What's best breed for a family pet?

[Captainbarnacles1101]

We have 4 kids ranging from 2 to 14. We have a large enclosed garden and I'm a SAHM. We have plenty of time or opportunity to walk a dog.
We would prefer a small dog rather than a large one.

Can u recommend a breed pls.

Thanks

A rescue mongrel

With your criteria I'd go for a border terrier or a poodle ,and that's an unbiased opinion as I have neither of those ( I have a Patterdale x) .

That's uncanny Flora since my OH is desperate for a border terrier!

Cavachon. Gorgeous sweet tempered and lots of fun.

Cavachon is not a breed. Border terriers are awesome!

Rescue staffy. That's what I'd choose. I would have said greyhound/lurcher but you said small

Springer if you want lively, bonkers and will love the whole family, ours wags her tail non-stop when kids are home and has to jump on everyone's bed, and lick them in place of an alarm clock.
Miniature Schnauzer if you want placid, friendly and cuddly.

Miniature schnauzer. We got ours when DS was 2 - he has put up with a lot of playful wrestling from DS! He's chilled, friendly, low maintenance (apart from haircuts) and very easy going.

Staffy , have had many dogs and my staffy is the best .

I'd recommend a bischon frise. Ours is adorable with our children and has never snapped at them no matter what they have done to him. Great company too.

Any bull type.

All the Schnauzers we walk (dogwalking agency) are lovely but they're all very very noisy. However if you want a dog to also be a burglar deterrent - perfect!

Please consider a rescue/rehoming. A lot of the dogs looking for a new home are perfectly nice family pets who've had to be given up for adoption due to family break-up, owner having to move into rented accommodation where usually pets are not allowed, etc etc.

Tibetan terrier , Google rescue ones .

Small lurcher. Will run like a crazy thing then chill out like a sofa cushion. Can be wee if crossed with a whippet not a greyhound or saluki.

Happy to do anything with you but also happy to be just around if you are all busy. Can do 6 hour walks at weekends or have two 30 minute ones on crazy busy days. Doesn't need huge mental training to stop it going insane like some working breeds do.

On these threads everyone says "get a rescue dog", and I just want to add a bit of balance. We got a rescue dog and we adore her - she's got a lovely nature and is great with the kids and other dogs. HOWEVER after getting her home we found she had major anxiety issues which were covered up by the fact that she was fostered with another dog (being in company makes her more confident). A year down the line she's much improved, but despite our best efforts still cowers under the table if a strange man enters the house, is scared of being in the car, and panics easily when out and about. She was about 4-5 months old when we got her and missed a lot of the socialisation window and it became clear she had been badly treated (reacts massively if she sees anyone carrying a stick). I think realistically she'll never be a "go anywhere" sort of dog (although she has enjoyed a few caravan holidays!).This is workable for us, but obviously not ideal and I do know of a lot of other rescue dog owners who have similar (or different but equally challenging) issues. As a first time dog owner I've often felt a bit a sea, and have really wondered if we were the best family for her (I think in hindsight she should have been rehomed with another dog).

So, what I suppose I'm saying is yes, certainly think of a rescue dog, but a lot of them are more complex and difficult than a pup from a reputable breeder who has been well socialised (although I do realise that any dog can have problems). This certainly isn't a reason not to do it - our dog is gorgeous and her pros definately outweigh her cons. We adapt to her eccentricities in the same way as we would to our childrens'. But do make sure you go to a rescue where you can really spend time with the dog (don't know if there are rescues where you can take home of trial?) and that you are equipped to cope with these sort of issues and have experienced advice.

I am looking only at rescues that foster their dogs for that reason, in a home environment they have time to check the real character and try leaving the dog alone and assess how they really are with kids and cats.

A lot of the rescues that foster suggest a 2 week trial as well to allow space to make a good decision without pressure.

We also only looked at rescues that fostered. We particularly wanted a dog that was fostered with kids - she was, but unfortunately it was an all-female household so we didn't no-one knew she was terrified of men! The idea of a 2 week trial is great (although by the time we realised how intractable our dogs problems were I'm sure we couldn't have brought ourselves to send her back).

I suppose the flip side is that the dogs that end up in rescue have often been bought as a pup from a breeder anyway and its a human that has done the damage and therefore another human has to try and undo it :(

My rescue dog is MUCH harder work than my friends dog who was a pup from an 'apoo' breeder but I still couldn't bring myself to buy a pup when there are so many dogs in rescue. I understand what you are saying, in that it's harder work, but generally it's not rocket science and building a trusting relationship with your dog whilst you train it, can actually be a very enjoyable thing (though embarrassing at times! :o)

Owllady I agree - and it's very satisfying when things do improve. If I ever get another dog it will be another rescue - I'm certainly very pro rescue dogs - but I do think people should just realise the issues.

Well yes, I suppose it's why such a lot get 'sent back' :(

Indeed.

Border Terrier (I am biased as I have one)

Well said Owllady .

We've rescue greyhounds but I'd go rescue staffy were we not such a hound family now.

Just wanted to give a thumbs up for my rescue. He came via Balkan Underdogs, he was rescued off the street. I was able to talk to the rescuer via Facebook and ask loads of questions. He has been here for 2 weeks and is just fabulous! No accidents from day 1, easygoing, very chilled, doesn't pull on lead and friendly to everyone so far, human and dog. Would love to chase cats but we don't have any and neighbour's cats have learnt to stay away.

I know there are unsuccessful adoptions but many dogs are in rescue because owners divorced, moved abroad, moved into rented - the list goes on - not all are "damaged" - and there are enough stories on here about dogs from breeders with health/behaviour issues so you just have to try your best to get answers to all your questions and hope for the best!