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Which breed should we get?

63 replies

LipstickforFish · 08/01/2019 09:15

We have wanted a dog for years and years but it was never the right time (both working full time and living in a flat, etc)

We now have the time and outside space for a dog so we are starting to think about it. However we cannot agree on breed. I have always wanted a pug even before they got "popular". However my DP thinks they have too many health issues and would rather get a "proper dog" like a Lab or Staffie.

So, what would be recommended for the following family;

Medium garden, lots of woodland and fields nearby for walking
Someone is home pretty much all the time
We have a two year old
We have two indoor cats

Any ideas?

OP posts:
BigusBumus · 08/01/2019 18:43

Absolutely without a doubt the dog to get if you have small children and are an inexperienced dog owner is a Labrador.

Get a good breeder, not from working stock, but the show type. (Working dogs NEED to work and can be exhausting - we have them).

They are very greedy though and need you to be very strict about feeding. They WILL take food out of toddlers hands / off the kitchen counters / out the bin.

BUT, because of their greed they are easy AF to train, will do anything for a treat.

Girlintheframe · 08/01/2019 20:13

Our children grew up with a lab. He was the most fantastic family dog and the children just adored him.
If you are happy to provide plenty of exercise, don’t mind the hair and want a lovely, loyal family dog then I would go for a lab every time

Doggydoggydoggy · 08/01/2019 20:31

I am not one for labelling breeds but I would think carefully about a Labrador as an inexperienced owner with young children.

All puppies are bitey, but labs, spaniels and GSDs are up there as generally some of the worst!
Labradors are an extremely mouthy breed, I think this has to be carefully considered if your youngest is only two..

They have a reputation for being slow and lazy because people are used to seeing them fed to death and massively obese.
A healthy Labrador is anything but!
They are a very lively, bouncy, joyous, in your face breed.
Quite a contrast energy wise to your average pug.
A pug is typically low energy, a Labrador definately isn’t!

Yet again I see a poster warning of the dreaded working line..
Nonsense!
There are good and bad breeders in both lines but generally speaking working lines are often, not always, more ‘balanced’ dogs temperament wise and healthier.

Given the choice, I would never opt for a show bred dog where a working line exists!

You can’t have an excellent working dog with a shitty temperament. Particularly in a Labrador (gundog) that needs to work in close range with strange people and dogs.
Working breeders value temperament and health very highly.

You absolutely can have a top champion show dog with an awful temperament...

I know a lot of working bred collies, labradors and spaniels.
None of them NEED to work.
They are all calm in the house and lively outside.

I would suggest that if a working bred dog NEEDS to work and can’t relax you are either over stimulating that dog or it is bred with poor off switch and needs training to calm down and relax.

That was really long winded but what I am basically trying to say is a Labrador is VERY different to a pug so maybe not the best choice and don’t be frightened of the working lines, they are brilliant dogs.

Bowchicawowow · 08/01/2019 20:35

Get a boxer. They are such a loving breed of dog.

Doggydoggydoggy · 08/01/2019 20:39

Another massively lively, bouncy, joyous, in your face breed.

What are you looking for in terms of energy?

Low like a pug?
Or high like a lab or boxer?

I agree with a pp, you haven’t really given people much to go on with what your looking for.

itisitis · 08/01/2019 20:39

What about a Lhasa? I have two kids, 10 and 7 and they get on brilliantly with them. They don't shed so no excess hair everywhere, although they do require regular grooming.

Downsides to Lhasa's are they can be very stubborn and difficult to house train. I had one who was the most laid back dog ever, would let you wash him, blow dry him, walk him for hours and was house trained in two weeks. Our new Lhasa, now almost 8 months, still would pee in the house if you wasn't watching, he hates walks and will actively sit in a puddle rather than move on a lead, and has no interest whatsoever in chasing a ball.

But, both are fabulous dogs. We wouldn't be without them.

SwingoutSisterSledge · 08/01/2019 20:43

I totally agree Boxers are the most loving loyal dogs and great with children but very hard work at puppy stage mine was very boisterous up until the age of around 3 and that was with training.

Katerinablum66 · 08/01/2019 20:46

We have a female mini schnauzer and she has the loveliest temperament, doesn't shed hair and almost never barks. Very easy to house train and loves nothing more than to sit on your knee or snuggle up to you on the sofa of an evening. Never snapped at anyone and she gets loads of attention off our dc.

Bertiebitch32 · 08/01/2019 20:50

Golden retriever ! Awesome dogs and very smart. They shed a lot do invest in a decent hoover

Icklepup · 08/01/2019 20:55

Border terrier.. small, cute, healthy little dogs who can go for a stroll or a big walk. I think they're lovely looking and similar size to a pug.

Idlikeabunchofbananasplease · 08/01/2019 20:56

Please please please adopt there are so many wonderful dog's needing a good home. I've adopted a Scolly. ( Staff x Colley) he's the best friend I've ever had. Good luck hope you find your best friend

Bowchicawowow · 08/01/2019 20:57

I think adoption is unlikely with such a young dc.

rededucator · 08/01/2019 21:01

I have a black 'staffador' and he is the kindest, most loyal, gentle dog. He's a 'proper dog' and the cross between your husbands suggestions. He is the height of a staffy but the build of a lab, so the best of both worlds. He cane from the rescue Centre so is also an ethical option. Feel free to PM.

Idlikeabunchofbananasplease · 08/01/2019 21:05

Not true Bowchiicawowow. My son was 8 and autistic was a great experience. The kennel staff really helped us with our choice. If your unsure always get advice

Bowchicawowow · 08/01/2019 21:08

It is true for many people. The OP has said she has looked into adoption and isn’t eligible because of the age of her dc.

Idlikeabunchofbananasplease · 08/01/2019 21:11

It's such a shame tho.

Namechange8471 · 08/01/2019 21:15

We also have a "staffador" (staff x lab)

He is perfect, even my dog wary autistic daughter loves him, he's a complete soft shit!

We walk him twice a day, he sleeps in his cage on a night.

Plus minimal shedding!

LipstickforFish · 08/01/2019 21:15

Well, we are looking for a dog that is good with children and cats.

We have a smallish house so we don't want anything too large, which is why I am drawn to pugs, French bulldogs, etc. However I am not keen on tiny dogs like terriers or Chihuahua.

Something we can take on walks around the village and nearby woodland but isn't going to require being exercised strenuously.

Capable of being left alone without destroying the house, we don't go out often but if we do, it's not more than a few hours.

Ideally a dog that isn't literally bouncing off the walls in terms of energy, just something that is happy to potter around the house at times but also likes a walk!

As for the adoption thing, like I said - we have looked and due to having a young child and cats, it's limited.

OP posts:
Doggydoggydoggy · 08/01/2019 21:24

I think Staffordshire bull terriers, Tibetan spaniels, miniature poodles,
Border terriers, papillons would all be good fits?

But I would say that child friendliness comes down inheriting a stable, tolerant temperament (look for calm, confident friendly parents) and good experiences with children.

A low prey drive breed for the cats, but again you need to put the effort in to make sure the pup knows what expected I.e don’t ever let them get a taste of chasing! Reward calmness around cat etc.

Separation anxiety, again, this is largely down to training and individual personality.

Wolfiefan · 08/01/2019 21:24

No puppy is good with kids.
No breed is guaranteed with cats.
You don’t want anything pug like. The health issues are horrendous.
You need to think about what you can provide. How long a walk each day? How much off lead?
Puppies don’t potter.
And grooming?

ErrolTheDragon · 08/01/2019 23:02

Dachshunds are snappy, bitty, aggressive, little buggers, so avoid them..

My standard dachs isn't. Actually, the only criterion from the OPs list he might not meet is 'good with cats' ... he's a bit scared of most of the ones round here. He can walk up Lake District mountains but he's happy to just potter around and definitely doesn't need walking in bad weather.

Which just goes to show that you can't generalise about dog temperament from their breed.

tabulahrasa · 08/01/2019 23:05

Most terriers aren’t tiny, they’re, well, pug sized tbh...

I mean they’re probably higher energy than it sounds like you’re after, but they’re not tiny.

Not too energetic you want something originally bred as a companion really, Maltese and what have you might be worth looking at.

Or a sighthound, whippet if you’re after smallish - they’re built for sprinting, so fairly laidback compared to breeds originally meant to run for hours.

Doggydoggydoggy · 08/01/2019 23:06

Yes Errol my SIL has a mini dachshund and he’s lovely.
Super super friendly with everyone, including cats!

SimplySteve · 08/01/2019 23:08

Shin'Tzu x 1,000,000.

Not joking. Have had them since DD was a baby and DS was 3, so 19 years. Placid, happy, fun loving, friendly dogs. Adventurous and especially curious yes, in love of walks, cuddles SadSadSadSad, hugs and they love snuggling. Inquisitive, protective and just so-so loving. There is no other breed I would, or will, ever consider.

SimplySteve · 08/01/2019 23:09

Have had them grow up with the children, and again from their teens, so a continuous presence (across three Shih'Tzus).

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