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

[thisisyesterday]

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

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

If I lived in the SE, I would be running the risk of snapping up this lab/bassett hound cross (although other people here are more knowledgeable on whether it is a good rescue or not):

www.dogsblog.com/dyson-2/

I have a sort of Bassett and he is so cuddly, docile but can be excited in a good way if you are playing a game - the name does suggest he might be prone to hoovering everything up though!

sorry, bad link:

www.dogsblog.com/dyson-2/

Whippets!! Every time!
Our's is the sweetest most loyal best friend my DS (2) will ever have!. She just had 5 very cute blue puppies, my DS treats them as his own. Can't rate them highly enough!

Good old fashioned Heinz57 varieties of what the fuck is in you then.

Seconded by greyhounds but Madam Pointynose IS hard work and a stroppy little mare!

We'll be getting a TVRD if ever we ever get another dog (sobs at very thought of circumstances that would allow this), but, and I know this is controversial, but my two rottweilers have been perfect family pets.

They are clever, eager to learn and quick to train. You have to be firm, they must know you are in charge, but as soon as they realise this they accept it and are very obedient. Neither of mine are barkers, they don't excite easily, and are very steady. They absolutely adore my 3 year old, they all play beautifully together, and they are more than willing to act as teddy bears for her.

Gentler than you'd expect, and absolute people pleasers. Loyal, beautiful, and good for warming feet on a cold night.

(I'm a bit biased, you might be able to tell)

the reason we would like a smaller dog is that we don't have very much space at home. downstairs we only have small kitchen, hallway and a lounge/diner so we simply don't have space for a big dog to fit in there too!
ds1 isn't keen on bigger dogs (like my friend's greyhound) but really loves smaller ones like the miniature schnauzer down the road

A Cavalier King Charles-If you want a small dog that is happy to be cuddled and petted all day long.All the ones i have known have been very placid and tolerant.If you need a more lively dog who's happy to run round all day with the dc's and is bright and mischievious-a Cocker Spaniel .I would echo going to a reputable rescue though as puppies really are a lot of work being somewhat similar to babies in the first few weeks.

cryhavoc - not controversial at all IMO, rotts are very good family dogs as a rule, such a shame the (undeserved) reputation puts people off. My boy is just like you describe actually (including the feet-warming!)

Agree about Cavaliers if you prefer a small breed, would probably be more suitable than (most) terriers. I've never known one that wasn't absolutely lovely :)

I had a Cavalier king charles and Staffordshire bull terrier as a child, the staffy loved to play and the cavalier liked to sleep. :)

Whippet every time.

Dyson is fab Soooo cute and looks sooooo sad

My dachshund would fit the bill. Compact without yards of legs sprawling all over the place, perfect lapdog... but great walker too. Quite laid back (except when someone comes to the door, obviously!)

It really is the dog, not the breed.

Do you have a mini or standard Grimma? :)

Standard shorthaired. Very clean, small but not too small.

Huge bark for the amount of dog though - which I quite like as I'm often in the house alone.

I have a miniature shorthaired.

He's all bark. :o

anyone have any tips on persuading reluctant dps to allow a dog into the house?

I was going to say that although I'm not aquainted with them Lea Valley DR look good, all the right policies in place and a big thumbs up from me, going on what their website says.

But... you've presented a problem. :(

No reputable rescue will rehome unless ALL the adults in the home are on board with owning a dog. Otherwise that way marital arguments and dogs bouncing back to rescue lies.

I would get rid of the DP but I guess that's not much help to you! :o

All I can say is sit him down and find out what his concerns or objections are. If they are about rescue dogs show him this thread (but don't agree with me that it's a good idea to get rid of him for goodness sakes! :o ).

If there are other concerns, are they valid and might you have to agree and dismiss or defer the idea of having a dog? Or can you come up with solutions?

Hard to say more without knowing what DPs worries and objections are.

I hope you can work it through with him, you sound lovely and you've clearly given this a lot of thought.

yesterday our doctor recommended it for ds and then he agreed. He adores the dog now he is here and can't imagine not having him. Getting our dog was the best decision we ever made for our family.

don't worry, i wouldn't get one if DP wasn't on-board... hence my need for persuasive techniques

I did earlier say "baby or dog" and he said baby!!!!! wasn't expecting that lol

I am working on him though. I think his main concerns are not having enough space, the cost (our rabbits have cost a lot over the last couple of years), and that they smell!

but I may be able to bring him round to the idea cos I really think it would be beneficial for ds1, and that's got to count for something surely??

also, space-wise we are hoping to move as and when a suitable house comes up in our (very small) chosen area.
so we may well wait until we've found soemwhere and moved before we actually get a dog because I think it would be a bit stressful for a dog to come to us and get used to it all and then have to move and start over again.
so hopefully we will have more space in the not too distant future anyway

carrots that's good to hear! i like positive stories :)

You could tell him that our dog has cost us a lot less than our rabbits actually. We also get a lot more back from the dog than we do from the rabbits.

Is he ever away or out at night. The dog makes me feel a lot safer when dh is away or out late.

Do you work? If not, a dog is company for you through the day and will distract you from other past times like shopping and the like

There are huge health benefits to having a dog. Your whole family will walk more and therefore be healthier.

In the holidays you are more likely to go for a walk and a picnic with the dog than spend a fortune at shops, cinemas, restaurants, theme parks etc. Cheap and healthy entertainment.

Dogs are great companionship for dcs when they are finding life tough. The dog always loves them and always listens. We all need that sometimes.

I could go on and on and on...

Emglish bulldog. Calm, loyal and loving. And very, very funny.

carrots - i like your way of thinking

Lab/collie cross