Can anyone recommend me a nice family dog breed?

[Areyousureted]

We are considering getting a dog. My dc are older (youngest is 8) and I am a sahm. We have garden and I think I would do a great job of looking after a puppy. One of my dc is quite nervous around dogs (but loves them) for this reason I think we need a fairly placid breed. I always liked King Charles spaniels but having researched them I discover they are a breed often with health problems. I also like golden retrievers but I am put off by their size and hair shedding as our house isn’t that big. Also, although I currently am at home with the kids I may like to do a part time job in the future so I am thinking that it would be good to have a dog that can be left at home for say 4 hours at a time. We are an active family though so don’t mind doing regular walks. Thank you in advance if anyone thinks they can help with my decision !

I have a Havanese which is very similar to Lasa Apso. He is wonderful, great with kids- really gentle and playful. We rescued him at 4 months old from the dogs trust. Only needs half an hour walk a day and quite happy to snooze most of the time. Hair grows long but you can groom to whatever length suits you.

My Havanese :)

Our English Setter is very sweet natured, very bright and trainable. Good medium sized dog. Shedding doesn’t seem to be a problem - but then we had a a Dalmatian before.

I recently fostered an ex breeding shih Tzu, despite a desperately poor start in life and never having lived in a house she became an absolutely splendid dog and I kept her! She is bold and funny, clever and runs like the wind. She is definitely not a breed I would ever have considered but she has enriched all our lives. Hail miss Amy Santiago!

Breaking from the norm here... we have a cavapoo. She’s 5. Pretty as picture, loyal, playful, affectionate, only needs a moderate amount of exercise. She is a little nervous and will bark when there is loud noise, would prefer to be with us all the time but manages on her own. We simply adore her.

As another poster said.. do go to Discover Dogs (usually runs in Birmingham at Crufts, and in London) ..it's a brilliant way to discover breeds you have never considered..or heard of! We went with a vague idea of what we would like.. and discovered a breed we had never heard of, and now (after a good wait for one with a lovely breeder) have our dog...who we love so so much. We didn't pick the easiest breed for a first time owner and it's a learning curve but she has transformed our life!

Before lockdown we bought a Cockador puppy (cocker spaniel cross Labrador). The best dog ever! Cuddly, loyal, clever, loves being out. A bit barky, but trained out of it. Just perfect. DH who is a miserable sod, said "she is everything I've ever wanted in a dog". The most romantic thing he has ever said!🤣

I would agree with shih tzu or Lhasa atso for “easy” first time dogs - they can be lap dogs, but in an energetic family environment can be lovely. Not too much walking required.
If you want something slightly more energetic, but still friendly (and less risk of being crazy than a spaniel) I would 100% agree with the border terrier. I have a rescue mongrel but we have discussed if we were to get a second dog it would be a border terrier.
Poodle is also an excellent option and often overlooked, lovely temperaments.
My granny had a miniature schnauzer and I absolutely loved him, but he was definitely a barker (compared to their lab they had at the time).
Discover dogs is amazing and I go every year just to window shop 😂
Hope you find something lovely, having a dog is the best.

Lots of people have recommended border terriers. My parents have always had BTs. BT owners often refer to them as "little brown dogs". They are hardy and will walk for hours because they were bred to keep up with the hunt although they are happy with an hour's walking a day. Quite a healthy breed - main problems seem to be allergies (both skin and food). They like to play tug of war. Can have selective deafness and not the best at recall

I just got my first dog earlier in the year and she's a Papillon (which someone mentioned upthread). They are actually a miniature spaniel so don't be put off by the funny ears - they are proper dog in a little body. I got her at 6 months so missed the bitey puppy stage but she has been no trouble at all. Very easy going. She likes a good lap to sleep on but she will also walk for 1-2 hours or equally is happy with a 20 minute walk round the block. She loves to play fetch. They are a very intelligent, healthy and easily trainable breed.

They are very small though - mine only weighs 2.5kg - so you do need to be a little cautious with younger children and big dogs who may think the little speedy thing is a rabbit and want to chase it. I absolutely adore mine though and am so glad I got her.

We had a golden retriever bitch, when my children were growing up. The bitches are smaller. She was quite honestly the best dog in the world. The children played with her endlessly and she was always happy and biddable. Definitely the best breed to have with children. We lived with the shedding, it was a small price to pay for such a wonderful breed.

Another mini poodle vote here. Ours is 2 now and I'd never have a different breed. He's fit into our family perfectly. Enjoys his walks and loves his cuddles.

He loves us all and while he would much prefer us all to be together he's also always been fine when left. He barks at the doorbell but that's our fault (I kind of don't mind as I don't always hear the doorbell).

Otherwise he's been a dream.

Oh and not a hair is shed. We have him cut short all over every 5 weeks and give him a brush once or twice a week.

We do need to keep on top of teeth cleaning as sometimes I think poodles can be prone to tooth problems. But he's fine having his teeth brushed.

Anything but a Jack Russell.

They're too clever, too much energy, and are nuts.

Advice from a dog trainer.

I think you might be better off deciding what sort of lifestyle you want with a dog and which of the cons each breed has are ones you can live with easily. They all have downsides, it’s a case of working out which ones will be easiest for you to live with.
I have golden retrievers. They are large, smelly, hairy mud magnets. Most happy when diving into bogs and rolling in shit. I live with it.
They need a lot of exercise, physically and mentally. They are working lines dogs, both high drive and not suited to a quiet low key life. Exactly what I wanted but not suitable for all lifestyles
They have potential health problems. Mitigated by good breeding but still a potential downside.
They don’t bark. Perfect for me, not so much if you want an early warning system for strangers! A schnauzer is my idea of hell, they are very often big barkers (and often scream too) but for others that’s no issue

Every person here has recommended their own breed, understandably. But that won’t make them suitable necessarily for you, so think about what you want life with a dog to look like ideally and then go from there

My vet also recommends Border Terriers as good all round family dogs, got ours when DD was 7, they are best friends, also small enough for DD to walk, they do need their coat stripping a few times a year and this helps with shedding, she replaced our beloved black lab, we went for a smaller breed but wanted something robust, they are full of character and we will get another at some stage.

Rescue/retired greyhound. Fabulous pets. Quiet, clean, calm. Great with children. Generally very easy to walk, don't need tones of exercise!

Highly highly recommend a greyhound.

Miniature schnauzer; they don’t shed, don’t smell and you can train them not to bark.

@pilates- Do you have a miniature schnauzer? We are considering getting one -
I’ve done quite a bit of research and they look like a great breed. Any other advice?

Are retired greyhounds ok to rehome with children?

Staffordshire bull terriers are very good family pets.

I would say no about retired greyhound. We had one off the track from greyhound trust maybe years ago and if you put your face near her she would snarl at you, and warn you to get away

Not popular on MN but our cockapoo is the best!

Friendly, easy to train, gentle, affectionate, lazy, though loves a walk and ball play. Great with other dogs. Doesn't shed either which is a bonus.

Ours is 4 and is a member of our family. My dc adore him and vice versa. He knows when they get home from school and sits patiently by the door. He was a bit crazy for the first 18 months but we Had him neutered and he's calmed down loads.

Bearded collies have lovely temperaments

My long haired Jack Russell is a wonderful family dog. Affectionate and calm at home (she is my shadow though) and enjoys any length of walk. Great with other dogs as long as they don't hassle her. A little bit barky if startled or if there is a squirrel to chase but only briefly. We love her. My dad has one exactly the same if not more docile.

@fruitpastille Do you mean the Kennel Club ‘Jack @ Russell’
The ones that look like diddly Parsons russells?

Yes @blametheparents I do. He is my first dog and is 2 now. He used to yap when he saw other dogs when he was a puppy through excitement not aggression but we’ve trained him not to do this. He needs grooming every 2 months £35. He is a lap dog not sure if that is just him or if they are all like it.

I've had experience with 3 retired greyhounds (all ex-track dogs) and they've been incredibly placid and gentle with kids. Like any dog, they're all individuals so you can't tar them all with the one brush.

Talk to a rescue centre about them - generally speaking they're calm, friendly dogs.