Which breed

[mummyto2boysandagirl3]

Sorry this has probably been asked a thousand times but I'd like some breed suggestions please

In the next 12-24 months we would like to get a dog (doesn't need to b a puppy I'm just as happy with a slightly older dog) the reason for the wait is my ds1 &2 r on waiting lists for little ops and I feel knowing they r going to need me an awful lot upfront it'd b unfair to get one right now I also have dd almost 1 so she will b at a better age by then too and I do like to plan and research lol

We have a small house no private garden just a small open shared lawn with 5/6 neighbours but large fenced jn field over the road between me & dh we can do half hr walk in the morning and evening plus toilet trips during day (and night been a while since wev had dogs but I remember that they get up for late night toilet trips) I'm a sahm so dog will not b alone long and I'll likely take it with me on school run.
Me and dh grew up with dogs and would really love our dc to also but I will not be offended if anyone thinks we r unsuitable for any breed as I'd rather no dog than have one and it b unhappy.

We have considered

Greyhounds & whippets - were told by whippet breeder we r unsuitable for a sight hound as I only want one dog (reasons being if I had 2 and they got Ill vet bills might b a stress but we can cope with one)

French bulldog - dh isn't keen as he thinks they look like bats

Pug- dh thinks they're too small and the kids would scare it

Daschund - been told they r not good with kids and really yappy (I don't mind barking all dogs bark but don't want something that barks at it's own shadow iykwim)

Cocker spaniel/King Charles spaniel - we like these but neither of us have had spaniels so any advice welcome

Bichon frise- again like them but no experience with the breed

Boxers- dh absolute favourite I have heard they're high energy and I'm worried we are not suited at the moment

Cockapoo/cavachon- they look gorge but iv no experience with designer breeds tho from what iv read they look like they'd be great for us

Havanese- heard they're really rare also no experience with them so any advice welcome

I'm not a fan of bull terriers (bad experience as a youngster I know now it was the owner not the dog but I'm not sure I can get past it enough to have a staffy or similar in my house though I'm told they would be perfect)

I'm not too fussed about grooming or hair shedding my Hoover is always out anyway and I know a good groomer. We r currently the only ppl in the family without a dog and most of my neighbours have dogs so the dc r used to being around them (accept having one in our house wi b v different) we have had westies shelties collies and gsd between us and don't feel any of those breeds r right for us mostly discounting westies as my last 2 the mould was broken after them they were amazing and I don't want to feel I'm replacing them:)

Sorry that was v long winded u deserve a medal if uv made it this far :) I'm grateful for any advice u have and I won't b offended if I'm just being an idiot the welfare of any future dog is most important here so want to do my homework instead of rushing out and buying the first cute puppy I c Tia x

If you've considered Greyhounds and Whippets, have you considered a Lurcher. There are so many beautiful Lurchers of all sizes and mixes in rescue and lots of dedicated rescue groups such as Lurcher Link and Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue that rehome nationally and are fantastic at matching dogs to families.

It's true that many sighthounds do like canine company, but there are others who prefer to be only dogs in their homes and the rescue centres would be able to advise you on this. It sounds like you are in regular contact with plenty of other dogs for socialisation purposes and that's enough for some dogs.

Thank u moosemama we had thought of lurches as I really love sight hounds and have always wanted but the whippet breeder was really insistant that we were not right for a sight hound and she also keeps lurches and Irish wolfhounds so it's put me off she suggested a toy breed but I'm not sure they're a good idea with 3 kids tbh think they'd b scared. I'd love a big dog but I worry that it wouldn't be comfortable in the area I have that it can use as "it's" space also most large breeds require more exercise than I can offer ........ I'm prob sounding like I'm not good owner for any dog now lol

*lurchers stupid phone lol

Mistlehound, (who is a regular poster on MNDoghouse) has an 'only' Lurcher. It's by no means a given that they all need another dog to live with.

Exercise requirements would vary as well, according to the mix. Eg Saluki types tend to need more exercise than Greyhoundy types, as they were bred for running long distances in hot climates in order to run down deer etc and have a slightly different anatomy to accommodate those requirements. Greyhounds have a lot of smooth muscle and not a lot of the heavier, thicker muscle, which is why they are fantastic at taking off at speed and having a short blast of energy, but then need to sleep for the rest of the day to recover.

I think if you approach some other Greyhound charities for advice you will find they don't all agree that all Greys can't be rehomed as the only dog in the house. Some do seem to need sighthound company after being kennelled with other hounds all their life, but others adapt really well to being an only do. I know of several Greys that live quite happily as only pets.

Scuttlebutter on the pointy hound thread is actively involved in Greyhound rescue and would probably be the best person to advise you.

Why not come over to the pointy hound thread and ask a few questions over there as there are Lurcher (of varying mixes) Greyhound and Whippet owners over there who can share their experiences with you.

Thank u :) I shall pop over and have a read and maybe post once the dc r in bed.

We went to a greyhound rescue before I realised I was expecting dd and they were really nice and said they'd let us rehome subject to the home visit but dh thought they were almost a bit desperate (I thought more passionate about the breed) and then when we spoke to the whippet lady we thought perhaps it'd be the wrong thing to go back tho everyone I know that's doggy has said they thought a sight hound would b a good fit it worried us a bit x

I have an 'only' lurcher, and he's very happy. Low exercise needs, but given a chance will run for hours. He loves ds and all other children he's met, and is totally soppy. We got him from Evesham Greyhound and lurcher rescue at 6 months old.

They foster all their dogs so they really know them and how they get on with others/children/cats, and rehome across the country. If you like their page on fb you see the dogs as they come in.

Cavalier King Charles spaniel , wonderful temperament and very loving .

O my goodness just looked on Evesham greyhound and lurcher site there's at least 3 dogs there I'd love now :( so sad there's so many abandoned pooches

I'll just drop in and say I have an only greyhound and he's very happy as an only.

I reckon bichon frise. Please do reconsider a so called designer breed- they are a fashionable cross breed but there are plenty of dogs of all shapes and sizes in rescues who need homes. I'm not against buying a puppy but would never advocate a designer cross breed.