Breed recommendations for someone who's never had a dog?

[CruCru]

Hi all

We are not yet ready for a dog (our kids are 5 and 3 and I'm not sure I would be able to give a dog the attention it deserves until my children are a bit older).

However, in the meantime I'm enjoying having a nose at the Battersea Dogs Home website. I understand that there are quite a few breeds that are not a good idea if you don't already have experience of them.

Do any of you have any recommendations for dog breeds for someone who has never had a dog?

I would recommend a Cavalier as a really good first time dog.

I have labs myself, they are also great but can be high energy, dependant on personality. One of mine is super high energy whilst another is totally laid back....

Oh I've just seen your list! I definitely wouldn't recommend a terrier of any sort for a first timer. They are tenacious, feisty, high prey drive, incredibly intelligent and can be bloody hard work...

Not a Dachshund. Don't be fooled by their size!
Cavaliers have MASSIVE health issues. Do your research.

"The problem with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is that they can be stubborn, they don't always get on with other dogs, they can suffer separation anxiety, and they have a bad reputation."

Much less stubborn than other terrier breeds, less prone to separation anxiety than lots of other breeds, including spaniels which have been recommended...

As for how they are with other dogs, as it's rescues the OP is looking at - they'll know exactly what the dogs she considers are like.

I have taken a Parsons Terrier (as far as I can tell, a JRT with longer legs) for a walk and it was a bundle of energy. He was a lovely dog but I think too lively for us.

What rescue organisations have you already looked at other than Battersea?

I'd focus on all breed rescues initially (especially the smaller, foster home based ones) local to you and continue researching breeds so you can branch out into breed/type specific rescues as you get an idea of what breeds would be suitable for you.

The problem you will have is that someone will always say don't get (insert breed) because of this or that. Whilst there are breed traits all dogs are different, for example my working cocker is quite happy with an hours walk in the morning and playing ball in the afternoon which is a lot less than people will tell you although I could walk him for hours and hours and he will just get fitter and fitter and demand longer and longer walks to tire him out (not recommended )

Research the breeds, look at the typical negative traits that you might encounter and then decide whether you would be prepared to put up with them.

I'm getting all dog broody at this thread!

I'd always get a puppy, so you can train it yourself. If you know what you're doing, house training is ok.

I have a problem with dogs that bark, which rules out terriers and spaniels but that's just me.

Another vote for a rescue Greyhound here. I have 2 boys, 8 and 6, and we got our lovely dog in January. The rescue centres will find you one that is ok with smaller children. Our dog is just the sweetest, loveliest dog every and she has been hardly any trouble at all. My boys adore her and I can't imagine we would ever go for another breed (apart from maybe a whippet - but they are just miniature greys really!)

We have 3 small children and are considering rescue greyhound/lurcher as they love a good run but are also happy snoozing lots too. Great , gentle temperaments too. We had a jack Russell terrier as a child, snappy, stubborn, great character but not child safe. Terriers are often hard work so not ideal, first/family pet for small children etc.