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!

The mix thing is such a myth. Theres no generic mix personality, a collie mix is going to be very different to a pug mix

2 bracy breeds bred together eg a pug and a bulldog will have the same health issues as their parents. 4 breeds prone to hip issues will create a dog with the same propensity for hip issues as a lab. It depends on what the parents are prone to

You have no idea what a mix can turn out like. It will have some traits of both parents in any ratio. It can develop the things you were hoping to avoid anyway eg. You can breed a labradoodle that comes with a lab coat, lab hips but a poodles sensitivity

Of course but mixed breed avoids many of the inherited conditions of a pure breed.

Not true. See my response above. Some mixes are healthy but not all

To be fair, working collies are pretty small - mine is 10kg!

I think it depends on how active you are as a family and is that activity going to focus around a dog.

Cocker Spaniels and collies need shed loads of exercise and mental stimulation.

Terriers have a stubborn streak which needs training from day dot but small. Would not get a jack Russell though bit insane small dog syndrome too.

I'm a sight hound lover for easy going family pet (they like to sleep....a lot!) But they can be skittish and some can have high prey drive so recall can be difficult (ours does have recall).

Also suggest going for a reacue not a brand new puppy! But using a rescue charity ideally who Foster first they will know more about the dog and they will go for right fit.

My vet said they rarely see border terriers so she recommends them.

Labrador everytime- saw a silver Lab the other day - gosh what a beautiful dog!

My vet said they rarely see border terriers so she recommends them.

^ yes like jack Russell terriers they live forever running on spite

Honestly it really depends what you want in a dog. What you'll get is people describing their favourite dog breed which might not fit for you

Border terrier for example are fiesty! They aren't usually suitable around small pets, need a fair amount of exercise (more comparable with larger dogs than toy dogs), need hand stripping so factor in a couple of groomers visits a year, can be selective with other dogs as they don't back down from a fight.

It's not to day they aren't a good dog, but no breed comes without its considerations or is perfect for every home

Ahhhhhh... this is basically my job!

Small breeds are either companion breeds or terriers - either way they're generally sharp, need lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and may struggle without a person around. However whatever breed you get, bank on it being 2 years to go from puppy to reliable adult, and near that before you can routinely leave them for useful time frames without worrying about it or having to do lengthy set ups to ensure they're ok. You may well get there faster, but it is better to err on teh side of caution.

If you DO NOT LIKE fast clever loud yappy demanding dogs - do not get a poodle x. Just don't. Particularly, do not get a poodle x working cocker spaniel (as many cockerpoos are).

I would say half my day job is talking down people at their absolute limit with a cockerpoo.

Border terriers - neat, clean, tidy, one of the most trainable and biddable terriers, still a terrier though so fi you want unquestioning obedience without a seconds thought, not the dog for you. If you're happy to prove its worth doing as you ask almost every time you ask, fine, not a bother.

Whippets - lovely, typically very cuddly too, clever but less demanding than terriers on the whole. May have a high prey drive (so would a terrier) but they are a big fan of a comfy snooze too and typically not keen on going ou tin ALL weathers, just the nicer weather thanks.

Other ideas..

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (or the Petit version) - scent hound, so they can be a bit dodgy off lead but I've met plenty trained well enough to go off lead in places you already know.

VERY cuddly and affectionate, yet independent enough not to be super needy either. Food driven so easy to train, and their general attitude is that everyones lovely, but they don't HAVE to greet everyone, only those who acknowledge them (unlike some of the friendly breeds who can be a bit thuggish when young).

Cirneco D'ell Etna - whippety but more exotic.

Fauve de Bretagne - smaller than the GBGV and gingery.

Clumber spaniel - a big dog really on short legs but very steady, loving and patient unlike pretty much all the other spaniels!

I agree that combinations of breeds matter- I certainly wouldn’t recommend a chihuahua with a Bernese mountain dog 😂My point was only to highlight that as all pure breeds carry inherited conditions which can be life limiting, choosing to choose a mixed breed might offset these genetics.

long haired chow chow

Border Terrier. Mine was an absolute clown, he was brilliant. He was fairly biddable in the end but it did take some strict training. He did have his moments (was positively racist to Labradors and Golden Retrievers as he was beaten up by one as a small puppy and he NEVER forgave the entire breeds and definitely NEVER forgot!)

He would go for as long or as short a walk as you wanted. DH would run with him until he got to about 9 and just sat down about a mile in and refused to go any further 😂. Absolutely LOVED fetch and would drop his ball for our 3 year old niece. He was such a brilliant little dog, always happy and helped me through some horrendous times, he lived until he was 13 which can be considered young for a Border.

We have a Miniature Schnauzer in the family and me and DH say to each other that she's nice but she's "not a dog" like our Border was.

This.

Border Collies are highly intelligent dogs which require large doses of mental stimulation and physical exercise.

I have a cavapoo. She’s a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a poodle. She is loving, friendly, just wants to be cuddled. She’s fine to be left for periods at home. She’s small, and doesn’t need a lot of exercise, but has been on long walks with us too (to the top of Snowden). I think that the breeder that you pick is as important as the breed. Our dog came from a loving home, she stayed with her mother and the whole litter until we collected her, and she settled instantly into our home, sleeping through the night.