Help us find the perfect dog breed

[sweetkitty]

We are planning to get a dog next year, very excited, I always had two dogs growing up, big lab/GSD cross types so know the work involved DH has never had a dog. We have had cats currently have one antisocial moggy.

We have 4 DC the youngest will be 3 next year hence the wait until he was a bit older. I don't work at present but will be looking for something part time and local or going back to college in the future. I would be around for at least the first year with the puppy all day.

DH runs Marathons and is looking for a running partner a big dog like a Dalmatian.

I would prefer a smaller Lhasa Apso type dog but don't mind a big one, my fab dog is a Newfoundland but prob impractical. I do quite like a gentle giant.

So we want a dog that's good with kids and can go running with DH oh and is lower maintenance.

Any ideas? I've heard Dalmatians not good with children?

Just to support what Esmereldada said, we had a beautiful springer who was bought as a puppy to be a gun dog, when we got him at 8 months his legs were already bent and got worse as he got older. This was the result (we think) or a combination of breeding and too much hard work too young.

He effectively came to us as a place of safety, his owner didn't want a dog that couldn't work and the breeder would only refund if he got the dog back to be pts. We gave up his KC registration and had him neutered so there was no chance of any bandy legged puppies (we also have a female springer).

if you are thinking of working in the future, i'd recommend not getting a dog at all.

or, failing that..rescue a greyhound. you'd be saving its life.

Have you considered a labradoodle, I have a 13 month old large labradoodle, he is a FANTASTIC dog brilliant with other dogs, and my 3 boys, even my chickens ! Obviously I am a bit bias, but if you are interested look on the labradoodle website. Good luck, getting a dog is fun.