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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

if you HAD to choose a breed of dog to be a family pet (plus a request for valhalla)

99 replies

thisisyesterday · 05/10/2011 22:10

what would you choose?

I have been searching the archives like a good girl and found that everyone says "it's the dog not the breed", which is a very fair point.
however, i have to start somewhere Grin

so if you were getting a dog and you wanted something that would be fairly calm, not too jumpy or excitable, good around children, smallish size and one that would be truly devoted to its owner..... what would you pick? or what would be your top 3?

I know I am asking you to generalise a lot but y'know, just humour me Wink

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 05/10/2011 22:41

I've never met a calm and non excitable terrier before.

DoNotPressTheRedButton · 05/10/2011 22:42

We can't have a dog in this house but the debate has been ongoing for many years.

The actual answer is firm: if we ever have a dog it will be whatever dog in the rescue needs us most. Same as with our cats. And in fact the gerbil LOL.

DS1 however has a full on ASD obsession with pugs (not sahred by DH or I); DH likes yorkies from his childhoos; ds2 likes a bichon frise and plans to buy one as an adult; I like collies (my childhoos dog), poodles (standard) but my current favourite is a dogue de bordeaux I see each week with his owner who is gorgeous.

Vallhala · 05/10/2011 22:43

Oh, and failing all that, adopt a German Shepherd or Labrador cross of course!

On second thoughts, scrap the Lab X idea. Mine doesn't like any other DC but our own! Nice, family friendly dogs, Lab types, right? Not my one!

See what I mean? There's no such thing as the right breed... just the right dog.

DooinMeCleanin · 05/10/2011 22:43

My sister's is a Greyhound/Bull breed X. They also have another Lurcher of undertermined X, he is superb with the children, despite having just been found wandering the local beach and brought home by my Father.

He is the only one of their 3 dogs they will trust to take camping with them and the dc.

Vallhala · 05/10/2011 22:46

"I've never met a calm and non excitable terrier before"

Nor me!

One of my favourite dogs in the rescue I help out at is a JRT. I love him to bits, he's so jolly, great with my DC... but he never stops, he has no off button.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 05/10/2011 22:48

val, thank you for taking the time to write that epic post! it's really helpful and v much appreciated.

we're in sussex/surrey area if you know any reputable rescue places round here I could visit?

OP posts:
Haggyoldclothbatspus · 05/10/2011 22:51

My next dog will be a miniature, wirehaired Daschund. They are small, outdoorsy and full of character.
My current dog is a Cock Up! His mum was my beloved cocker, his dad is a collie x basset hound. He is a bloody wonderful dog, quiet, sensible, well behaved and sweet. I can take him anywhere, and he is great with the kids. He also makes a lovely, silky snuggly hot water bottle in the winter when its cold! Grin
Although none of these facts actually help the OP. as he is a total 1 off,(Actually, 2 off, he has 1 sister) and there will never be any more! Sad

EBDteacher · 05/10/2011 22:52

We have a greyhound and a lurcher. They are both BIG. Thing with needlenoses is that they won't tuck up to sleep (legs everywhere) and No Way will they sleep on anything less that double thickness duvet... preferably a sofa... from a reputable furniture shop..

So they do need space.

We've had GH form a puppy so she has good recall- but we've had to put a huge amount of work into that. L is a rescue- he has recall as long as there is absolutely nothing else to think about. L is very loving indeed in the house (think all 5 stone of him in your lap) GH much less bothered- prefers her own space.

When they were younger (5ish now) they would chase anything that ran away from them... including other dogs.. despite us being experienced owners and doing loads of socialisation- so be prepared for finding strategies to deal with that.

Other than that- yeah- a sighthound every time. They are fantastic!

greengoose · 05/10/2011 22:55

We have a German Shorthaired Pointer, and we got her as a pup when one DS was 6 and the other was 2. I chose the breed because the bite reflex has been bred out of them as retrievers, which means even if my now 4 yr old jumps on her tail, she will not bite. (She is meant to retrieve game without breaking its skin, and just WILL NOT bite). I would never trust a dog completely with children, but she has never done anything out of line. My 4yr old loves her totally, and although I am not a dog person, I also love her to bits.
Our vet says he is surprised that more families dont chose the breed, although they are not for first time dog owners perhaps, as they do need to be central to the family, and get sad if they are not fussed over.... they are also IMO the most beautiful puppy ever (huge ears)!

Merrylegs · 05/10/2011 23:02

My whippet is up on my profile page for a short while - loyally waiting for someone to play with him....

PersonalClown · 05/10/2011 23:03

We have a Staffy and a Labradoodle in this house and as much as I love my Doodle to bits, I'm sticking with the Staffy!

Less hair, less grooming and I'll be honest, I love the bouncy puppy personality!!

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 05/10/2011 23:03

i am certain that any dog we get will most definitely be very, very, very fussed over!

I mainly want to get one for ds1's benefit. He has ASD and I think would really benefit from having a pet to love and nurture who will give something back (unlike his fish) to him.
So, I wonder if a puppy would be better in that respect simply because it would be very cute and lovely and could grow with him iyswim? and maybe that would create a more special bond between them?

i am prob being overly idealistic though! and i do know that puppies are v. v. v. v. hard work!

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisyesterday · 05/10/2011 23:03

aww merrylegs, he is lovely

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisyesterday · 05/10/2011 23:04

as is your dd!

OP posts:
Merrylegs · 05/10/2011 23:05

Grin. v companionable are whippets.

DooinMeCleanin · 05/10/2011 23:12

The most loving dog I've ever known was my childhood dog, a Doberman named Shera. The children in the street would knock on the door and ask if she was playing out Smile

Closely followed by my fostered Grey - who wakes me up each night when DH brings her upto bed by giving me a goodnight kiss and also likes to play at being a bed Must be a sighthound thing Grin

After those two it would be Whippy or my Mum's little black lab (rip).

chickchickchicken · 05/10/2011 23:33

i would recommend a TVRD (thoroughly vetted rescue dog). i have a son with AS and i think its very important for you to know the dog's temperament. you can only know this for certain if you adopt an adult dog. there is no guarantee even if you have a puppy from 8wks what the dog will turn out like

we have a collie cross (possibly with whippet). we adopted him when he was 1 or 2 (rescue thought 2, vet thought more likely 1yrs). he was thoroughly assessed as being suitable to be rehomed with children. we could see before we adopted him that he was very affectionate, loved being with my son (we did a few visits), and was a submissive type dog

Val - i love the sound of the JRT. as you know my fave breed. OP - i have two jrts as well. lovely dogs but high energy. great fun to train. the opposite of the collie cross in many ways. he sometimes looks at them like this Hmm

NunTheWiser · 06/10/2011 06:20

We have a 15 month old lab who is great with the kids and very sociable. Loves people and other dogs. She's very bouncy though. I think labs tend to stay puppies for quite a long time.

NunTheWiser · 06/10/2011 06:30

Sorry, posted too soon. I'm also volunteering at our local (reputable, no-kill policy) rescue centre. There are so many wonderful dogs out there who don't have homes through no fault of their own. The rescue centre trainers spend a lot of time learning about each dog and working out just what sort of family and home would work best. You'd get a much better match for your family if you do down this route. They are usually past the very intense and demanding daft pup stage and you have a lot of back up support from the rescue centre even after you take the dog home.
Even if you go for a purebred that has a reputation for docile temperament and being good with children, every pup / dog is different and there is no guarantee that a pedigree dog will turn out as it is "supposed" to.

LtEveDallas · 06/10/2011 06:39

We have a Rescue dog. She's a Collie X Springer (we think, although we wonder if there is a bit of whippet in the mix). We got her as a pup, she's now nearly 2 and is DDs best friend. She's bloody wonderful! (pic on profile)

When we were being homechecked the lady came with a Cavalier, and said that for homes with children she would recommend Cav all the time. I have to say I've certainly never met a bad one, but I think the grooming would put me off.

No matter what you get I think training and socialisation should be your no1 priority. Our mutt is wonderfully trained, and is the most social dog (with other dogs and kids) that you are likely to meet. It is great to be able to relax a bit knowing that you've got a good 'un.

My boss has lots of dogs, but her Rotties are her stars. The oldest is a true gent, nothing riles him, the youngest is bouncy and loud, but also gentle and friendly.

I'm waffling but - + deed not breed, training, socialisation and love and you'll get a good'un.

Naughtynina · 06/10/2011 10:02

Pug!

Ephiny · 06/10/2011 10:33

Is there a particular reason you want a small-ish dog? Just asking because many of the calmest, most gentle and steady, good-with-children dogs I know also tend to be the larger ones! I also had a preference for smaller breeds when looking for a dog initially, but somehow ended up with the lovely big boy you can see on my profile :)

I agree it's all about the individual dog, and how they've been trained and socialised, that counts for more than breed (though I've never met a calm non-excitable terrier either!)

Phwooooar · 06/10/2011 10:38

Just throwing in a vote for Irish Setter.. The most kind, gentle, loving dogs, adore children - just need plenty of exercise..

widdles · 06/10/2011 10:42

i have to say staffordshire bull terrier all the way we had ours the day before dd1 (13 yrs) was bor and he was the best dog with the best temprement and always loyal.
He is sorely missed by us all

Carrotsandcelery · 06/10/2011 11:09

chick our dog is a collie cross rescue dog too and we suspect with a whippet or lurcher or similar. We got him to support our ds who has mental health problems. He is the most patient, loyal and loving dog and has helped ds enormously.

I agree that with an adult rescue dog you have a much better idea what you are getting. They do need to be thoroughly vetted for homes with children though.

We feel like we have won the lottery with him though. He was about 18 months when we got him and is 3 now and the most adored and pampered member of the family.

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