What are the most family friendly dog?

[Imsosorryalan]

Is there such a thing? One that loves everyone and everything? I would have said labs but I know some that hate other dogs so I'm not sure now! ( fantisising over my next dog as alandog hates all new people and all dogs)..

Labs are sound family dogs generally, it all depends on breeding, socialisation and individual personalities with any breed though.

All dogs are individuals, breeds will have tendencies but nothing is set in stone and there are no guarantees.

Also depends on the family, a Lab would certainly not be the perfect family dog for my family! Big, bouncy (often smelly, sorry Lab owners! ) not ideal at all for a small suburban house.

I got my first dog, a mini schnauzer, because they are supposed to have terrier looks but not the terrier temperament, ha! is all I will say to that, my schnauzer is very terrierry, high prey drive, independent, confident, digs, she's lovely but not what I was aiming for in a first dog.

So get the breed you want, from the best breeder you can find, do the best possible training and socialising..... and keep all your fingers & toes crossed!

King Charles cavalier , most beautiful temperament and low maintenance .

Cocker spaniels. Mad as hatters and permanently puppies but so friendly. Ours has unlimited patience with DD3 and has had since she was crawling!

Staffies are very loving and affectionate and v good with children - they're known as the nanny dog!

The right greyhound can be the perfect family dog. So many to choose from that your local branch of greyhound rescue are bound to have the right hound. Disclaimer: I'm biased

Get a breed you like ( or a cross of breeds you like) from a home that is as similar to yours as possible.

I'll freely admit that as a terrier fan labs always seem boring to me (sorry lab fans, I don't dislike any dog but I like sparky bloody naughty dogs).

But the ones my dog walking buddies have are all very friendly and tolerant.

The problem with recomending the perfect dog is that we all want different things. Mild mannered, meek and trotting by your feet is my idea of dull. The friendly but death defying (not to.mention selectively deaf) water seeking missile I love would be someone elses idea of

A nightmare! (posted too soon!)

Golden retriever! Mine lives for cuddles, fetching my slippers, retrieving the toys my nephew throws for her and hoovering any crumbs from the floor.

Downsides are lots of shedding and fondness for mud/puddles/cow poop.

Ha yes your right. I've learnt so much about reactive dogs over the last year as a first time dog owner it was a steep learning curve!
What do you suggest?

One hour walk a day tops
Compliant and easy to train
Happy to sleep if no action

Alternatively, post your requirements and we'll see if we can find you the perfect breed

Please consider a rescue dog - there are breed rescues if you want a particular breed, or you could go to the Dogs Trust or other reputable rescue, and they will help you find the right dog for you and your family. You may end up with a pure breed dog or a Heinz - but our ddog2 is a rescue (lab-pointer crossbreed) is from the Dogs Truat, and I cannot recommend them highly enough - we went there, her eyes met dh's across a crowded room kennel, and they fell in love.

She's curled up next to me on the couch, spoiled rotten - as is ddog1, a brown lab.

Border terriers. They look as if they have been designed to look like th prfct mongrel. They are sparky and fun, and just gorgeous!

Ahh now Curlew I have a Border and he is awesome in every respect but he doesn't tick a single requirement listed

I'd also add to STDs post by saying if you can get a rescue in foster care, ie in someone's home, that's even better.

Sadly alandog seemed lovely and happy in the kennels, but once home and the guard was let down, turned out to have a personality transplant!

We love our golden retriever, however the MUD. The lust for paddling, rolling and getting covered in it, is not for the faint hearted!
19 mo son and the dog have a wonderful bond and love cuddling together, and he fulfills all our requirement.

I do very occaisonally wish he was a smaller breed.

staffies

Labradors (and lab-pointer crosses) also love mud and water! but as they have short coats! it is easier to wipe off the mud and dry the dog. You need plenty of towels, though. And a very tough and understanding washing machine!

We have a Fox Red Labrador that is a brilliant family dog. He was a trained gun dog but needed rehoming as he was not a good working dog (scared of guns!).

He is quiet (hardly ever barks and if he does he makes himself jump), sleeps for 20 out of 24 hours every day, puts up with cuddles and kisses from DS2 and was a cat in a previous life I think!! BUT take him for a walk and he can run forever, loves to fetch, catch and swim and also attracts mud magnetically.

He fits into our family perfectly.

I have a Border Terrier who sleeps, doesn't need vast amounts of exercise, is loyal, dependable, selectively deaf, doesn't dig, doesn't chase my chickens, slightly whiffy and loves kids.

I also have a miniature labradoodle pup who is soft, fluffy, food obsessed, very clever, responding well to training, addicted to water, food obsessed, very agile, is a great jogging partner and is slightly barky (but only when she's pursuing our BT).

Staffie.

Easy to train, eager to please, love their people and brilliant with children.

My collie is amazing. But they need a lot of stimulating. He loves ds who is 2 and the cats

Our jrt.

I used to hate jrts. Swore u would never get one.

Ours does not snap , yap or nip , save occasionally .( he is still v young).

He adores being taken for walks, is good on recall, loves children, adores curling up beside you on a sofa or on your bed and sleeping for hours, greets you with enormous affection but understands if you don't want to be licked, is good in the car and stands patiently in the bath after an application of Eau de Renard. He loves being stroked, played with, sitting on your feet.

Being wire haired he moults less than many.

If you are miserable he comes to comfort you.

He is an effective Hoover of dropped food.

Staffies are great. 20mins a day walk is ok, they are happy to sleep for hours if left and they are very loving.
They are easy to train, but can become anti-social towards other dogs as they get older, so it's quite common to see them kept on leads.