Which dog to get

[OliviasWhiteHat]

After years of deliberation, we are looking to get a dog this summer. I feel really stumped as to which breed to go for.
We would like a small to medium breed, we have 1 dd7 so obviously good with children. Big garden and close to park for walks.
Always had collies as a child/teen due to farming family but not an option for us at the moment.
Do like Cavaliers but I know they have a lot of health problems.
Anyway if anyone has any suggestions? Will shorten my research time

A poodle,lovely, intelligent, fun dogs and no shedding what's not to like?

Miniature Schnauzer
Show-bred (not working bred) Cocker Spaniel

Whichever best, brightest young dog jumps into your hearts from the local rescue centre.

You won't be getting a puppy from a decent breeder this summer...

So your choices are either to be thinking about breed now, then looking for a breeder, then being put on a waiting list and getting a puppy possibly for next summer. Or go to a rescue and see what they have that suits you in terms of exercise and training requirements.

You won't be getting a puppy from a decent breeder this summer...

Whilst I don't fundamentally disagree with your post tabulahrasa, to be honest I think this is one of the things that sends people running to dubious sources for puppies.

It isn't out of the question that pups will be available from good breeders within that timeframe, particularly when someone is just looking for a nice family pet and doesn't need to be too specific around colour/markings etc.

Bitches can have more pups than expected for the breed. Bookings may have been taken for dogs/bitches and only the opposite produced. Some breeders do prefer not to take bookings until they see what they have on the ground, and then cherry pick from the homes available. In breeds where mismarks can apply, pups may be available for this reason that had previously been booked for show homes.

It might be more difficult, but it's by no means out of the question.

Another vote for rescue rather than buying. I know that's not the question you asked but it is so, so worth considering :)

I don't know cavaliers much I'm afraid and my advice would be to 'shop around' quite a bit before deciding on one particular breed. You may miss out on the perfect dog by being too specific too early.

You probably already know all of this already but there are loads of good rescues that list their available dogs online so you can really take your time to find one that suits your family rather than taking a chance with 'what's on offer' at your local rescue (not knocking local rescues at all but there is no harm in browsing online to see what is out there. It can also help you decide on types and breeds to consider).

Many rescue organisations now place their dogs with fosterers for a few weeks before rehoming so they really get to know the dog, check housetraining, cat and kid suitability etc and make sure it's a good match for the new owner.

A good place to start is www.dogsblog.com - a UK wide resource for dog rescues with hundreds of dogs listed. You can search by breed, location, temperament etc.

www.manytearsrescue.org also has a very good reputation and lots of small to medium sized dogs available

Wherever you do decide to go, please, please do thoroughly check out reviews and credentials of any breeder or rescue. Puppy farming is a real and vile thing and people go to huge lengths to get you to believe you are buying a home-reared pup that is nothing of the sort. There are some dodgy rescues out there too (Ahem Dorset Dog Rescue ).

Wishing you all the best in finding your new companion!

Was thinking schnauzer or poodle when I looked earlier.
Have I left it too late for this summer? Didn't realise that pups go so quick. Quite happy to travel.
Have had a rescue years ago so is an option but when I've looked on local rescue sites they mention no children.

Will keep looking.

Rescues that foster (like Black Retriever x) may well home with children as they have a decent picture of what the dog is like.
How much grooming (daily or weekly) and walking (two short walks or three hours a day?) are you willing to do?

At Battersea we had plenty of family dogs. Please do register even if you don't see any online at rescue centres. Sometimes it's a matter of the Ines that an live with families are in and out so no time/need to go on a site. Same for puppies at rescues.

Border terrier, great with kids, my DD8 and our Border are inseparable, always had labradors before but wanted something smaller, I have to say she has been the easiest puppy, although I think we are lucky. We were very lucky to get her too , the 2nd breeder I contacted had just refused the original home our puppy was due to go to as the man eventually mentioned he would have to breed her several times to get his money back, so we got her the summer before last within a week of looking for one. There's lots of Facebook pages dedicated to different breeds, for instance I am with 'I love my border terrier' it will fill your Facebook feed up (mines currently hidden) but I recommend anyone who has a particular breed in mind to join one of these groups as you get to see lots of dogs in everyday situations, realise that you can have very naughty Borders as will as my perfect dog, get to know what type of grooming they require, and generally see if they are the dog for you. Am sure there will be other groups dedicated to many different breeds. Good luck with your choice x

Another vote for Border Terrier. We've had two, wouldn't be without one although our current is harder work than the first. Our vet recommends them when people enquire about a good family dog. Affectionate, robust, healthy, cheerful, trainable (for a terrier) and other than a couple of handstrips a year, easy and inexpensive to groom. Known as being great with people but sometimes not so good with other dogs - although if you do plenty of socialisation early enough that helps enormously.

Good breeders will usually have waiting lists but like us and Grittzio you might strike lucky. We were in contact with our breeder and expecting a long wait when she told us that a puppy she'd been keeping to show was going to be waaaaay bigger than the breed standard and she was willing to let us have him, subject to the usual checks. So he came to us at 5 months old (which tbh has been a mixed blessing) but, one year on, we love him to bits and he makes me smile every day. I can't imagine being without a BT now.

Beagles are excellent with children and a medium breed love walks and playing with kids and beagle welfare will let you know the temperament and if they can be re homed with children, they can be stubborn and vocal and follow their nose but i wouldn't be without mine shes loving and got a character on her and is great mates with my son, and any other children that visit, and is happy to meet other dogs - basically beagles are fab!

Working cocker spaniel - such loyal friendly dogs. Need one good walk a day.

Smaller rescues are usually more flexible re. children. They also have dogs in foster (as they don't have the money for big kennels) so you can see the dog in a normal family environment with dogs/cats/children etc. They will also be well socialised.

Heathlands
Silver Fox
Balkan Underdogs
Black Retriever x
Griffon Adoption UK
Pro Dogs Direct
Chimney Farm Dog Rescue
[[https://www.facebook.com/Evesham-Greyhound-and-Lurcher-Rescue-85687936406/?fref=ts Evesham Greyhound/Lurcher Rescue
Desperate Greekies

I've given all the FB group links as these are usually a lot more up to date than websites. You get a good "feel" for the group by following it for a couple of months. More popular dogs are usually reserved before they ever get to be listed on a website. Don't expect emails/phone calls to be answered quickly - all smaller rescues are run by volunteers who are very busy, so messaging them via their FB group is usually the best way.

I know you said small to medium but....our beautiful girl is a Labrador that we bought from Guide Dogs for the Blind. She had completed her training but failed her finals, essentially. She's gorgeous, was obviously beautifully trained when we got her and we felt it was a lovely halfway house between pup and rescue after we had a really very sad experience with a rescue dog. We paid GDFTB around £500 for our girl and we adore her. Just an idea 💡

Thank you for all the info, lots to go at there. Will do some research. If it ends up being longer timescale that's fine. We are not in a rush, I really don't want to rush into anything.
Love labs but think it would be a bit much for us.
Will have a look at rescues a bit more as well.