What's a good dog breed for a smallish house with 4 to 9 year olds?

[funchick]

I'm being pestered almost daily by my kids to get a pet.
I've no idea how it will work as our garden is about 30 foot square and we live in a terraced house.
Are there are any breeds which are possibles without upsetting the dear thing?
I know I'll end up walking it with hubbie until the eldest grows.

Cinnamon i was waiting for someone to say that.

I would really like a Bichon Frisee but don't know anyone that has one.

What are they like, temperament wise, are they high maintenance dogs?

We're also in a terrace with small garden but we back on to a park so have exercise space on our door step.

Please give me some ammunition to convince dh!

Poodles are fab.. just fab. Don't moult, inteligent, good with kids. Perfect

Hi we have a llasa x yorkie who is 18 months old I researched breeds before we got her as we have a cat and a rabbit plus 11 and 14 yr old dds. She is small, doesn't moult and doesnot try to escape every time the door is open (which is constant). She plays with the cat and rabbit fine, will walk without lead. She is happy to walk for an hour or two but doesn't want to go out in the rain. All in all the perfect dog

Cavalier king charles the most perfect dogs, loving gentle not yappy , loyal fun friendly. I could go on and on, amazing little dogs.....

I would say Labrador provided you have time to exercise it. Lovely temperaments and easy to groom and feed...as they eat anything, lol! Or a Springer Spaniel - my BIL has a working strain Springer and he is the sweetest little dog ever! So friendly and clever, and really obedient too. BIL always says he was a joy to train. He has three children around the ages you mention and their dog is great with them.

Agree with dooin greyhounds are the perfect dog, just so chilled and lazy but happy to go for walks when it suits them! They are always on couch but they curl up small

Disclaimer: I don't own a greyhound I own a lab he is a fantastic dog and we have a smallish house with massive garden and 3 kids under 5, but he is everywhere with his happy big love me face and wagging I love you tail!

Cavalier king charles. Soft and cuddly but very hardy too.

Oh yes, bichon frisees are fab. My neighbour has one. It's always alert and interested.

I've just done a quiz and narrowed it down to border terrier for our family.

I'd love a greyhound but we have a cat and our local GH rescue didn't have any with low prey drive.

I have then thought a smaller sized dog would give me the option of getting a little door flap put on the door to the back garden. A greyhound sized doorflap would be out of the question!

Those who have border terriers - how much walking do you do with them? Do they like lots of company? (I will probably need a dog walker or sitter when I go back to work).

Border Terriers are great too. Huge personalities.

We've gone for a Border Terrier. We collect him in just under 2 weeks so we are in the process of gathering together the things we need. I can't wait.

On the Border Terrier side of the fence here too.

Best dog bar none, despite his increasing tendency to wag his entire body when he's wet.

We got a Bichon when I was 18. She was the light of our lives. Such a lovely dog. Really good nature. Good lapdog but also went for walks. Didn't shed fur.

They really do need a regular groom, so they look naice rather than bedraggled My mum did a blow dry once a week!

I would love another, by DH isn't keen on "small yappy" dog, but I don't want a large hairy dog....so there is no dog.

Good luck OP.

Border terriers rock, although mine can be a grumpy bugger with other dogs. just the right amount of playful and full of persinality crossed with wants to curl up on the sofa., only malts when due for stripping, doesnt bring mud in as wont get her feet wet. pics on profile

Are border terriers yappy??

Dita does your BT often get dressed up?

I have a Border Terrier too and he is a lovely boy. Very affectionate and brilliant with children and other animals.

not even slightly yappy in fact cant remember the last time she barked, she very rarely gets dressed up, but she has such a great I am very pissed off with you face that i always take photos.

Whippet

Thanks to all for your replies - my there are a lot of dog lovers out there!
Yes I see everyone loves their own dogs too - still good to see what's working well!
I always had this idea that whippets need loads of exercise, although with the weather being what it is a hardy breed might be good.
Used to know a Cocker Spaniel and it went a bit crazy, very sad as it was in a good home but became confused.
We won't have too much time for walking the dog hence my concerns. What with school runs etc. I suppose the ideal dog would be small, gentle and needing relatively little exercise.
Saw a lovely poodle cross breed the other day which was so cuddly! Very tempted.

Anyway thanks for your ideas we'll check out some of these breeds more closely.