Looking at getting a puppy.

[Emmav2020]

Recommendations please as we are looking at getting a family dog.

looking at the following:
small
not yappy
doesn't malt
good with kids - we have a 3 year old who is dog obsessed and a teenager.

Please notes, i grew up with Bernese mountains dogs and leonbergers so im used to the bigger breeds but this time im after a small dog.

Thanks

No reputable rescue would rehome a dog with a 3 year old. For very good reasons.

We have a malshi too.
She has a lovely temperament. Doesn't yap, is very gentle but likes to play too and enjoys lots of cuddles.
Here she is as a puppy.

I would say miniature poodle (they can be cut in Teddy bear style, you don't have to have poodle look), miniature schnauzer, bichon frise. I believe if you want non shedding you'll have grooming. I have a cross which my friend bred; he's half bichon. Groomer every 8 weeks (absolute longest he can go between cuts) is £40, plus brushing at home and sometimes he has a bath too. So brushes, comb, shampoo, conditioner, detangler spray, silver shampoo to maintain white coat (granted its just me haha). But I second puppies are hard work, my youngest was 4 and it was hard enough. For our 2nd dog I will be looking at poodle or schnauzer (my partner is adamant on non shedding breeds).

Mine has this morning ripped my favourite top and scratched the glass on the patio doors jumping up wanting to go outside. You can have her.

My advice is don’t get a very small dog with very young children. They can get injured very easily e.g Toy Poodle broke a leg falling off a sofa. A little one carrying a dog around is a recipe for pain and expensive vets fees. I recommend a Miniature Poodle. It’s the middle size of the three Poodles. Still pretty small, but more robust. They don’t shed. They are very clever, so easily trained. They are very friendly (so long as you get one from a decent breeder and not a nervous one from a puppy farm or a fool), very playful, healthy (no extremes in length of nose, length of back or legs etc) and long-lived. Therefore, a perfect little companion throughout childhood.

Golden retriever moult horrendously!

Another vote for a Bichon. Mines a lovely little dog, no malting but does need grooming every 6 weeks.

Some can get separation anxiety but we've never had an issue.

I love the Parsons Russell… a Jack Russell with longer legs… consider a rescue, so many are being euthanised in kennels as the results of coming through Covid / the Game of Thrones hits - the rescue centres are overwhelmed. Currently have a loveable rescue Staffy … 8 year old picked up as a stray with cancer…got her from Dogstrust. As a farmers daughter promise me you won’t get a collie… that is unless you own a herd of sheep… 😉

As long as parents are tested for breed specific problems, a poodle cross is very unlikely to any more inherited health problems than any other breed/ cross. In fact, hybrid vigour suggests you are less likely to have health problems.

As a poodle owner I would advise a cavapoo would probably suit this family situation better than a pure bred poodle. I adore mine (a toy poodle), but they are very sensitive, ridiculously clever and very, very noisy. I know probably 7 or 8 people with poodle-mixes that make much better family pets!

Some poodles (especially toys), from the most reputable breeders are still super-sensitive little souls. I agree the more robust end of miniature might suit this family, but I think other breeds might be even better!

Adore our cocker, but my goodness he moults!!! This one is half working/half show and is really chilled. I wouldn’t recommend a full working cocker as they are bonkers (we’ve had one). Whatever you go for breed wise, check out the parents’ temperament. Learnt that one the hard way 😊.

Have you looked at the Border Terrier? Robust, active but small dogs that meet all the requirements you mention, but don't act like "little dogs"

They all malt

I got a Staffordshire bull terrier she adored my daughter who was devastated when she passed away so we got a rescue GSD who my oldest left home with my now 5 year old has a malinoise who’s a gem with her

Cava poo is your best bet

I’m afraid that is not true. According to the Veterinary literature and my vet’s experience, Spaniel/Poodle crosses have a significantly higher than average rate of serious health problems since they often inherit health vulnerabilities from both breeds (including those no longer common in each breed alone). They also often have nightmare coats that are a combination of hair and wool.

Yes, the sensitivity is common in Toys, but not in miniatures.

I agree about Toys (as an owner if Standards and Toys for 23-years). That’s why I recommended a Miniature. I’m surprised that you would recommend a spaniel/poodle crossbreed as a Poodle owner yourself. Purebred Poodles are great dogs and have far, far fewer health problems and behavioural problems than purebred Poodles. You may know some who are fine, but ask any vet or behaviourist.

It's moult, not malt!

@Harry12345 Poodles and Bichon Frises don’t moult

Moult not malt!

Misses point of thread...

Bichon Frisée for sure. A big dog in a little package, doesn’t moult, intelligent and cuddly. Super dogs!

You're on the pet section, you need this one if you just fancy going about correcting people -

www.mumsnet.com/talk/pedants_corner

I think it was fair to correct the OP as if she's googling 'dogs that don't moult' she'll want the right spelling.

It's not a big deal. OP wrote malt too. It's just worth knowing how to spell moult. There is no need to witter on about it on Pedants' Corner.