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

@Lalalabrador

Labrador forever

Stop it... he’s lovely... do you have one of him standing?

If you like cockers etc but aren’t keen on the idea of them being very busy dogs, have you considered a show springer? They tend not to be as busy as working bred types. Still active, fun dogs.

Whatever you go for, please check the background of the breeder and look for health tested parents if going for something popular like a lab/cocker. As mentioned, elbow and hip issues are notoriously prevalent in the 2 breeds. Id want to see the parents’ scores/certificates, don’t believe anyone who tells you the elbows are zero without being able to back it up.

@underneaththeash

We have a labradoodle, will need a couple of hour walks a day when fully grown, but, doesn't shed, trainable, medium sized, good with children, non drooling, fairly chilled (though you need to watch out for your shoes). We rang a few breeders and then put our name down after meeting the dog family. Personally, I wouldn't re-home a dog if I had children. You can't see the parents and you don't know what their upbringing has been like.

Could You share a picture? @underneaththeash

Springer!

Our rough coated Jack Russell is the easiest most loving dog anyone could wish for. Unless you are a squirrel. Will walk for miles but fine with less. Doesn't take up much room and doesn't shed much. Ours is a rescue from a smaller place.

@Brigante9

Springer!

Thank you, she/he’s beautiful

We have a working cocker, my mum has his brother they are really adaptable dogs. My mum livea in the country and her dog gets to walk oit the backgate into woodland and farmers fields, gets lots of off lead walks throughout the day and a fair size garden ro run around in.

My dog lives in a victorian terrace with a fairly small backgarden and gets 1 decent run round the woods or park and a couple of lead walks a day. He is lively and active when out, loves playing with the kids in the garden but is happy just chilling indoors with us. He is 8mths now and although as a little pup he was hard work he is actually pretty calm now.

Whippet! They’re such fab, underrated family dogs

Here she is! I think she’s quite little even for a working lab. She’s 4

If you like spaniels maybe look into Field Spaniels - beautiful dogs, not too much coat, lower energy than Working Springers and Cockers but lovely Spaniel personalities and generally beautiful temperaments. They're a very overlooked breed and they really shouldn't be.

The UK breed club:
www.fieldspanielsociety.co.uk/

Some info and photos here:
www.akc.org/dog-breeds/field-spaniel/

Some other small-medium sized good first time family breeds to consider:

Miniature Schnauzer
Whippet
Border Terrier
Boston Terrier
Havanese
Papillon
Tibetan Terrier
Miniature Poodle
Show type Cocker Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel

You might get lucky with a working bred gundog like a Working Cocker, Working Springer or cross thereof, but when well bred they are high energy, high drive gundogs. I've had Working Cockers for many years and have fostered and rehomed quite a few that were bought by people who then found that they just couldn't cope with them. A more moderate energy, easier breed is going to be a safer bet as a first time family pet.

We have a cav x poodle. She is amazing. And has been from the beginning.

We did want to rescue but every time we mentioned the children's ages (also under 12) we were immediately classed as not suitable.

Maybe it's just the rescues round here?

I also found that any kid suitable dogs in rescues go like hot cakes. I would not personally rehome from abroad, my friend did this and her dog is far too nervous to be in a family home. He has snapped at their 4 year old daughter. No way should they be rehomed to just anyone...

Here's my ddog... She's a massive softy..