Best breed for a family dog?

[Beautiful3]

After having a cat, we moss having a family pet. We're thinking of buying a dog. After some research I think that a king Charles cocker spaniel caviler would be ideal. Apparently they're great with children, mine are 6 & 9. I like the idea that after a walk they'll sit on your lap to watch a film. Can you experienced dog lovers give me any advice please?

[Beautiful3]

@Walney basset hounds look so adorable!! My favourite so far! Do they bark alot? As im after a quiet dog. Too much yapping would annoy me!

[Floralnomad]

Some bassets have a reputation for howling , my aunt had one and that’s basically all it did .

[puppymouse]

Another vote for golden retriever. Ours doesn't like loud babble and noise and is wary of children but always gently walks away and has patience of a saint. He comes out with me hacking on my horse and whilst he isn't the sharpest tool in the box, he's pretty obedient, easy to trust and manage and extremely lovable.

[Walney]

@Beautiful3 they can howl, but mine doesn't. She barks like any dog, but it's a proper bark rather than a yap. But she generally doesn't bark unless playing excitedly in the park with her doggy pals. However I did do separation training as a priority as I knew barking could be an issue and they are stubborn, but this means mine doesn't bark or howl.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

Labradors are the absolute best.

We have a lab - they are greedy, bouncy and hairy, but they are honestly the most gorgeous things - you fall in love with them and forgive them everything like knocking the bin over and eating everything in there.

We also got a spaniel (cocker spaniel) by mistake. He was up for rescue and I took pity. God knows, I sort of love him, and he's god company for the lab, but I will never get another spaniel. They're fucking crazy.

[Widgetsframe]

Japeneze spitz?

[bluebluezoo]

Try a Cavapoo, cavalier king charles spaniel crossed with poodle, good temperament, fewer health problems, and low shedding

Please don’t. Or any other poo, doodle, or designer cross.

To start they are puppy farm material, and it really doesn’t sound like the o/p has enough dog knowledge to be able to separate good breeders from bad. Second they aren’t always lower shedding, and you have no idea whether they’ll be like one parent or the other. Thirdly they are high maintenance in terms of grooming and walking, again not for the novice.

O/p, if you are looking for a puppy from a reputable breeder, chances are you could be waiting around 2 years as a) they won’t have many litters, and b) they won’t have a litter until they have homes lined up.

Have you thought about a staffie? Great family pets and lots in rescue.

[viktoria]

Whippets are great. Don't shed, sleep a lot, don't bark much.
We have one and he's a perfect family dog.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

The spaniel barks at the doorbell (crazy barking), the wind, people walking past the house, he will growl at people he doesn't know, he bit the postman. He's crazy. I know not all cockers are as bad as him. He makes me feel like the worst dog owner ever.

The lab (also a rescue) is gentle, adorable, friendly, beautiful and makes me feel like the best dog owner ever

OP - just know that dogs are much different from cats. They are MUCH more work, make days out and holidays more difficult - and most puppies chew fucking everything up. One of ours chewed the remote control up and my DH's £80 "smart shoes" - but they are worth it. Know now, that you will not want to put your adored in kennels when you go on hols - think about what you'll do. Mine go to my mum.

[Nogodsnomasters]

I have a bichon frise, if trained properly won't bark but if allowed to as a puppy can become very yappy as a breed so down to owners own commitment to training that in them. Mine is 3 years old and very rarely barks, only whines if in pain/distress.

Doesn't shed which is a huge bonus for me as I can't be arsed hoovering hair constantly but it does mean she needs groomed more frequently as she just gets more and more fluffy since its not shedding lol.

Due to her size she doesn't need that much exercise, also a bonus as I work full time, dh part time and we have a 5yr old with ASD so I literally couldn't have a dog who needed 3 walks a day to burn energy.

They are great with children, my ds loves her.

[Mermaidoutofwater]

If you’re considering a larger sized dog like I Labrador I would strongly recommend a Golden Retriever instead. They tend to be much more laid back and biddable in my experience. Labradors also shed a lot too despite the appearance of a shorter coat.
Goldens are affectionate and love children.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

You'll need a new hoover if you get a lab, that's for sure. They're so gorgeous they're worth it though. I've always wanted a retriever too - do they not shed as much? Retrievers never seem to come up in rescue (and I only have rescue dogs).

[greatbighillofhope]

'a high energy, active dog who would love walks & activities and training; a calm, affectionate dog who is relaxed around the house after some exercise; a companion lap dog who needs limited exercise but is good company'
We have a cavalier and she is all of that. She is just as happy hill walking as she is snuggling up with us on the sofa. If she doesn't get a walk, she really isn't bothered, in fact, the only thing she hates is going out in the rain! She is lively, playful and makes friends with every dog and person she meets. My son has special needs and she is always calm even when he's having a meltdown, she has a wonderful influence on him and he loves her very much. They do very much like human company, and will follow you around the house, happy just to be wherever you are. But, as you are aren't working then that wouldn't be a problem. Our cavalier is the best thing we have ever done for family bonding too, we all adore her and she is so affectionate in return.
I did a lot of research into breeds and yes, they do have genetic problems, BUT so do an enormous number of other pedigree dogs. I asked a couple of vets I know and they agreed that they aren't hugely more prone to problems than many other dogs but have for some reason got a far worse reputation for bad health. The vets also said that they'd never known one with any sort of difficult behaviour issue which is probably why you rarely find them in rescue. 100% the right choice for our family

[Walney]

Echoing other peoples comments about dogs being harder work because of the extra planning for days out. We use doggy daycare through dog walking sites for when we want days out without the dog, but it's just an extra thing to budget and plan for. I know someone who didn't think this through and relies heavily on friends looking after her dog regularly for free.

FYI about bassets, they really are unique and be prepared for extra work with training. Ours does recall and other basic commands and can be left for 2-3 hours without barking or getting stressed, and they flat basset on walks where they lie down and refuse to move. But I honestly can't think of any breed that is as great with children as a basset, ours loves our daughter and they just want sleep and cuddles. At home she is calm and very relaxed, but not lazy as she loves her walks and running in the park.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

You'll want to match your lab to your furnishings too Light carpets/sofas - get a golden. Dark floors/furnishings - black lab is your friend.

[downbutnotout2018]

Golden retriever every time. But check if the mum and dad were placid as that's what you want around kids.

[BunchMunch]

We have a bearded collie - excellent family dog, intelligent and silly rolled into one. He's been a godsend for DS who has autism and adhd.
Very easy to train, and cute as a button.
But - high grooming requirements, expensive unless you learn to do it yourself. Also tend to have separation anxiety.

A rare breed now sadly.

I'd second a pp who suggested joining borrow my doggy to see how you get on first.

[Kaddm]

Cavaliers are absolutely perfect little family dogs, really lovely dogs. However the big downside is the potential for serious health issues. You could maybe go for a cavapoo or a cockerpoo or a maltipoo.

[Stayawayfromitsmouth]

How about a poodle?

[AdalbertWaffling]

I'm looking for a dog that just needs 3 x30 minute walks a day and cuddles on the sofa.

A greyhound or whippet would be perfect for this OP - they only need short bursts of exercise, and spend the rest of the day lounging. If you don't want to go on an hour's walk per day (at least), then I wouldn't really recommend any other breed! Posters that suggest smaller dogs, just because they're small doesn't mean they need less exercise - sometimes the opposite! It's all to do with the breed, so make sure you research that before going with anything. Good luck!

[Peanutbuttericecream]

Labrador or Golden Retriever.

[Blackgreyhound]

Greyhounds are good family dogs usually. Mine will walk as far as we will, will be happy to just pop out (they hate rain usually) and be entertained with a chew/ bone/ toy. They sleep and sleep and sleep when at home, love snuggling on the sofa with a film. If you get one straight from racing they'll need toilet training etc but so would a puppy. The only problem with Greys is that although they love a cuddle it's like cuddling a bag of elbows, you get used to it though. My Greyhound's favourite day is a long walk through the park, pub for a pint or two and home for a film and a roast.
They can suffer with sensitive stomachs, will need to be kept on a lead and muzzled until they're used to smaller dogs (but will be used to this) and some will need to be shown how to behave around food etc- mine would never take a morsel but some will counter surf. They're a funny, lovely breed and I want another!

[LolaSmiles]

I knew there'd be instant claims of going to rescues.

I'd look at specific breeds in more detail and crosses (not talking designer cool crosses with silly names, more mutts with similar qualities). There are pros and cons of going rescue Vs puppy from breeder and you'll need to weigh them up for your family and what's available in your area. I would personally focus on getting the right breed for your family, which may be breeder or rescue, rather than taking what you like the look of in rescue. Often rescue dogs come with their own issues and history and can require a more experienced pair of hands to help them settle, a puppy from a reputable breeder is more work in terms of house training but you get to set the culture and attachment from the start

Labradors and Golden Retrievers can be excellent family pets, but you'd want to look into hip scores etc and also make an informed decision on levels of exercise they'd require. They are easy to train and keen to please but they also require regular training and reminders of who is boss, clear boundaries regarding sitting on people/furniture etc.

Maybe rather than look at breeds to see if they fit, you could make a list of what your lifestyle is like, garden space, people at home, dog-sitter or dog walker, will they be alone, what sort of hobbies and down time activities do you all do, and what you want from a dog and then people can go from there with suggestions

[MaraScottie]

Totally second a greyhound. Healthy, calm, affectionate dogs and they make wonderful family pets. Unfortunately the rescues are bursting with them so that would be a good place to start.

[AutumnColours9]

I have a bichon frise too and she is a bundle of fun. Very playful and a bit yappy but brilliant with kids and allergies.