What breed of dog for us?

[PrettyCandles]

I grew up with pets, dh didn't. Our dc would like a pet, dh is unconvinced. If we had a dog, it would have to be a very trainable, fairly well-behaved, non-dribbly, non-smelly, and not too shed-y. I think dh would also have difficulty looking beyond the reputation of a breed. For example, I like Rottweilers, and have known good-natured ones, but dh would not feel comfortable.

I don't like little, nippy dogs. I prefer them to be too big to sit on your lap!

We have a house with a garden, and plenty of opportunities for walking. The dc are 9, 7 and 3.

So, what breed of dog should we consider?

try this it will probably come up with something you've never heard of but you never know!

or this one

We have a black lab and a golden retriever. Both were trained incredibly easily and are intelligent (though mischevous!). The retriever is better behaved than the lab, but I think that's his character rather than the breed. And he's calmed down a lot since he's started getting older! Neither of them are smelly or excessively dribbly unless they've been jumping in stagnant water or something... foul.

They're lovely, both of them, and lovely with children.

When I was a child we had a German Shephard (my mother's dog before my parents met, or they wouldn't have chosen him with a child, though he ended up being delightful with me) and a Gordon Setter who was beautiful (my father's dog before my parents met) and lovely, though not the brightest and very dribbly. I'm not sure either of those breeds are particularly famous for being a "family" dog, but they were both gorgeous.

It must be setters. We had an English Setter when I was growing up who was incredibly dim and slobbery but a lovely family pet. Such a good natured dog.
I know of a couple around town now who belong to families with children and they seem the same.
They are beautiful dogs though.

A labrador , I would say that though as I'm a tad biased.

You can have a trainable and well behaved anything tbh you just have to put the time in with the training. Saying that there are breeds that they say are more biddable than others. I have found it fairly easy to train my lab puppy but that is she is extremely motivated by food which helps.

I have no idea what the dribbly breeds are. Have not noticed that we are drowning n slobber here though.

I think all dogs shed and smell to some extent. I'm not aware of a doggy odour but then I don't think owners ever are. Will have to quiz my friends when they come round to see if the house pongs now .

The only reason I chose to get a lab rather than a golden retriever (I grew up with retrievers) was the hair issue. Can never forget my mother's constant vacuuming and all the brushing and detangling of fluffy bits. They are gorgeous, gorgeous dogs though.

labs are the best slubber

Standard Schnauzer meets you spec exactly id say, medium sized so no sitting on laps or being sat on, No dribble, virtually non shedding, just groomer every few moths, will walk forever, easy to train, lovely dogs id love a schnauzer of any size though...

labs smell!

that they are although I heard them described the other day as being the 'Vaxhaull Cavalier' of dog breeds

[humph]

Bulldog. They are perfect, even my dh who is not an animal fanatic is head over heels with Rupert. There is a pic on my profile

collies are wonderful, but need lots of walks!

ahem mine doesn't babydubs

Oh my, Rupert is scrummy!

PC, how about:

Standard Poodle

Greyhound

Curly Coated Retriever

Stopping myself from getting too carried away here, as your DH is less enthusiastic about having a dog, I must say please do think and talk long and hard about it before committing yourselves to a dog. Only today has a poster been on here saying that although she loves the dog her family have owned for 7 years, her DH now wants rid of the poor thing. Please don't let a dog you choose end up like this.

Of course not sharbie, nor any other mumsnetters labs

lol

nope nadda!

I usually evangelically recommend Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Absolutely fantastic with kids - ours has put up with all sorts from various children. However he does fit on my lap, so doesn't meet one of your criteria.

But look how scrummy on my profile!

Greyhound? :D

They don't drool
shed very little
don't seem to smell
very well behaved i.e. don't jump up and walk well on lead, gets on well with other dogs and oblivious to children.
only requires about an hour of exersize a day divided into two 20-30 min walks morning and evening. They are very laid back and well behaved around the house.

What about a Labradoodle? Is it true that they combine the best of both breeds? They certainly look attractive.

If dh didn't mind the slobber, and could cope with the nuttiness, I would go for a Boxer. We had one when I was a teen, and I love them.

Hadn't thought of a Schnauzer.

Labs and GRs are lovely, but they do pong.

Greyhound? Are they child-tolerant? I thought they were fairly nervy.

PrettyCandles I keep reading that what you feed your dog is a main contributer to their doggy smellyness.

Wynken has a labradoodle if you want to ask her about them. Her dog sounds wonderful (and looks gorgeous).

Can I put a good word in for my boy?

Definitely too big for your lap, (though he'll try) and mad as a box of frogs, but utterly adorable and great with children.

Schnauzers dont smell...

Golden Retriever - am biased as mine is adorable

Slubber, we certainly found that certain foods made our boxer smell worse, but those smells were the ones he created from his rear end, rather than the smell of his coat, which was unaffected by his diet.

BTW, although he had a perfectly good and sensible name, his nickname was Shlubberdegublion!