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]

I wouldnt like a barking/yapping/howling dog. Looks like the whippet/greyhound may be a better fit for us. We 're visiting the nearest dogs trust tomorrow so will have a chat with staff there and perhaps meet some suitable dogs.

[Scoleah]

Another one here for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

[hereforasillygoosetime]

DO NOT get a cavalier OP!

[SospanFrangipan]

We have a cocker & a sprocker. Both are brilliant family dogs. Very loving, obedient, train well, lots of fun, and are brilliant with DS who is 2.5yrs. I'm not saying they're not hard work, as they can be. They're both constantly wired, even with a huge garden to run about in, and daily walks. Wouldn't change them for the world. They've both got great personalities, and make us laugh numerous times per day!

[Rostbif]

We've got an Australian Shepard, and he is a wonderful family dog. We've had him since the DCs were 5, 7 and 10. He's super affectionate, intelligent and silly, with bags of character 😀 Possible downsides are quite a bit of shedding and needs lots of exercise. I've had quite a few dogs, and he is definitely the most 'human' 😂

[zebrasdontwearbras]

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

Er, because in my case it's true? I have, over the years had 2 cats and 3 dogs via rescue. And thus, I have saved 2 cats, and 3 dogs lives as opposed to buying 2 new kittens and 3 new puppies.

[LolaSmiles]

zebrasdontwearbras
It just seems to be a thing where a poster asks about one thing and regardless of the question people turn up telling them to go to rescue.

The OP has asked for advice on breeds of dog for family, not to be told where they should get their dog from. I find it the pet equivalent of unsolicited parenting advice.

[Blackgreyhound]

If you want a Greyhound I'd research the breed then go to a Grey/ Sighthound specific rescue in your area rather than a Dog Trust/ RSPCA type place. Fewer restrictions and they'll match a dog to your family.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

Rescue has almost all breeds - far better than lining the pockets of puppy farms. Which nearly all new "bought" puppies are from - whether the buyers realise it or not.

My Lab was a rescue - an ex breeder, and she is beautiful - an absolutely ideal family dog - despite the shit the puppy farmers did to her to exploit her for her pups. She'd never even lived in a house before the foster home we collected her from - but she's a perfect family pet.

[LolaSmiles]

zebrasdontwearbras
That's still advice, experiences and opinions to share when someone asks for it, not when they ask questions about one topic and people decide to get their high horse topic advice in early. Otherwise it is the pet equivalent of mums who offer their input on the correct way to do X when you asked for some input about Y.

All of that comes once someone is at a position of making an informed decision about their breed and how the dog fits into their lifestyle and will be adequately provided for, not at the point of exploring breeds.

[Woahriver]

Cocked spaniels and hyper, licky, jumpy, and they steal socks

[zebrasdontwearbras]

If you don't think it's a good idea to warn people about giving their money to puppy farms - which many unknowingly do - Lola - then don't. But others will.

The cruelty to dogs in puppy farms is indescribable. You may ignore it if you want - I, and others, won't. I wouldn't want to pay inflated prices for a puppy out of a puppy far m- thus propogating the cruelty - only to find that you are not even getting a healthy puppy - and just lining the pockets of cynical people who abuse animals for profit.

[tryingtobebetterallthetime]

A miniature poodle can be a great family pet. Smart and affectionate. The big bonus is no shedding, and they don't tend to smell doggy.

They are very loyal.

They don't have to be clipped all fancy, just a puppy clip to keep their coat under control. They look adorable clipped this way.

Not too big but big enough to go out with family for long walks.

[LolaSmiles]

zebrasdontwearbras
I'm not following your logic here. I have no issue with discussing the problems of puppy farms.

I simply don't believe that jumping in telling people who are early stages researching breeds that they should be going to rescues is needed. As I've said, it's the pet equivalent of mum friend asking for thoughts on one topic and one friend predictably weighing in with their views on something different that hasn't been asked for.

Disagreeing with unsolicited advice on one topic always coming up regardless of what posters have asked doesn't equal "you clearly ignore all this cruelty". It's just an opinion on unsolicited advice giving.

[zebrasdontwearbras]

Why would you not think it's a good idea to warn people, who are in the market for a dog, about the cruelty of puppy farms? Many are unaware of this, and should be warned by those in the know. So I'm not following your logic here, "Lola".

[LolaSmiles]

Why would you not think it's a good idea to warn people, who are in the market for a dog, about the cruelty of puppy farms?
You keep acting like I have an issue with sharing information about puppy farms. I dont. The point I raised was about unsolicited advice. When someone is asking about breeds for a family that's what they're asking and often what happens is a question is asked about dogs and regardless of whether information is asked for, people jump straight in with telling people to go to rescue.

For example, say I want to buy a new car and I'm looking at getting a family sized car that's eco friendly with a good boot. I ask people for their recommendations. What I'm asking for is information about car makes and models.

If someone decided to weigh in with their thoughts on buying from a dealer Vs local garage Vs online or private sale then that has nothing to do with the question I asked which was "what sort of cars would suit me?"
If they then decide to argue that dealers are the only way to do things because the majority of private sales and garages are con merchants then that's even more of their opinion I hadn't asked for, because firstly I hadn't asked anyone's thoughts on where to buy a car from and secondly, whilst there are con merchants out there, there are also reputable local garages who sell second hand cars. They're allowing their opinion of con merchants to offer unsolicited advice on where I should buy a car from (which I hadn't asked). I'm more than capable of doing my research and asking for advice on dealers and garages when I'm ready to.

I wouldn't be saying "let's ignore the con merchants and pretend the don't exist", but I would be thinking "how about waiting til I ask about where to buy and then we can discuss the pros and cons of all AND be aware of the con merchants without arguing that most small garages and private sales must be selling death trap vehicles".

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

We adopted a Pomeranian, had no idea that he was about 90% pedigree but the vet has since told us that he is! He's v. affectionate and good with children. Lots of energy and they live for a long time (usually about 15 years). Poms are prone to tooth decay but no problems yet as he has plenty of bones.

Strangely he doesn't shed much but we do groom him regularly.

[LolaSmiles]

Either way, it was a point about predictably unsolicited advice detracting from info that is requested so it's probably best we agree to disagree so the OP can get more input on dog breeds (which is what they asked for prior to people telling them where to get their potential pet from).

[zebrasdontwearbras]

It's not unsolicited advice - it's advice that should be given to every family looking for a dog.

It's nothing like cars - dogs are iiving creatures - unlike cars. Cars cannot be subjected to cruelty, unlike dogs.

So know this - for every puppy bought from a puppy farm, there is a dog like the one who now lives with me - the lovely breeding labrador rescued from, probably abandoned by, a puppy farm - who had mothered dozens of litters of the puppies bought by well-meaning dog owners - who lived in a crate, who then went to a foster home, nervous and covered in her own piss/shit. Because that's what my lab was rescued from, having mothered countless litters of pups sold to people who were unaware of her treatment.

So nothing like a car bought from a garage.

[Beautiful3]

I appreciate all the advice given regarding both rescue dogs also puppy farms. All points are valid. I understand the logic of visiting trusts after researching suitable breeds. As it would be better to rescue a 2 year old dog thats the breed im looking for who's already toilet trained. However I would not base a decision on falling in love with a dog. It would have to be good fit. If I don't find the right dog then I will buy a puppy. A friend fell in love with a resue dog 7 years ago who wasnt a good fit. It ended up being rehomed and she bought a puppy of a different breed.

I 've contacted another friend who has dogs to ask questions. He's gone through the dark side of puppy farming and how to go about it responsibly. If I ever do go down that route. Thanks all.

[LolaSmiles]

Beautiful3
That's a sensible approach to have. Do your research and then take it from there.

zebrasdontwearbras
I'm not saying a car and a dog are the same. I'm saying the situation of people giving unsolicited advice is comparable.

It is because it's someone seeking advice on one thing and then someone giving their own views on where to buy it from whilst trying to draw it up as only one option is correct.
Saying I feel people jumping in about rescues without being asked has been taken to mean not caring about puppy farms and ignoring cruelty. Even now you're taking the approach of rescue Vs puppy farm (just like someone who would argue it's either a car dealer or a conman selling death traps) when there's more options than that and people should follow due diligence and research when making their decisions.


You see the same problem of people weighing in with their personal high horse topics with parenting too (seeing as you object to a valid analogy based on the inanimate nature of the thing being bought). Someone asks about topic X and asks for recommendations. Then someone else argues that they must do Y in a certain way because it's either their way or this horrible way, and there might be some others but really Y is best and if you don't do Y my way then you're basically doing this horrible thing that will damage your child.
Thing with commenting on unsolicited advice and opinions (on most topics) is that those who who like to give it take a point about unsolicited advice as proof you must disagree with their view and start defending the view.

[SweetNorthernRose]

Another vote for whippet. Not too small, not too big. Love a cuddle on the sofa but on their own terms (so a step up from a cat if that's what you're used to). Don't need loads of exercise - 3x30mins would be perfect. Sleep rest of the time. Gentle temperament, good family pets. Not many genetic health issues compared to other breeds. Not massive barkers. Don't smell like a lot of dogs. They do tend to suffer from separation anxiety but not a problem if you're at home (ours is ok left for 4 hrs or so after being built up over a year).
Greyhounds are similarly lovely and relatively relaxed dogs, just bigger (they can vary quite a lot in size so depends how big you want).
Of all the dogs I've known or owned I would struggle to consider anything but whippet or greyhound now.

[user444444]

@LolaSmiles this always happens on MN. The response is always either 'get a rescue' or 'you don't know enough about dogs and shouldn't own one'. Puts me right off the dog forum. I agree it's unsolicited advice.

[thatfailmailrag]

We have a fully papered Staffordshire bull terrier. Loyal. Easy to train. Smallish. Low maintenance coat. Complete people pleaser, loves games. Only barks when we try and sweep, weirdo.
And does not have a jaw that 'locks' before anyone trots that lie out.
Grew up around working spring spaniels. High, high energy with a real mischievous streak. 3 daily walks won't tire them out. They are machines!!!
Good luck OP, owning a dog is a complete joy.

[bluebluezoo]

It isn’t unsolicited though, it’s a natural direction for the discussion.

When people start suggesting “breeds” which are designer crosses, poos, doodles etc, then the puppy farm issue absolutely needs to be brought up.

Rescues again, part of the discussion. Sometimes novices will be better with a carefully matched older rescue. Worth saying, as some people only think of puppies.