ForTheBreed

Best family dogs in the UK

174 breeds that score well with children, are trainable enough for a family, and won't bark the neighbours into a rage.

What actually makes a dog family-friendly?

The honest answer is more complicated than the cliché. Ask most people which breeds are best for families and you'll get Golden Retriever, Labrador, maybe a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Those answers aren't wrong. They're popular for real reasons. But they skip over the most important question, which is: best for which family?

A Border Collie is highly trainable, loyal, and energetic. It's also a breed that was developed over centuries to control moving animals by staring them down, circling, and nipping their heels. Put one in a house with small children and you may find it trying to herd them. Rounding them up into a corner, nipping at ankles, becoming anxious when the "flock" disperses. Not aggression; instinct. The result can be a dog that's miserable and children who are scared, despite everyone involved having the best intentions.

The breeds on this list are filtered for three things: good with children, not classified as challenging to train (critical when you need a dog to stop jumping on a toddler on command), and not a habitually high barker (because a constantly barking dog poisons a household regardless of temperament). Beyond those filters, the right choice depends on your actual lifestyle, not your ideal one.

A terrace house with a small garden and two working parents does not suit a high-energy breed that needs two hours of exercise a day. It suits a breed that's adaptable, settles well, and tolerates the noise and chaos of children without becoming frustrated or reactive. Honestly assessing your household matters more than any ranking.

Budget matters too. Puppy prices from reputable KC-registered breeders for popular family breeds. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels. Typically run £1,500–£2,500 in the UK. Some designer crosses command more. If cost is a constraint, rescue is worth serious consideration: many rescues carefully assess dogs with children before rehoming, and adult dogs often slot into family life more smoothly than unpredictable puppies.

Supervision is non-negotiable regardless of breed. These lists reflect statistical tendencies, not guarantees about individual animals.

Top family dog breeds ranked

174 breeds · sorted by family score

Cavapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–10kg · 13–15yr

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–8kg · 10–14yr

Bernese Mountain Dog Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 36–50kg · 7–10yr

Newfoundland Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 45–70kg · 8–10yr

Leonberger Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 40–75kg · 8–9yr

Boston Terrier Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–11kg · 11–14yr

Spinone Italiano Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Large · 29–39kg · 10–12yr

Cavachon Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–9kg · 12–15yr

Bernedoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Large · 22–36kg · 12–15yr

Cockachon Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–10kg · 12–15yr

Cesky Terrier Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 6–10kg · 12–15yr

Kooikerhondje Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 9–11kg · 12–14yr

Eurasier Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Medium · 18–32kg · 12–14yr

Pugalier Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 6–10kg · 9–14yr

Mini Bernedoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Medium · 10–18kg · 12–17yr

Golden Mountain Dog Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Large · 34–50kg · 9–12yr

Saint Berdoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 40–80kg · 10–12yr

Newfypoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 36–65kg · 8–12yr

Havapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 2–6kg · 12–15yr

Cockalier Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 7–14kg · 12–15yr

Zuchon Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–6kg · 15–18yr

Cockapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–11kg · 13–16yr

Miniature Schnauzer Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–9kg · 12–15yr

Maltipoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 2–6kg · 12–15yr

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 11–17kg · 12–15yr

Rough Collie Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Large · 18–30kg · 12–14yr

Bichon Frisé Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–5kg · 14–17yr

Havanese Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–6kg · 14–16yr

Miniature Poodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 4–7kg · 13–15yr

Schnoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–9kg · 12–16yr

Finnish Lapphund Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Medium · 15–24kg · 12–15yr

Poochon Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 4–9kg · 12–15yr

Yorkipoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 2–6kg · 10–15yr

Pomapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 2–5kg · 12–16yr

Japanese Spitz Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–10kg · 12–16yr

Smooth Collie Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Large · 18–30kg · 12–14yr

Field Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Medium · 18–25kg · 11–13yr

American Cocker Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 7–14kg · 12–15yr

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 50–64kg · 8–11yr

Coton de Tuléar Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–6kg · 15–19yr

Löwchen Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 4–6kg · 13–15yr

Bossipoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 7–14kg · 12–15yr

Great Danoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Giant · 40–80kg · 8–12yr

Eskipoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–9kg · 13–15yr

Pugapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 5–9kg · 12–15yr

Golden Dox Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 9–20kg · 10–14yr

Toy Cockapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train Med energy

Small · 3–5kg · 14–18yr

French Bulldog Family
Good with cats Mod train Low energy

Small · 8–13kg · 10–12yr

Saint Bernard Family
Good with cats Mod train Low energy

Giant · 64–120kg · 8–10yr

Bolognese Family
Good with cats Mod train Low energy

Small · 2–4kg · 12–14yr

Frug Family
Good with cats Mod train Low energy

Small · 6–9kg · 12–15yr

Golden Retriever Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–34kg · 10–12yr

Labrador Retriever Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–36kg · 10–12yr

Cocker Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 12–16kg · 12–15yr

Springer Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 18–25kg · 12–14yr

Poodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 20–32kg · 12–15yr

Labradoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 23–30kg · 12–14yr

Great Dane Family
Good with cats Mod train Low energy

Giant · 50–90kg · 7–10yr

Goldendoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 13–30kg · 10–15yr

Hungarian Vizsla Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 20–30kg · 12–15yr

Flat-Coated Retriever Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–36kg · 8–10yr

Brittany Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–20kg · 12–14yr

Portuguese Water Dog Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 16–25kg · 11–13yr

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 17–23kg · 12–14yr

Sproodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 10–20kg · 12–15yr

Gordon Setter Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 20–36kg · 10–12yr

Lagotto Romagnolo Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 13–16kg · 15–17yr

Swedish Vallhund Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Small · 9–14kg · 12–15yr

Bordoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–22kg · 12–15yr

Sheepadoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 18–30kg · 12–15yr

Irishdoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 18–30kg · 12–15yr

Sprocker Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–20kg · 10–14yr

Aussiedoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–25kg · 10–13yr

Lhasapoo Family
Good with cats Mod train Med energy

Small · 5–9kg · 12–15yr

Tibetan Spaniel Family
Good with cats Mod train Med energy

Small · 4–7kg · 13–16yr

Tibetan Terrier Family
Good with cats Mod train Med energy

Medium · 8–14kg · 12–15yr

Irish Red and White Setter Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–34kg · 11–15yr

White Swiss Shepherd Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–40kg · 12–14yr

Bracco Italiano Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 25–40kg · 12–13yr

Barbet Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 17–28kg · 13–15yr

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 23–32kg · 12–14yr

Boykin Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 11–18kg · 14–16yr

Xoloitzcuintli Family
Good with cats Mod train Med energy

Medium · 4–14kg · 13–18yr

Double Doodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 18–34kg · 12–15yr

Goldador Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 27–36kg · 10–13yr

Springador Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 22–34kg · 10–14yr

Springerdoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–25kg · 10–15yr

Rottle Family
Cat caution Easy train Med energy

Large · 27–40kg · 9–13yr

Toy Aussiedoodle Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Small · 3–9kg · 12–15yr

Corgipoo Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Small · 7–14kg · 12–15yr

Sprockapoo Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 12–18kg · 12–15yr

Labradinger Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Large · 22–34kg · 10–14yr

Bassador Family
Good with cats Mod train Med energy

Large · 20–32kg · 10–12yr

Picardy Spaniel Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 20–25kg · 13–14yr

Dutch Partridge Dog Family
Good with cats Easy train High energy

Medium · 23–29kg · 13–15yr

Rottweiler Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Large · 35–60kg · 8–11yr

Whippet Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Medium · 12–18kg · 12–15yr

Greyhound Family
Cat caution Mod train Low energy

Large · 27–40kg · 10–14yr

Mastiff Family
Cat caution Mod train Low energy

Giant · 54–100kg · 6–10yr

Irish Wolfhound Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Giant · 48–70kg · 6–8yr

Lurcher Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Large · 18–32kg · 12–15yr

Bullmastiff Family
Cat caution Mod train Low energy

Large · 41–59kg · 7–9yr

Scottish Deerhound Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Giant · 36–50kg · 8–11yr

Glen of Imaal Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Small · 14–16kg · 12–15yr

Silken Windhound Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Medium · 10–23kg · 14–18yr

Mastidoodle Family
Cat caution Mod train Low energy

Giant · 45–90kg · 8–12yr

German Shepherd Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 22–40kg · 9–13yr

Border Collie Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–22kg · 12–15yr

Border Terrier Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Small · 5–7kg · 12–15yr

Norfolk Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Small · 5–7kg · 12–15yr

Irish Setter Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Large · 25–32kg · 11–15yr

Australian Shepherd Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 16–32kg · 12–15yr

Old English Sheepdog Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Large · 27–46kg · 10–12yr

Dobermann Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 30–45kg · 10–13yr

Bouvier des Flandres Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 27–40kg · 10–12yr

Samoyed Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Large · 16–30kg · 12–14yr

Pointer Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 20–34kg · 12–14yr

Standard Schnauzer Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Medium · 14–20kg · 13–16yr

Welsh Springer Spaniel Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Medium · 16–20kg · 12–15yr

Curly Coated Retriever Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Large · 23–36kg · 10–12yr

Boxerdoodle Family
Good with cats Mod train High energy

Large · 18–30kg · 10–14yr

Westiepoo Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Small · 7–11kg · 12–15yr

Dogue de Bordeaux Family
Cat caution Mod train Low energy

Large · 54–65kg · 5–8yr

Dutch Shepherd Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 23–32kg · 11–14yr

Australian Kelpie Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–21kg · 12–15yr

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Small · 8–11kg · 12–15yr

Sealyham Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Small · 8–9kg · 12–14yr

Large Münsterlander Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 25–32kg · 12–13yr

Spanish Water Dog Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 14–22kg · 12–14yr

Mudi Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 8–13kg · 12–14yr

Small Münsterlander Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Medium · 18–27kg · 12–14yr

Rat Terrier Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Small · 5–10kg · 15–18yr

Estrela Mountain Dog Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Large · 30–50kg · 10–14yr

Shepadoodle Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 22–40kg · 12–14yr

Foodle Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Small · 6–9kg · 12–15yr

American Bulldog Family
Cat caution Mod train Med energy

Large · 27–54kg · 10–12yr

Belgian Tervuren Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 20–30kg · 12–14yr

Belgian Shepherd Groenendael Family
Cat caution Easy train High energy

Large · 20–30kg · 12–14yr

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 11–17kg · 12–14yr

Rhodesian Ridgeback Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 29–41kg · 10–12yr

Ibizan Hound Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 19–29kg · 11–14yr

Boxer Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 25–32kg · 9–12yr

Airedale Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 18–29kg · 10–13yr

Cairn Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 6–8kg · 12–15yr

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 14–20kg · 12–15yr

Weimaraner Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 25–40kg · 10–13yr

Irish Water Spaniel Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 20–30kg · 10–12yr

Dalmatian Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 20–32kg · 11–13yr

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 25–36kg · 10–13yr

Jackapoo Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 6–10kg · 12–16yr

Bedlington Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 8–10kg · 12–14yr

Irish Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 11–13kg · 13–15yr

German Wirehaired Pointer Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 20–34kg · 12–14yr

Whoodle Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 9–20kg · 12–15yr

Norwich Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 4–6kg · 12–15yr

Lakeland Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 7–8kg · 12–16yr

Manchester Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 5–10kg · 14–16yr

Kerry Blue Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 15–18kg · 13–15yr

Hungarian Puli Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 10–15kg · 12–16yr

Briard Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 30–45kg · 10–12yr

Schipperke Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 3–9kg · 13–15yr

Pharaoh Hound Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 18–27kg · 12–14yr

Portuguese Podengo Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 4–6kg · 12–15yr

Hovawart Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 25–40kg · 12–14yr

Polish Lowland Sheepdog Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 14–16kg · 12–15yr

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 20–30kg · 11–13yr

American Staffordshire Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 25–32kg · 12–16yr

Australian Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 5–7kg · 11–15yr

Welsh Terrier Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 9–10kg · 12–15yr

Cirneco dell'Etna Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Small · 8–12kg · 12–14yr

Huskydoodle Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 18–30kg · 10–14yr

Labrabull Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Large · 22–45kg · 10–14yr

Hound Mix Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 14–30kg · 10–15yr

Cursinu Family
Cat caution Mod train High energy

Medium · 22–30kg · 12–14yr