are a pint-sized serving of the intelligence and affection seen in Retrievers and Collies.
These small dogs are always ready for an adventure and thrive in environments where they can play and explore. Their small size makes them well-suited for homes with smaller gardens and interior spaces, but their big-dog confidence means they can keep up with even the busiest households.
Jack Russells are highly intelligent and enjoy learning new tricks, and also have minimal grooming requirements in comparison to other breeds thanks to their short coats. As with most energetic breeds, stimulation and good training are important – any dog may act out when it is bored or if it hasn’t been well-trained, but PetPlan notes that their lively personalities mean Jack Russells may be prone to wandering off if their recall training is neglected.
The best breeds for busy families
Image by Ron Lach
If you’re too busy to commit to a highly energetic dog in need of plenty of mental stimulation, this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t adopt a dog at all. As well as considering older dogs, who are more likely to be happy spending long periods lounging on a sofa, there are a few breeds often cited as the most suitable for busier, working families because they are calm while waiting for you to get home, and playful without being too bold when everyone is in the house.
Rescue Greyhounds - Relaxed, gentle
Rescue Greyhounds are an excellent choice for busy families seeking a calm, low-maintenance, and affectionate companion. While you could be forgiven for assuming that racing dogs are bundles of zooming energy, ex-racing Greyhounds are surprisingly laid-back and like to spend most of their time relaxing and enjoying affection, making them perfect for families with less time for high-energy activities.
This breed is gentle, friendly and adaptable, and rescue Greyhounds will typically form strong bonds with their owners. Greyhounds require only moderate exercise, and are typically content to lounge around the house after a short, brisk walk twice a day. Their quiet and polite nature, combined with minimal grooming needs, makes them an ideal fit for families looking for a low-maintenance, loving dog that fits into a busy lifestyle.
Pekingese and Peekapoos - Independent, content
Pekingese dogs – and their Toy Poodle mix relative, the ‘Peekapoo’ – have lower exercise needs than other family-friendly breeds. Content with shorter walks and indoor play, these breeds are independent enough to tolerate some alone time each day, though they do still seek the love and affection a family can provide.
Peekapoos have the playfulness of a Poodle mixed with the calm demeanour Pekingese dogs are known for. Dogster’s Nicole Cosgrove notes that these dogs have low to non-shedding coats. “They are low-maintenance with activity and grooming, [and] they are also great with children, as there is no end to their goofy antics.”
These two breeds are also a good choice for smaller homes, as their smaller size and docile nature means they don’t require a huge amount of garden or indoor space to be comfortable.
What about Cockapoos?
Image by Jane Mikhaylovsky
Cockapoos are often thought of as a hypoallergenic breed, which is one of the reasons many people consider them when they’re looking for a family dog. However, no such thing really exists. While their coats produce less dander than other breeds, and typically shed less too, studies have found that homes with lower-shedding dogs do not have lower levels of allergens than homes with other breeds.
Cockapoos are usually friendly and energetic dogs, however their high exercise and mental stimulation demands can be challenging for some families. Without enough playtime and activity throughout the day, this breed can easily become bored and display destructive chewing and barking tendencies. They are also particularly prone to separation anxiety, and are better suited to family homes where there is always company present for them to spend time with.
Cockapoos are generally good with children, and they are an intelligent breed that enjoys training, but are best suited to experienced dog owners and homes with older children.
Essentials for your new family member
If you’re bringing a new dog into your family, it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared. Take a look at our helpful guides to find out more about doggy essentials and ongoing care;