Please tell me which breed of dog is best?

[Rapphue]

I’ve wanted a dog since , well forever really. After an awful break up I’m slowly getting over, i think it’s time I went ahead and found this dog

I work everyday obviously at home at the moment but I need to be realistic that at some point I will be out of the house 3 days a week. Probably will need a dog walker those days.

My main criteria are short haired, ok on their own for some time each day, don’t need mammoth walks and are gentle in nature.

So far I’ve thought a whippet or spaniel (though that’s longer haired). I also don’t know if it’s best to get a puppy or an older dog?

Any dog fans able to help here?

I would recommend a nice mongrel as the soundest in mind and body. I definitely wouldn't recommend rescuing a Jack Russell terrier. Our's is 7 years old, needs a lot of input and stimulation plus loads of exercise, too smart for his own good, gets bored easily, sheds short white hairs all the time everywhere, growls, barks and nips. He is the best dog I've ever had.

@Laney79

Greyhound/lurcher/whippet. Our rescue lurcher is lovely. Very chilled at home, sleeps most of the day, two 30 min walks a day and cuddles from us. He does have issues with other dogs but that's due to his life before us. Deffo consider a rescue-even if you want a pup.

Came to say the same. I’ve got greyhounds, amazing dogs.

We love our mini goldendoodle. He doesn't shed at all, and is fine if he doesn't get a walk. We live in Alaska and there are days in the winter where it's impossible to get out. Those days we make sure to do some energetic playing with him and he does great. He's alone for a few hours every day and is totally happy. Very sweet dog, happy and playful and as he's a mini he's an easy size to mange and doesn't need a lot of exercise.

@Tr1skel1on

My collie is very laid back and lazy, calmed down around 10 months, they vary a lot. (He's also farm bred, parents working sheepdogs). Collies are good being left I would add because farmers do expect them to be left to their own devices. They need mental stimulation but that doesn't mean massive walks daily, ball chasing in the garden is a favourite activity (I sit in a chair with a ball thrower in one hand, wine in the other, he keeps returning it!) He's loving wfh though, lies under the desk

Your OP screams greyhound to me. Short haired, don’t need much exercise, spend most of the day lying down. Very windy though

A rescue, non puppy could be a good starting point as the rescue centre can advise on the dogs temperament and personality.
I've got a breed of a dog thats meant to be low energy and only needed 1 x 20 min walk a day. My reality is he needs a min of 1 hour off lead, infact could have given our springer spaniel a run for his money!

Can you break it down a bit more - why do you prefer short haired? Because you don’t want the expense of a groomer or because of shedding?

Rescue greyhound.

Spaniels are shedders, they are also very active and need a lot of stimulation.
We have a rescue greyhound and she ticks all your boxes.
They vary in size and temperament.
We asked for a small quiet girl, and that's exactly what we got. She's nearly 2 so out of the puppy stage but young enough to have a long life with us.
She didn't need house training, but does need obedience training, however she walks well on a lead.

Another vote for greyhound.

I'm echoing rescue greyhound. Added to all the above qualities, they have quite a big bark and will scare off any potential intruders (whilst being the most loveable and easy dogs ever).

Just, for the love of god, don't let anyone talk you into a Patterdale terrier. I've had dogs all my life and this one is going to be the death of me!

@ShesMadeATwatOfMePam - chill your boots! The reason I mentioned them is that they meet all the other criteria the OP posted. That was why, at the beginning of my post, I specifically asked the reasoning for wanting short-haired. Not wanting to groom - fair enough. Allergies - maybe a non-shedding breed is better. Without knowing why, there’s no harm in suggesting an alternative. Bit like Kirstie & Phil doing a house search for you - you might end up with the one thing you’d have always discounted in the past!

@RoseTintedAtuin

I rescued a greyhound a couple of years ago and am still amazed by her relaxed nature and temperament. They are so easy to care for and just there. My understanding is whippets are similar (smaller). If so would definitely recommend. I’ve had a few dogs through puppy stage and although rescue can be a bit daunting (while they settle in) I have found an older dog is easier. Puppy’s are great but there’s so much more to it than cuddles and play and it can be really hard work (I’m sure mine went through a terrible twos stage and puberty in the first few years )

Yes I second greyhound type dogs. My sister has a lurcher and he's so lazy therefore easy to look after.

I've got a Parsons Russell Terrier and he's pretty great. Not as prone to obesity or squiffy knees like JRT's, he looks pretty and can go like the clappers if you lob a tennis ball. Doesn't need you to troop for miles and has done a couple of days in a row where he's been housebound because I've been ill and has been no issue at all.

He's super friendly and chilled out around tiny humans and isn't so enormous that he takes up the whole sofa/eats more than I can afford!

Get good pet insurance!

@Magstermay

Your OP screams greyhound to me. Short haired, don’t need much exercise, spend most of the day lying down. Very windy though

Sound like my cat

An older, already trained and laid back dog could be a good option for you - rescues like Black Retriever X often have lovely dogs needing new homes and are very good at matching dogs to owners.

I would not recommend a working-bred Spaniel (so Working Cocker or Working Springer) for you, but a Show Cocker could be a good fit, if you're ok to deal with the coat - you can just keep them in a pet trim which is easy to deal with. Something like a Havanese or Miniature Poodle could also be a good fit - again they need grooming but can be kept in low maintenance pet clips, and they don't shed which is a bonus. Both are nice natured breeds which are good for novice owners. Papillons and Miniature Schnauzers are also worth a look.

If you decide to get a puppy make sure you research reputable breeders and check that all health testing etc. is in place for the parent dogs regardless of which breed you choose.

Miniature long haired dachshund. Absolutely adorable, snuggly and good natured. Happy to be alone for chunks of time as sleep a lot. .

I'd definitely look for s generally low energy dog . Obviously dogs differ in personality within breeds but there are general trends in characteristics.
Greyhounds are very low maintenance and lazy dogs. Very happy to lie and sleep and walk when you want. You'd also be rescuing instead of paying a breeder.
Or get an older mongrel

I would love a Lurcher when I’m able to reduce my work hours, but I have 3 cats and I don’t think that’s a good mix!

I grew up with dogs but I’m a single parent who works school hours. Even with a dog walker I felt it would be unfair to have a dog. I opted for a cat, i now have 3!! (All rescues) They are lovely, very cuddly and chatty. They are also quite self sufficient.

I’ve got a dodgy little mixup jack Russell who was a rescue and he’s just the perfect dog! Maybe have a trip to a shelter and walk a few of the dogs it’s sometimes helpful to see their temperaments in person. Mine is a right lazy boy and loves a walk but for most of the day can be found curled up in the sofa! Great with kids and visitors. Whippets and greyhounds are also great and are proper lazy for most of the day!