what breed would you recommend for first time dog owners?

[gessami]

hello wise MNers

we are looking to get a puppy soon and have been doing lots of research. but i'd love to have your suggestions.

i have 3 DCs aged 10, 8 & 5. we live in london and have a small garden.

we have never had a dog before (only a hamster!)

our ideal breed would be:

• easy to train
• kid friendly
• lovely temperament
• good for people with allergies
• small-medium sized
• and cute!

we will happily take our dog for a walk daily but we would struggle with a dog that needs a huge amount of exercise.

also please tell me if there's something important I'm missing from the equation! is there something else I should consider when choosing a breed?

i have huge reservations about breeders turning out 'fad' ddogs and the quality of them. they are prime target for puppy farms and overly-inflated prices.

and its a vast question to know all breeds well enough to make that judgement call. You will get responses of people's anecdotal evidence of their own lovely pooch, which is great, but it'll be nothing like the one you get!

Its more down to training and doing your research. The kennel club would be able to put you in touch with serious breeders who can talk to you about the nature of the breed... when it comes to x's its much harder to predict because you are messing not only with the fluctuations in the character gene pool for one breed but two obvs.

Practicalities are great to know, like grooming issues, and the amount of walking required, but with temperament you could be on dodgy ground with x's, its hard enough making sure you get a sound temperament pure breed, because how would you know?

and many of these x's do shed and do trigger allergies, despite the claims of the 'poo' genetics; would you be buying 1st 2nd 3rd generation, and why?

As much as i hate to say it, but talk to the KC, they're not a guarantee either, but speaking to some breeders direct will give you a flavour for the huge question you ask.

Cockers and spaniels are not the most 'grounded' of ddogs, bless them theyre fucking nuts

Gorgeous. I hope he gives you lots of pleasure.

working ddogs tend to need a lot of training (and exercise) unless you are happy to be completely ignored whilst you stand trying to call them back hollering top pitch as they head across the fields and through the woods in search of game! This is something that is unfair to these crossbreeds, that their actual nature (i.e. working background) is not considered when churning out puppies as family ddogs with a presumption of it'll be great, then they get feisty and full of beans and uncontrollable and then everyone hates the ddog

A poodle, is very intelligent and loyal, but can have nervous traits, but choosing carefully through the right breeders should find you a line of reliable temperament, and doesn't need loads of exercise. small and easiliy transportable! I think the breed health risks might be eyes/hearing, but you'd need to look into the others as thats a complete guess!

Labradors are the most popular and widely accepted for their nature as a great all round family canine, but they do need work and commitment and are a sizeable beastie to have about the place, especially when puppyhood can go on into beyond 3yrs not uncommonly!

So its a weighing up of what will fit best and what definitely won't. There isn't a one-size fits ddog, just the nearest best factors and guestimate.

Its easy to find dpups, very easy, whats so difficult is to find decent ones, well bred and reared, with the support of a knowledgeable breeder behind you

just seen your update.

what 'sort' of cockapoo? do you know the associated health risks? and what do you know about the breeder?

they need 'a lot' of exercise! they are very fast continually on the go ddogs, adorable but be very prepared!

Schnoodle

Oh goodness still!!! What a gorgeous dog!!

i am horrified at the 'trade' in trendy ddogs

with stupid names, seems to be all the rage - oh well, tis only an animal its not real, praps we should be giving them as christmas gifts too?

a puppy for christmas how cute, sweeeet,

Hi there,

I spent the last 2 years intensively researching our first family dog. I looked into labs, vizslas, whippets and even cockapoos. I took everyone to Discover Dogs ( my children are 12, 8 and 5) and spent a lot of time on hear.

I am sitting here now with our 10wk old miniature schnauzer after another chunk of intensive research. Whilst I like so many breeds, many were just not suitable for our family. The miniature schnauzer ticks a lot of boxes: doesn't shed, very friendly and highly trainable and will take as much walking as you like, but will not tear the house up if you have to miss through illness etc. They are also a very healthy breed and pretty robust.

I was expecting the worst having read so many horror stories on the puppy days here, but he goes into his crate at night without a whimper and has had very few accidents indoors as he goes to the door to tell me he wants to go. He is part crocodile at the moment with the teething, but that is part and parcel. He is an absolute delight and has bonded brilliantly with the kids.

It's cockapoo central where I live, so it's nice to have something a bit different. Good luck with your search.

you get what you deserve Girolle! you have researched and know what you are getting yourself into, well as much as you can, you have done!

It limits the possibility of spending the life of your ddog nursing it through crippling illnesses, or passing diseases onto your DC, gathering the rewards of your hard-earned money, and hopefully having researched the breed you researched the breeders and got yourself a good one thats on the end of the phone for you with any worries or hiccups!

Many of these horror stories on here wouldn't exist if done right. He sounds lovely and have a lovely time with your dpup

Lovely to read that people research which breed will suit their family and lifestyle.

A shih tzu

We have cavalier king Charles spaniels. They were perfect for our young family. I recommend watching dogs 101 on YouTube when choosing a breed.

Without a doubt - a Jack Russell terrier. If you're really into cute, go for the miniature ones (the runt of the litter).

They are clever, disobedient, fun-loving brats. They train themselves almost.

They are short haired, hence, as non-allergenic as you can get.

They are the cutest, cleverest little brats you will ever come across.

Apart from being disobedient, they are great sleepers, love rules (to disobey) and are utterly brilliant little dogs.

I've got a miniature poodle. Fab dog for children.

In terms of the obedience/disobedience thing

my little doggy was THE MOST OBEDIENT DOG when I was there.

Leave the room? She was THE MOST DISOBEDIENT DOG on the planet.

She was full of divilment. Loved getting one up on me. The minute my back was turned.............. Worse than a toddler!!!

Ok, well that will teach me to read the full thread!

Sorry about that! Your puppy looks beautiful!

Knobblyknee
"Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Labrador x Staff.
Labrador, or Lab cross Border Collie.
Border Collie cross German Shepherd Dog.

All short coated, and good for novice owners and kids"

This is approximately the worst advice I've ever seen given!

Congratulations!

Now you've picked a puppy, can I recommend this book, The Happy Puppy Handbook by Pippa Mattinson. It's been a while since we had a puppy and I was recommended it by someone else. It's brilliant! It's full of fantastic, impartial, well researched and experienced advice. It also tells you exactly what you'll need for your new arrival and what to expect when he arrives, which was very useful.

I recommend it to all new puppy parents. I've currently lent my copy to a friend with a new whippet.

and so is jack russell for a family with DC! Eva BING!

They are not very tolerant 'as a breed' of DC, or other pets, they are fast working animals, and she's wants something that will do as its told!

She's got herself a nutter instead!

Don't get a lab. Seriously. Amazing dogs but very very hard work.

I agree that a GSD cross border collie is possibly the worst advice I have heard.

I have one and he is neurotic and not for the faint hearted. My purebred shepherds are just as bad. Oh and he has a long coat...

I must have just been lucky then. All my parents labs were beautifully behaved, hard working and obedient dogs. My current ten month old boy is one of the most chilled out, gentle dogs I've ever had. But then they were all very well bred from fantastic lines.

Gorgeous puppy. What unusual colouring - will be beautiful.

2 x 15 mins walk a day get a cat!

Definitely not anymix with spaniel or poodle in it - they will die of boredom. Someone said lab forget that and any terrier suggestions on that amount of exercise they will go crazy.