Please advise: family freindly dog breeds and where to get one

[wailinmytale]

DH and I are relatively experienced dog owners, oldest DC is very used to dogs and other animals DC2 is only 2 but has been around dogs too.

We have not had a dog for 18 months after our last attempt at adoption of a mature Border Terrier ended in disaster - he turned out to be very violent to other dogs and bit DC1 when he (the dog) was attempting to get into another fight we did try training but the bite was the last straw.

We all would like another dog, I am insisting on a puppy (maybe 2?) and preferably a bitch, but we cannot agree on the bread. I would love a Standard wirehaired Daschund but DH thinks they are lapdogs and I cant seem to sway him.

The breed must not be big - no bigger than a Standard Daschund - preferably wire haired, must have a reputation as an excellent family pet, must not be a hunting type dog like a jack russel, must not be overly energetic like a Springer spaniel or a Collie. It should not be too strong for an 11 year old to take on short walks and should be able to put up with a toddler pulling its ears every now and then.

We will consider a cross breed but must be able to see both parents, and I think we would even consider an older dog if we could meet the previous owners and have a good idea of its past and temperament but I wont adopt from the pound again after the last fiasco (I know its a shame to be so biased but I have small children to consider and also I get very attached to my dogs and the last one broke my heart).

Any suggestions welcome please. Also where do you buy a dog from? is there a special classified section somewhere that I just don't know about? The only place I know is the Pets at Home notice board...

WAilin, though it doesn't probably feel like it, that's actually a good position to be in. I would put yourself in the hands of Hope Rescue, explain your requirements, and ask them to find a couple of suitable matches. They will know the dogs in their care very well and will be delighted to have a sensible adopter who isn't hung up on a particular breed/colour/sex etc. Once they've done the hard work of finding you a shortlist, you can then see what they come up with.

Good luck [hsmile]

why did you put the happy staffies site up. Mines had a terrible time recently. She was attacked by 2 patterdales. She immediatley hit the floor and didt fight back. She had one attached to her face and one attached to her back legs. 3 dogs and 2 people. What a nightmare. The kids dad was bitten as well as the neighbour. I also had a patterdale cross. Unfortunately the staff was a wreck around her. She would do anything to get away from her. The patterdale was always the dominent dog even before the attack.

I found a lovely home for my patterdale x. She lives with a teacher from the local comp whos elderly dog recently passed away. Shes been there about 4 months now. He uplodas photos onto FB for me. She goes to seahouses in the caravn every other weekend and had 2 labs and a springer to play and go on walks with. I dont think she misses me at all. He absolutely adores her and she him. She was always a mans dog whereas the staffs all for woman.

I dont know why they have a reputation as a fighting dog. Mine doesnt even know how to fight. She is very wary now around dogs. I dont think she would attack but she now retaliates if a dog runs up to her. Not fighting just a rarr to keep away.

I know a few people with them and there all the same, soft as muck

My Staffie, Porridge, came from Many Tears. He is wary of other dogs because they always seem to want to have a go at him. Since he has been with us he has got a bit more confident but he is still very wary of Collies and Spaniels

We had 2 pups at the same time (different breeds) and at the time we got them we also had a 10 month pup.

Yes it was mad, but it was the best thing ever, they grew up with the children and never once did we have aggression. They were all boy dogs and they all had the snip.

It doesn't always mean it is a bad thing to have 2 pups.

I think any breed after being attacked would go on the defense. Its unfortunate that only staffie attacks get widespread media coverage. Does them no favours really. At the same time as a staffie attacked there were 4 other dog attacks by 4 different breeds. Guess which one made the press .

Have you had much esperience with pit bulls dogs. I must admit i think i would be wary of them but that just makes me a total hypocrite.

i meant to add dogs on the end re the pit bulls

A problem I came across a lot with my staff bitch was that other dogs did attack her a lot ( I don't know why as she was very unassuming) but, because she was staff, she was the dog blamed for the attack but, also because she was staff, her bite hurt the other dog a lot more than his hurt her when she did retaliate. I used to walk her a long way from other dogs for this reason. Another problem I found was that she brought the worst out in men; I mean they seemed to become very macho and feel that it effected their manhood if she beat them at tug of war. She always won tug of war (she was as stubborn as me )

My brother had a cocker spaniel. He was a bad-tempered little bastard, thoroughly spoilt and would always get involved in fights in the park, although they always maintained he was "picked on."
But I now have a spaniel cross-breed who is a dream. Very laid-back.
Nurture not nature, I reckon.