Choosing a family dog breed

[10000things]

Looking for a family dog, needs to be good with children aged 10+, good with other dogs as I will be using a dog walker a couple of days a week, but would also like a dog that is protective, not an aggressive dog, just one that would bark when needed.
So far I have an Airdale, a Schnauzer and a Bull Terrier on my shortlist. I'm an experienced dog owner, previously owned a GSD, but due to an injury unfortunately I'm unable to handle a dog of that size, so looking for medium size breed. I don't mind hairy dogs, just so happens none on my shortlist (yet)

Of the 3 you mention , schnauzer stands out as the ‘all rounder’. Airedales are often a ‘one person’ dog and bull terriers are not known for being good with other dogs without a lot of socialisation.
Schnauzers of all sizes are quite good at being left alone, and although the miniatures can be happy, they are friendly.
My labs walk with one and just love her.

Sorry, that’s yappy , although they are fairly happy too.

Few mini schnauzers locally here that seem be friendly not phased by my lab not happy either .In fact a friend has 2 that are fab dogs both have big bark where needed key is treat as dig not accessory

A Patterdale terrier will definitely bark for you..!

Or how about a bedlington?

Border Terrier

I'm not sure if they might be a tad too big for you, but Hungarian Vizslas are fantastic family dogs.
They are very affectionate (they are known as "Velcro dogs"), intelligent, protective and energetic.
Females are slightly smaller than males. We've a female and she's smaller than a Labrador and slighter in build.

Tibetan Terrier, developed in Tibet to alert of intruders with their deep & loud bark. But really just a cuddly softy!

Golden Retriever, amazing dogs

Schnauzer, miniature poodle.

Golden Retriever. I would say they are medium as opposed to large dogs. Both mine are under 28kgs.

I would say staffy but I'm biased . If socialised properly they are great with other dogs. Staffys I have owned previous and now are very playful. Though down the doggy park mines needs reminded that not all balls being thrown are his.

You said you owned German Shepherds previously so I guess your an experienced dog owner and know how to put in the correct training. So I'll not waffle on about that.

Staffys if correctly socialised and trained are great family pets.

Westies are the besties!

I second Tibetan terrier.

Any Heinz 57 of the right size and a nice personality would be a good fit.

Ddog (sadly now passed) was a lovely girl, part lab, part staffie, part whippet, part Alsatian.

Does such a thing as a Heinz 57 exist anymore? As someone who grew up with one - the easiest dog I've ever lived with - I often am a bit sad I never seem to see them anymore...

Kirkwood - totally agree that a Westie is the best

Ddog was definitely a mixture of different breeds.

My dog is half choc lab and half Australian cattle dog and she honestly is the most perfect family dog. Very easy to train , has never growled at anyone but will bark when someone is at the door so hopefully would deter a burglar, never approaches other dogs, is brilliant off the lead, is affectionate but not over bearing. Worth seeing if any breeders / dogs homes have that mix.

How much exercise and training are you up for? That will influence what breeds would suit you.

If you're up for a fair bit of both, Springer spaniels make lovely family dogs. The working lines vary a lot in size from not much bigger than cockers to almost collie-sized. German pointers are also great dogs, with wonderful temperaments (on the whole), but they're bigger.

Thank you for replying, there are lots of breeds mentioned that I hadn't considered. In terms of exercise, I walk at least an hour every day often 2 hours or more.

When we were choosing dpuppy from Dogs Trust they showed us her and said her mum was a very sweet natured girl.

Her mum and brother (both red Labrador colour and shape) had been rehomed and she was left. She was brown brindle and the only thing that resembled a Labrador was her ears.

She rolled a ball to us and we fell in love with her.

She was the sweetest dog you could have met

Have you considered a cocker spaniel?

I do like Spaniels too, my list seems to be getting longer! Also thinking of a Lurcher, the rough coated hairy type, they look like miniature Wolfhounds.

I'd recommend Border Terriers. Not fussy, good and healthy, amazing personality and temperament.