Does this breed exist?

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thinking ahead to a few months time when we will hopefully be in a position to get a dog. We would like a dog which is:
Friendly - we have two boys aged 7 and 12 and would like an affectionate dog
Not too big - can cope with a medium size dog but not a huge one
Doesn't need loads of exercise - could manage two walks a day but not long ones in the week. Longer walks at the weekends. We do have a large garden which we would dog proof.
Can be left for a few hours, up to 4 maximum. Would use a dog walker twice a week when I work until 4pm to break up the day. Other days I am in at lunchtime.
Obviously I know that each dog has its own individual temperament and personality but in general, do any breeds fit the above?
Thanks

[Godotsarrived]

Lots of lovely dogs in rescue homes. Go visit your local kennel and ask about the dogs.

[GreenieGables]

That was pretty much the same requirements I had when looking for a dog... we are now the proud owners of a greyhound She ticks all the boxes and is truly a gentle giant.

We too only wanted a small/medium sized dog and I'm pretty overwhelmed with the size of our grey at times, but she's worth every inch. We forget she is there sometimes as she is so laid back and chilled, and I would definitely consider her an 'easy' dog if such things exist

Good luck with your search.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks. I will look at rescues but just wanted a pointer in the right direction.
GreenieGables I always assumed greyhounds needed a lot of exercise? A laid back chilled dog sounds wonderful! Can I ask where you found her, is she from a rescue? Thanks.

[Framboise18]

Am picking up a pomsky based on your description tomorrow I am so excited x I could let you know how I get on with him x

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Ooh yes please Framboise! I shall google in the meantime! How exciting. Good luck I hope it all goes well.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Squeee! They look like little wolves!

[GreenieGables]

Posie I think that puts a lot of people off, but in fact it's the opposite. Two 20 minute walks a day is sufficient, maybe one of them 30 minutes. Monday to Friday that's what she gets and then at the weekend we have one long walk in the morning to the woods, lakes, country parks etc. It works really well. The rest of the time she is either eating or sleeping!

We rescued her from the Retired Greyhound Trust, there are branches all over the country.

Here take a peak...

[TrionicLettuce]

A husky cross is a terrible idea if you want relatively low energy. Sibes are extremely energetic and there's a reason why large numbers of them get dumped in rescues as soon as they get past the cute and fluffy puppy stage.

Pomeranians, though small, can be very buzzy little dogs themselves and even if they were so laid back they were horizontal you can't guarantee that a cross is going to be perfect blend between the two. It's not like mixing paint.

Leaving aside the ethics of breeding these bizarre crosses, a good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't be happy to have either breed used then it's not sensible to go for a cross of them.

[MrsPotatoHead80]

Bassett Hound? Ours is a right lazy sod but so lovely with DD & the nieces & nephews. He's also fine being left alone although we don't very often as I work from home

[sparechange]

My first choice would be a staffie but I know they aren't a MN favourite.

Second choice would be a poodle, then greyhound

An older (5+) Labrador is also worth considering

Re leaving for 4 hours, it isn't a breed specific thing but much more about how well you train them to be happy to be left, and avoid the classic mistakes for creating separation anxiety such as making a huge fuss of your dog before you go out and as soon as you come home

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone I really do appreciate it. I would be a novice dog owner so all of these pointers are very helpful. Very interesting about the greyhounds, I will look into it and have a look at the link. Will also look at the other breeds mentioned, thank you.
Sparechange thanks for the advice re separation anxiety that does make sense and I will do some reading up on it.

[TheGiantSausage]

My bassett hound is perfect: friendly, needy, cuddly, happy to walk for 20 minutes or two hours, small(ish), funny, adorable. If you're not sure what breed though, the rescues are really good at pairing you up with a perfect match.

[Bubble2bubble]

framboise I would seriously consider the motives of someone trying to sell you a husky x pomeranian as a dog that " Doesn't need loads of exercise" :(

[MoodyBox]

If I was in your position I would definitely look at getting an adult rescue dog, preferably one who has been in a foster home so the rescue are able to give you a really good idea of their personality before you dive in the deep end. Greyhounds are great if you need to be able to get on with stuff in the house as they just snooze for half the time. Staffies are slightly less laid back but definitely affectionate and very cuddly (I'm fostering a 10mo at the moment and he is bouncy as anything but the older ones I've met have been much more chilled).

[MoodyBox]

I know you're not looking at getting one for a few months, but just for your perusal..

alldogsmatter.co.uk/dogs/lottie-2/

[Framboise18]

I read reviews stating they don't need that much exercise like once a day walk is enough because I live in an apartment as well so no garden. I would have to take it out for a walk everyday and was thinking 30minutes should be okay. The excitement is not letting me sleep spent all day doggy proofing home and getting dog beds etc and I am still full of energy haha I think I need to go for a walk myself lol 😁

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks for all the information everyone. Lots to think about. Reading all your comments I can definitely see the wisdom of contacting a good rescue centre which could match me with the right dog. We're not in any rush but I would love to make it happen in the near future.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Definitely go for a rescue if you can find a suitable dog. Please go to a rescue that vets very carefully, as some rescues, whilst well meaning, often get it wrong and with a young family you don't want to have to be returning an unsuitable match. Many rescues do have fosterers that allow the dogs to be seen in a home environment as you are never going to see a dog's true personality whilst in a kennel environment.

Its very difficult to give a breed suggestion as dogs are little individuals but there are traits to be aware of.

Collies and Shepherds can tend towards nervousness and need a lot of stimulation, not just exercise and don't sound like they would fit in with your lifestyle.

Labradors are lovely dogs, need exercise but will also fit in with what you describe. Do be careful about choosing the right breeder, do you want a working line or a show line? a working line will obviously need more exercise. They don't really qualify as medium size but are quiet in the house so wouldn't be such a large presence.

Spaniels do great in a family environment and are very popular but they absolutely will struggle with only two short walks a day. They can be really very strong and need early lead training so you are not walking a steam train.

AVOID any brachycephalic breed like the plague (anything with a deformed face, like a pug, bull dog etc). Very popular at the moment and subsequently suffering from over breeding.

I like cocker poos - generally I have found them to be friendly and easy to "do" and they do seem to fit into family life well. Again, because they are not an actual breed you might fall foul of "backyard breeders".

I think id be drawn to Labradors in your position. There will be posters who will agree and those who don't. Its so very personal.

Good luck with your research and hopefully doggie acquisition soon.

[TrionicLettuce]

I read reviews stating they don't need that much exercise like once a day...........and was thinking 30minutes should be okay.

You might get away with that (presuming you also offer plenty of mental stimulation) if the pup is very much a pom. It'll be nothing like enough if the dog takes after the husky parent though.

Cross breeding dogs isn't like mixing paint. You don't automatically get a puppy that is a perfect halfway point between the two parent breeds, or one that has all the particular attributes of each you want. You might get a dog that is all pom, all husky or anywhere in between the two. Will you be ok if your puppy turns out very much like a Sibe?

Have you done much reading up on huskies? The Siberian Husky Club has loads of good information, including handy lists of good points and bad points.

Unfortunately crosses like this just aren't bred by reputable breeders. They're bred by people wanting to cash in on the latest trends so of course they'll spin prospective owners a line about them being the perfect dog.

[Framboise18]

Thanks trioniclettuce I will definitely check this out and will tell you guys in a few weeks what my dog is like. In terms of the two parents my partner has had a few dogs and wanted a husky. I definitely feel out of my expertise zone as this is my first and he has been explaining so much in preparation for tomorrow's bundle of joy. Thank you for the link I will check this out x

[tabulahrasa]

They're all pomskies btw, you'll notice they don't look like the photos you see online, that's because they're all puppy photos and that they don't look particularly like each other...and that variance happens with behavioural traits too - and in no correlation to which breed they look most like.

The only dogs that don't need more than 30 minutes exercise are tiny things like chihuahuas or sighthounds...and they'd still like more if it's on offer.

Also - if you have no garden and are planning one 30 minute walk, where and when is it going to go to the toilet? And how are you going to manage housetraining when they need out every 20 minutes?

OP, affectionate and ok at being left aren't really breed traits...

Staffies or greyhounds might work for you, staffies would play more with the DC (greys tend not to play fetch and things like that) but greyhounds are more laidback.

Bit going to a rescue and talking over exactly what you're after will definitely work

[gettingtherequickly]

Definitely look at greyhounds, we now have 4 and they are incredibly laid back.

[HmmmHashtag]

Oh god, I've looked on the greyhound website and I now want them ALL. Already have dogs so not really an option at the moment but maybe maybe we could squeeze one in?
OP I know someone who has a whippet, smaller than a greyhound but lovely temperament, and lazy as anything!

[user1477282676]

I second greyhounds. They're incredibly lazy and affectionate. Will play when invited to and just the right size.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks for all the replies. My only concern with greyhounds is that I have read that although very laid back and chilled, they do still have the chase urge and need to be allowed to run. Also that some of them may get the urge to bolt off after a small dog, rabbit etc, and can be hard to get back, I don't know how accurate this is in reality and again will depend very much on the individual dog. They are gorgeous looking dogs though! I am not sure I could cope with the worry when off the lead.
LEM funny you should mention cockapoos, that is one breed that my research so far has drawn me too. I would have to find the right breeder (so many on Gumtree/Preloved) and of course they do seem rather expensive! I guess not many turn up in rescues. Would be an option though, and one I will look into more. Any cockapoo owners out there? Would love more information.