I know it's been done loads but which breed for us?

[Jj2431]

Hi everyone,

Looking for advice on breeds for the future and whether we should go for a pup or rescue with 'known' temperament. We won't be looking for a couple of years as we have a baby at the moment and want her to be older before getting a dog. We previously had a rescue Cyprus dog who was amazing but not sure I want to go down that route again as it is so hit and miss with dogs from abroad.

We live in a 3 bed house with medium sized secure garden

I'm home all day and always will be.

Husband works full time so we can financially afford a dog

Don't mind barking to alert but not excessive

I can walk a dog for around an hour to an hour half a day

I don't mind grooming needs as my previous dog needed grooming each day and trimming every 4-6 weeks

Child friendly of course but I know that's not necessarily breed dependent.

Would love an affectionate dog.

Not sure a rescue would allow us to adopt anyway once we have a 3/4 yr old. Would love a greyhound but don't think rescues would allow us with our kids ages.

If anyone can suggest puppy or rescue and breed and even which rescues that would be amazing

Thanks all

Miniature poodle? I have one - he fits your criteria pretty much exactly.

May I suggest a Basset Hound? My girl is two soon and I just fall ever more in love with her. I've had a number of breeds over the years - Doberman, Weinmaraner, Rottweiler, mixed breed - and they've all been wonderful and adored......but my Basset really is a different kettle of fish altogether. Generally as a breed - and my girl definitely - they are unfailingly happy, easygoing, friendly dogs who are just pleased to be with you. A half hour walk is enough to keep them happy - although there is a lot more stopping to sniff and trying to make friends with each passing dog/human than actually walking. A good hour and a half walk will probably have your hound asleep for the rest of the day. They sleep A LOT.

She is the most loving and affectionate dog I've ever known and such a character. They are stubborn but are VERY clever so can be trained, with the right motivation (food!) My girl learnt how to ring the bells on the door handle to be let out into the garden in less than a day when she was a small pup. The next day she figured out that if we were eating and wouldn't share then if she rang the bells we would get up - leaving the food unguarded - and she could make a dash back for it. Smart pup!

I would never trust a dog entirely with a small child, because you never know - but my Basset adores small children and will happily tolerate being poked, prodded and tugged at and climbed on if it means she gets to make a new friend.

There's a lot of talk about greasy skin and a houndy smell, but mine doesn't smell bad at all. I suspect her raw diet helps keep nasty skin conditions at bay. The only down side I would say is that you need to clean their ears out regularly - I get in there every couple of days, at least, with normal baby wipes. The amount of waxy crud that comes out varies - I think of it like a little hobby now!

GOLDEN RETRIEVER or lab they have the kindest souls and the biggest hearts in the universe and they bond so well with children. I had lots of dogs in my life but my retriever and lab stand out well above the rest.

A working springer spaniel, as long as you can commit to the exercise they need, it's hard to tire out a young one. They are just perfect - smart, biddable, funny, gentle and affectionate. They are real velcro dogs. I've never met an even slightly grumpy one, and I've known a lot as they are the go to dogs in our extended family. They are great with children, really good. I've had one from rescue and three from pups. I'd always recommend a pup as they'll bond to you better. My two year old rescue had zero recall and we couldn't fix it, but the ones we've had from pups and trained ourselves have been very well behaved. I just love them

What about a whippet. My son has 2 whippet puppies, this year, They are gentle and friendly and although they need to be walked they dont need as much exercise as you would think. They rarely bark too Wilbur is 10 months and Luna is 16 weeks

Oh, I love whippets! Such a cute photo.

My dream dog is a retriever but big dogs are big. So I’ve got the most laid back Pomeranian called Bo. Great temperament, not smelly but loads of shedding twice a year!

Greyhound/lurcher rescues tend to be more on the flexible side & some do adopt to families as i've met a lot on the organised walks & shows over the years, sometimes they've a minimum age for children like 5+ but others may opt to look at the applicants situation & decide based on dogs they get in. One thing to be aware of is The Greyhound Trust branches are all run individually so how they operate & homing policy does vary, so could be rejected by one & accepted by another.

With younger kids i'd try go for rescue that uses some foster homes as it gives a much better assessment in a typical environment to pick up behaviors that could easily be missed in kennels.

Sighthounds aren't renowned for being affectionate types, they are with family but may seem quite restrained compared to lab/spaniel style. Some do love attention & cuddles, my grey girl was a big lapdog she loved doing rescues meet & greets swooning the public.
My bull lurcher has bit more people oriented staffy nature & just wants to be near, if you want to feel adored they really do give love by the bucketful. She's bit brighter at training but means can also find more trouble to get in she's old now but still catches me out.

Our kids grew up with a lab. Adorable dogs. Very family friendly imo.

I'd keep away from a whippet while you have a child.
Most can't tolerate noise/shouting/tantrums and will become distressed and anxious.
Most aren't loving -in the how we see loving sense.
They are also quite delicate and a boisterous toddler could be an issue.

Is size an issue or are you not bothered?

I would say poodle, Labrador, springer spaniel, cocker spaniel or border terrier are all good options.

We had a Springer, pup to 12 when she sadly had to be out to sleep earlier this year, Funny, DH and I were just saying today that we are surprised there aren't more Springers here (Aus) as they are the perfect family dog. Gentle, loving, fantastic with children. Ours wasn't as energetic as I think they can be but we have a huge garden and spent hours when she was young playing fetch. We still have our Cocker Spaniel who is also a great family dog but I miss my beautiful Springer.

We had a pair of Lhasas when the kids where 4 and 6
Lhasa Apsos are great companions and good with kids but Dandies are better, more loving and fun
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

@NotTheMrMenAgain we have a basset too! Chose the breed as we have a 7 year old daughter and she is so brilliant with our daughter. Most affectionate dog I've ever known and I am completely in love with the breed now.

@Stellaris22 (waves excitedly at fellow Basset owner) They're just divine, aren't they?! So affectionate. I can't imagine having any other dog now. Although mine is being a bit of a drama queen this evening because I'm trying to finish off a bit of decorating but she's tired and wants me to sit on the sofa so she can climb on top of me to fall asleep

If you don't mind grooming then what about a setter. Our Ddog was a Gordon Setter and was absolutely brilliant with children. Would bark at strange adults but would just roll over in front of children. English setter are similar. I'd get another if it wasn't for the hair.

@NotTheMrMenAgain haha! I know what you mean. Mine paces and whines till I sit on the sofa, then climbs on me to go to sleep. Needy creatures but love it.

Miniature poodles are smart, trainable, loving, playful, non stinky and non-shedding