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[stillnotjustamummy]

We have decided to add a dog to our family. I'm very open to breed, happy with mongrels, but as a first time owner I'm not keen on an older dog from rescue in case it has suffered experiences I'm not able to handle. We have two cats and three young children and have ruled out Greyhound /Lurcher types, Staffs, any micro breeds and I don't think super-active collie type dogs would suit. We have a large garden and I'm home all day so it will rarely be left alone for long. Secretly I'd love a St Bernard / Newfoundland but I'm worried about possible health issues. What types should I read up on first that might suit?

You'll be questioned about ruling out greyhounds as they seem to be the most highly recommended dogs on mumsnet. So most suggestions may well be greyhounds!

We have a shihtzu x bichon frisé who is beyond exceptionally excellent:) and she knows it

We ruled out greyhounds and lurchers as they may not be reliable with cats... a friend has the most gorgeous greyhound, great family pet etc, but it killed their cat. I know I'll get a kicking re Staffs too, but I just don't want one, having seen too many get passed around the estates where we used to live. I think yours sounds beautiful- I love bichon frise- they seem to smile!

The rescue we tried out told us any pointy (greyhound type dogs) could never be trusted with cats and so we didn't consider one either. I think Spaniels are great. I think you need a big house for those larger breeds... They just take up a lot of space.

With 3 young children, you may struggle to adopt from a large, "mainstream" rescue. I would recommend you look at smaller rescues, they're usually more realistic. Google loads of rescues nearish to you, get on their FB groups - they're much more up to date than websites, more popular, family friendly dogs often don't even reach the website as they're reserved via FB. You can get a good feel to the rescue by joining the groups. You can also post your interest and keep up with any new arrivals. Also, look for rescues who have their dogs fostered in family settings. I personally wouldn't rule out an older dog, especially if fostered, as his/her temperament will be pretty well known and assessed.

Thanks, Bagel, good tip about rescues on FB instead. Yes, I don't think a national rescue is going to be willing to place with us. I'm happy to skip the puppy stage if the foster situation has been good and they are confident we are a match.

What kind of spaniels? I thought Cockers would likely need lots of walking, although I liked the look of the Sussex and Cavalier breeds- not that I have my heart set on 'purebred'.

I've ruled out terriers because of the chickens, and it's looking like Labrador, retriever, st Bernard / Newfoundland, Poodle so far. We are ok for space so I'm happy to consider bigger breeds but I guess it makes it harder for the kids to really get involved in walking and a giant breed could probably squash the toddler.

If we end up going down the breeder route, what's the best way to check credentials? Obviously no small ads, parents being seen etc, but is there anything else to watch for?

I have a cocker (working line) and he doesn't need as much walking as you are led to believe. However, what they do need is stimulation for their breed such as hunting or retrieving dummy's etc. Mine at the moment would prefer to chase or hunt tennis balls rather than go on a hours walk.

Look at black Retriever rescue and Golden Retriever rescue on Facebook
No personal experience as we bought our Goldie from a breeder after trying for over a year to get a rescue but I think they are pretty well regarded. Your young children might be an issue though

If you like a large breed like a newfie but want something a little smaller and good with families a golden retriever seems like a good choice.

I have terriers and ducks who have free run of the garden. It sounds like a recipe for disaster but actually the terriers keep the squirrels and rats out and the ducks take care of the pigeons, magpies and slugs . It helps that my terriers are very well behaved/trained and I had them from pups.

If you go to a breeder, make sure they don't advertise. Ensure the dogs are KC Reg and both parents have the relevant health checks for the breed (hips, eyes etc). Also make sure the puppies will be endorsed. Visit some dog shows and go and see the breed you like. Owners will be happy to chat about their breed and you will find out the names of the better breeders.

I would have loved a newfie but the potential health issues put me off.

Have you consider a leonberger? All the ones I've met have had fabulous tempraments and don't drool half as much as lots of the giant breeds. They are also longer lived than some although not a long lifespan as such.

I would also reccomend a GSD as the perfect family dog but only if you are prepared to put a lot of serious training into it. Mine are loyal and brilliant around children but have required lots of socialisation in the early days. They really are Velcro dogs though and want to be with you all the time so aren't right for lots of families because of this.

Thanks, I'll look into Leonburgers. I'd not heard of them. Less drool will be popular with DH.

Shows are a good idea too, thanks!

I'm up for a rescue dog, and am happy to wait a year or so, but I'm not sure many rescues would want us because I'm a first timer with kids. Our cats were rescues though, and I was expecting my second baby at the time so clearly if they think you are right for the animal things can be adapted.

Wowsers! Just googled Leonburger, Greyhorses! Gorgeous. I know it's uncool to like a dog on looks, but I could snuggle one of those forever. They are firmly in list next to Golden Retriever and Labrador.

Check out the useful resources pinned thread in Doghouse for links to finding responsible breeders, researching health info for specific breeds and supervising dogs and kids properly

If you watch that 10 puppies and us on iPlayer there is a crazy lady in a tiny flat with a leonburger, but don't let that put you off if you are sensible and actually have room for one. The show might give you a few ideas what not to do with your puppy also.

The leonbergers I have met have all been really sweet and had calm temperaments, they were firmly on our list too but I ended up with another German shepherd. I met some breeders and every single dog I met was lovely. My friend also has one who is a gentle (lazy!) giant. I think the lifespan is somewhere around 8-9 which isn't too bad for a giant breed.

I think they are lower energy than a Labrador or retriever but obviously much bigger so there's extra cost involved!

I second Leonbergers - indeed I have one that is 17 weeks old. But from the right breeders. A decent breeder will not sell you one if you haven't got the room or ability to be at home for the first 6-12 months. PP's are correct, they don't drool, don't need much grooming (you need a dog blaster though) and need very little walking but they need land to let off steam if they need do. They are double coated so get extremely hot and they like to be wet. All of the time. They are generally calm but can grow to be enormous so control is very important - if they are not socialised they will go rogue. If they are not occupied as puppies they will be very destructive. They are great with kids if brought up well. We love ours but if you watch the BBC2 show '10 puppies and us' you'll see what happens when an irresponsible breeder sells a massive dog to a woman who not only lives in a flat, and comes to collect a puppy wearing 4" heels, no dog carrier, no blanket, no toys, no food and no water. And intends on taking the puppy home on a train for several hours....it made me very cross watching it. I know our breeder would have sent the woman away with a flea in her ear.

Good luck OP!

We looked into lots of breeds. Had my heart set on a beagle but due to being a hound with a known lack of recall we decided on Cavaliers. Best thing we ever did. Beautiful happy friendly dogs who only need a small garden/walk. plus they are cute as fuck!

Just dropping in to suggest a soft coated wheaten terrier (picture of our baby attached - though he'll grow up to look completely different!). Lovely family dogs, great with children, and although they're a terrier they grow up quite big and chunky so great if you like a cuddle.

I think being around chickens would be down to training and the individual dog - ours certainly isn't bothered by birds but an older rescue might be more interested in them. They're also non shedding if that's important!

I would personally not focus on breeds so much, but find a couple of rescues near by and see what comes in/what they recommend. Can you tell us whereabouts you live and maybe PPs can recommend some?

Depending on the ages of your children etc you could also consider fostering a rescue dog yourself to give yourself a taster of dog ownership. We did this with no experience at first. My main lesson learnt is that if I ever have a full time dog it will most definitely be 3 years plus as young dogs are too much work!

All good advice.
The girls are 5, 4, 2. They are very good with cats and have been drilled never to approach a dog they don't know and always ask first if they can pet her. We are lucky to have a large house with garden. This backs on to fields in case of escape to the rear, and we have a large park & allotment opposite, (once over the busy road.) We are in North Essex / Cambridge Border.

I've signed up to 'walk my doggy'. I'm currently at home all day so can commit to training, and obviously once we have committed to a dog that will be part of the family and any future work roles down the line will have to take her into consideration. I'm not sure about fostering. I previously volunteered in a cat rescue and found it very emotionally hard as the cruelty cases were awful. I also ended up with a deeply antisocial mog (she loved me eventually though) as I couldn't bear the thought of her being in the wrong home or pts simply because she wasn't as easy to love as other animals.

All your pups look gorgeous!

If you're in Essex I would recommend contacting "Rovers Dog Rescue". They are a really small charity and all the dogs are fostered either with Julie (who runs it) or one of her network so you can get a good insight into what the they are like. They don't have a website only a FB page, or you can call Julie to see what dogs they have in.

Cannot recommend Standard Poodles enough.

I know, i know, everyone things they are foofy, girlie dogs but they seriously aren't. Especially if you keep them shaved like this.

They are the most intelligent, cuddly, gentle and expressive dog I have ever me and I would never change breeds now! Mine likes to keep her hind legs on the floor and just bury her head in my lap on the sofa and stay like that! Also watches tv quite happily and pats me with her paw whenever I stop stroking her!

(I agree with you about not fostering yourself if your children are that young, btw)

In the foreground we have my soft and gentle, loving and kind Irish terrier. Behind her and pretty much to scale is our foster mini yorkie who is busy plotting world domination while kindly accepting suffering our adoring ministrations. There is a lot more to terriers than prey drive - neither of these two would be capable of killing anything, for completely different reasons