Really struggling to decide on a breed

[MabelMoo23]

I know there have been several posts but I’m genuinely struggling with choosing a breed.

We would love a dog for our family, but as we have two young DC’s it’s going to have to be a puppy. I’m not prepared to take the risk with an overseas rescue and totally understand why rescues won’t rehome to families with children.

I’ve been researching and researching and for some reasons all the breeds I thought I’d love, aren’t going to be right for us.

We’ve got 2 young DC’s so needs to be good with children
Doesn’t need tonnes of exercise, we’d obviously take for longer walks at weekend, but during weekdays, truthfully it’s going to be a 2 x 30 - 45 mins job a day . I completely appreciate there are breeds that need a couple of hours every day
Not too big. As much as I think Great Danes are wonderful, they are too big. Hungarian Vizsla is also on my wish list but definitely not right due to amount of exercise needed every single day

Those really are the main criteria. I’m also trying really hard to avoid any type of backyard breeder and puppy farming obviously so understand I’m going to have to go on a waiting list, which actually works for us as my youngest dc is probably a bit too young at the moment.

I’ve ruled some out - labs and GR, as probably just too big and bouncy (especially the lab) also worried about resource guarding with the GR. my sis in law has a 4 month old lab puppy and was so bouncy when we went for a walk it really freaked my DC out

Love Whippets and Geyhounds but we have 2 cats who admittedly are very much in their senior years so may not last until new pup arrives. But my parents have cats and I don’t want to have to leave DDog at home!

Staffys. I know they are supposed to be good with children, but I won’t lie, their jaws, and the potential, really make me uneasy

CKC - avoiding due to heart problems

Cockers - heard they can be snappy and I’ve heard of a few instances of Cocker rage. But maybe that’s wrong?

I’m wondering if a Maltese or a miniature poodle might suit us?

But does anyone have any ideas or recommendations that might suit us? I’m really struggling and I’m trying so hard to research as much as I can.

Moon on stick????

[MrsBennettsSecretSon]

Are you sure you are ready for a dog? Am asking in a nice way

Maybe another cat would be better?

Just asking as you have a lot on already and maybe now is not a good time. You sound more worried than excited about a dog

Also dogs are the price of a small car right now

[MabelMoo23]

@MrsBennettsSecretSon

Are you sure you are ready for a dog? Am asking in a nice way

Maybe another cat would be better?

Just asking as you have a lot on already and maybe now is not a good time. You sound more worried than excited about a dog

Also dogs are the price of a small car right now

My youngest DC starts school in September 2022, hence why thinking of waiting until then, but appreciate there is wait anyway with a genuine breeder

I would absolutely love love love a dog, but have done so much research - as people always say “have you researched what it entails” - that it’s very much educated me as to what breed wouldn’t be right.

No, a pup right now isn’t right for is. Hence doing the research and making sure we take the time do it right because it’s a huge commitment

[Mummy2one2016]

A dog is what you make it.

We have a springer and a cocker both are around or 4 year old and we have never had any problem. They have never snapped.

We also have a lab, who has been trained not to jump and a border terriers who is the world's biggest softy.

Take time to research a breed your going to be comfortable with a good breeder with a good line should be able to give you an idea of the dogs potential nature due to how it parents are and behave.

[Bubbles1st]

Ckc are great if you get a good breeder who health tests and has proven litters with no previous concerns would you reconsider? I know heart issues appear in 50% but will be honest don't know if it's from
Breeding lines or not.

Factor in grooming - do you want to maintain a coat, do you want to pay every 6-8 weeks for grooming which a poodle or Maltese would need.

Consider a patterdale, lovely size and temperament, minimal grooming, would be fine with your exercise.

[m0therofdragons]

We have a 7 month old working cocker and he’s amazing. We’re putting the work in to get the family dog we want and he’s bonded with us all and is the best thing ever. I’m definitely a cocker person. Temperament is fab but we know the mum and dad plus met 2 pups ages 2 from the first litter (ours is from the second litter). We got to meet and play with them then choose them puppy we wanted - not the most timid but also not the most confident. We got the one who ate and slept.

Whatever the breed, find out about parents and other litters.

Our breeder is also full of great tips and she’s having him for 2 weeks when we go to Florida next year (if that happens).

[m0therofdragons]

Miniature poodles are possible option.

[ploopypleepy]

I've had cockers/ cocker poo's and most recently got a staffy X pointer. She's the loveliest dog and amazing with the SC - youngest 4. They also seem to be a little cheaper too ...

[userxx]

All dogs have jaws and the ability to bite. You can't guarantee one that won't, I grew up with a German shepherd, wind the dog up and you're going to get bit.

[Tipster100]

Have you thought of a mini daschund? They can do small walks or walk all day. Wire haired are less snappy with children (in my opinion). They are very loyal, take up little space in the car when you go on holiday and love sitting on your lap and amusing the children.

[Floralnomad]

A whippet bought up with cats should be ok , I think you are over thinking it but then I’m the type who goes to a rescue and comes back with what they’ve got available .

[ArchbishopOfBanterbury]

Border terrier, patterdale, maybe even a bichon frise?

[Gliblet]

If you're flexible about breed, why not see what breeders you have relatively local to you and start making enquiries about whether they might have litters planned, what they can tell you about their dogs' pedigree and behavioural characteristics and what their observations have been about the relevant breed?

When it comes down to it though the pp who said a dog is what you make it is largely right- breed definitely isn't always a good guide to personality. I've known GRs that were absolute toerags and some that were 100% trustworthy and good as gold, ditto labs, some GSDs that were feisty and some that were as soft as butter. Neurotic Irish Wolfhounds, spaniels that thought they were Dobermanns...

[ArchbishopOfBanterbury]

And it's not fair on your elderly cats to introduce a puppy. Wait till they've passed on.

[2021willbetheyear]

I’ve been researching for similar, so far am coming up with this as a kind of shortlist but have no direct experience of any except the Bichon (very sweet dog):
Havanese
Bichon Frise
Japanese Spitz
Min poodle (research indicates probably the most energetic)
Papillon

(Also Shetland Sheepdog but probably too highly strung and energetic in reality so won’t include in list).
My DH is holding quite firm on not wanting a small dog though in which case it may likely be a rough collie! (I’ve talked him out of labs!)

[2021willbetheyear]

I did have whippets on the list but the high prey drive and not being able to let them off leash has put me off. I quite like the semi-tame squirrels in the park beside our house and not sure what a whippet would do to them...

[Lellochip]

I know heart issues appear in 50% but will be honest don't know if it's from
Breeding lines or not.

It's over 50% by age 5, nearly all by by age 10. From what I've read I don't think there are any healthy lines left. A large majority also have spinal/neck issues.

They would be on my shortlist if it wasn't for the health concerns, fab little dogs but just such a problematic breed

[AFP10]

Not sure where you've been told that Golden Retriever's resource guard, this just isn't true. They're an amazing family breed and fabulous to train. You obviously need to be able to commit to the training which should be formally once per week and then everyday......make sure you have the time for that whatever breed you go for. If you go for a gundog/hound go for a show rather than a working line (parents) as those from a working dog background do need more stimulus.

[longcoffeebreak]

I have a miniature poodle he is definitely a medium size dog not a small dog. He would meet your criteria except he is very emotionally needy and that is standard with all poodles. He will be glued to your side pretty much.

[raspberrysundaes]

Cockers require a lot more exercise than you're able to give. 2x30 minute walks each day really isn't enough. They're working dogs and need to be kept much busier than that.

Poodles also fall into a similar category - miniatures may be small but they still need a fair amount of exercise every day.

What about shih tzus? They're lovely little dogs - friendly, small, not particularly smelly and don't require huge amounts of exercise.

[MaryBoBary]

We have a whippet. When we got him we had 3 cats. We trained him to understand the cats are family. He never once touched our cats but would love the chase if he saw a neighbours cat!

He is the sweetest dog, has always been so good with our son. Also he likes shorter bursts of energy. So rather than a 2 hour walk, a 40 min walk with the ball thrower and he is happy.

He's a good size, a decent sized dog but will still curl up on your lap if you let him. Super friendly and outgoing with other dogs and we never worry about other dogs not being friendly becaue3 he is so fast, they couldn't catch him if they wanted to!

[MaryBoBary]

Oh yes and family have a papillon - if you want a smaller dog they are great but need a lot of upkeep on their coats.

[MaryBoBary]

Oh and just to add - our whippet has been let off the lead since he was a puppy. We trained him like you would any dog and he will come straight back. It really annoys me when people get whippets or greyhounds and never let them off the lead. All these dogs want to do is run, it's verging on neglect for me.

[Albinoni]

I think a Westie would be worth considering. Lovely temperament, relatively low maintenance, cheerful, brave and independent dogs.

[cherrypiepie]

We have a boxer and dh grew up with around 6 boxers in his family. They have all been very different personalities so don't think that what read is what you will get and a
Lot of what you read is worst case scenarios about any bread.

I agree with pp a dog is what you make it. Training and socialisation is a must. I would get it around nine the before you child starts school and forgo a summer holiday that year. By the time the time the holiday starts he will be ready for walks on leads and then by the time school start you should have a routine and be able to take him with you to school or leave if you need to.

One thing that all the boxers were was they were all completely nuts and bouncy so I can guarantee you do not want at boxer. We 'rescued' current dog (through a breed rescue) from a young family at 8 months old. He is extra nuts for a boxer and hard work.

I know of three cockers (working I think) and they are all great family dogs. Great size, love walks.

[cherrypiepie]

*get it around June