Recommendations for a suitable breed of dog

[BaconAndAvocado]

We're considering getting a dog, only had cats in the past.

We are 2 adults and 2 DCs aged 11 and 13.

DH would love an Alsatian, I'd prefer a smaller dog but not tony like a sausage dog or toy dog.

Prefer a calmer dog.......any recommendations?

I'd much prefer a Belgian/German shepherd than a smaller dog. They're so calm, thoughtful, very attainable, very beautiful, just wonderful dogs.

Op I can recommend one of these... Dc friendly and even like my dcats!!
Low shedding, don't bark, fold up small!!

Greyhound

What sort of walks are you envisaging?

Did you mean 'tony' ('fashionable among wealthy or stylish people.') or 'tiny' btw? Either way, doesn't apply to my standard shorthaired sausage.

Calmness isn't just a function of breed, it's at least as much nurture as nature I reckon. For which reason, an adult (rescue or sometimes available from breeders if they don't make the grade for show and stud, like mine) can be a better bet than a pup if you're inexperienced.

Greyhound. They don't come much calmer. Also don't require a lot of exercise and are generally pretty 'easy' dogs for first time dog owners.

Would you consider a rescue?
They would be able to match you to a dog that would be suitable

You need to think how much space you have. How much grooming and walking and training are you prepared to do?
Do you want a pup? Toilet training etc. Can’t leave a pup alone. Will likely wake you at night. Or an adult? Likely a rescue.

wintersday those are beautiful!

Never heard of "tony", I meant "tiny"!

Walks? One a day? I have no idea really!

Have looked at rescue dogs but they often only want an Adult Only household.

You need to think about how a dog will fit in your life. Can you manage two hours walking plus brain games? Is someone home during the day? Would you be prepared to go take your dog to a groomer regularly?
Many rescues don’t specify adult only homes.

I think it's an Americanism, but one which is oddly appropriate at the moment to some tiny dogs.

One thing re greyhounds, do you still have cats?

Get one of these. You'll get the usual MN eye rolls but the reason people recommend greyhounds is for the simple fact they are great family pets for busy people. They need two twenty minute walks a day but will walk further if you want them to, and generally snooze and trip you up all day. You will find them like a big cat to be honest. If you want something with brains that will do agility, canicross, play with a ball etc then no they're not the right dog but if you want something quiet and loving that is low maintenance then yes they're great.

Most sighthound rescues will rehome with children and to people who work as long as you have appropriate measures (able to let out for lunch time wee) in place.

By the way that's the antique version of one.

I would not recommend a German or Belgian shepherd - they need much more than one walk a day and are not great for inexperienced owners. I think you're going to struggle to be honest, most medium dogs would like at least 2 walks a day. I would stay away from terriers that tend to have a high energy level and prey drive and from working type dogs that prefer to have a 'job'. Greyhound would be your best bet I think, very laid back, happy with one walk a day and lovely family pets.

The Retired Greyhound Trust is a good place to start - they cat-test all their dogs and there are some that are totally fine with cats (mine isn't - but I don't have cats!). She was house trained from day one, and most greyhounds walk beautifully on the lead as that's how they are exercised when racing.

They are fabulous dogs and make wonderful pets - they are very gentle and love nothing more than to hog the sofa all day!

Also second PP comment on not recommending German shepherd. They are beautiful but extremely intelligent and therefore need a hell of a lot of stimulation and exercise. If you can offer that then great, but you don't want to end up with a bored German Shepherd!
The greyhound trust usually does a good job of matching you with a suitable dog. Mine fantastic with DD but would not trust him for 1 second with a cat.....

What about an older rescue? They are often so much harder to rehome, but are generally toilet trained, need less exercise and can usually live in a home with older children.

We don't have a cat anymore. Our lovely girl died in July.

greyhound22 your antique version is gorgeous.

I'm going to go with greyhounds because I'm biased and they are the most easy going chilled out dogs. Just beautiful. German Shepard's are fabulous but hard work, unless you have hours of free time on your hands don't do it.

Border terriers are lovely small dogs, can be full of attitude and vocal but have the cutest faces.

@Greyhound22 Awwwww, the black ones are my favourite.

Please don't think a particular breed also all have the same characteristics, because they dont.

As an example, I've had two Staffordshire terriers. One was frightened of nothing and no one, wasn't arsed about food and could take or leave toys. The next one was frightened of everything, you name it, she was frightened of it. Loved, loved her food and doted on her toys.

YEs, they had some characteristics in common. Both were not keen on other dogs, for instance. But temperament wise, they were as different as chalk and cheese.

For that reason, I would always go for a rescue dog, where they can match your families needs to a specific dog

A lurcher or greyhound.
Loads in rescue of all ages, generally very easy going, and very loving in a gentle way. Very little coat to shed as well unless you go for a hairy lurcher, and as long as you avoid collie x lurchers, they don't need a lot of mental stimulation

I retract my recommendation... honestly, if you think any dog only needs one walk a day, you shouldn't really get one. I do however think if you go ahead, a greyhound or lurcher may suit. They still need to be walked more than once a day, but they tend to be short walks with high bursts of energy.

Well before you start thinking about breeds, you need to be thinking about what’s involved in dog ownership... they’re not like cats.

Even fairly laidback breeds need at least two walks a day (more if you don’t have a garden they can toilet in) the more active the breed the longer walks they’ll need, plus they’ll need time spent playing or training... do you have that much time to spend with them?

Dogs shouldn’t be left for more than 4 hours, how does that fit in with work, other commitments and days out etc.?

if you are going to go with a GSD then you must do your homework...they can be extremely needy . I would have another in a heartbeat but am still not over losing my last two.

As a pp said, they are not really a "beginner" type of pet.

If you are near any of the GuideDog centres then you could consider a failed GuideDog. ...or even a retired one, depending on circumstances the age range is about 16 months up....all the hard work of puppy raising has been done, all the dogs are extremely well socialised and the retirees can be only 5 or 6 so plenty of life in them! :o