Going around in circles. Pls help. French bull dog?

[Sodamncold]

I have done so much research I have lost the plot!

I have two children who adore dogs. I grew up with dogs (boxers). Now will be working from home and decided it’s the time to have another member of our family.

We would love a small/very small dog, and one that is open to lots of cuddles.

French bull dog?

Huge thank you

I agree, if you are very houseproud then don't get a dog.
They can be very messy beasts, even a smaller one.
If you cant accept mess, smells etc as a possibility then pet ownership really isn't for you.
Its perfectly possible to have a nice clean(ish) house with a dog if you are constantly cleaning up but if you don't want to/cant do that then its not a good idea.
I rehome for a dog charity and used to for cats Protection too. Anyone with a spotless house who used to think that is could easily stay that way when the new arrival came did worry me - The people with acres of cream carpet who wanted 2 kittens and had no idea of the potential for mess/destruction particularly stay in my memory!!!!

I love franchise but I've been put off by their current popularity and health issues. I have a miniature Australian labradoodle (working cocker size) and an English labradoodle. Neither shed. Quite bouncy (they are eight and ten now and the Australian one is still very energetic).
Mini schnauzers, mini poodles, mini mutts. Many terriers don't shed.

Get a westie! Small happy brilliant family digs!

House proud?
Even small dogs do shed, mould and bring in mud from outside.
I asked about ages of children just because some smaller breeds are vulnerable to being hurt.

Shih Tzu

I have two Boston terriers. They are absolutely adorable, easy to train, loving, loyal, beyond cute, will walk for miles, play for hours and no health issues so far, touch wood. Mine don’t have particularly short noses, so no breathing issues.

Pic for cuteness.

@Sodamncold just wanted to add that ddog has slept on our beds since the beginning. Our room is out of bounds until morning but she sleeps on the dc’s beds every night so I have never had the headache of trying to get her to sleep downstairs on her own. I’m sure she would have done it but they’re very much family dogs who want to be with people all the time.

@Pinkarsedfly awwww they’re the best aren’t they!

Karwomannghia I adore them. I’d have more if I could

We have a miniature schnauzer (limited expert with dogs before we got him). He is fabulous. NO shedding, easy to train (toilet training a doddle) and he is so friendly, with a lovely nature. Great with kids too. He's a nice size - not too big but not too small. Would thoroughly recommend. Good health record for the breed too I think (as long you you get one from a reputable breeder with all relevant health checks)

Oooh and did mention fur like velvet? Especially their ears!

@Pinkarsedfly I love it when she meets another one and they have a chase about together, they can run surprisingly fast!

A note about house training. I have always found that our smaller dogs, like our Jack Russell's take on average about 3 months to house train and even then it's a bit hit and miss. Our lab bitch however only did one wee in the house at 9 weeks and never ever again.

experience (not expert)

Bichons might be a good fit - they don't all have to have the big floofy hair cut and they are quite sparky little dogs.

Also border terriers - though their coats do need hand stripping.

I'm a gundog breed person myself. But friends have these breeds and I certainly don't dislike either.

If you want low shedding then take a look at the non shedding breeds first. If money is no object then a havanese would probably fit the bill - gorgeous dogs. They're pretty rare and therefore expensive but they're beautiful natured.

I'm not a dog person really but those Boston terriers are gorgeous!

“Bit slow, affectionate, lazy - that would suit us!“

Well to be fair... that bit does kind of scream greyhound tbh...

Another vote for a Boston. I'll never not have one in my life. He's so cuddly, and loves toys and could play for ours, and if you sit down you better believe he'll be on your lap or at least with a paw touching you!
I've had zero issues, he can run for miles (he ran a charity 10k with me) and apart from an unfortunate incident where he ate a sock, we've had no trouble in 7 years.

A Bostie will change your life!

Not a Frenchie, look up BOAS or the breed to breathe campaign by BVA to learn more about brachycephalic breeds.

Would you consider a terrier?

Bostons are also brachycephalic, OP.
I’d suggest you look into it

No brachycephalic breeds, OP, you'd just be asking for massive vet bills and a lot of heartache.

Mini poodle is your best bet for low shedding.
Maltese or Bichon may also be nice options but loads more grooming (you'd probably need to budget for professional grooming for the Bichon at least).

Think long and hard about how any dog would fit into your idea of a clean home. It's not just the hair...they trail in mud, they roll in fox poo, they have vomit and diarrhea bugs...

Miniature schnauzers aren’t that good with kids, I’ve read?

Being brutally honest, as a new again owner, with kids, the safest option is a puppy you can take to proper training.

We did retired greyhounds neither could be walked off lead, and one had a load of psychological issues (full disclaimer may have been more a lurched and probably raced on flapping rather than legal tracks). It wasn’t relaxing at all to walk them and troubles one was not relaxing to be around in house. Other one was lovely temperament. When we got a dog again when our kids were the age your kids are - I insisted on a puppy. We got a whippet from a local show breeder and did the 3 month dog training programme. 5 years in and no regrets. Lovely friendly dog we can walk off lead. Kids love him but of course we do majority of the care.

I like whippets as don’t bark much, low shed, clean, can have a good run for 30 mins and be ok but can go on longer walks too.

That said ours is massive and I’ve been very taken with westies.

Ds wrote his persuasive English essay for banning Brachycephalic breeds including pug, Frenchies, bulldogs etc. A Boston terrier would be included in that.

Flat face dogs while endearing and popular, are cruelly deformed breeds with a compressed bone structure leading to so many health problems, for the sake of the poor dogs, I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

If you want a dog in your life you are going to have to make many comprises, one of which should be the health of the dog over its cute factor..

I’m rewarding about retired grey hounds and they do sound lovely. Perfect for our home.

But the french terrier pulls on my heart strings.

Few comments that if house proud no point getting a dog! Surely there must be some dog owners who dispute this?!

My best friend has frenchies. Absolutely lovely natured dogs and they may appear smallish in size but they are very heavy and do like to think they are lap dogs