To ask for help choosing a dog breed

[holeymoleymacaroli]

As a family we have decided to get a dog. DH has always had dogs and is desperate for one again, it's also going to be for our eldest DC to help with her anxiety/ self confidence. This isn't a post for people to persuade us not to get one so please don't comment if that's what you think.

Now the problem is we are stuck on a breed. Ideally we would like a small dog, something that is obviously good with children, easy to train and doesn't mind being left alone for short periods of time.

Any suggestions welcome!

Not sure what you are smoking to suggest a border collie as a dog for an inexperienced dog owner with young children.

Lakeland terriers can be tricky (usually very high prey drive) so I'm not sure that they're one for a first time owner.

All terriers are fairly independent minded harking back to their old role as ratters, where they would go round the farm and do their job with minimal human input (and often described as stubborn/obstinate when that trait is inconvenient!) They're not naturally biddable (like eg labradors) but are of course trainable.

But the best "entry level" terriers are the Border, the Norfolk (an "at watch" breed), the Norwich (vulnerable native breed) and the Cairns. They're cracking little dogs - can go all day but would be fine on a couple of short walks on the days you can't fit longer ones in, friendly temperament, low maintenance coat, no drool

No it wouldn't - they want a small dog!

I know greyhounds fold up smaller than their size would suggest, but by no stretch are they small dogs. Whippet or small lurcher might work though - but recall can be harder to train in sight hounds

Don't necessarily be hung up on having a smaller breed they're all dogs in the end 😁, what I would say, as an experienced dog owner on my sixth now. I have had everything from a cavalier king Charles and a mongrel rescue to two highly strung chocolate Labradors, if you have them from puppy's be prepared for that ,...puppyhood is hard. they piss and shit and chew EVERYWHERE, Get you up in the middle of the night and generally piss you off , but once you get past that you get the rewards , good luck

Just got a rescue pug and she is the easiest dog ever - great with children. small enough to pick up but robust to be able to play with kids, get on well with people and other animals. But if I were getting a puppy, I would not get a pure breed - they are ridiculously inbred. I would absolutely get a pug cross - they usually really resemble pugs in looks and temperament but have noses!

Whippet! (Whippet real good!) We actually have a Wire Haired Fox Terrier and she’s lovely but a stubborn little cuss at times, all love and cuddles on her terms. But due to sad family circumstances we had to take on a whippet and she is the sweetest natured dog ever, cuddly full of love never heard her growl ever. Short mental bursts of running, then sleeps. Will love your daughter unconditionally, minimal grooming, incredibly tactile.

Think about how your family operates. Do you enjoy long walks regularly ? If so a terrier could be for you. Do you work from home ? If not do not get a dog prone to separation anxiety like a poodle. If you hate hoovering consider a low shedding breed. Do you want a simple dog like a labrador or an intelligent one like a collie. If the latter you need to be prepared to give it lots of brain game training etc.

King Charles Cavaliers are also fabulous - so friendly and super cute.

Whippet or staffie. Loving and gentle dogs.

Cocker Spaniel.

Ours is a working one, he has his moments when he’s a little bit nuts but he’s easy to train, amazing with kids, very gentle, doesn’t mind being alone for a few hours and low maintenance- needs brushing and that’s about it!

Hi, we looked into getting a miniature schnauzer from a breeder before getting our first dog, (we eventually ended up with a totally different breed).

I spoke to two lovely KC miniature schnauzer breeders who both said that they wouldn’t recommend them to first time dog owners due to their behavioural traits. Once I thought about it, I agreed, (the one we know is very clingy, yappy and has a tendency to snap when agitated).

I know a few cockapoos and small labradoodles -(some, I know, can be huge!) Their owners swear by them for providing emotional support, being friendly and relatively easy to train.

As with any dog - make sure you meet the breeder, see the dogs’ living conditions and the mother if going for a puppy, before purchase.

People really need to read the OP!

They are looking for a small dog and already have had a border collie and a rottie suggested 🙄

Also asking for suggestions of breeds happy to be left alone for short periods and someone comes on to suggest their breed but then says it doesn't like being left alone!

OP I would agree with those who have suggested a Border Terrier or a Miniature Schnauzer.
My mum has a cocker and he's only young but great with kids. However I'm not sure about him as a therapy dog...I need therapy after two hours of continually being stared at until I throw his ball!

Staffy or Lab.
It really does depend on what you can offer a dog. Exercise, costs, grooming, how often dog will be left, some of the dogs being suggested suffer with separation anxiety- meaning they can poo everywhere or self harm, some aren’t fond of cuddles either.

Experienced dog owner here. Son and DIL are vets. Mixed breed every time unless you intend to breed them.

Bichon or any of its cross breeds - bichon x Maltese, bichon x shit-tzu etc.

Theyre such amiable sunny little individuals.

We have a Westie. Lovely little chap.

Does it have to be a small dog? I would highly recommend a golden retriever but they are obviously not very small!

I have a border terrier/ jack Russell Cross. He's been easy to house train. Never woken me in the night. Never chewed any furniture etc. Loves to be with you and reasonably cuddly but happy to be left alone for up to 4h or so. Recall training was harder due to prey drive. Still not 100% at 2.5y

We have a jug and she's a wonderful dog. (Jack Russell cross Pug) Small, doesn't need hours of waking, happy to sleep when you go out, great with other dogs and children, loving and none of the issues true pugs have. Can be a little bit yappy at the birds but a great family dog.

Surely that depends what's in the mix?

Labrador. Loving and gorgeous. Beautiful looking. Border terriers are such ugly dogs (puts on flak jacket)

What does your perfect dog look like? Some people's perfect dogs are other nightmares!

What level of energy are you looking for? A couch potato that can miss a few walks when it's hammering it down or a get up and go dog that will play with the kids

What are your pet hates/any thing you really need to avoid? Food scrounging? Good with cats? How happy are you to have a talkative dog like some of the terriers above known for being noisy?

What level of shedding can you cope with? Are you happy to head off to the groomers every 6 weeks, a few times a year or rather a wash and go dog? (Bare in mind that groomers cost a fair amount!)

Toy poodle, border terrier, any of the vulnerable British breeds. Cocker is a good shout, but maybe avoid the working bred ones, they’ll be lively!

Was going to suggest a border! Absolutely lovely little dogs

Border terrier all day long. Excellent family dogs, and extremely cute.