Best Family Dogs in Australia: How to Choose

The short answer

Choose the dog, not the breed. An adult dog that a foster carer or rescue has seen around children is the most reliable family dog, because you get facts about that animal instead of a breed average. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Staffies, Cavaliers, Beagles and Greyhounds all have breed standards that describe a kind, even temperament, and crosses of these breeds are common in Australian rescue. Two things most families get wrong: puppies are harder with young children, not easier, and small is not automatically safer. Whatever you pick, supervise every interaction between dogs and young children.

A mother, father and two young children sit on the grass in a sunny Australian backyard with a relaxed golden-coated adult dog between them — A calm adult dog with a known history is often the easiest family dog to bring home.

What makes a good family dog?

A good family dog is calm enough to cope with noise and mess, tolerant of being bumped and handled, and not so driven that it needs more exercise than a busy family can give. Those are traits of an individual dog. Breed shifts the odds a little, but it does not settle the question.

That is why the most useful thing you can have before you adopt is not a breed list. It is a description of the actual dog from someone who has lived with it: how it reacts when a child runs past, what it does around its food, and whether it settles when the house is busy. Rescues that foster dogs in homes can usually tell you all of this.

The other half of the match is your household. Dogs Victoria's fact sheet on children and dogs makes the point that a family with young children, or with elderly or frail relatives at home, may not be the right match for a high-energy herding breed or a large guardian breed at this stage of life. Be honest about how much time you have for training and exercise once school runs and sport are on the calendar.

Family dog breeds compared

These are the breeds Australian families ask about most. The temperament words are quoted from each breed's official standard published by Dogs Australia, the national kennel council. A breed standard describes the ideal dog of that breed, so treat it as a guide to what the breed was bred for, not a promise about any one animal.

Breed	Temperament in the standard	Coat	What families should know
Labrador Retriever	“Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness” (standard)	Short and dense with a weather-resistant undercoat	Large and very food-motivated. Young Labs are boisterous for a long time.
Golden Retriever	“Kindly, friendly and confident” (standard)	Flat or wavy with feathering and a dense undercoat	Large, more grooming than a Lab, and rare in rescue.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	“Affectionate especially with children”; “bold, fearless and totally reliable” (standard)	Smooth, short and close	Medium-sized and strong. Common in Australian rescue, especially Staffy crosses.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	“Gay, friendly, non-aggressive; no tendency to nervousness” (standard)	Long and silky with feathering	Small and gentle. Purebred Cavaliers are uncommon in rescue.
Beagle	“Amiable and alert, showing no aggression or timidity” (standard)	Short, dense and weatherproof	A scent hound bred to follow a trail. Can be vocal, and recall takes work.
Greyhound	“Intelligent, gentle, affectionate and even tempered” (standard)	Fine and close	Tall but usually calm indoors. Ask about the dog's history with small pets.

Temperament and coat wording from the Dogs Australia breed standards, checked 9 November 2026. Rescue availability is a general pattern and changes constantly; each breed page shows the dogs listed right now.

Two breeds often on family lists are missing on purpose. Border Collies and Kelpies are wonderful dogs, but they are working breeds with a lot of drive, and Dogs Victoria singles out high-energy herding breeds as a hard match for homes with young children. Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs are affectionate, but RSPCA Australia warns that many have lifelong breathing problems and a higher risk of heat-related illness, which matters in an Australian summer.

Why a puppy is the harder choice with young children

Many families picture a puppy growing up alongside the kids. In practice, a puppy mouths, jumps, chews and needs taking outside many times a day, and toddlers move fast and grab. Two small creatures learning self-control at the same time is a lot to supervise.

Then comes adolescence. From around six months a young dog often gets bolder and more distracted, and in large breeds like Labradors and Goldens that stage can run well into the second year. It tends to land just when the novelty has worn off and the family is tired.

An adult dog skips most of that, and you know what you are getting. If your heart is set on a young dog, the puppy listings are there, and our puppies for sale: adopt or buy guide covers the choice, but look hard at adult dogs first. Adult dogs make up most of what rescues list, so the choice is usually wide.

Are big dogs or small dogs better with children?

Size predicts less than people think. A small dog is easy for a child to tread on, drop or squeeze, and a dog that has been hurt by a child can learn to fear children. A large dog is harder to hurt by accident, and many big breeds are patient, but a large dog can knock a toddler over and does more damage if it does bite.

So the bar for temperament should be high at any size, and supervision is not optional. Dogs Victoria puts it plainly: any dog, no matter how tolerant it has been in the past, has the potential to bite a child. Younger children, especially those under five, are most at risk of serious injury because their faces are at the dog's height.

The questions to ask a rescue

“Is this dog good with kids?” nearly always gets a yes. These questions get you real information:

Has the dog lived with children, or just met some? Those are very different answers.
What does it do when a child runs or squeals? Chasing and nipping are normal for some dogs and frightening at toddler height.
How is it around food, toys and its bed? Guarding is manageable in an adult-only home and a real risk with small children.
Has it had a vet check? A dog in pain is less tolerant of being bumped or handled.
What does the foster carer find hardest about this dog? A good rescue answers this honestly.

Tell the rescue what your home is really like, including visiting friends, other pets and how loud weekends get. They want the placement to last as much as you do.

How to keep children and a new dog safe

The rule in the Dogs Victoria fact sheet is simple: always supervise, and if you cannot supervise, separate. In practice:

Give the dog a child-free space to rest, such as a crate, pen or quiet room, and teach children and visitors to leave it alone there.
Teach children never to disturb a dog that is eating or sleeping.
Swap hugs and kisses for hands-off games like fetch or simple tricks, which keep a child's face away from the dog's muzzle.
Teach children to step away if a dog growls, stares, lifts its lip, raises its hackles or backs off.
Make sure grandparents and friends supervise just as closely when your children visit a home with a dog.

Find a family dog near you

Rescue dogs whose shelters note they are good with children, from the rescues we aggregate in each city.

Sydney →Melbourne →Brisbane →Perth →Adelaide →

The practical filters that do matter

Coat and allergies. If someone in the family has a dog allergy, no breed is a guarantee. ASCIA says all dog breeds cause allergies, although some shed less dander so less allergen is spread. Spend time with the specific dog before committing. See our hypoallergenic dogs guide. Low-shedding coats like Poodles and Cavoodles also need regular professional grooming, which our low maintenance dog breeds guide covers.

Energy. A dog that needs a long run every day still needs it during exam season and on wet weekends. If your family is busy, the low-energy dogs and senior dogs in rescue are worth a look.

Housing. If you rent or live in strata, get written approval before you apply. RSPCA Australia lists landlord permission among the things to sort out before getting a pet, and our renting with pets guide sets out the rules in each state. For a unit, see best apartment dogs.

Time and money. RSPCA Australia says the average lifespan of dogs and cats is reported to be around 12 years. Run the numbers with our dog cost calculator before you commit.

Mixed breeds and adult rescue dogs

Most family dogs in Australian rescue are not purebreds. Crosses and mixes make up a large share of rescue listings, and Staffy crosses, Labrador crosses, Kelpie and Cattle Dog crosses and small terrier crosses turn up often. A good mixed-breed dog is judged exactly like any other dog: on its own temperament, as described by the people who have cared for it.

RSPCA Australia encourages adopting from the RSPCA or another reputable rescue first, and says RSPCA animals have had a veterinary health assessment and a behaviour evaluation and are vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and desexed as appropriate. Browse mixed-breed dogs or dogs good with kids, or try the what dog breed am I quiz for a starting point.

If you decide to buy from a breeder

Rescue is not right for every family. If you want a puppy of a particular breed and cannot find one in rescue, a registered breeder is a reasonable choice. RSPCA Australia's advice is to check the breeder is registered with the relevant authority in your state, visit where the puppy was born, meet its parents, talk to the breeder about the puppy's needs, and never buy sight unseen.

Several states let you check a breeder's number before you hand over money. The rules are different in each, so do not assume one state's scheme applies in another:

NSW: anyone who breeds dogs needs a breeder identification number. For puppies born after 1 December 2025, ads must show the microchip number and the breeder's number, which buyers can check on the NSW Pet Registry (Office of Local Government).
Victoria: an ad to sell or give away a dog must show the microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, which anyone can check (Agriculture Victoria).
Queensland: anyone who sells, gives away or advertises a dog born on or after 26 May 2017 must have a supply number, which you can look up (Queensland Dog Breeder Register).
South Australia: anyone who sells a dog they bred must be registered as a breeder, and the ad must include the DACO breeder registration number, which the public can search on Dogs and Cats Online (Dog and Cat Management Board).
Other states and territories: the schemes differ or there is none, so check your own state's rules and rely on the RSPCA checks above.

Membership of a state canine council such as Dogs NSW or Dogs Victoria tells you the breeder is part of the pedigree system. It is not the same as a government breeder number, and in NSW a breeder organisation membership number cannot be used in place of one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best family dog in Australia?▼

The best family dog is usually an adult dog that someone has watched around children and can describe honestly, whatever its breed. Breed gives you a rough idea of size, coat and energy, but two dogs of the same breed can behave very differently. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Staffies, Cavaliers, Beagles and Greyhounds all have good reputations with families, and many of the best family dogs in Australian rescue are crosses of these breeds.

What are the best family dog breeds?▼

Breeds whose official standards describe a kind, even temperament are sensible starting points: the Labrador Retriever (kindly nature, no trace of aggression), Golden Retriever (kindly, friendly and confident), Staffordshire Bull Terrier (affectionate especially with children), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (friendly, non-aggressive), Beagle (amiable) and Greyhound (gentle and even tempered). Those words come from the Dogs Australia breed standards. Labradors and Goldens are also big, strong and energetic for their first couple of years, which surprises many families.

Are Staffies good family dogs?▼

Many are. The Dogs Australia breed standard describes the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children, and as bold, fearless and totally reliable. Staffies and Staffy crosses are also common in Australian rescue, so there is usually plenty of choice; see the Staffies listed right now on the breed page. As with any breed, judge the individual dog and ask the rescue how it behaves with children.

Should a family with young children get a puppy?▼

Usually an adult dog is the easier choice. Puppies mouth, jump and need house training, which is hard to manage alongside toddlers, and the adolescent stage that follows can last well into the second year. An adult dog with a known temperament is more predictable. If you do choose a puppy, plan for constant supervision and training from day one.

Are big dogs or small dogs better with kids?▼

Neither size is automatically safer. Small dogs are easier for a child to hurt by accident, and a dog that has been hurt or frightened may react. Large dogs can knock a toddler over and cause more harm if they do bite. Dogs Victoria advises that any dog, however tolerant it has been, can bite a child, so supervision matters more than size.

What should I ask a rescue about a dog and my children?▼

Ask whether the dog has lived with children or only met them, what it does when a child runs past, how it behaves around its food and bed, and what the foster carer finds hardest about it. Also ask whether it has had a vet check, because pain can make a dog less tolerant. A rescue that fosters in homes can usually answer all of these.

How do I keep my kids safe around a new dog?▼

Always supervise, and if you cannot supervise, separate them. That is the core advice in the Dogs Victoria fact sheet on children and dogs. Give the dog a child-free space to rest, teach children never to disturb a dog that is eating or sleeping, avoid hugging and kissing the dog, and teach them to leave a dog alone if it growls, stares, lifts its lip or backs away.

Are rescue dogs safe for families?▼

A rescue dog that has been assessed with children can be a safer choice than a puppy, because you get information about that dog rather than a prediction. RSPCA Australia encourages adopting from the RSPCA or another reputable rescue, and says its own animals have had a veterinary health assessment and a behaviour evaluation and are vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and desexed as appropriate. Ask the rescue for the specific notes on how the dog behaves with children.

What family dogs do not shed?▼

No dog is allergy-free, and low-shedding dogs are often more work. ASCIA, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, says all dog breeds cause allergies, although some shed less dander so less allergen is spread. Poodles, Cavoodles and other curly or long coats shed little but need regular brushing and professional grooming. For a busy family, a short-coated dog that sheds is often less effort overall.

Is a mixed breed a good family dog?▼

Yes, and crosses and mixes make up a large share of the dogs in Australian rescue. A mixed breed is judged the same way as any dog: on its own temperament, size and energy, as described by the people who have cared for it. A Labrador cross or Staffy cross with a good foster report is a strong family candidate.

Should I buy a family dog from a breeder instead?▼

A registered breeder can be a reasonable choice if you want a puppy of a particular breed. RSPCA Australia advises checking the breeder is registered with the relevant authority in your state, visiting where the puppy was born, meeting its parents and never buying sight unseen. In NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia an advertisement must carry a breeder, source or supply number you can check. Start with rescue first, and use a breeder if you cannot find the right dog there.

How long will a family dog live?▼

Plan for well over a decade. RSPCA Australia says the average lifespan of dogs and cats is reported to be around 12 years, and many small dogs live longer. A dog chosen when your children are toddlers may still be with you when they are teenagers, so think about how your family will change over that time.

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