Do we like them?

Do we like Bandit Heeler?

A character from Bluey (2018–present)

Our score: 9 out of 10. Yes, we'd back him. He's playful, patient and present, and his flaws are the small, relatable kind that make him a believable dad.

Bandit is the dad in Bluey, an Australian animated series about a family of dogs in Brisbane. He's an archaeologist who spends much of his time at home with his daughters, Bluey and Bingo. His wife Chilli works part-time in airport security. The show follows the kids' imaginative games, and Bandit is usually the one roped in to play along.

He's far from the lazy cartoon dad. He'll be a pretend patient, a dragon, a puppet-controlled Unicorse or a human climbing frame, and his games usually slip in a lesson about patience, fairness or feelings. He's also a bit of a kid himself, and his cricket obsession and dad jokes get a regular airing.

He isn't perfect. He gets tired, tries to wriggle out of chores and sometimes takes the easy route, and the show lets him look a bit foolish. But he's honest with his kids, listens to Chilli, and works hard to be there for them. That mix of effort and imperfection is why he scores so high with us.