To ask for your dog breed recommendations?

[766j]

I have only ever had one dog who was a terrier, and he was a typical terrier in that he would bark all the time no matter how much I tried to train him. He hated cats, would bark any time someone walked past the house and would bark at the TV a lot. This was despite extensive training and getting a behaviourist round. I am wanting something a bit quieter (!) and more affectionate this time around.

I work from home, and want it to be good around children. Ideally one that only needs less than an hour of walking per day and is low/no shedding. I have a pretty good sized garden if that helps too. A friend has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who I adore, she is so sweet-natured and gentle and I would put up with the shedding for one of those, but the breed has so many health issues that it concerns me.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you

I think a retired greyhound would be ideal! I certainly wouldn't recommend the dog I have, a border collie! High energy, needs mental stimulation, and the shedding! He's mainly white, I wear lots of black

The opposite to my shih tzu from what you've described. He sheds everywhere and barks at anyone who dares to walk past our house, even on the other side of the road. 😂 He is a great dog though, very intelligent too.

Whippet. They hardly moult, they don't smell, they're good natured and pretty chilled out in the house, they love cuddles, they're lazy and don't need a massive amount of exercise, although they do need a good offlead run most days. Best of all, several whippets I've known hate going out in the rain, which is a bonus.

The only downside to them is that most of them can't trusted around cats or other small furry animals.

Whatever the rescue centre can recommend when you talk to then about your lifestyle and your expectations?

I have a dachshund, have met tonnes of dachshunds, you definitely do not want a dachshund!

I adore dachshunds, especially the mini wires, but even I would never have one! They seem to have selective deafness imo, and I've known of several that were buggers to housetrain. I used to know someone who bred them, and she swore that if anyone was ever to forensically examine her house, they'd be sure to find some fossilised daxie shit somewhere.

Too energetic. Need loads of attention.

I adore my Shih Tzu. Super cute, non-shedding, happy with as little or as much exercise as you can give him, very respectful of cats, only barks when the doorbell goes, funny, sweet, loving, thick as mince . He's honestly the best decision I ever made!

Absolutely second this. IME if you get a whippet as a pup they will be fine with cats in the family, but this doesn't translate into being fine with all cats. But other than that they are perfect- beautiful, loving, chilled, happy without hours of exercise, not barky, hardly moult at all, groom themselves like a cat so no need for grooming. Easy peasy.

Exactly. They're constantly needing exercise each day. They bounce about. Hardly docile! I have a giant breed that just needs two 20 minute walks each day and just sleeps the rest of the time. I wouldn't have the energy for a Lab.

Wire haired dachshunds are amazing. Ours was so easy to housetrain, and they are amazing in the house. Doesn't moult, doesn't smell doggy. Has been great with my children and other pets. Only thing I'd say is that they need a lot of exercise, at least an hour each day. Also if they get a scent they are off, especially if it's a squirrel. WHs are total clowns, they are the best type of dachshund. I would get one again.

You need a good breeder if you want one, they've known to carry certain genetic diseases such as lafora and you need a breeder that screens for these

Do not consider a lab if you don't want fur, it gets everywhere, we had a cavalier and she was lovely but succumbed to heart disease at 8 which a lot of them do unfortunately,

Lhasa Apsos. Gorgeous, placid and playful and small as well. They don’t cast and need minimal walks

I mean just LOOK AT IT!

If I could chose any dog I'd go for something like. A newfie or bernese mountain dog

I had a lab, lovely dog- the best boy there ever was.

Reading your post you don’t want to deal with too much exercise or hair so I’d say no. I’m quite house proud, take shoes off, wash paws. It can be exhausting and costly if that way inclined. I didn’t mind, I loved him, he was worth it.

I’m pondering a staffy, (well DH is) not as hairy, around an hour exercise per day. Any puppy will be hard work initially. It might be better to contact a rescue and do a foster/foster adopt and make sure you really want a dog.

Get a Chinese Crested (Powderpuff) Dog.
A bit out there, but would tick all the boxes.

The hair!! And I say that as someone with 2 bernese!

My Shih Tzu as a pup. When carrying him pre-vaccination to the vet's, people would stop and ask if he was a real dog

Weird, the photo didn't post.



Does anyone have any experience of owning/living with a schnauzer? The ones I've met when out and about have been lovely.

He's lovely! What's he like character-wise? He looks like a cutie (but I know from my cat that looks can be VERY deceptive!)

They are gorgeous but have a reputation for barkiness

All dogs don't shed whoever said that they do.

Sorry that was for @StellaAndCrow re mini schnauzer

Whippet 100%. First six months is tough as they are very mouthy,. Ours communicates by whining but is pretty much silent (unless he sees a cat and them all bets are off). Loves people. Is happy to do a few short/medium walks but refuses to go out in wind and rain so is equally gappy with a 15m play in the house . He snoozes all day by my feet when I'm working. He's currently burrowed under his blanket and wedged into my back, snoozing away. The only downside is his constant mooching for food. Couldn't ask for a better dog. Everyone loves him.