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Original poster

To ask for your dog breed recommendations?

233 replies

766j · 09/03/2025 16:46

I have only ever had one dog who was a terrier, and he was a typical terrier in that he would bark all the time no matter how much I tried to train him. He hated cats, would bark any time someone walked past the house and would bark at the TV a lot. This was despite extensive training and getting a behaviourist round. I am wanting something a bit quieter (!) and more affectionate this time around.

I work from home, and want it to be good around children. Ideally one that only needs less than an hour of walking per day and is low/no shedding. I have a pretty good sized garden if that helps too. A friend has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who I adore, she is so sweet-natured and gentle and I would put up with the shedding for one of those, but the breed has so many health issues that it concerns me.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you

OP posts:
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8
Chipsahoy · 09/03/2025 21:21

Baffled at the lab suggestions. They are bonkers with boundless energy and shed plenty. Mine spends half her life rolling in deer or fox poop. She’s been outside for 6 hours today, I had to put her to bed to make her lay down and chill, she won’t stop even if she’s exhausted. For an active family or an outside farm dog, yes, for what the op has asked for, no!

JMSA · 09/03/2025 21:21

The best decision we ever made getting a Staffy. We would never have any other breed now.

I loffs da crazy, chonky Staffos.

Their owners look at me like I'm mad when I speak to them in my voice reserved for Staffies Blush♥️

Porcuporpoise · 09/03/2025 20:52

Bichon frisé. Was never a fan of small dogs but my friend has one and I'm a convert. Smart, gentle but surprisingly game little dogs.

SunnyViper · 09/03/2025 20:40

catgirl1976 · 09/03/2025 16:56

Labrador

Err, no. They require much more exercise than OP is suggesting.

Truechicken55 · 09/03/2025 20:39

Pomeranian

ladymammalade · 09/03/2025 20:25

I'm a sucker for bigger dogs and love labs/retrievers, but we looked after a border terrier the other week who was great.

Didn't wake up early, put us under no pressure to get out for a walk but would walk miles when we wanted to. Didn't yap and was low shedding. Proper little character, very loving and friendly.

Justhere65 · 09/03/2025 20:25

I have a terrier (border terrier) and he only ever barks when someone knocks on the door. He is so affectionate and cuddly and never chases cats, maybe as he was brought up with one.

Newname71 · 09/03/2025 20:24

Glitchymn1 · 09/03/2025 19:43

I had a lab, lovely dog- the best boy there ever was.

Reading your post you don’t want to deal with too much exercise or hair so I’d say no. I’m quite house proud, take shoes off, wash paws. It can be exhausting and costly if that way inclined. I didn’t mind, I loved him, he was worth it.

I’m pondering a staffy, (well DH is) not as hairy, around an hour exercise per day. Any puppy will be hard work initially. It might be better to contact a rescue and do a foster/foster adopt and make sure you really want a dog.

The best decision we ever made getting a Staffy. We would never have any other breed now. 😊

Losingmymind85 · 09/03/2025 20:21

Whippet 100%. First six months is tough as they are very mouthy,. Ours communicates by whining but is pretty much silent (unless he sees a cat and them all bets are off). Loves people. Is happy to do a few short/medium walks but refuses to go out in wind and rain so is equally gappy with a 15m play in the house . He snoozes all day by my feet when I'm working. He's currently burrowed under his blanket and wedged into my back, snoozing away. The only downside is his constant mooching for food. Couldn't ask for a better dog. Everyone loves him.

tobee · 09/03/2025 20:21

tobee · 09/03/2025 20:19

They are gorgeous but have a reputation for barkiness

All dogs don't shed whoever said that they do.

Sorry that was for @StellaAndCrow re mini schnauzer

tobee · 09/03/2025 20:19

They are gorgeous but have a reputation for barkiness

All dogs don't shed whoever said that they do.

StellaAndCrow · 09/03/2025 20:04

JMSA · 09/03/2025 19:48

My Shih Tzu as a pup. When carrying him pre-vaccination to the vet's, people would stop and ask if he was a real dog Grin

He's lovely! What's he like character-wise? He looks like a cutie (but I know from my cat that looks can be VERY deceptive!)

StellaAndCrow · 09/03/2025 20:03

Does anyone have any experience of owning/living with a schnauzer? The ones I've met when out and about have been lovely.

JMSA · 09/03/2025 19:51



JMSA · 09/03/2025 19:49

Weird, the photo didn't post.

JMSA · 09/03/2025 19:48

My Shih Tzu as a pup. When carrying him pre-vaccination to the vet's, people would stop and ask if he was a real dog Grin

To ask for your dog breed recommendations?
Arran2024 · 09/03/2025 19:48

CharlotteCChapel · 09/03/2025 19:39

If I could chose any dog I'd go for something like. A newfie or bernese mountain dog

The hair!! And I say that as someone with 2 bernese!

Ylvamoon · 09/03/2025 19:44

Get a Chinese Crested (Powderpuff) Dog.
A bit out there, but would tick all the boxes.

Glitchymn1 · 09/03/2025 19:43

I had a lab, lovely dog- the best boy there ever was.

Reading your post you don’t want to deal with too much exercise or hair so I’d say no. I’m quite house proud, take shoes off, wash paws. It can be exhausting and costly if that way inclined. I didn’t mind, I loved him, he was worth it.

I’m pondering a staffy, (well DH is) not as hairy, around an hour exercise per day. Any puppy will be hard work initially. It might be better to contact a rescue and do a foster/foster adopt and make sure you really want a dog.

CharlotteCChapel · 09/03/2025 19:39

If I could chose any dog I'd go for something like. A newfie or bernese mountain dog

JandamiHash · 09/03/2025 19:38

I mean just LOOK AT IT!

To ask for your dog breed recommendations?
JandamiHash · 09/03/2025 19:36

Lhasa Apsos. Gorgeous, placid and playful and small as well. They don’t cast and need minimal walks

Furryfeline · 09/03/2025 19:35

Do not consider a lab if you don't want fur, it gets everywhere, we had a cavalier and she was lovely but succumbed to heart disease at 8 which a lot of them do unfortunately,

TrixieFatell · 09/03/2025 19:32

LakieLady · 09/03/2025 19:25

I have a dachshund, have met tonnes of dachshunds, you definitely do not want a dachshund!

I adore dachshunds, especially the mini wires, but even I would never have one! They seem to have selective deafness imo, and I've known of several that were buggers to housetrain. I used to know someone who bred them, and she swore that if anyone was ever to forensically examine her house, they'd be sure to find some fossilised daxie shit somewhere.

Wire haired dachshunds are amazing. Ours was so easy to housetrain, and they are amazing in the house. Doesn't moult, doesn't smell doggy. Has been great with my children and other pets. Only thing I'd say is that they need a lot of exercise, at least an hour each day. Also if they get a scent they are off, especially if it's a squirrel. WHs are total clowns, they are the best type of dachshund. I would get one again.

You need a good breeder if you want one, they've known to carry certain genetic diseases such as lafora and you need a breeder that screens for these

Vettrianofan · 09/03/2025 19:31

MooDengsFatRolls · 09/03/2025 17:14

Less than an hour walk per day and non shedding and people are suggesting labradors!!

They are the best dogs in the world but need plenty of exercise and at times I could knit a sweater from the contents of my Hoover bag

Exactly. They're constantly needing exercise each day. They bounce about. Hardly docile! I have a giant breed that just needs two 20 minute walks each day and just sleeps the rest of the time. I wouldn't have the energy for a Lab.