Breed advice

[glasshalfsomething]

Were considering getting a dog...no set deadline; something we want to consider carefully over next 6-12.months.

Ideally would like to find something older, and willing to wait for right dog to appear, but would happily raise a puppy too.

What would you suggest based on;

Me and DH come from dog families - spaniels and terriers
Decent sized home and gated rear garden. Lots of local walks
2 yr old toddler; used to GP dogs
Home 4-5 days a week and have a local walker friend who could come in at least once a day on days we are not at home.
Holidays would be covered by parents staying here and sitting

That's all the relevant things, I think.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Given that you're hoping for an older dog but have some pretty generic requirements otherwise, I'd go to your local rescue centres with an item mind and see what they have available that fits the bill - a child friendly dog that can be left for up to two 4 hour periods per day twice a week.

If the dog had separation related anxieties, could your walker take DDog for full day day care?

I'd get your parents involved too if they're going to be looking after DDog quite a bit - for instance, you don't want to get a massive dog that's prone to pulling on the lead if they're not very strong. I'm utterly reliant on saintly DF for dog sitting during frequent business trips but there are some issues that he simply wouldn't have the capacity to deal with. If it's a regular thing and they're local, get them to go to training classes with you and DDog so you're all singing from the same hymn sheet - consistency is so important and often difficult when parents hold outdated views on dog training and behaviour (highly likely if they've kept dogs in the past).

[Babygrey7]

You won't get a rescue dog with a 2yr old in the home.

Word of mouth? Tell everyone you want a dog (breed) , that worked for us :)

[Dontgiveamonkeys1350]

I always write this. When u read on the internet about the temperaments of dogs and what they do and don’t do. Please don’t take this as actual fact. Each dog is different and each have their problems. My example always is .... springers are really friendly and good natured. Mine was an anxious nervous and aggressive.

Don’t buy a dog on what you read on the internet. In my eyes it’s the same a believing in horoscopes and everyone born in December will be the same.

[CMOTDibbler]

There are plenty of rescues who will rehome to those with small children- I foster for EGLR and we take each family and dog on their own merits. Of my current three puppies, two are suitable for small children and one isn't.
I'm biased, but I love lurchers as family dogs, and we always have lots in rescue.

[glasshalfsomething]

Thanks all, really appreciate the feedback.

Agreed on the online reading; so many generalisations that I gave up!

Will try the locals dogs trust early next year and see what they can suggest.

Really good points about the inclusion of the parents, would be hard to keep them out the process 😀