Very early though see getting a dog - all help appreciated!

[Hazelanne]

Bit of background - me: sahm, dh: 50hr/wk job, dd1 age 2, expecting dc2 due november.
Dh and I would love to get a dog but are having difficulties deciding when to do this, what breed to go for, puppy vs rescue etc etc.
Dh grew up with boxers and that would be his fav option in terms of breed but they just don't appeal to me in the same way - I much prefer the looks and traits of sighthounds and think that the amount of exercise a boxer thrives on might be stretching myself with 2 dc around, seeing as I will be the one doing most of the walking. (Will easily manage 2x40 min or 1x90 min walk a day).
Any suggestions for a compromise or reasons why one breed might suit us better than another?
Next question is puppy vs rescue dog, dh reckons that with a puppy you know from the beginning what the dog has been exposed to and what it is comfortable with and he sees getting a rescue as bringing an unknown volume of risk into a house with young children. Any thoughts on this?
And lastly, am I being an idiot for even considering getting a dog? Would be looking to have dog join us when dc2 is around the 18m point, so have a year and a bit to think this through as don't want to rush into anything.
Thanks for reading and any advice, suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.

Most people would recommend a rescue dog, given that there are thousands of unwanted dogs looking for new homes. However...I think with young children around, it is never worth the risk. There are no guarantees with any dog, but with a rescue dog and unknown history, I personally would not risk it with very small children.

In terms of the other stuff, it will be hard work getting a puppy with your children so young - hard work but not impossible! As long as you are prepared for it.

Breed - if you don't feel comfortable with the exercise needs of a boxer, don't get one. I'd advise going to Discover Dogs, either in November or at Crufts in March. All breeds on display for you to see and make a decision on what breed suits your lifestyle best.

A sighthound will need just as much exercise as a boxer. They are more intelligent too so if not stimulated they will get bored and neurotic.

I think a boxer would be over stimulatedby a toddler and they ate so big and manic braindead id worry about accidents.

18m is a difficult time in terms of teaching the child not to grab ears etc. Id wait a little longer if im honest.

Rescue dogs are great. I will only have rescues now but most rescues have a no under 8 policy for their dogs. There is good reason for this.

Do your research and talk to people with the breeds you are interested in. They all have their quirks and foibles. For example Dachshunds are very vocal, labradors will eat everything in sight, collies tend towards neuroses if not exercised or worked. Rotties are bone idle lazy dont like to be stared at.

Yep, I sight hound would need just as much exercise if not more than a boxer, same with a Labrador or spaniel ( any working dog ). Having a puppy and a new born would be a complete nightmare, tbh in find having a puppy harder work than having a newborn, they need a lot of training, they chew up your house, limit the time you can go out of the house and need a lot of exercise. If you got a rescue dog chances are it would already be trained, you would need to know the dogs background, not all rescue dogs have had a abusive past, a lot have come from family homes and are used to young children, maybe go for a medium dog ( I always recommend staffies but I know some people don't like them, we have one and she is a dream, much easier than our Labrador and much friendlier ).

Have dc2, and then think about it tbh. A lurcher would be very happy with the amount of exercise you mention though, and there are plenty of lurcher puppies born in foster, so background totally known. My new lurcher puppy is snoring next to me right now

I have to disagree with squeaky about a rescue being "not worth the risk". Yes, you have to do your homework about any dog joining your family but just because they're a rescue doesn't mean they're any more of a risk. Young children also have to be "trained" on suitable behaviour around any dog.

Rescues, often smaller ones, have all or nearly all their dogs in foster homes, as they can't afford big, fancy kennels. Dogs in foster can be assessed, and are used to, normal family environments, often living with other dogs/cats/children/hamsters, everything! Therefore, you can get a good assessment of how that dog will fit into your own family.

Puppies are small, bitey things that poo and pee, need to be taken outside every 15mins when they're learning housetraining. They nip, get hyper around small, excitable children and are very hard work. It's up to you whether you want the hard work and commitment of training a small animal. Do you have the time/willingness to devote many hours to this?

An older dog, who has been in a foster home, is already used to smaller children might be a much better bet in your circumstances. Any fosterer worth his/her salt will be able to chat to you about whether they think that dog will suit you. Be prepared for a wait, sign up with several rescues, join their Facebook pages (usually more up to date than websites) and see what happens. If you plan to wait about 18 months then all the better. You've got time to get to know some rescues and to have a look at various breeds, although, to me, breed is less important than temperament.

Good luck

I would echo pp and say wait til dc2 is here and you know your routine and can then assess if you would manage walks etc.

We had a small dog before dc, and when dd1 came along walking etc was more than manageable. After dc2, with 2 in a double buggy or slings, chicken pox, colds, feeds, naps etc etc it was a real struggle and the dog suffered a lot. Quite often her needing me too was the straw breaking my back and I really, really could have done without it.

If I had the option to go back in time I would never have got a dog pre dc.

We didn't get a dog until our youngest was 11, looking back at the amount of work a puppy is I am so glad we didn't have a dog when we had small children. For me I would say wait until your youngest is school age at least.