Advice needed re the right breed for us

[iloveblue]

Hello all

We have been thinking about getting a dog for around 2 years, but decided to wait till our boys were a bit older. They are now 6 and nearly 8 and we think it may be the right time.
We have a smallish house with a garden and a field 2 mins away. The dog would have two walks a day plus any extra - we don't have a car so walk a lot, so it could come back and forth to school etc.
We have a house rabbit who has run of the dining room so would need to take that into consideration.
It would need to be easy to train as I would like it to come everywhere with us including on the train.
I would love a big dog (have always had a yearning for an Old English Sheepdog) but realise that might not be such a good idea in a small house.
I have done some research but not really getting anywhere.
Any suggestions and advice would be very gratefully received
Many thanks in advance

Bernese here, him indoors has a Leonberger. Big dogs, small house. Works for me ! Love love love the temperaments of big gentle dogs.

Having said that, maybe you should stop looking for the right breed and just start looking for the right dog IYSWIM. Take the children along with you, a dog's reaction to them will tell you so much more than a book on specific breeds.

Wow what gorgeous breeds. blistory I'd never heard of either of those so googled them. So beautiful.
charlearose we had a boxer when I was little so I do have a soft spot for a wrinkly face.

OP there is no reason why you cant have a big dog in a small house but there are some practical issues you need to consider. Big dogs not only take up more room so do their accessories bigger bed, more food to store a big dog can eat 4 cans of dg food a day thats 28 cans a week you cant buy a 2kg bag on dog food you have to buy one of those big sacks have you got somewhere to store it, bigger crate (if you use one) more hair dropping around, bigger water bowl Im always knocking ours over, if you allow them on the furniture they are going to take up more room, you might need another sofa for example have you got the space? Bigger dogs can jump higher walls/gates if necessary we can confine ours to one room with a board that we can step over, our big dog would jump even a dog gate from a stand still. People are frequently more wary of bigger dogs could you put it in another room if necessary when visitors come round? Bigger dogs = bigger poos how big is you garden? I use tiny freezer bags to pick up my dog poo when we had big dogs I used supermarket bags. None of these are reason not to get a big dog but you just need to consider all the practicalities.
Its really hard to choose a dog breed my advise buy a book about dog breeds identify the ones you like the look of don't be swayed by current fashion look up the internet the specific breed clubs for the dogs you've identified most are very honest about their breed becasue they dont want the dog being in the wrong situation. Also look at any specific breed rescue organisations because they too will often give an honest portrayal of a breeds strengths and weaknesses and why they are often re homed. Talk to good breeders whose details can also be obtained from specific breed clubs again good breeders who will take back a dog if necessary will give you an honest picture of you chosen breeds.
We all have our favourite breed(s) and think that its better than others I love German short haired pointers (although sadly now lack the lifestyle for one) and am not mad on labs. We have just got a miniature poodle I've always wanted one and think he's fab, others like staffs, whippets etc no one is wrong you just have to find the dog that you like and also that suits your lifestyle.

We have a german shorthaired pointer - he is amazing with our three little kids (oldest is six). He hates being left on his own and needs to run off the lead for an hour every day - walking to school a nice extra for him but not the important bit. i think he would chase the rabbit though being a gundog :)

The other issue with a big dog is the car. I love standard poodles but one would just wouldn't fit in my car a small estate Id have to fold it up and we rarely take the dogs in the car but everyone has to sometimes. Our current two dogs are smallish and although we have boot if the push came to the shove could sit on your lap but no one wants a 75lb german short haired pinter on your lap for 200 miles.
shoutymcshoutsmum GSP are gorgeous but as you said need loads of exercise we had a different life style when we had one maybe in the future.....

I got a new puppy a few weeks ago hes a French bulldog and he is perfect for us. We are in a simillar situation with a small house which we rent so couldnt have a big dog and with a toddler cant go for big walks. He is 16 weeks old now and a brilliant little dog so good with my little boy and very easy to train, they are very intelligent and playful and only need short walks a couple of times a day.

Regarding travelling by train, I think you are expected to have your dog travel in a crate for the journey, at least you are here in Northern Ireland. Buses may also have restrictions, so I would suggest contacting your local bus service and train service to ask regarding dogs travelling.

Have you considered attending a puppy class and asking the trainers/owners there what they advise? It is a good way to see how your DCs will cope with the puppy bouncies, etc. I know that some children find young dogs to be a little overwhelming at first...and vice versa, of course!

I saw a lovely Old English Sheepdog the other day, you have just reminded me.

Thankyou all for taking the time to give me advice - especially happygardening.
Just seen some lovely labradoodle pups advertised.
Does anyone know anything about their temperament?
TIA

There's been quite a lot on the doghouse about labrdoodles and look the labradoodle rescue uk website they will dispell any myths. We have one in our town it looks like a small polar bear and is at times completely out of control I uderstand this is not an uncommon situation!

We have 3 collies in a small house. We are always tripping over each other, and the dogs' crate is massive, but provides off-floor space to dump stuff on. We managed to fit all 3 dogs, 2 children and 2 adults, plus loads of packing and dog food in a Nissan Micra. It was a bit of a squidge, but we still managed it. I think Blistory's idea is good, to start looking not for a specific breed but for a dog that suits you and your family. I never thought I'd be able to look after a collie but now I'm a bit hooked. A good dog rescue could be a good place to start. They are very good at asking the right questions, so even if you didn't take a dog home, you would have a clearer idea of what you like.

Action Aid for Animals www.romaniaanimalaid.co.uk/ have some lovely dogs, some are bigger shepherd type dogs you may like. Also www.streetdogrescue.com/ (Rudozem Street Dog Rescue) has some gorgeous pooches. They do regular runs to UK to bring dogs over. I think cost is about £250-300. Also look at www.siriusdogsanctuary.com/en/home. They have some lovely hunting dog/pointer crosses etc. I know they are all abroad but they have type of dog that you never seem to see in UK so may be of interest. Good luck