Which dog?

[Woofymcwoofface]

Okay so this is not an AIBU, but I wanted to get lots of opinions from you wise people.

Starting to think about getting another dog next year and looking for the breed to suit us. We normally have labradors but interested in getting a smaller dog this time.

This is our wish list:

• good with children
• doesn't run away
• medium size but with big dog personality (not little man complex 😅)
• travels well in car for holidays
• barks a bit when strangers come to the house
• can be left alone for a few hours without destroying the furniture

Any ideas?

I would recommend a springer spaniel

We have a Springador - a springer spaniel Labrador cross and she is great. Looks like a lab but springer size and has such a fabulous personality.

Happy to chill with me at home, loves her walks where we give her lots of sniffy time as well as loving her ball. Likes people, children and other dogs. Loves to look out the window but only barks if someone approaches the front door, can be left for a couple of hours and sleeps well. Doesn't shed loads either.

Also likes to rip up post and any soft toys, digs holes in the garden and makes you love her so much you never want to leave her!

Thanks for the ideas so far. Interesting to see the terrier recommendations, I'd not really considered them at all before as I imagined they'd always be off chasing rabbits or whatever!

Miniature poodle.

A staffie! Ticks every one of those boxes.

Whippet- but they don’t like being left much and need training like all dogs.

Whippet Rescue say people are applying and want a dog that can be left 8 HOURS which is completely unreasonable for ANY dog.
Needless to say they are fussy at who they match dogs with.

Whippet. We had one for years, he was a rescue who came to us as a very young pup, he was fantastic, loved to cuddle up on the sofa and was known locally as the kangaroo because he jump to look over the high wall when people walked by. We fostered lots of dogs and he welcomed all of them but so did our dobermann. I recommend dobermann but they do need training, exercise and a decent sized garden but overall are fantastic family pets.

The spaniel as others have suggested BUT only if you are prepared for lifelong training, and I mean lifelong.

There is a saying... a labrador is born half-trained and a spaniel dies half-trained. Be warned, they are rewarding but hard work.

I agree with Terrier, my sister’s Border ticks all of those boxes.

Another vote for border terrier. My parents is the best trained clever little thing ever. Excellent recall, ignores all other dogs, sheep, cows, horses. The only thing he isn’t keen on is cats. He loves all children and get loads of attention when out in the village and everyone knows him. Not barky, only get a bit excited when the door goes, but only because he is so excited see people. Will makes sneeze noises on demand 😂

Bruh

Ignores squirrels on command-

Staffie. We have always had them and they a cross between a bundle of energy and a coach potato. They don't really grow up til they are about 2 or 3 though and can be slightly bonkers til then but I think in a good way.
They are the biggest snugglers though most evenings I can be found under my two who's combined weight is around 6 stone. They think they are chihuahuas though!

bichon

Cockapoo. Had ours a year and he fits the description above. Plus cute as hell and a bundle of love and fun

Obligatory photo obviously!

An hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon is not a lot of walking for a dog! Especially if it's a working cocker cross. I'm a dog walker and the amount of dogs I know that barely leave the house especially if the weather isn't lovely is just sad. Dogs love coming to stay with me because I'll take them out 3 times a day, not always for an hour but they just love to be out and about. Then they love to chill on the sofa with me in between. There's only so long any indoor stimulation lasts or keeps a dogs attention. I grew up on a farm though where the dogs roamed all day long. They were the happiest dogs ever.

Staffie all the way. All the ones I've known (including my girl) have been lovely, friendly, affectionate, happy little things with a big bark when needed. Amazing with kids and other animals and easy to train.

The only issue MIGHT be destruction of things when left home alone 😬

Gorgeous!

I must say I'm loving all the staffie suggestions on this thread, they often have such a bad (undeserved) reputation 😊

Staffy

My sister has always had staffies and they’ve all had a great temperament - lots of energy, good with kids and tick all the boxes on your list. I have a cockapoo which would also tick your boxes, despite the snobbery around cross breeds. Mine doesn’t need 2 hours of walking though, a good run around in the morning and a couple of toilet breaks and he’s a happy pup. He does bark at people he doesn’t know coming up the path - he’s not unhappy though, just hopeful of a treat.

I must say. I'm chuffed with the staffie love. I thought I'd get shot down for that suggestion!

Wirehaired Vizsla. If you’re previously a ‘lab person’ wanting something a bit different then you can’t really go wrong.
Affectionate, mega keen to please, will let you know that someone is outside, can go all day but equally happy to have a chill day. The most versatile and loving breed I’ve come across. I’ve never known one not adore children and they just aren’t interested in pissing off so running away isn’t really in their nature.
They can be a bit taller than a lab so not sure if suits your ‘medium’ brief but they do fold up/curl up very small!

Mainly for attacking other dogs.. We are out now and have been warned about a man ( scrawny) with two large staffies he can’t control who have caused serious injuries to local dogs.

Thing is. These 'staffies' which attack are rarely actually properly bred Staffordshire bull terriers and just a mix which have been raised wrong