Very family friendly dog smaller than a Labrador?

[SpringSnowdrop]

I love labradors’ easy temperament but if we ever take in a dog am not sure I want a big dog.

I absolutely love westies but just looked up a rescue site and they immediately point out they don’t like children which I never knew (our DC are very gentle and older but we often have other children round).

I’m just interested in anyone’s experience - I know each dog will very hugely but what breeds are on the whole the most easy and loyal?

As a child we had a poodle who was incredibly gentle and lovely natured.

Often pure bred dogs have health issues, so make sure you go your research and go to a reputable breeder.

Older dogs at rescue centres are often overlooked through no fault of their own and any decent place will give you the chance for the whole family to meet the dog a few times to make sure you are all the right fit. We didn’t have our poodle from a puppy, so don’t be put off by thinking dogs at rescue centres aren’t good with children or are not pedigree ones (if you specifically want a particular breed).

Re you low energy levels
Greyhounds are a fab option.
No grooming.
Happy to sleep for the vast bulk of the time.
Chilled with being left alone during the day
Need a ten minute hurtle twice a day (no long walks and ball throwing)
and as they are BIG with a deep bark they are good as security

cornflake I do love greyhounds! I do think my best solution might be to pet sit for neighbours but love hearing about all these lovely dogs

OP, there's a called 'Borrow My Doggy' which might be worth looking into - I haven't used it myself but perhaps others have experience?

a website obviously!

Agree with wolfie, or why not investigate your local hearing dogs trust to see if they need foster homes (our local one always does) that way you usually get beautiful cockers, cockerpoos, (I would recommend them along with cockers but not with limited mobility, I have a calm cockerpoo as we chose a snoozy one due to House size & constantly have other cockerpoo owners comment on how well trained & calm he is, don’t moult, but THEY SOAK MUD UP!! Grooming & grooming costs too.
Poodles great, often hearing dogs too, great with kids, don’t have loads of walking needs if u also do mental games with them.
Whippets, greyhounds (retired?) & lurcher amazing dogs, they’d be good for you.

To be fair, any dog if given right exercise for breed plus mental stimulation, games & training can fit in your life. Games & stimulation like “hunt the cheese” in a garden can constitute a 15/20 minute walk for a dog & makes for non destruction & fun. We have a 15 week pointer puppy who so far doesn’t destroy things cos she’s entertained!

I’m a dog sitter & look after dogs in my home so sorry for going on! It’s feasible with research & effort but mobility shouldn’t be a problem

We have a Havanese bitch. She is the sweetest, friendliest, most unpushy dog that I've ever met. She loves playing and being held/ cuddled and will run for a good few km on walks. Will happily sleep under your chair at work or in a restaurant. They are hypoallergenic and don't shed.

Downsides - hard to toilet train, long hair which dreadlocks/ matts and very expensive to buy.

Oh minster that is so cheering.

I did join borrow my doggie for a year and never got anywhere despite contacting lots of local owners offering evening help and day time company. But I regularly helped friends and with a family dog which was lovely

If I were you I would start following a few local rescues on FB or keep an eye on their websites and see what comes up. We have fostered quite a few different breeds and while I don't doubt that "breed traits" play a big part in their behaviour imo individual personality, past history and age (we now have a rule of no dogs under 3 years!) are just as important. A good rescue would be able to advise you on which dogs might be suitable. FWIW we had a westie a while back and she was lovely.

No dog is hypoallergenic @RickJames
People are allergic to more than just moulting hair.

Tibetan Spaniel!! Very adorable very gentle. Not needing tons of walking. A daily brushing helps keep the coat in good form.

My friend has s retired greyhound and he’s huge, bigger than a Weimaraner but would freak out at more than an hour or so walking a day! He’s a big cuddle monster! They have kids and he had never really been in a home before (as was living in kennels as a racer then at rescue place) but took to it really well, now lives the right royal life!!

Same with whippets, they can walk loads or not a lot then give them a cushion & they are happy!!
Poodles same, though they’ll walk more & you can train them endlessly they are quick to learn, super intelligent want to please so much fun! Then want to snuggle
But a puppy will ALWAYS be hard work

Our cocker also adores children and is very patient with crawling babies. My friend has always had Westies right through her children and now grandchildren. Labradoodle or cockapoos though the latter are smaller and very cuddly.

Staffies are great with kids. They are known as the nanny dog. And there are lots at rescue centres because of people irresponsibly breeding them, so you would be saving one from being PTS

Could you offer to foster for a rescue as a trial? I used to foster, mainly old staffies because they have such a rough ride. Smaller rescues take each home on its own merit, then offer support every step of the way; they also cover the big bills. It would help get another dog out of kennels & give you the chance to see how dog ownership suited you

This was my last staffy bitch, a 9 year old. She was so laid back & family orientated it was unreal. We kept her in the end 🙄 I got good at being a failed foster

we have a poodle cross (not sure what exactly as she is a rescue) She has a lovely temperament, great with children, quite active and playful but equally happy to snuggle up on the sofa. We are delighted with her

Staffie are one of, if not the best dog with children

I would say a spaniel type dog. But yy to those saying NOT a puppy! Our dog is 8 months old and fully into the "teen" months. She's basically a jerk.

My whippet loves children even though I don’t have any of my own. He’s a great size at 13 kilos and easy to handle with no grooming requirements. He even cleans himself like a cat

He was pretty full on as a small puppy though so if you could get a young adult whippet I would vote for that.

Border terriers are very Iovely wee family dogs. Ours love nothing more than a cuddle on the sofa. Being terriers they're not typically suited to low energy house hold although one of ours is actually quite content with quite sort walks and a snooze by the fire!

Schnauzer! Perfect in every way!

Lhasa apso. Best dogs ever. Mine loves kids and is very friendly.

Cavalier Spaniel

Staffies are absolutely incredible with children and I'm sure your local rescue will be filled with them. Not because people don't want them for negative reasons (aggression/biting ect), but because they were so over-bread that there just aren't enough homes to go round, people moved onto the next trend of dog (mini dogs) and put their staffies into homes. The negative connotation towards the breed altered people's views massively too, but they are so easy to train and like I said, absolutely amazing with kids. They're just muscly teddy bears.

I have a Cavachon he adores children, easy to care for and very affectionate