Another dog breed advice thread - sorry!

[teatimetreat]

Hello all,

I know there are multiple threads asking for advice on dog breeds (and i think i have read them all!), but i'm still left with some questions that i'd appreciate any advice/experiences on.

So we are family of four - children are 5 and 7. I have always wanted a dog for our family but only now i feel ready to make the commitment as i'll be the main care giver. I work three days week so we would need a dog walker for those days during working hours. We are quite "outdoorsy" as a family and like camping, hiking etc etc so are out in the wilds quite a bit and i'm not put off by walking a dog (I walk a great deal by myself now just for enjoyment :-)) We live in the suburbs but have large parks within walking distance for daily walks and often are in the countryside at weekends.

Breed wise, my husband doesn't like small dogs, so i'm ruling them out, he also isn't keen on dogs that shed or drool a lot but he does likes intelligent dogs with a bit of a presence (yep - he's the fussy one!).

Given that info, anyone got any ideas? Would consider a larger dog - the Great Swiss being one of them - but i'm a bit concerned about the picking up the poo situation, and also given their size I'd imagine they are not as easy to take out and about if need be to shops/cafes etc? Also when my kids are older - is it feasible to think they could walk a big dog or is that a no-no?

I guess another question would be is a medium sized dog much more practical on a day to day basis...?

Would really appreciate any ideas :-)

Our Airedale is excellent with other dogs, our small Tibetan Spaniel actually lords over him. But we’ve owned dogs for decades and know how to socialize them (or have been lucky).
I found the online description of Airedale’s a bit extreme compared to our dog.
I’d recommend speaking to a few breeders.

I have staffies, very intelligent, can run for miles and wonderful family dogs. Don’t be influenced by the tabloid nonsense; you’re more likely to be bitten by a collie or jrt.
They are easy to train, loyal and also total snuggle bugs. Mine are all rescues, have a collie too; weirdo of the group 🤣

Smooth Collie is a VNB too, OP.

Don't confuse them with the Border Collie, as per PP suggestion to avoid anything Collie based. The different breeds are very different creatures. (Although Beardies in my limited experience can also be a bit wild.)

Irish Setters seem mad as hatters too, think the Gordons and the Irish Red & White (also a VNB) a bit calmer.

@teatimetreat I've never had a setter, talking only from professional experience as a vet. They are definitely daft/ a bit loopy/ kind hearted/ a bit thick but I haven't met a nasty one. They drool about as much as a golden retriever- not near the giant breeds on the drool spectrum but more than a smaller dog. Another vote for Staffies as well, although those who have them tend to come up against unfounded bias by those who see them as aggressive, which would get frustrating when people cross the street to avoid them. I would rather deal with a staffie than a westie any day!

We have a Spanish water dog. He looks like a small labradoodle but isint.
Doesn't shed or drool. Very intelligent, very biddable, loyal and can walk for miles.
He is an absolute dream for us.

Look up Vizslas. They are a gorgeous breed. Really sweet natured, love the outdoors, intelligent, low odour, don't drool, super affectionate...and easy to take care of their coat. Love their family and children. Can be full on as puppies, but learn quickly.

We had one for 12 glorious years, but she is no longer with us sadly. We will definitely get one again in the future.

I have 2 staffies (one crossed with a lab) and they are amazing family dogs.

It’s hard to have another breed when you’ve had gsd, can’t you just find a good breeder?

A poodle cross for intelligence and low shed.

Don’t rule out a rescue!!

1. Smooth collie
2. Boxer

Wow thanks everyone for your suggestions!

@Namechange8471 love a dog picture! Thank for posting Have heard alot of good things about staffies but not sure how I'd feel about living with other people's judgement of my beloved dog....I know that isn't fair on the breed.

As for a rescue, I always planned to get a rescue dog pre kids, but it doesn't seem that rescues will rehome with kids as young as mine. Plus would like a puppy to grow right from the start with the kids (for both their benefit!) and young puppies hard to come by from rescues.

I have 5 dogs 2 whippets and 3 border collies plus a 2 year old daughter.

I would recommend having a whippet or a lurcher (but not with bull breed in there) as they are usually calm at home and nuts when out so are a lot of fun.

All my dogs are fantastic with my daughter.

When I ran a dog training class I had a lot of different breeds attend and also did canine behaviour before having my daughter.

Any type of dog can adjust to family life however you need to look at the breed traits carefully with children. If its a cross breed look at the different breeds.

I recommended whippets - they tend not to be an aggressive breed and also actively like children and enjoy playing and snuggling with them. They will take any amount of exercise you give them so long or short walks. They don't drool, low shedding, medium sized except when curled up !

Lurchers tend to be bigger than whippets esp if greyhound cross again low shedding/drooling active couch potatoes but also very trainable my old lurcher competed in obedience and agility at a high level. The reason I said go for non bull lurchers as having the bull side can increase prey drive and that isn't necessarily great with kids.

I hope this helps

I also think a poodle would fit the bill. We have quite a tall mini. His head is just above my knee and I’m on the tall side.

Standards are pretty big. They don’t have to be faffy-looking.
If you keep them in a ‘short all over’ cut they are pretty sensible looking.

Forgot the picture!

Why not go to some reputable rescues and tell them what you can offer a dog? If they have the right dog for you, you'll meet them.

I'm in Scotland too and I have rescue dogs. In the past mine have come from Dog's Trust, a rescue in Manchester, another rescue in South Wales and a freead on Gumtree.

They've all been the best dogs for us. I've never, ever had to housetrain or leadtrain a dog and I've never had anything in the house chewed. It's dog ownership 101.
My current two.

@MissShapesMissStakes - is that your poodle?! Gorgeous!!!

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder fantastic picture!

German shorthaired Pointer. Very intelligent, lots of presence, short coat which is easy maintenance, great with children and love an active life but happy to sofa surf when needed.

Rotties and Doberman’s are lovely dogs though they do tend to shed

In fact the only dogs that don’t shed much are poodles and those wire coated breeds that require fur stripping

Staffies would be a nice fit too

All of them are energetic intelligent breeds who are keen and eager to please

Hi I would suggest that you check out a greyhound or whippet gentle loving and real couch potatoes after mad energy release on walks perfect companions. Don't rule out rescue.

Another vote here for the staffie, you literally cannot beat them with children. They do shed but their hair is extremely short so you don't really notice it, unlike for example the labrador, who shed like crazy and have quite long thick fur (labs are also quite bad for people like me who suffer from allergies - my mum has 2 and I can't step foot in her house or car even though it looks spotless). Staffies can also walk for miles without suffering and will play games with the kids for hours. I regularly take my boy out for hours and he loves it.
If you really want to go for one of the VNB I'd second the Gordon Setter, I met a few at a show a few weeks ago and they're lovely dogs, pretty sure they shed though. They seemed very calm compared to other setters but still fun.
The Swiss mountain dog wouldn't be capable of doing quite as much as some of the other breeds, all the giant breeds have to be on severely restricted exercise until 12 months then after that you still have to be careful. Great dogs if that's ok with you. Definitely shed though, and get a bit whiffy when wet lol.
I'm not sure about the idea of a smooth collie, the few I've known over the years were not the friendliest with people or dogs, not as bad as border collies but still not great. Beardies on the other hand seem very happy, friendly, very active and super clever.
The very best dog after the staffie (for your requirements) in my opinion is the Doberman, surprised nobody has mentioned them. Like the staffies, they have a bad press, especially in the 80s but they're the most friendly, fun-loving, amazingly intelligent, easy to train, very active and agile, and have super short fur which does shed but like the staffie you wouldn't notice it. You should read about them, most people don't realise how amazing they are but I've known around 25 over the years and not one had an unfriendly bone in their body. They're also hilarious, similar to the boxer in that respect but with tonnes better attributes.
And they're more "manly" than the standard poodle (which are also great dogs, very intelligent, but I have known far too many who have been almost entirely out of control).
Good luck deciding, you will love whichever breed you end up with and won't regret getting a dog. And like others have said, don't discount a rescue, in my experience they're amazing and you can find most breeds in rescue centres (except the VNBs). My dog is a rescue and he's the most amazing, easy to train, friendly dog. And my last dog was a pedigree Weimaraner from a breeder and was very clever but an absolute nightmare to train.

I've created an account just to reply to this post. Please consider an Irish terrier, they're massively intelligent, curious, beguiling, characterful, gorgeous dogs! They're a vulnerable breed and it's a real shame more people aren't aware of them! I have a 1 and 4 year old and I couldn't ask for a better dog, perfect for an outdoor lifestyle and they sound like they'd fit you down to a T! 😁😁

Not sure if it's been mentioned but large dogs tend to have a shorter life span 😞 The kennel club have a tool on their website which narrows down your choice depending on what sort of dog and your lifestyle. However it only suggests pedigrees.

I’d go cocker spaniel all the way. Mine had completely stolen my heart. She’s the happiest, friendliest, liveliest bundle of fun and energy. She’s great with my kids and has been a fantastic addition to our family.

Forgot to say if theres something your interested in and you want to look at it from a dog trainer/behaviourists point of view you are welcome to pm me to discuss.