Would like advice on breed?

[TheSarcasticFringehead]

We are a very active family. Have had a dog before for five years, but it was quite a rushed decision (sudden illness of a friend), he was a greyhound who died two years ago. DC are older although not yet teens and are mature around animals, but I would be looking for a medium or small dog. Have quite a lot of space and DH works at home, considering becoming a SAHP. We are in a hot area (not in the UK), not scorching and in the 40s type hot, but still hot enough for a shaggy type dog to probably not be that happy (although I've noticed some being walked around here).

I grew up with border collies but can't find any that aren't a good few hours away tbh. If anyone can help, it would be great! Our greyhound was lovely, but there are a few lurcher rescues nearby which might mean a more active dog as that's what we'd prefer?

I would definitely recommend a Lurcher - but will admit to being slightly biased.

A smooth-coat would cope better with the heat, but may need sunscreen in certain places (my pup needs it on his nose).

Smaller lurchers are likely to be those with Whippet in the mix and if you're lucky you might get one with both Whippet and Collie in there.

My Lurchers can be incredibly lazy and are happy to sleep all day after a good walk with some time for off-lead zoomies, but can also handle spending all day out and about walking with us at weekends and holidays. Both have exceptionally good natures and are lovely with my dcs (12, 10 and 5).

I'd go for a smooth lurcher too . I work from home, and mine is happy to snore on a bed while I work, but run 14km with me on the lead, or zoom madly up and down on the hills, or play cricket with ds. He's soft as butter, and doesn't fidget around like a BC would (I grew up with them)

In the spirit of biased recommendations the other Borders (terriers) are a great option for an active family who want a small dog. They can go for miles as were bred to follow the hunt and tend to enjoy playtimes too making them a good choice for an active family.

They are independant little characters and are definitely terriers but are also loving and tend to be even tempered.

A chihuahua from a good breeder. Incredibly hardy little beasts full of love and personality. I am of course biased but my very traditional staffie owning dp scoffed at the idea until I brought one home, and he's a total convert. They cope extremely well in the heat too!

My aunt has a chihuahua (a deer head one?) and he's lovely, very gentle. Their neighbor's boxer is terrified of him apparently. I think I'm going to check out a lurcher rescue, although DH seems quite keen on the chihuahua idea, so there's no real conclusion yet!

We have an almost 14 week old 'apple head' She's been with me for five weeks now and I'm ridiculously besotted. I run a dog nanny/boarding business so she's been out with me and my massive doggy clients (terriers/lurchers/spaniels/staffies/wheaton) in our local woods from pretty much day one, and she's utterly fearless. Her bff is a huuuge retired greyhound that I look after. We were concerned that other dogs may not 'get' her being a dog, but they don't seem to notice her size, and are mostly gentle apart from a socially inept Manchester Terrier who needs keeping an eye on most of the time anyway

My reasoning for a chihuahua was so she wouldn't need tons of walks on my days off, but she can keep up with the pack no problem at all. Because she's titchy we are really finding managing her puppydom a breeze. She has designated areas to roam free (outside/in her large crate indoors and obvs when we're at the park) and sleeps in a gardening trug at the side of my bed at night! Other than that she's really happy to be cuddled and petted in arms.... sigh....

Blimey, I've gone all chihuahua evangelical

Oh and her poos and wees are tiny!