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

The best decision we ever made getting a Staffy. We would never have any other breed now. 😊

I have a terrier (border terrier) and he only ever barks when someone knocks on the door. He is so affectionate and cuddly and never chases cats, maybe as he was brought up with one.

I'm a sucker for bigger dogs and love labs/retrievers, but we looked after a border terrier the other week who was great.

Didn't wake up early, put us under no pressure to get out for a walk but would walk miles when we wanted to. Didn't yap and was low shedding. Proper little character, very loving and friendly.

Pomeranian

Err, no. They require much more exercise than OP is suggesting.

Bichon frisé. Was never a fan of small dogs but my friend has one and I'm a convert. Smart, gentle but surprisingly game little dogs.

The best decision we ever made getting a Staffy. We would never have any other breed now.

I loffs da crazy, chonky Staffos.

Their owners look at me like I'm mad when I speak to them in my voice reserved for Staffies ♥️

Baffled at the lab suggestions. They are bonkers with boundless energy and shed plenty. Mine spends half her life rolling in deer or fox poop. She’s been outside for 6 hours today, I had to put her to bed to make her lay down and chill, she won’t stop even if she’s exhausted. For an active family or an outside farm dog, yes, for what the op has asked for, no!

They’re just the best aren’t they ❤️❤️

I have a Pomeranian, they meet the low walking requirement but can also manage more if you want them too. However they do shed and the coats require a lot of upkeep. Mines lovely and quiet at home but not so much elsewhere, they do have a rep for being a bit yappy.

A Chihuahua would have the same exercise requirement with a short coat for less hassle, can also be a bit yappy though.

I think the suggestions of greyhound are a very good shout, or if you wanted something a bit smaller maybe a whippet.

If you like Cavaliers they are a good shout too, never met one that isn’t lovely, just make sure to purchase from a reputable breeder that tests for health, you can get a list of the testing a reputable breeder should do, a kennel club approved breeder has to do all the tests to get approved status and be inspected so I’d start by at looking at their list of approved breeders.

Greyhounds. They sleep 18 an hours a day, don't need lots of exercise, they fold up small, barely shed. Simply perfect dogs 😊

@StellaAndCrow

He has the best little character ever. He's lovely with people but slightly aloof with those he's not connected to in any way, especially random kids He's very gentle with them though.
They're hilariously entitled, having been given out as gifts to emperors in the past.
He absolutely loves his family and just wants to be with us all the time.

I got him at a sad time, when I divorced my children's father. I did it for them mainly, and now can't imagine my life without him. He brings joy, love and laughs into our house every day.
The only thing is that toilet training him was an absolute nightmare, no doubt due to the fact that he ain't the brightest 😬 He makes up for it in looks and personality though!

@Newname71

They sure are. I grew up with one. She made our childhood. An absolute legend of a dog.

I have a cockapoo, I've taken a bit of heat from some people who say cockapoos shouldn't be allowed!. He is 9 years, he is funny, comical, cuddly, loyal, acts and looks like a puppy and the best dog I've ever met. He was easy to train, yes I got him from a breeder, who I did do checks on and who did checks on me. If I was to get another dog I would go to a rescue and get another cockapoo as I just love them! Oh and he doesn't moult that much, never seen any hairs on my furniture etc.

@Newname71 sounds amazing but I don't think you've said which breed he is

Oh I didn't realise they could shed! Maybe we've just been lucky with the ones we know - super chill & non shedding. Stubborn though - will sit for treats & was toilet trained to go outside within a couple of days but that's about all the obedience training she will entertain.

Yeah, if I keep his fur short he doesn't shed but if it gets past a certain length then it will.

Unbelievably stubborn at times yes definitely! 😂 Like if its raining outside he will not go for a walk. He'll dig his heels in and not move his paws off the ground. Also if you ever tell him off, he will turn his whole body away from you and sulk for hours.

He has a great personality though. He's 12 and sometimes he looks old and tired. The next thing he's running around like a mad thing with his chew toy wanting to play. I love Shih tzu dogs though, they're the best. 💖

They are not always good with other dogs and can be a nightmare to take out to parks, let them off lead etc. My local rec sees hundreds of dogs every day but no staffs. They are lead walked round the streets.

We have got an Italian Greyhound as well as a whippet. The Iggy is adorable, loyal, affectionate, etc but……it took us 8 days to house train the whippet and 8 years to house train the Iggy.

The only one I knew she'd constantly - huge amounts of fluff everywhere!

Labs and goldens are the best dogs IMO but not for you OP, they need plenty of exercise to be happy and shed a lot. I’ve experience of CKCS and greyhounds too and recommend the latter for you. Cavvies are gorgeous but they do shed and their coat needs a bit of care, plus they love getting dirty so it’s not a quick hose or wipe down like you have with a lab. Greyhounds tend to be fairly chilled as long as they don’t see anything to chase and love to snuggle. Their coats are short and easy to care for. A retired greyhound is probably perfect for you.

Just to add to previous comments, my Shih Tzu doesn't shed at all. Not one bit. Downside is the grooming costs but I'm houseproud and happy to pay the price for a clean and non-hairy home.

@Arran2024

It's down to the training. No Staffie owned by my family has ever had to be kept on the lead. But it does require a lot of work.

I have a sleeping whippet next to me right now. She's my Sister's dog though. Affectionate, not much shedding, sleeps most of the day away! Exercise wise, they do short bursts of fast activity and are content. On the days I look after her I just take her round the block.

If I had the financial means and suitable housing I would love to adopt a Greyhound, like lots have mentioned. That would be my dream.

But they shed which the op doesn’t want, and they need a lot of exercise.

OP how about a chihuahua? Minimal exercise and little shedding with the short haired variety. We looked after a friend’s chihuahua for three weeks and I ended up quite falling in love with her. Such a funny little personality.