Which breed of dog?

[Pigleychez]

We want to add a dog to our family but are unsure of breeds.
Ive read that lurchers/greyhounds make good first dogs but DH isnt keen.
It will need to be good with Children as DD's are 5 and 7. Not too energetic but up for a good walk. Im a SAHM so home most of the time. Days out/Holidays my FIL will walk the dog/dog sit. A medium size.

Anyone recommend a good breed? Dh likes Beagles.

Would you consider bigger? We had an English Mastiff who was enormous but the most gentle and loving creature. They can be kept in apartments because they don't require huge amounts of space (they like to lay about a lot!) They are fantastic with children. Ours used to sleep with dd and 'mind her'!

Our baby

Beagles are very hard to train. You can't let them off the lead either cos if they find a scent off they go and they have no recall. They are my husbands favourite breed too but even he would never have one. Gun dogs and hounds are placid as a rule. But hounds are more difficult to train I think do lots of research find a few breeds you agree on then talk to people who own that breed. It usually takes me a year between deciding to get a new dog and then finding the right one and I only ever have collies or German shepherds. Neither of which I would recommend for you. Good luck

Lurcher cross collies beautiful breed

Golden retriever. Georgous, daft lumps who are easily trained, child friendly and love a good walk without being insane like collies or boxers.

We have a beagle. He's a beautiful dog, really affectionate and loves nothing more than cuddling up on your lap of an evening.

But, he's very stubborn and totally food orientated. We can let him off the lead in the woods and he will generally come back when called, but sometimes you know he's thinking, "I'll be back when I'm ready!"

Beagles are hard work, but totally worth it.

We also have a border collie who is a fabulous dog. Great with the kids, excellent recall and easy to train .

Border collies bite more people in the uk than any other breed. Not ideal for a first time dog owner

I know your DH isn't keen but I think a retired greyhound otherwise fits your brief. The only issue you may have is whether your local rescue will be happy to rehome to a family with young children. We love our greyhound. She is so chilled, good with the children (mine are young teens), loves cuddles and fuss but also happy to lie quietly for hours at a time. She only 'needs' two 30 min walks per day but will happily walk for longer.

My dog is a lab x she is a very lovely gentle dog, has been easy to train and good with kids. They are very bouncy and chewy as puppies and need good long walks. I would have one with young kids but only if you have plenty of space, a way of separating the dog from kids if necessary and love long country walks.

Medium-sized dogs which tend to be good with families:

spaniels - show versions usually less manic than working

border terriers - lots of lovely ones, can be quite vocal though

Tollers - (I'm biased here as we have one and he is the most perfect dog) playful, easy to train, very good-natured but ... they are working dogs and need a focus so something like obedience, agility, flyball - they love learning new things

poodles - miniature ones - don't need silly haircuts and are fabulous dogs

Lurchers do make excellent family dogs imo, and they come in all shapes, sizes and hairiness depending on which type of sighthound (whippet, greyhound, wolfhound, deerhound, bedlington) has been crossed with what. If you look at the current EGLR dogs you can see that they aren't all bony.
One of mine is more greyhoundy, the other is heavier set. Both are very loving, excellent with children and cat friendly.

Gun dogs and hounds are placid as a rule
Not working strain gun dogs. I have one, I know. Fantastic dog, intelligent, active, but NOT for the inexperienced or fainthearted. He has a couple of mates, both working strain gun dogs. One of them would probably be okay in a less active household but the other would dig up the lino. Indeed, he did dig up the lino and ended up in rescue...

OP, a cross with a pet-line labrador might work for you - pet-bred labs are usually placid and affectionate, if a bit larger than you seem to want.

Good luck - and get some wellies for the winter!

If you don't want too energetic how about a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Had one of these until I was 16, fabulous dog. Gentle, easy to train, doesn't need the exercise a Springer or Cocker needs.

I've got a Cocker/Springer cross now who is fabulous but has taken some good hard work on my part to train and could run 5 miles without drawing breath.

Lurchers/Whippets tend to make lovely, gentle pets who don't need mad amounts of walking. A friend has a Beagle who is lovely, but proving very stubborn and training is slow going.

If you're not bothered about having a puppy how about speaking to your local rescue centre/dogs home? They'll aim to find you the perfect dog for your household.

What is it about pointy dogs your DH doesn't like?

I've got whippets and they're the most amazing little dogs. Affectionate, gentle, rather silly and endlessly entertaining. They're really flexible as far as exercise goes, mine average about an hour a day but will happily settle for less when necessary. Equally they'll go all day given the opportunity.

Really super dogs, I'm forever recommending them to everyone because they're so fabulous

Wasn't thinking working strain. Any reputable breeder of working strain dogs will refuse to sell to a pet home. OP it is important when looking at any working breed to enquire what the line is eg working or show. You need a show line it just means the dog will have less drive. Any working dog which comes from a strong working line will not make a good pet

Wasn't thinking working strain.
Phew!

I have never had a dog... Cats only but the end of last year do & the dk decided we should have a dog... And I have no choice !
We opted for a miniature dachshund & now... 3 months on I honestly don't know why we didn't one sooner ! And ... I wish we had got a sibling for her !
I'm also a sahm, I walk her once a day , usually school run which tbh is more than enough for her. 15/20 min walk. She has been to puppy classes & has learnt basics but is such a lovely, laid back, placid dog. Loves company which is fine as she really is my shadow.
Good luck x