To ask for your dog breed recommendations?

if its any comfort, i have an 11yo King Charles, he is the 4th we've had, we really did our research on picking him, did all the looking into the background of the breeder, his pedigree, the parents health...etc. The last one before him made it to this age with only a slight heart murmur

This one has been stoically healthy right up to 10 years old, and then developed the smallest murmur and idiopathic epilepsy, something that can happen in any dog of his age in any breed.. At his vet check yesterday they commented that epilepsy aside, he's in incredible health for a KCC his age.

Yes the breed have problems, but honestly, do your research, get good insurance, feed them well, they're no problem :)

I'm trying to be helpful but no, that's not actually what I said!
I don't think you like the breed so probably no point continuing the convo.
Enjoy your evening

I have a Westie, yes he’s a bit barky but an absolutely lovely dog, good with children pretty quiet and sleepy as long as he’s had a decent walk - 40 mins or so - doesn’t shed and coat is low allergy. They do have health issues - like all pedigrees - but mine is 9 and fine so far so would recommend

"Extremely protective"? You mean they attack or growl at any dog that comes near? I have 2 big bernese mountain dogs who would protect me if I was attacked, but they behave nicely around other dogs. I couldn't have a dog I couldn't trust to be nice on walks.

@Arran2024

They've mostly been oblivious to other dogs. They're too absorbed by their human to play. All have been extremely protective.

Ditto , big dogs !

Fell in love with Colin from
accounts though (border terrier )

Really? Do your dogs play nicely with other dogs? I have known people get staffies and bring them onto the rec, but they grab other dogs by the neck in their play and other dog owners don't like it so they end up not coming back. It is what puts me off a staffie.

Hi OP I am looking to get my first dog soon and have been researching the hell out of breeds!
For you, I would echo the suggestion of a retired greyhound. My friend has one and she is literally no trouble at all. Very sweet natured. Will come and say hi but is quite independent.

What about trying to find ways to ‘mitigate’ the issues as well?

Someone else may be able to help with this but, if you get a breed that sheds, could you afford a robot vacuum cleaner? And get a breed that sheds fur thats easier to hoover up? So not a jack russel as the fur is so wiry you have to pick it out of the sofa - it won’t come up with a normal hoover!

Also, what about hiring a dog walker to do the second walk of the day if you get a breed that needs a lot of exercise? Or sign up to Borrow My Doggy or task other members of the household with doing the second walk of the day?

But they shed which the op doesn’t want, and they need a lot of exercise.

OP how about a chihuahua? Minimal exercise and little shedding with the short haired variety. We looked after a friend’s chihuahua for three weeks and I ended up quite falling in love with her. Such a funny little personality.

I have a sleeping whippet next to me right now. She's my Sister's dog though. Affectionate, not much shedding, sleeps most of the day away! Exercise wise, they do short bursts of fast activity and are content. On the days I look after her I just take her round the block.

If I had the financial means and suitable housing I would love to adopt a Greyhound, like lots have mentioned. That would be my dream.

@Arran2024

It's down to the training. No Staffie owned by my family has ever had to be kept on the lead. But it does require a lot of work.

Just to add to previous comments, my Shih Tzu doesn't shed at all. Not one bit. Downside is the grooming costs but I'm houseproud and happy to pay the price for a clean and non-hairy home.

Labs and goldens are the best dogs IMO but not for you OP, they need plenty of exercise to be happy and shed a lot. I’ve experience of CKCS and greyhounds too and recommend the latter for you. Cavvies are gorgeous but they do shed and their coat needs a bit of care, plus they love getting dirty so it’s not a quick hose or wipe down like you have with a lab. Greyhounds tend to be fairly chilled as long as they don’t see anything to chase and love to snuggle. Their coats are short and easy to care for. A retired greyhound is probably perfect for you.

The only one I knew she'd constantly - huge amounts of fluff everywhere!

We have got an Italian Greyhound as well as a whippet. The Iggy is adorable, loyal, affectionate, etc but……it took us 8 days to house train the whippet and 8 years to house train the Iggy.

They are not always good with other dogs and can be a nightmare to take out to parks, let them off lead etc. My local rec sees hundreds of dogs every day but no staffs. They are lead walked round the streets.

Yeah, if I keep his fur short he doesn't shed but if it gets past a certain length then it will.

Unbelievably stubborn at times yes definitely! 😂 Like if its raining outside he will not go for a walk. He'll dig his heels in and not move his paws off the ground. Also if you ever tell him off, he will turn his whole body away from you and sulk for hours.

He has a great personality though. He's 12 and sometimes he looks old and tired. The next thing he's running around like a mad thing with his chew toy wanting to play. I love Shih tzu dogs though, they're the best. 💖

Oh I didn't realise they could shed! Maybe we've just been lucky with the ones we know - super chill & non shedding. Stubborn though - will sit for treats & was toilet trained to go outside within a couple of days but that's about all the obedience training she will entertain.

@Newname71 sounds amazing but I don't think you've said which breed he is

I have a cockapoo, I've taken a bit of heat from some people who say cockapoos shouldn't be allowed!. He is 9 years, he is funny, comical, cuddly, loyal, acts and looks like a puppy and the best dog I've ever met. He was easy to train, yes I got him from a breeder, who I did do checks on and who did checks on me. If I was to get another dog I would go to a rescue and get another cockapoo as I just love them! Oh and he doesn't moult that much, never seen any hairs on my furniture etc.

@Newname71

They sure are. I grew up with one. She made our childhood. An absolute legend of a dog.

@StellaAndCrow

He has the best little character ever. He's lovely with people but slightly aloof with those he's not connected to in any way, especially random kids He's very gentle with them though.
They're hilariously entitled, having been given out as gifts to emperors in the past.
He absolutely loves his family and just wants to be with us all the time.

I got him at a sad time, when I divorced my children's father. I did it for them mainly, and now can't imagine my life without him. He brings joy, love and laughs into our house every day.
The only thing is that toilet training him was an absolute nightmare, no doubt due to the fact that he ain't the brightest 😬 He makes up for it in looks and personality though!

Greyhounds. They sleep 18 an hours a day, don't need lots of exercise, they fold up small, barely shed. Simply perfect dogs 😊

I have a Pomeranian, they meet the low walking requirement but can also manage more if you want them too. However they do shed and the coats require a lot of upkeep. Mines lovely and quiet at home but not so much elsewhere, they do have a rep for being a bit yappy.

A Chihuahua would have the same exercise requirement with a short coat for less hassle, can also be a bit yappy though.

I think the suggestions of greyhound are a very good shout, or if you wanted something a bit smaller maybe a whippet.

If you like Cavaliers they are a good shout too, never met one that isn’t lovely, just make sure to purchase from a reputable breeder that tests for health, you can get a list of the testing a reputable breeder should do, a kennel club approved breeder has to do all the tests to get approved status and be inspected so I’d start by at looking at their list of approved breeders.

They’re just the best aren’t they ❤️❤️