Can anyone recommend a dog breed?

[Freddiefox]

Just as a starting point really.

Don’t want a rescue, don’t think they would have us anyway as I have children under 12. Although have been looking a older puppies that have been purchased in lockdown, but nothing yet.

We live in a three bed, small to medium garden.

Work part out the home part in, more at home.

Looking for a medium type dog. If I had a choice I’d have a lab but I don’t think our home is big enough.

Looked at beagles, but I think they would need more stimulation than we can muster, so they are a no.

Poodles - not sure about the coats and grooming, same with the doodle type.

Don’t want a pug type due to breathing or Dalmatian.

I’ve had suggestions of cocker spaniels, and sprocker spaniels, but reading up on them they maybe are a bit needed and crazy.

Any suggestion of breeds I can look into?

Thanks

Whippet.

How much experience do you have with dogs?

We have a cavachon and she is the sweetest most easy going dog ever

No hair loss, small, great with children, she can be left all day (although we try not to)

Don’t dismiss a rescued dog, many need new homes due their owners ill health or death, relationship breakdowns etc. They’re not all ‘damaged goods’.

Many rescues DO home to families with children. Dogs who have been in foster homes will have been assessed in various situations.

We have a beagle. She gets two walks a day, an hour and a half in total, plus an additional walk around the block. We don’t have a garden.

The rest of the time she acts like a cat - even though she’s only 2. Very cuddly and the gentlest dog with our baby son. Greedy but would never grab food from the table, for example.

I do think beagles get a bad rep. They are actually pretty lazy and well behaved if you train them well.

Border Terrier or Beagle....

We have a havanese, small, very low maintenance, minimal walks, no shedding. He can be left but we're often at home so is used to us being around.

Rescues will consider children of that age!
You need to think about how much grooming and training and exercise you’re prepared to do. Maybe try a breed selector quiz.
Puppies are a bloody PITA and you can’t take your eyes off them if you don’t want accidents/the house eaten!!

Whippet / lurcher / greyhound

Best decision we ever made

Staffie. We've had ours for yonks, she's about 13/14 now, Best Dog Ever. Very very good with kids, complete clown, not too big, loves humans, indifferent to other dogs etc, not barky, learns tricks, doesn't need hours and hours of exercise, good little buddy to have around.

Really depends what you're after. I'm allergic to some dogs so we got a lhaso apso (hypoallergenic) the bonus is they are also very loyal and independent, feisty, yet also very loving, need little walking, is happy if she has to miss a few days here and there. I've got 3 dc, 2 under 12 and she's very tolerant of the youngest who can get a bit in her face at times. Draw back is 8/9 weekly hair cuts and regular grooming by me to keep her tidy and knot free, she's so worth that though. She's 4 and is a massive part of the family.

I have a lab and live in a 3 bed terrace with a small garden. My dog gets 3 walks a day, 30 mins morning/evening and 2.5+hr walk in the afternoon. The size of our house and garden is not a problem!

@canyon2000 you walk your dog for 3.5 hours a day? Isn’t that rather a lot?

@WilsonMilson No!? Why do you think it is too much? She loves it and I love it. She is a working breed lab and could go walking all day if she wanted!

Labrador or Golden Retriever, with children. With plenty of walks I wouldn't worry about the size of your house or garden.

Rescue. Put the time in to find the right one. Don't fund puppy farms, or more unneeded animals in the world. There are puppies and dogs who need homes.

@canyon2000 she may well be able to go on all day but labs are notorious for developing hip/elbow problems and for that reason, walks should be capped. 3 and a half hours a day could see you shoring up potential issues in the future as it's just too much impact on the joints

I wouldn't recommend a beagle unless you have experience with hounds. There's always a lovely exception but in the main, they have little in the way of recall and I've never met one that doesn't smell.

I'd look again at a poodle. Doesn't have to have the silly clip, they're fun loving family dogs and intelligent, pretty hardy (hence why they're always being crossed with all sorts!) and maybe a miniature might suit?

@LuciaLemon Thanks for your advice but her vet is very happy with the length of her walks.

I would recommend cookerpoo if you're dead set on not adopting from a rescue but please, please exhaust all rescue options first.

@LuciaLemon agreed re recall (though we can generally get ours back in the park eventually!) I don’t think it matters though if you’re happy to use a long lead?

I agree with pp that walks are fine if you don’t have a big garden. Would go as far as to say it’s better to take your dog on walks than to let them mooch around in the garden and take them on short walks. Our dog doesn’t miss a garden at all - when we go to our family the only additional thing she gets is to roll around in previously unnoticed fox poo!

Miniature Schnauzer, excellent small breed and first dog imo. They tend to tolerate cats and kids.
Whatever breed you decide on, talk to the nearest breed rescue to see if you'd be a good match.

Miniature dachshund, very loving and sociable. 2 x 30 min walks per day although will actually walk for miles. Loves cuddles and playful

You can get breed specific rescues.

I got a proper mongrel though.

I'd second a Cavachon. Great dogs, great temperament and fabulous with children.