Which one?

[alessandrae83]

As in the title..can anyone tell me more about each of these breeds please? We are not first time owners. Some facts about us are

• we have 2 children aged 9 & 5
  

• we have a small yard but live close to parks and woods
  

• we had a laid back dog but he was too independent. We would like a dog that would sit with us and enjoy a walk.
  

• someone would be at home most of the time.
  

• we live in a terraced house so I don't want a dog that barks excessively
  

Thanks

[sleepismysuperpower1]

what about a border collie? we have kids similar ages (15, 9 and 3 year old twins) and the dog is great with all of them. he doesnt bark, and really enjoys walks (although the myth about the huge amount of exercise they need isn't true) they just need a walk each day and then my son (9) throws a ball in the garden for him.

[alessandrae83]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've researched collies and know people with them and none have been great with children. Also think the exercise I've read may be tooo much for us. I want to walk a dog an hour to hour half per day or less if it's a companion dog fine, with some indoor play as well. Everything I've read on collies seems to point to even more than that or they're bored.

[Wolfiefan]

Which breeds OP?
Also what about grooming needs?

[alessandrae83]

Oh gosh, I do apologise. I've just realised I didn't say the ones I was looking at

Bichon frise

Cavalier

Whippet

Shih tzu

Maltese

Any other suggestions based on my first post above welcome.

[alessandrae83]

I don't mind brushing daily and getting a dog professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks. I'm not keen on terriers

[Aprilislonggone]

Never previously been a fan but we have ended up with these....
Loyal, friendly, sloth like most of the time, little shedding /grooming. No barking, no slobbering. Amazing with dc. And dcats. And other ddogs!!
Can squeeze into small dcat beds ime.

[alessandrae83]

Omg, absolutely lovely photo. They look so loving. Are they greyhounds or lurcher? I would love a greyhound, my only reason for not thinking of them is that I have a small yard so they wouldn't be able to stretch their legs and run and I know most can't be let off lead in public.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

I have a cavalier King Charles and the exercise time would be totally fine for him. He adores children and attention. He is having a barky couple of weeks but he’s still a baby, plus the cat winds him up like mad!

He’s very gentle and cuddly. He is not (and I am being polite here) the brightest dog I have ever come across.

Obligatory picture attached.

[Wolfiefan]

Haha. That’s clearer. Most of those need too much grooming for me. Couldn’t manage a white dog!
Some of those are much more barky than others.
Also research health issues. Cavaliers have lots of awful health issues.
Also worth visiting Crufts and Discover Dogs to meet a few.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

Small garden would be fine for my boy especially if he had trips to the wood as he LOVES running through anything that will attach to him!

[Thatstheendofmytether]

I have no experience with snippets but I think they are lovely dogs and I'm not sire about barking but I don't think they make a lot of noise. As for the other breeds you have been looking at I think most of them can be pretty yappy. My my mum had 2 yorkies when I was growing up, they were lovely little dogs and neither of them barked, ever and one was the most nervous little thing yet still never barked. Not sire if that is a trait in the breed though.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

snippets should 100% be the next designer cross breed

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

Discover Dogs is a great idea btw and also the most amount of fun

[Wolfiefan]

I’d bloody love a snippet. Picture please.
Also worth considering how delicate toy breeds are.

[alessandrae83]

I really love the look and sound of Cavaliers. The only issue I have is the serious health problems that can come with them.

[Wolfiefan]

Me too. They are gorgeous little dogs but the syringomelia (spelling?) isn’t something I could cope with

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

It is grim but there is a lot of work by some breeders to minimise the risks. It’s really expensive though- I think just the MRIs of the skulls cost silly money. The heart health has to be checked too.

I don’t say this on MN because of the hate for designer crosses but having done a gazillion hours of research and bugging my vet for her views I ended up getting a cross that looks (I think) a ton like a King Charles and everyone assumes he is so I don’t correct but is 1/4 miniature poodle. I met his mum (obv), 4 grandparents, 3 great grandparents and a million aunts and great aunts and the CKC ones all had well formed skulls (without short snouts for their overall size) and clear heart certificates at 5, and the great grand parent I didn’t meet had died from something not at all SM related at 14. I won’t bang on any more about it! So when I say he is a CKC I am a little bit dishonest... But yes it’s scary.

[Costacoffeeplease]

I wouldn’t get a cavalier, I’ve known about half a dozen, one was pts at 2 years old, the others all developed heart issues and had fairly short lives

[alessandrae83]

I really don't know what to do arghhhh lol

[Aprilislonggone]

Dm +dd Lurchers, great off lead. Can squeeze onto a small cushion on the sofa!!. Beds were bought for dcats but claimed by ddogs!!

[Wolfiefan]

Oh yes. The heart issue.
Not all lurchers or greyhounds can’t be let off lead. I imagine an ex racer would be more of a challenge but my giant sighthound has excellent recall. (Doesn’t come naturally though!!)

[alessandrae83]

What about the small yard though? Would that be an issue if taken for at least an hours walk a day? They probably need some good off lead time I imagine x

[Greyhorses]

From your requirements I would go for a whippet or border terrier.

[Wolfiefan]

I don’t have a lurcher or greyhound but a wolfhound. She needs the chance to stretch her legs but we live in an 80’s newbuild with a postage stamp garden. Not an issue!

[DogInATent]

A Cavalier would be good if you can get a healthy one, but that's a pretty unusual occurrence these days - I'm afraid the breed has been over-cutesified after being extremely popular and the health issues are now baked in to most bloodlines. 20-30 years ago they would have been a great choice.

There are a few other small spaniel breeds with fewer issues (because they're less fashionable/popular) that are worth considering. There's a lovely American Cocker that uses out local park. Or a bit bigger is the Clumber which has a fantastic coat. I used to meet a Clumber-Cavalier cross that was a beautiful dog and closer in size to a Cavalier.

I know you don't want a terrier, and I suspect I can guess your immediate reaction... but there is one that pretty much ticks your boxes, and alongside the Cavalier is the highest rated breed with children. Do I need to name it?