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?

Some are ok- I grant that.
My friend has one ( a rescued one) he is fine with other dogs.
He’s lovely.

Probably a purebred isn’t as bad- lots of Pit mixes about.

Smooth or rough collie tick all those boxes.

Exactly - the staffies I know would be more likely to lick another dog to death (while wriggling in excitement!) than to attack them.

The bigger staffie mixes around here are usually a) bred deliberately for maximum aggression and b) owned by people who want a status symbol rather than a well trained family pet

Border Terrier ,best dog ever

What a load of nonsense 😄

Your list is mainly stuff you can train and not really breed specific. If you want a kid friendly dog Id go for something calm. We have a jach russel mix atm and shes very wild and mouthy. Its fine with my kids because they grew up with dogs and they know how to handle her, but i wouldnt leave her alone with just any kids.
Shes still very young though (just turned 1), so we are still training her.

I would get in touch with your local rescue there are so many fabulous dogs which would suit. One of my foster dogs at the moment is a lurcher and she's fantastic. Lovely docile temperament which is very typical of them. She's very trainable with food.

Whippet, fantastic family dog's, as soft as they come, nice size, ours don't bark, except one, if she hears the foxes but it's a swift woof and stops. Great with other dogs and people, polite and calm, but very big personalities

I was going to say this if OP likes Labrador’s but wants something smaller. We’ve got a springador too, he’s 7 now and whilst he is an absolute twat (in the best way possible) I love him to bits. Ours is definitely bigger than springer size as he weighs about 26kg but thinks he’s about a 2kg lap dog

Luckily doesn’t dig and has never chewed anything other than his own toys, but does make up for that by rolling in anything he can find, mainly mud and dead animals

I agree, we have a lazy lurcher (staffy / whippet / greyhound cross)

@poggle He looks lovely. Here's ours - she is just over 1 and is just fabulous

Oops - photos didn't add

I don't even know what to say to your comment tbh.

By 1 your dog should 100% not be mouthy or wild. It should be trained. It's not hard. The fact you can't have her around other children...not something to be proud of. Tbh if you can't trust her around other kids, you shouldn't trust her around your own. Irresponsible parenting 101 there.

Most of those things are training requirements, rather then breed characteristics.

Also be careful relying on breed characteristics overall... I've got a Newfoundland who hates water 🤷🏻‍♀️

Most dogs fit your brief with proper training. You won't get an off-the-peg specific breed that automatically does.

It worries me that you think just going for a specific breed will give you a ready-made, perfect dog.

My little Staffy cross (she's 20 kg) is fabulous with all humans and other dogs - except for the two HUGE, brutish German Shepherds who were off-lead (mine was on a lead) and came charging up, barking at her.

Dog walker here! Walk all breeds.
I’d suggest a springer spaniel or a West Highland Terrier, the one I walk is so gorgeous and friendly.
They all need training though OP, so you will need to put the work in, regardless of your choice. So worth it though.

Staffy every time, incredibly loyal, great stamina but also happy to snuggle. Very clever and nice size; not too big not too small.
I've had many dogs, grew up with spaniels and collies,worked in rescue but staffies are without a doubt my most favourite, don't believe the hysteria you read about them, my DC grew up with them and they were hazing with kids.

Saw your comment @troppibambini6 and was about to ask for a photo as I did remember I'd previously seen one and they were stunners, then there they were 🥰

Staffies are the best and fit all your requirements.
Especially the females.
They are generally not good with other dogs but fantastic with people.

oakleaffy

Staffies aren’t usually that big so maybe mixed with something else.

the only dogs that I have had issues with being aggressive towards my dog are German shepherds, chihuahuas and beagles.

the chihuahuas are the worst but at least too small to do much damage.

My Springer ticks all of those boxes, however, he is an absolute pickle & has got me into all sorts of situations 😂He is also currently obsessed with Tom Daley on the British Gas advert! Completely bonkers!

I'm just going to leave her here..... ❤️🐶

I was going to suggest a Border, too. Tons of personality and good with kids.

I had Lakelands, very similar, but a bit less biddable so harder work for someone used to a lab.

Register with the Dogs Trust and they will take all of this into account when matching you with a dog. We just got a little crossbreed from them and they did an interview with us beforehand where we discussed all our circumstances/ requirements.

@Woofymcwoofface

Definitely not a working dog, so no spaniel, collie etc.

Labrador, or golden retriever or if they're too big, a staffy or a Norfolk Terrier. Or a Heinz 57 rescue, just not one from Romania or other foreign country. We have enough rescue dogs available here although I concede not the easiest to obtain sometimes.