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Original poster

Family dog-breed recommendations please

42 replies

keepeverybodyhappy · 20/08/2010 15:54

Hi,
we are looking for a dog to join our family.
We have 2 kids, 4 + 7.
We'd like a dog who's placid, and gentle (our son was bitten a while back and is wary of boisterous/playful dogs) and enjoys company of people.
Can anybody recommend a breed that fits this description?
Thank you

OP posts:
Tortoise · 20/08/2010 15:58

Greyhounds are placid gentle breed. We have one and he is great with my DC and very calm in general. Sleeps most of the day lol!

WoodRose · 20/08/2010 16:04

Flat coated retrievers. Every single one I have ever encountered has been unbelievably placid and gentle.

ShinyAndNew · 20/08/2010 16:05

Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They are one of only two breeds that are recommended to be housed around children by the UK kennel club. Don't get a puppy. Staffy pups are very, very bouncy. But luckily for you, rescue places are over flowing with lovely, friendly charming staffys.

Go to a good rescue and they will match your family with a suitable dog.

Lizcat · 20/08/2010 16:23

As a vet within every breed there are the mad bouncy nutters - even cavaliers. You need to have a chat with your son about what size of dog he could cope with and then consider as a family what you want from a dog. Go to a rescue within your son and look at the dogs with him to see how he reacts to different breeds. Is your DS the 7 year old? if so then he is plenty old enough to be really actively involved in caring for the dog and this should really help in the process of helping him to enjoy dogs.
Personally I feel that regardless of breed good training is important to get a placid and gentle dog.
Me I have an English cockapoo as a family we decided that we wanted a dog at around 10kgs, non shedding and the likelihood that it would enjoy (agility - both DD and I are keen to do this). We are now investing hours training our gorgeous puppy - as I look across at the sleeping mass of brown fluff that has fallen\jumped in the pond twice this afternoon.
By the way my DD is only 6 years old and has trained said dog to sit, down, stand and walk to heel and it's 13 weeks old. Just to give you example of how involved they can be.

blackberryway · 20/08/2010 16:31

Hmmm, not sure if there is a placid breed - more down to the individual dog so a rescue dog might be a good bet as they will have taken time and trouble to assess it's nature before placing it.
shineyandnew - why do you suppose the rescue places are overflowing with staffies?

ShinyAndNew · 20/08/2010 16:34

blackberry - it's because eejits buy them and try and train them to be aggressive (which hardly every works, unless seriously abused staffy's just don't have it in them) so they then dump then.

The problem with the staffy is not the dog, it's at the other end of the lead. Their appearance and (falsly given) reputation attracts the wrong kind owner. If the same thing happened to the ever loved Labrador then rescue centers would be over flowing with Labs.

poppy34 · 20/08/2010 16:38

Cavalier king charles although agree that like anything it's the dog itself that really determines how playful they ate.

blackberryway · 20/08/2010 16:50

Sorry shiny - and I don't want to hijack this thread so I won't get into a long argy with you - but I have known a couple of people who fell in love with adorable staffy pups and then found the full-grown dog just too boisterous and unpredictable to handle and ended up having to take them to rescue. My father also had a georgeous staffy for years which I admit was lovely with people but was shockingly aggressive with other dogs and he certainly had not trained her to behave in that way.

Original poster
keepeverybodyhappy · 20/08/2010 17:01

Tortoise-like the idea of a sleepy greyhound, but DS might feel a bit overwelmed by their size. He seems partcualrly wary of "athletic" looking dogs.
WoodRose-I'd considered retrievers/labradors. I knew a few as a child and they were so laid back/gentle.
ShinyAndNew-we had staffies while I grew up.......so lovely. Another one to considered!
Lizcat-what is a cockapoo??
My DS is the 4yo. He does find dogs fascinating and funny (he knows some mad ones!!) from a distance, so I guess your idea of being guided by him is a good one.
blackberryway-understand what you're saying about a rescue centre, as I guess they get to know know you and their dogs before they match you up.
Was not looking for a puppy-would go for an older dog, so a rescue centre may be the way forward.

OP posts:
Original poster
keepeverybodyhappy · 20/08/2010 17:05

We had a rescue Staffy bitch when I was a child. She was incredibley aggressive with other animals (ripped a rabbit hutch to shreds on her first day with us) and possessive of her bed/food. But my baby sister could crawl up to her and take a bone out of her mouth and curl up for a sleep in her bed without the dog batting an eye!

OP posts:
wildfig · 20/08/2010 17:08

Don't know how near South Wales you are, but any excuse to post a link to this wonderful rescue centre: Many Tears Rescue near Llanelli

lou33 · 20/08/2010 17:12

springer spaniels are great

full of energy but v good natured

we have an 8m old one and she is fantastic

pearlsandtwinset · 20/08/2010 17:12

My biggest recommendation is to get a mongrel, or cross breed. As a general rule (but every dog is different and so nothing can be guaranteed) they are super intelligent and balanced, less likely to get stolen and can be healthier due to 'problems' that certain dogs have being counteracted by cross breeding.

You do need to bear in mind certain things, like how much are you going to walk them, don't get a big dog or one that needs masses of exercise (like a lurcher) unless you are committed to it. Then try and find a cross breed that is known for certain characteristics that you might like (e.g. obedience a collie, character bedlington etc.)

A puppy really takes up a lot of time and the more time you spend with them when they are little the more it pays off when they are older.

Right off my soap box...

ShinyAndNew · 20/08/2010 17:14

Yes Staffies are unpredictable around other animals. A lot of staffies will never be accepting of other dogs. Not all of them, but a lot. And they do need a firm hand from when they are young to train them properly as they can be boisterous when not given suitable outlets for their energy. But they are great with people, especially children.

But as you are going to a rescue center I'd just say trust their advice. The dog you think is suitable, may not necessarily be the right dog for your family. Good rescue workers know their stuff and will match you with the right dog.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 20/08/2010 17:30

How about a whippet if you're worried a greyhound may be too big? Very similar temprements.

midori1999 · 20/08/2010 17:45

Any puppy is likely to be boisterous, in your face and over-keen. Plus, puppies mouth. I would be wary of any puppy, of any breed, that wasn't like this, tbh.

An adult dog that has been well socialised with children and other dogs would be a good choice, and as has been said, rescues are full to bursting point, mainly staffies and staffie crosses, they probably account for 1/3 to 1/2 the dogs in most rescues at any time. Staffs are known for being potentially dog aggressive, but if they are very well socialised as pups, that helps, and as has also been said, they are wonderful with children/a family. Very friendly and intelligent dogs. They can be vocal though and like to 'talk' as well as bark, but any dog can be trained not to bark.

I breed Golden Retrievers and they make wonderful family pets. They are usually very easy to train (the gundog trainers old saying is that 'retrievers are born half trained, spaniels die half trained' Grin ) I find they are generally easier than flatcoats (never owned one but talk to a lot of owners on show days) and flatcoats can tend to be a little highly strung compared to Goldens. Goldens do not really grow until age 2-3 though and can be quite bouncy. Show lines are generally much quieter than working or dual purpose lines and some breeders especially breed very quiet and placid dogs, even for the breed. There are also alot of badly bred Goldens, as well as other pedigree dogs, so do make sure you find a good breeder.

CountryGirl2007 · 20/08/2010 17:48

Agree about Greyhounds or staffies. greyhounds aren't all large, you can get quite small greyhounds, and as they don't tend to be bouncy, they aren't really "threatening" to a small child as they tend to just stand there and wait for the child to come over to them.

Staffies are also a very robust and playful breed who love to play, with a lovely soft temperament ideal for kids.

Slubberdegullion · 20/08/2010 18:00

I second midori re mouthy puppies.

My lab puppy is 6 months now and is (even though I do say so myself Wink) unbelievably chilled and gentle despite still only being very young. How much of this is because of her breed/genes and how much is training I'll never know.

however

The TEETH when we first got her . My girls really really did not enjoy her when she was a little puppy. They adore her now the biting/chewing has stopped and she is very very gentle with them. I think you should consider going down the rescue avenue.

greygirl · 20/08/2010 18:01

we have a greyhound and whilst he is as placid as you could imagine, he's not a geat 'pet'. ours sleeps all day, and tries to run back in the house when we go for a walk (he's lazy). the kids can walk him without being dragged around, and he doesn't require loads of exercise (handy if you are short on time) but he won't play ball, or race round with the kids. i love my greyhound, but next time i will get a bearded collie - if i can manage to find time to walk them - i grew up with them and they are beautiful intelligent friendly dogs.

greygirl · 20/08/2010 18:02

however i would suggest a bigger dog - they tend to be less threatened by small children somehow, i think little dogs get a bit tetchy cos they feel they might be injured!

pagwatch · 20/08/2010 18:03

We have an old english sheepdog. Lovely gentle lazy fucker Grin.
He does occasionally whizz around and around the garden but mostly sleeps near whereever we are.
he is very gentle with DS2 who has ASD and is very anxious around dogs.
Lovely dog

teameric · 20/08/2010 18:03

staffie, greyhound or a pug.

Lizcat · 20/08/2010 18:04

Cockapoos are a cross bred between a cocker spaniel (either english working or american ) and a toy poodle (the middle sized one). I was very fussy about finding a pup from an english working mum as nearly all the american cockers I have met have very dubious personalities.
He is very bouncy at the moment, but the is around 5kgs 7 inches high of bounce. We are now laughing at him chasing an empty flower pot round the room.
As mentioned before I was also looking for some cross bred high bred vigour with a reasonably certain out come.
Both the pond incidents and the flower pot are not unexpected.

Whilst I am not saying the cockapoo is the dog for you my point is we really researched what we were looking for and then I patiently waited it out (6 months) for the right puppy.

pagwatch · 20/08/2010 18:07

cockapoo?
Really?

Someone thought 'what shall we call this cross?' and that was what they came up with?

izzybiz · 20/08/2010 18:09

I'd say Staffy, perfect size, not too small and not too big, short hair, robust for play with children, and they are known as the Nanny dog for a reason Smile

A rescue center will know if a particular dog is aggresive towards other dog/animals or not!

Our Staff is fab, I have heard that they like to 'talk' alot, I must have the only silent Staff around! She makes no noise whatsoever, hardly ever barks!

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