Is Hudson & Rex too violent for a 10-year-old?

No. It features standard TV-PG crime scenarios like robberies and murders, but the violence happens mostly off-screen or in brief, bloodless confrontations. It avoids graphic gore entirely.

Does the dog ever get hurt in the show?

Rex faces typical TV-action suspense—like chasing suspects or getting trapped briefly—but he always comes through safely. If your kid is extremely sensitive to animal threat, be aware that Rex is regularly in the middle of active police work.

Where can we watch Hudson & Rex in the US?

The show primarily streams through UP Faith & Family, which is available directly or as an add-on channel on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Philo.

Is this show appropriate for kids who love dog movies like Air Bud?

Yes, provided they are ready for a live-action procedural format. It trades slapstick comedy for light mystery, but Rex's athleticism and tricks are a huge selling point for animal lovers.

Hudson & Rex – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hudson & Rex

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

70%

WISE Score

7.4

IMDb

A Canadian police procedural where a human detective and a clever German Shepherd solve low-stakes crimes without the prestige TV grime.

7.4/10

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Hudson & Rex

show

TV-PG, 2019

70%

WISE Score

7.4

IMDb

A Canadian police procedural where a human detective and a clever German Shepherd solve low-stakes crimes without the prestige TV grime.

7.4

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7.4/10

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid has outgrown animated animal adventures but isn't ready for gritty streaming crime dramas, Hudson & Rex lands right in the middle. It's comfort-food television: a straightforward police procedural where the lead officer works alongside a ridiculously sharp German Shepherd in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Because it airs on family-friendly channels like UP Faith & Family, the show stays clean of explicit language, graphic gore, or dark psychological horror. The cases rely on old-fashioned detective work and canine tricks rather than forensic shock value. It won't break any ground as television, but for a 10-year-old intrigued by mystery shows or animal stars, it's a easy weekend watch.

Age Fit

Best for kids ages 10 and up who want a entry-level detective show. It sits squarely in TV-PG territory: safe enough for family co-viewing, but centered on murder/crime investigations that might feel too dark or boring for under-8s.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Light procedural tone with a strong emphasis on partnership, loyalty, and teamwork between a detective and his German Shepherd.

Imaginative

Standard procedural structure that relies heavily on classic cop-and-canine TV formulas without pushing creative boundaries.

Safe

Airs on family-forward networks like UP Faith & Family; features mild TV crime violence and threat without graphic gore, explicit nudity, or heavy profanity.

Enriching

Highlights K-9 handler skills, animal intelligence, and logical deduction, though it remains primarily light entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Rex is the main attraction — kids who love dogs will adore seeing a trained K-9 leap through windows and sniff out clues.
Low-grit crime drama — offers the satisfaction of a whodunit puzzle without graphic autopsies or disturbing serial-killer tropes.
Reliable episodic format — every episode wraps up neatly, making it easy to watch in short bursts without cliffhanger stress.

⚠

What to Watch For

Mild violence and weapons — typical TV cop confrontations including gun drawn scenes, brief scuffles, and implied murder investigations.
Peril featuring animals — Rex gets put in occasional tight spots or tense situations, which might make sensitive younger viewers anxious.

Conversation Starters

"How do real police dogs train for jobs like tracking or search-and-rescue?"
"Why do you think Detective Hudson prefers working with a dog over a talkative human partner?"
"If you had to solve a mystery using only sensory clues, which sense would you trust most?"

Deep Dive

Cozy Procedurals for the Next Generation

There was a time when network television was full of lighthearted detective shows where the mystery was solved before the last commercial break and nobody had to deal with existential dread. Hudson & Rex—a Canadian remake of the Austrian classic Kommissar Rex—revives that exact template for families who want a clean, predictable hour of TV.

Detective Charlie Hudson is the straight man; Rex is the talent. The series works precisely because it takes Rex's working-dog capabilities seriously while keeping the surrounding world cozy. The crimes involve stolen art, corporate intrigue, and local homicides, but the camera always cuts away before things get nasty.

How to Watch It with Kids

For 10-to-12-year-olds who are curious about live-action drama but easily overwhelmed by prestige TV violence, Hudson & Rex serves as a great bridge. It gives them the adult ritual of tracking clues and guessing the culprit without exposing them to heavy-handed themes. Use it as an opportunity to talk about how real working animals operate—or just enjoy a show where the hero never talks back.