Best dog for a family (small)

[GaaaaarlicBread]

Hi,
Just need some advise really ! Little backstory : I’ve grown up with dogs, my DH hasn’t . I had a border collie growing up and when he passed away we got a greyhound. My dad has also had dogs so I’ve always been around them-Jack Russell and Cockapoo dogs, so I understand what
training is needed etc whereas my husband really wants a dog but wouldn’t know where to start with regards to puppy training (which is of course fine because I’ll show him and I’ll be home more anyway).
I’m currently pregnant and due in almost 18 weeks with our first baby.
DH is desperate for a dog and I would like one too, I’ve said maybe we could get one before little girl is here depending on how things go, but equally happy to wait until she’s arrived and then get one but training would be harder with a newborn. DH works on the front line and does 13 hour shifts, I work 30 hours a week but currently off until after my maternity leave is over because the rules are to Isolate if you’re high risk pregnancy which I am, and then after 28 weeks pregnant our rule is we can’t go back to work as It’s a viable pregnancy and I work in a hospital- I’ll be 31 weeks when I’m due to go back after this 12 weeks isolation, so I literally won’t be back to work until next year!
So would it be a bad idea to get a puppy now and start training before baby girl arrives ? If so, what dog would you advise? We don’t want a big dog like a collie or retriever, We are looking more at smaller ones even lap dogs. But I know there are people more expert than me on here so please advise what the best breed is.
Thank you :)

[frostedviolets]

My personal opinion.

Babies and dogs don’t really mix.
I have three children and my dog was here before the birth of the youngest two.
My eldest was four when we bought her and I think 4/5 is a good age for children and dogs.

My dog is very very good with children and babies but I have found mixing the two very stressful at times and if I had my time again, I would have bought a dog after having all the children, not before.

Young children want to chase, hug, pull, grab etc, stopping them can lead to tantrums which can stress the dog out even more!
Their attempt at affection is often quite heavy handed.
Their noise and hyperactivity can either amp dogs up getting them bouncy and nippy or stress them out.
I found that training was near impossible with children around, it had to be done with them at nursery/in other rooms.

[ilovepuggies]

Hello
We have 3 pugs and they are fantastic with our children. We rescued the two younger ones and they are so sweet. There is a pug rescue charity and you can select age gender etc. They’ve just recently rehomed 6 pups.
In many ways it’s an ideal time to get a dog because you are at home and will be for the foreseeable however getting a pup and having a baby will take a lot of time and commitment. I would go for it if you think you can put in all the hard work and your partner is equally committed.

[GaaaaarlicBread]

Thank you both, a lot to think about it seems! I’ll see if DH will commit equally to walking etc as it needs to work both ways x

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

You are likely to be completely shredded by having a new baby: lack of sleep, lack of time, lack of headspace. Personally I wouldn't get a puppy at this stage of your life: you will be spread too thin, your baby will come first and your puppy will probably not get what it needs.

[sergeilavrov]

My DH turned up with a jack russell chihuahua cross a few months ago. We have a young baby, a toddler and a nephew who has moved in. I thought she'd be a bloody nightmare as I don't like dogs. It's doable, but try and find one that isn't so needy. Ours has somehow gotten crippling separation anxiety from me, not him... Worth it? Yes. Adore her but the training is wild, and I work away a lot even now so it takes a lot of time to calm her down. She thinks the baby is just okay, and thinks the sun shines out of DS1. It might be that when your baby is 4 or 5, it's a better time to teach how to treat animals as they are more cognisant by that age.

[moobar]

I agree with other posters.

I have parson terriers, absolutely lovely friendly dogs. However, not a chance they would be so well adjusted and calm had I got one as a puppy when pregnant.

I did a lot of socialising, training, classes, agility, showing, walked miles.

When baby arrived they were four, and six, and sadly we lost our fourteen year old a few weeks before baby born.

It was a massive upheaval for everyone. They were well trained and old enough to cope with it all.

Saying that, everyone is different, so it might work. I hand on heart could not have coped with a puppy or teenage dog and a baby though. Not to the level I would have wanted.

[Ellmau]

Not now.

Even if you somehow managed to get a puppy right away (rescues are not rehoming and reputable breeders probably have all their current and expected litters accounted for - and you don't want to get one from a puppy farm!) puppy would still be very needy in 18 weeks.

[GaaaaarlicBread]

Thanks everyone , we will wait until our little girl is older as I don’t want to regret it and end up not able to look after the dog properly , that would be so cruel . Thank you x

[midnightstar66]

I never had any trouble with babies and dogs however your working life doesn't seem compatible with a dog unless you're prepared for very expensive day care.