Does this breed exist?

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thinking ahead to a few months time when we will hopefully be in a position to get a dog. We would like a dog which is:
Friendly - we have two boys aged 7 and 12 and would like an affectionate dog
Not too big - can cope with a medium size dog but not a huge one
Doesn't need loads of exercise - could manage two walks a day but not long ones in the week. Longer walks at the weekends. We do have a large garden which we would dog proof.
Can be left for a few hours, up to 4 maximum. Would use a dog walker twice a week when I work until 4pm to break up the day. Other days I am in at lunchtime.
Obviously I know that each dog has its own individual temperament and personality but in general, do any breeds fit the above?
Thanks

Lumela and tabu

I disagree..!
The split came about when dog shows became more popular, and it was profitable for breeders to breed just for the show market, rather than the dogs needing to be 'functional' in order to sell.

For reasons unknown, the show judges began favouring some physical traits, and the show lines bred for these until there was a noticeable difference between the two.

On a basic level, working dogs are bred for the trainability (how biddable they are and in some breeds, how much drive them have), as well as good health (so they cope with the physical demands of working)
Show lines are bred for how they look. They don't breed out the other bits. If a show lab stud dog has great show confirmation, he will be bred regardless of what his drive/trainability is. And sadly until recently, also regardless of what his hips and coefficient were.
But breeding for looks means you are breeding for a wide spread of 'mental' traits, including all the same traits you'd find in a working line

This means there are plenty of show labs, spaniels, goldies, shepherds, collies etc which have the same mental traits as their working cousins (as there has been no effort to breed those traits out, and often why would you) but they physically aren't up to the job. Looking at the top show labs, they'd never be able to jump over a fence properly, or run all day because they are too heavy and short stubby legs.

I do a lot with labs - therapy dog stuff with my and other dogs, and I also do a lot of gundog training.
I get quite a lot of people coming with 'the family labrador' who they would like to do gundog training with. Normally people new to shooting who want a pet which can also come shooting with them.

It is obvious from a glance which lines they come from, but temperament-wise, I don't think there is an obvious difference
I find working dogs more biddable and people-pleasing, and show lines a bit more stubborn/independent, but I've seen ultra-high energy show dogs and mega chilled working dogs (mine is a working line, all FtChs, and she is the most laid back dog I've owned)
If working dogs are higher energy, it is possibly easier to contain/control it, because they are that much easier to train and keep busy - they will play ball, do food puzzles, hunt for toys for hours and hours. A show lab with a high energy but a short attention span is a disaster zone!

With Spaniels, if you are concerned about their energy levels to the point of getting a show one primarily because they might be lower energy, you shouldn't be getting any sort of spaniel

Sorry for the mamouth post...

"They don't breed out the other bits."

No, they don't, but as soon as they're not being actively bred for, they're diluted.

Not every puppy from good working parents is suitable for it, when that's what's being bred for, as soon as it's not its rarer and rarer.

The split in labs starts in the 30s, even if you went with 20 years (which isn't anywhere near far back enough) that's at least 5 generations of physical traits being bred for over working ones.

It's the difference between owning a sporty car and an actual sports car...

But, if to use that analogy, if you're picking between a sporty car and a sports car and what you actually need is fuel efficient family car, you're not going to get what suits you.

But breeding for looks means you are breeding for a wide spread of 'mental' traits, including all the same traits you'd find in a working line
That's it, though, isn't it? you are breeding, either on purpose or by default, for a SPREAD of traits, rather for some specific ones (biddability, drive, focus, brains). Sometimes, more or less by chance, you will get a show line dog with drive etc, but since you're not breeding for it, it will happen a lot less often than with working-line litters.

I kid you not, jackdaws can tell the difference between a working dog and a show-line one. I was walking once towards a tree where jackdaws were fledging. I had with me my working-line dog, and a friend's show-line dog (of an allegedly working breed). The jackdaws were low-flying over my dog the whole time he was within about two hundred yards of the tree, so low over his head that he actually jumped up at them. They clearly clocked him as a threat. They completely ignored the show-line dog: he might as well not have existed.

This is turning into a really interesting thread. I have a greyhound, and initially chose that breed for temperament as I wanted a laid-back dog and wanted to rehome rather than get a puppy.

I don't even know if show line greyhounds differ at all from racers (or even if you get them). I didn't really like the look of greyhounds at all at first - too skinny with weird little heads - but when I look at mine she is just so perfectly built to do what she does (run really really fast, then sleep and not bother anyone) that she's actually very beautiful.

I think there's something that just looks inherently 'right' about animals of any species that are built for purpose, and human intervention in breeding can also produce beautiful, healthy animals that look right. It's when vanity/fashion/profits (the usual human failings) take over that the animals start to look odd, and suffer the physical consequences.

I loathe greyhound racing, btw, and it breaks my heart a little that the reason they are so gentle and laid-back is because they've been bred to not give any bother in the kennels and be trainable for racing. I guess the ones with less biddable natures just get put down, and won't be used for breeding.

My greyhound runs pretty fast if you open the fridge door...

We have two older JRTs who are extremely lazy and cuddly. As youngsters they had BOUNDLESS energy but they have mellowed with age. They are very independent so can manage just fine without you for a time. Perhaps the key here is to look for an older rescue dog?

I have returned to this thread - which has seen rather a lot of interesting debate! - to say that we are definitely going to look at getting a rescue greyhound. This won't be until some time in the new year but I have been persuaded by all of your lovely stories and experinces. Its a breed that I would never have thought of, but seems to tick all of the boxes as long as we find the right one. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Good luck with it, Posie. The retired greyhounds I've come across tend to be very sweet-natured (and not terribly active!)

"which has seen rather a lot of interesting debate"

Sorry, it went a bit off course, lol

Greyhounds are great they're not lively enough for me, but I do have a wee soft spot for them and they are a great breed for a first time dog owner.

Sounds perfect. Like Lumela - all the greyhounds I've met have been absolute sweeties. Just keep a strong grip on the lead if you spot a cat - they have a VERY strong prey instinct and can move like lightning when they want to!

tabulahrasa its fine, it actually made really interesting reading, I know very little about dog breeds and have learnt quite a bit from this thread!
I'll let you all know if and when we acquire a new addition to the family!

Hurrah! Hope you find the perfect dog, Posie. There are loads of greyhound/lurcher owners on here, so don't hesitate to post if you need any more persuasion advice

Ahh glad to hear it. Good luck, you won't regret it. They're great pets, if a little aloof. That could just be mine though .

Let us know how you get on in the new year.

I love greyhounds- all the ones I've met have been very laid back.

Dogs really do have different personalities though, my rottweiler fits your descriptions- he's a big cuddle monster and great with my DC's- 7, 4 and 1. He enjoys playing and running around outdoors but he can also be right lazy bastard and is most at home curled up in front of the fire snoozing!

I have a border collie too who used to try and 'herd' my eldest but now just ignores them indoors (still accepts their food and strokes) and will fetch and run around with the DCs outdoors for as long as they can.

A young YouTuber that my DD knows of, adopted a greyhound from a rescue near me...

Bagel my DD's watch this girl on YouTube all the time. She and Reggie are the reason my poor greyhound is subjected to being videod with a running commentary whilst my DC pretend to be YouTubers.

My DD2 is currently displaying the 'roach' whilst DD1 records and hound dog is watching with a look on her face

Greenie my DD loves Reggie! She'd love a greyhound but DH isn't very keen on dogs unfortunately. DD and I go to the rescue to walk them sometimes

We love the good old Whippet in our household. Nice size, not much moulting, happy with one walk a day and like cuddles, laying by the fire and playing with tennis balls.
Good excuse to buy dog clothes too as they like a good coat to go out in if its cold!
Nice versatile little dogs.
Love the greyhounds too but didnt realise quite how big they were until i met a neighbours one. It was HUGE!

Since getting our greyhound I'd love another. But our house isn't huge and they are rather big, and ours is 'small' at just under 27kg. So I think a whippet would be more than a good compromise. One is on my wish list for next year!

Excellent taste Greenie!

OOoh Greenie you are brave! I love whippets but have no desire for a second dog. DD, on the other hand, is already talking about the next one and has picked out a name, lol!

Whippets and greys look lovely, but where does all that leg go when they're cuddled up with you?

They just fold up very neatly. Or given a chance leave the legs going up the back of the sofa and lie on their back! Right now, my two adult dogs are curled up on the three seater sofa with ds and dh (ddog1 small greyhound size, ddog2 is whippet x doberman so more of a small dobie) and the greyhound foster puppies are curled up with me on the 2 seater. The puppies are already the size of a whippet.
The advantage is also that they weigh much less than you'd think for their height, so its not like being crushed by a lab