Please help me narrow down a breed choice for a family dog.......!

[muffinchops]

I have always adored dogs and have never had one. I have 3 children (10, 6 and 4) and am a sahm. We are lucky to have a relatively large house and garden. I am putting in a lot of effort into researching the various breeds but am now becoming overwhelmed by all the pros and cons.

I was always intent on getting a Weimaraner, but I think they may be a bit too flighty and not so good as a first time owner. So, currently I have narrowed it down to labrador, vizsla, cocker spaniel, whippet/greyhound ( quite a varied shortlist, I appreciate). I had also looked at cockerpoo, but am a bit wary of the whole cross breeding issue.

I would HUGELY appreciate any wisdom from you lucky dog owners. I am prepared to take plenty of time to ensure we get the right dog for our family where it will be totally love bombed!

Please help, feel my head is going to explode. Have even started dreaming dogs!

They certainly arefanny, I can't help doing the wheeeee noises with mine and they seem so happy. Your Lurcher sounds lovely.

I know just what you mean Fanny. cmotdog now has a lurcher friend who comes to run with him, and to watch them put the afterburners on and just run and run is amazing. And gives me so much pleasure

We go to a 'friendly dog club' sometimes - our lurcher spends most of the time telling the other owners that she's starved and that they keep their treats in 'that pocket' .. 'no, that one, look I can push it with my nose, here.. yes, you do have some left...' However, sometimes she surprises everyone and roars off after the saluki lurcher that normally acts as the 'lead' on the running games - she's the only one that can make him put the after burners on and she can keep up, but just doesn't have the stamina for that speed for too long! I love the smile they have coming back from a run like that (and normally tongue hanging out at the side)

I would also say to consider a King Charles. They're very easy to train and an ideal first dog.And perfect sizefor dsmall children.

Ooh dog club sounds fab. I met a woman with some salukis and my hairy monster kept up! I was . We are going to meet for some more off lead fun soon. My dog just lives for playing with other dogs.

I've thought of a very good thing about lurchers/whippets/greys - after a muddy walk they just need a paw rub and a wipe down. I went out with my friend and her cockerpoo today. Her mostly white cockerpoo. When we came home he was a brown cockerpoo and needed to be put immediately in the shower!

I agree with that - I look at all these 'low to the ground' dogs in this weather and think how much easier my long-legged hound must be in this weather - just a towel of legs when we get in....

We have a rough collie - picture on my profile. He's my 2nd one and dh's 3rd. We find their temperament really suits us - they're relatively placid dogs which while enjoying a walk will also settle quietly and sleep. They're easy to train. We were very careful this time to research breeders to ensure we got an outgoing dog with a good temperament - there has been a lot of inbreeding and you do come up against quite nervous dogs sometimes.

Very sweet 2 yr old border terrier girl here

Lady T - link doesn't work - page not available.

Sorry! Was on an FB group for rescue Angels Animal Rescue. This was the description (and v sweet photo to go with it). Their website is angelsanimalrescue.weebly.com/. She's not actually on the website yet - FB pages are often more up to date...

This is poppy she's a 2yr old border terrier she's a very gentle little girl and she loves her cuddles. She's not going to be ready for another 6/7 wks but home checks and reserves can be done. If your interested in giving this little beauty her forever home plz comment below or contact a member of the admin team x