Family dog recommendations?

[thebabywife]

Can anyone help? We are looking to get a dog in the new year (once I'm finished work and will be at home to devote enough time to a new puppy)

I'm not a fan of little dogs (although do have soft spots for cocker spaniels and king charles cavaliers) and would prefer a big soft lump of a dog....any recommendations for a breed that would cope well in a family environment (baby, 2 cats and a husband). I know the obvious choice is a Lab, but thinking away from that, what would be top of your list?

Thanks

x

[MiseryBusiness]

To be honest there are some breeds that are known to be good with families but really it does depend on your particular family too.

How much exercise per day are you all willing to commit?
Grooming requirements?
Do you mind the house being covered hair and hoovering 3 times a day?
Have you ever owned a dog before (not one you have grown up with/your parents had, one that you, yourself have been the main carer for)?
How much time do you have for training?

There are so many different things that can match you to a dog and not just whether the particular breed is good with children.

[thebabywife]

We have a large garden, and 7 mile long woodland footpath 200 yards from our house so exercise wise we would manage 1-2 hours a day without feeling it as a chore (as I would be out walking anyway, dog or not)

Hair not an issue - used to furry cats and constant hoovering.

Have owned a dog, and horses before moving in to the city centre (thankfully we have escaped again now!), so used to the grubby, tiring aspects of animal ownership

Training would obviously be an on-going, day to day thing, but we would be doing puppy training classes to ensure we all sing off the same hymn sheet with regards to behaviour

Grooming - would prefer a dog that doesn't need to be clipped, but not adverse to a breed that will require a good daily groom

[WoodRose]

IMHO, Woodland walks + big lump of love = Welsh or English Springer Spaniel.

[Marne]

Springer sapaniel -although they can be a little mad for the first 5 years
Lab
Staffie (although they get a lot of bad press), we have one and she's great with the kids and loves the cat (see pic's on my profile).
Greyhound - if you can find one that is ok with cats
Labradoodle?

[littlemissnormal]

We have 2 german shorthaired pointers and a working cocker spaniel. All of these are brilliant with our kids; gentle, responsive and playful although the GSPs do have a tendency to clumsiness.

[thekingfisher]

my friends standard schnauzer is fabulous and lovely and is great with their family..however 'loves' cats ( not in a good way) however has not been brought up with them.iyswim

[thebabywife]

Thank you - springers and gsp's are on my list (although we are lacking in breeders in GSP's up here in NE Scotland, but am willing to travel for the right breeder/pup)

[MiseryBusiness]

Springers are great dogs when trained well. Loveable, affectionate and friendly. They love a good yomp so 1 - 2 hours a day is a must.

We have Dalmatians, they are very loving, tactile and just want to be part of the family. Their exercise requirements are slightly higher. They need 2hours a day and a good run/jog every now and again. They shed constantly so we have to hoover several times a day. They eat everything, counter surfing is a way of life. They are easy to train. Great with the children. They do have some health issues that you would need to be aware of.

Cocker? I know some lovely ones?

[thebabywife]

CSAP - gorgeous dogs!

MiseryBusiness - are all Dalmations prone to specific health problems, or with a good breeder are you likely to avoid them?

DH keen on Weimaraners and Viszlas....anyone any experience with them? I know Weimaraners are highly intelligent and need a lot of consistent and firm training

Having grown up with springers in the family, they are a favourite on the list

[Marne]

Also check your local re-homing centre as they often have pups and yound dogs that have already been tested out on cats and children, you don't always know what you are getting with a pup.

I grew up with a springer, he was very hyper but mellowed out as he got older. I then bought one from a breeder when i left home (i must have been 18/19) and he was a lovely dog, i had trouble house training him and he chewed a few things up but he was grea on and off the lead and easy to train. Sadly i had to give him to a friend as i had to move to a flat (was very sad to see him go). I then bought Lily (my white staffie) when dd2 was 2 and she has been a fab dog, she sleeps with the cat and follows the dd's around everywhere.

[Incaminka]

You can get long haired Weimeraners.... how about a Large Munsterlander or a Gordon Setter?

[thebabywife]

Not overly keen on Gordon Setters, just personal preference. The Munsterlanders look lovely

[MiseryBusiness]

thebabywife - Between 10 - 12% of all Dalmatian's are born deaf, therefore it is very important to find a breeder that BAER hearing tests all their puppies. Not many do but it is very important. I some problems families have with Dallies is due to the fact they are unaware their dog is deaf.

They suffer from hyperuricemia with means you have to be very careful what you feed them and they can get very ill. Any food high in purines is a no no.

With Dalmatian's you really do need to find a good breeder. One that only breeds to improve the breed not because they are lovely looking or popular or have great spots. Over breeding in Dalmatians since the film has caused problems.

IMO they are great dogs but when I say they need a lot of exercise, they really do. My DH does a 10 mile plus run with ours at least twice a week.

[thebabywife]

Definately one to do a lot of research in to breeders then. It's such a big decision, and something so important to get right - hence the starting early!

[tattychicken]

We have a Wirehaired Viszla - she is wonderful. Great with the kids, easy to train, bit gangly and clumsy still but she's only 15 months and is getting better. A beloved member of the family. Needs lots of exercise but most big dogs do. Would thoroughly recommend one.

[MrsClown]

Why dont you contact breed rescue organisations. I had a border collie for years and she was my best friend and loved the kids. Only down side is that they do shed hairs all the year round but IMO it is worth it. I know you said you liked bigger dogs but I now have a toy poodle and he is amazing. He was 9 when we got him and has fitted in really well. He lives with a cat and even uses the cat flap to go in the back garden when I am out. I am told by a dog trainer that poodles are the 2nd most intelligent breed of dog (after the border collie). Standard poodles are lovely. Most breeds have a rescue organisation. At least that way you would get the breed you want and provide a home for a dog really needing one. Why pay £100s for a dog when so many need homes. My friend rescued a springer spaniel that way and he is lovely.

[AgathaFusty]

Standard Poodle

[MrsClown]

Yes standard poodles are great. They dont shed hair either.

[thebabywife]

Thanks for all your suggestions

I'm not keen on using our local rehoming centre - they have a page on FB and a lot of their dogs come back to them, so I don't know if they are just the best for matching dogs to families

[cogitosum]

A flat coat retriever? My parents have one and she's loooovely!

I have relatives with Dalmatians and both had serious health problems and didn't live beyond 8 - I think they are prone to health problems

[Toomanychoices]

My golden retriever is the best family dog we could have wished for. She is gentle, funny, playful and so so loving. The perfect family dog

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

Gsp all the way.

[Grannylipstick]

We had a great Dane. Then a miniature sausage dog. Both lovely temperaments