Best family dog breed suggestions please

[SarfE4sticated]

Hi everyone, since the sad demise of our lovely rescue cat, and my new career as freelance publishing goddess, I think we at long last might be able to get a dog. I have registered with all of the local rescues, and will hopefully get a rescue mixed breed dog, but would like some breed recommendations just in case.
My DD would love a soppy loving gentle dog as my DD (10) is a bit of a wuss so something like a Cavalier King Charles but without the health problems
My DH would love something sleek looking like a pointer (he's not really bothered though so we only slightly need to take his opinion into account)
I would love a Cairn, as i know and trust them as a breed, I like that you can have them on your lap for a cuddle, carry them on the escalators but also that you can walk them for miles and they're fun to be with.
I would also love to get another rescue cat, so a breed that is happy with a cat would be great.
I have no real experience of any dog types apart from terriers, so any advice you could give me would be great.
Thanks all!

Get a very young whippet and they will get on with your cat but maybe not your neighbours. Some just aren't bothered and a rescue should know whether they are or not. Mine loves cats in all the wrong ways but it is my whippet that would suffer not the cat in the event that they have an unplanned meet up. They are very cat like - for a dog!

Have you tried Forever Hounds Trust? They often have whippet crosses looking for a home.

I’ve had many Cavaliers never had a problem with them being (needy) all of them live to a ripe old age currently own one that’s 14 and she still enjoys a walk once a week bless her. She’s been on heart meds since the age of 12.
They are the most loving of dogs extremely beautiful nature with every body mine adore little children. I also own a French bulldog and she’s a right madam. But also wonderful with kids.

Hi countrybump nothing on their website, but I'll call them in the morning.

Border terrier if you wear the trouser otherwise get a whippet instead of a pointer. Both great breeds.

BTW, I'd only consider a whippet under 2 years old if you live well away from busy roads. As hard as I tried, over the first few years mines managed to sneak past me and out the front door only to refuse to come back on a few occasions.
If I'd lived anywhere near traffic I'm absolutely convinced she wouldn't have reached her first birthday.
They are VERY headstrong at that age and respond negatively to the slightest hint of panic in your voice, resulting in them heading in the opposite direction towards danger as you plead with them to come back and let you put a lead on them.
Very flighty breed

Golden Retrievers are about the most undemanding & nicest natured dogs you could wish for. Their only negative trait seems to be gluttony! I'm saying all of this as the unbiased owner as of a Border Collie, one of the trickiest & most complex dogs I've ever had anything to do with.

Personally I don’t think size matters so much in a small house as energy. I’d rather have a big lazy dog than a small energetic one (also live in a flat).

I’m in Korea and corgis are super popular here and it is just madness to me considering 99% of people live in a flat. They always end up in rescues cos no one can deal with their energy. Smaller does not always equal good in a flat.

Like others have said, a whippet or a greyhound would be good. Lots in rescues, pretty lazy but fun to go out with.

Labs are fantastic family pets. Grubby, greedy and totally loyal.
TBH I would avoid a working cocker. Clue is in the name. They are working dogs. A country side living friend had to give hers to a game keeper on an estate so it could live life to its fullest.

Good luck.

I wouldn’t get a working type dog like a working cocker spaniel. They need a lot of walking and activity.

King Charles look very sweet but I’ve always been put off by the health problems (and some of them look a bit too gremlin )

Spaniels often suffer from separation anxiety.

I have a spaniel and it’s recall is 100%, in all honesty I don’t even have to call it, it just comes back itself, I think it’s worried I might run off !!! It’s scared of cats, but had a previous one with a cat so it depends.

Labrador’s like to sleep but stubborn to train, prob a bit big for a flat.

I can’t imagine the fur situation of a golden retriever. They seem all mad and sweet.

Always been tempted by a Westie or bedlington terrier but have no experience on terriers. Worried about the digging side and yapping.

Labrador’s like to sleep but stubborn to train, prob a bit big for a flat surely labs are the easiest to train?!

King Charles are not gremlin like (red clutches the terror twins to her heaving bosum in horror)....

And none of my cavaliers have suffered from separation anxiety.. They just toddle off and go to sleep when we go out

This is all very helpful ladies.

Earthmover thanks for that insight, I wouldn't have thought of that. Maybe a cross would stop temper that flight instinct a bit? I assume that a rescue home check would look for that?

We have two clear winners I think, either Whippety cross, or CKCS!

Thanks again everyone!

If you like Cairns have a look at Norfolk Terriers. They are sweet natured, love walking and exploring and are lovely with other dogs and people. They have very very few health issues. Only downside is they can shout a bit and are terribly greedy. Very expensive as only have tiny litters but you could try the Norfolk Terrier club and enquire about rescues.
Would 100% recommend in your situation

I grew up with Lab or collie crosses and they were lovely dogs. Dachshund mixes are fun dogs.

I love Norfolks and Norwich Terriers, but as you say, very small litters and very rare. I might as well get a Cairn.
Thanks everyone :D

If you wanted a whippetish puppy, then keep an eye on the EGLR facebook as they currently have a pregnant whippetish bitch, so all being well they will have pups soonish (though obv they don't go to their homes until 8 weeks),

Unless you live in a garden flat, don't underestimate the amount of work a puppy will be though - they need to be taken to toilet every half an hour for weeks and weeks. In fact generally, pups are incredibly hard work as you need to be thinking about them an awful lot

We do have a garden flat CMOT thankfully, would not get a dog otherwise, and live close to some lovely parks, so we would be able to give them a good life.

The Mayhew has some Lurcher puppies in at the moment. They're north London. I do know people with sighthounds and cats, even with rabbits and small furries. Yes some don't cope, but that could be said for ANY breed of dog, but some with the right socialising do just fine.

Might be worth using the long weekend to do a whistle-stop tour of the London rescues. You have Dogs Trust in Harefield, Battersea, The Mayhew, All Dogs Matter, who am I forgetting?

We have 2 Lurchers and 2 cats. 1 dog is relatively new to the family but is more than fine around them. They are both amazingly patient with ds 3 who lays with them and tells them stories!

Oh my goodness Bunny look at this creature. They look like they're going to be pretty big though! We're planning to go to Battersea first, and am registered with All Dogs Matter and ProDogs, plus a couple in Essex.

adorable creature link will hopefully work now.

Crikey April what beautiful dogs!

I love the look of little Daisy here, but can't tell if she is a Greyhound or Whippet cross...

Daisy looks adorable!! Maybe more greyhound in the face shape? I was never a' scratty 'dog lover tbh!! We have big dogs also but I am forgoing my aged name of old cat lady in the future and going to be Lurcher Lady instead!!