Anyone want to recommend a breed for my situation?

[ABitCrapper]

I have 3 children aged 2-7 years old. They have been asking for a dog for ages as family members have dogs which they love. I am very reticent having had dogs in the past and know what a commitment they are. My previous dogs were very very mixed breed / unknown, but with small children in the house I'd rather get a pup from a known background with known parents. Which means a breed really.

I'm a SAHM and we have a garden so a puppy is not totally outrageous, and we also have no carpet downstairs and babygates throughout. I'm also not precious about puppies chewing things although I have told the kids that their toys will need to be put away properly or they could harm a dog if eaten!

Family members dogs are jack russels, beagles, cockapoo.

I don't want a large dog, and I don't want a dog with inbred faults such as snub nose or hip dysplasia.
I've always really liked border collies but I'm not sure I will have the time to keep them from being bored as I know they need to be worked.

Any suggestions?

[Icklepup]

Research border terrier

[ABitCrapper]

Ooh I knew a border terrier once. Gorgeous dog and extremely well mannered. Thanks!

[MrsMotherHen]

we have a border collie shes fantastic calm as a cucumber in the house generally potters in the day and snoozes. Okish around the kids shes a bit nervous but mine are still little at 1 and 3 great for older kids though.

She doesnt need lots of walking we live right on the beach so a good 30 40 mins off lead with a ball or frisbee is plenty for her.

weve had her snice a pup and she was a terrible chewer when she was getting her big teeth but other than that she's been great.

Do it OP border collies are great although they think they are wolves with the way they "talk" anyone with a BC will agree.

[MrsMotherHen]

dont get a working line BC if you get one though I have heard they are mental

[ABitCrapper]

Yeah I've only known working border collies. Fantastic animals but they really needed work!

[RatherBeRiding]

Border terriers are lovely - not as "terrier-ish" as many other terrier breeds.

[liz70]

Whippet!

[ABitCrapper]

DH not keen on whippets as he thinks they are "boring" and the kids won't be able to lay games with one...

[BrassMonkies]

I grew up with border collies but when it came to choosing a family dog, like you, was worried about providing the mental stimulation it would need. So we went for a shetland sheepdog and it's the best decision we could have made. I call her my Collie Lite. She's clever and responsive, like a BC, but not at all hyper or neurotic than I remember my childhood dogs being, much more laid back and chilled out. She's slightly smaller and more portable than a BC too. She's so soft, sweet natured, and gentle with everyone. Every sheltie I've met has been the same; very family focused and friendly, if slightly stand offish with strangers. She adores the children and will play with them for hours, chase balls, or just snuggle. I bloody luffs her!

I give you fair warning though, Mumsnet Law states that anyone asking about a dog shall be directed to rescue a greyhound and not entertain anything else.

[ABitCrapper]

I've never met a sheltie. Sounds lovely though :)
Are they difficult to get hold of? A quick Google shows LOTS of fur. Does that fur need lots of looking after?

[Soubriquet]

Chihuahua

I’ve got two. I also have a 3 year old and a 5 year old.

The kids adore the dogs, and the dogs love them too.

They are very playful. Love to play and will walk for miles too. They also enjoy having lap cuddles too so it’s the best if both worlds.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Cavalier - utterly gorgeous, play, cuddle, go on long walks or are happy in the house for the weekend if it's chucking it down, amazing dogs. Just research your breeder.

[maerd]

Brass it really annoys me that greyhound/whippet is rolled out on every single dog thread! For some posters they sound ideal, but it’s almost as if some people don’t read the OP at all and just suggest greyhound or whippet with no thought of whether they’d actually be suitable. They are lovely dogs, but I came on a few years ago to ask for a breed recommendation and one of my stipulations was they had to be happy to potentially be outdoors all day with us in all weathers (farmers). Greyhounds would be utterly miserable in our house. Yet they still got suggested!

OP, border terriers are lovely and sound like they could suit you. I love BCs too but I’ve never been brave enough to own one!

[Bonkersblond]

I have a Border Terrier, we got her when DC were 6 & 10, very good with DC, she will walk as far as you want her too but on a busy day we can get away with a couple of smaller walks, she’s kept busy by the kids especially my DD, however whilst mine is very good with other dogs we do meet some who aren’t, I think the key here as with all breeds is to make sure they are socialised with other dogs at a young age. They do need their coat stripping twice a year, by doing this they shed very little fur. They are the breed my vet recommends to families with young children. I can’t recommend highly enough.

[BrassMonkies]

They're not super common, but the kennel club have a "find a litter" function that we used to find a breeder quite close to us. Apparently the breed were much more popular back when Lassie was still on TV. Since we've had one I've met a few out and about and they all seem to be similarly fun, lightfooted, playful, and sweet natured.

They are quite fluffy and glamorous looking, but have this strange non-stick coat that somehow stays clean and doesn't smell doggy, much more so than my parents' stinky labs for example. They also only really shed twice a year when the seasons change. The breeder did warn me that they don't moult day to day, but for 2 weeks twice a year they "blow" their coat. I still wasn't prepared for how dramatic it would be. It doesn't come off her around the house, but I brush her every most days during those couple of weeks and I could fill a carrier bag almost the same size as the dog every time. It's crazy! The rest of the time I probably only brush her around once a week. They don't need trimming or professional grooming. The children like to brush her too. She seems to find it soothing and relaxing, and will sometimes bring her brush or a stray child's hairbrush over in her mouth and drop it in my lap to give me a hint.

She really is the perfect small to medium family dog for us. She'll walk and play for as long as the children will, and curl up in to a neat little ball and snooze with the cats the rest of the time. I honestly should be commission for the breed as I'm completely evangelical about them.

[Aprilshowersinaugust]

Can't recommend a Lurcher enough!! Our 2 play hide and seek with dh in the house!! We have taught them to 'speak', they don't bark at other times, they don't shed much and love a cuddle with the dc!

[BrassMonkies]

maerd I hear you! I've seen much of the same around here. As you say, lovely dogs but certainly not for everyone.

[Trampire]

Another Border terrier owner here. Obviously biased but they are great dogs. Quite healthy, solid, willing to go far with you or snuggle on the sofa.

We got him when my dcs were 9 and 7 yrs.

[liz70]

Are your lurchers whippet/greyhound/iggie mixes, april? I can't see much else in there?

[partystress]

We have a Westie. Got her as a pup when no rescue centre would let us adopt as DC were 3 and 6. I have never been a small dog person, but I love her to bits. Full of character, great with the kids, will walk all day, doesn't shed.

[Aprilshowersinaugust]

liz - really not sure!! They are dm +dd though! Been back together a year since puppyhood split and so close!! It seen lovely to see their relationship blossom!
Would never have chosen one, the dm was a working dog before I got her back and couldn't imagine she would be such a family pet!
So getting a rescue of unknown background and making it a family member is a def possibility ime!
We even have cats and she is fine!!
And they are too!

[dollieollie]

I’d love a border terrier and think they’re cracking little dogs. I have a Boston terrier (snub nosed so not for you) and a Staffie (not for everyone and people are definitely put off by the reputation) she’s lovely though, worships the ground I walk on and adores my 7month old. They love to play and are very robust to put up with the play of kids and can take troden on feet etc without to much bother plus they love a cuddle! They do love a good chew though or kitchen skirting boards took a bit of a beating she’s 2.5 now though and good as gold now.

[tabulahrasa]

What are you classing as large?

Because for collie but not as high energy and without too much cost care, you’ve got smooth collies or English shepherds, both pretty rare, but not as hard as you’d think to get hold of because they’re also not particularly fashionable.

Smaller, border terrier is a good call, small, healthy, energetic but not ott and they do need grooming but not loads.


Staffies would tick all the boxes, but finding a decent breeder of those would be hard tbh.

[User467]

Came on to suggest border terrier....clearly beaten to it! We have two and they are besotted with our kids. Can walk for hours or just have a cuddle, they just like to be with you.

[Trampire]

Yay for all the Border Terrier love on the thread!