Really struggling to decide on a breed

[MabelMoo23]

I know there have been several posts but I’m genuinely struggling with choosing a breed.

We would love a dog for our family, but as we have two young DC’s it’s going to have to be a puppy. I’m not prepared to take the risk with an overseas rescue and totally understand why rescues won’t rehome to families with children.

I’ve been researching and researching and for some reasons all the breeds I thought I’d love, aren’t going to be right for us.

We’ve got 2 young DC’s so needs to be good with children
Doesn’t need tonnes of exercise, we’d obviously take for longer walks at weekend, but during weekdays, truthfully it’s going to be a 2 x 30 - 45 mins job a day . I completely appreciate there are breeds that need a couple of hours every day
Not too big. As much as I think Great Danes are wonderful, they are too big. Hungarian Vizsla is also on my wish list but definitely not right due to amount of exercise needed every single day

Those really are the main criteria. I’m also trying really hard to avoid any type of backyard breeder and puppy farming obviously so understand I’m going to have to go on a waiting list, which actually works for us as my youngest dc is probably a bit too young at the moment.

I’ve ruled some out - labs and GR, as probably just too big and bouncy (especially the lab) also worried about resource guarding with the GR. my sis in law has a 4 month old lab puppy and was so bouncy when we went for a walk it really freaked my DC out

Love Whippets and Geyhounds but we have 2 cats who admittedly are very much in their senior years so may not last until new pup arrives. But my parents have cats and I don’t want to have to leave DDog at home!

Staffys. I know they are supposed to be good with children, but I won’t lie, their jaws, and the potential, really make me uneasy

CKC - avoiding due to heart problems

Cockers - heard they can be snappy and I’ve heard of a few instances of Cocker rage. But maybe that’s wrong?

I’m wondering if a Maltese or a miniature poodle might suit us?

But does anyone have any ideas or recommendations that might suit us? I’m really struggling and I’m trying so hard to research as much as I can.

Moon on stick????

Get a rescue. Anything else is so indulgent

Rescuing is not for everyone, I say that as someone who has spent over two decades as a fosterer.
In the OPs situation I wouldnt get a rescue either, and we have just got a pup from a breeder and all my working dogs come from a breeder too.

I agree with Border Terrier and miniature Schnauzer, both would be good for your situation.

I’ve got a show cocker and he’s quite labour intensive to be honest. We’ve already done a 5k off lead walk today and will need to do the same again later. He can be a bit snappy at times and I certainly know it when he’s bored! Lots of mental exercise needed as well as physical. He needs clipping every 6 weeks or so and we’ve had a few health issues - pancreatitis and eye surgery to correct in turning eyelashes. He is a great character though.

I have a yorkie.

They are deeply unfashionable but fantastic little dogs if treated like dogs and not accessories. Proper terriers.

Most breeders are show breeders to you can check their history, results etc to check they aren’t puppy farms. Also because they are so unfashionable they tend to be “doodled” as there is more profit in a yorkipoo than a pedigree yorkie.

I didn’t want a puppy really. Rang a few breeders and got lucky with one who had bred to show, but the pup hadn’t grown to full adult height and wasn’t eligible. So I saw him at 6m and immediately was able to see his personality, interaction with other dogs etc.

He’s quite happy spending a few hours playing with the cat, or sniffing round the garden hunting mice. Likes a walk, but happy with 20 mins or will potter all day with us on a day trip. Great with children, but the risk is more to him than them due to his size.

@grannycake

I also have a Border Terrier and she would meet your requirements. Loves people, children and other dogs. Eager to please (and train), no real health issues and would be happy with two walks per day as described in your OP

My border hates other dogs. The bigger the better as far as he's concerned, he once tried to take on a great dane. Idiot.

My whippet is 100% fine with cats (probably scared of them). Mine is also off lead all the time and I see others likewise. He couldn’t walk to heel and they aren’t ‘clever’ dogs but I think a whippet could fit the bill perfectly!

I wouldn't go near a border or a Patterdale - I have known several of both breeds be very very tricky around other dogs. All the borders round here (bar one lovely one) cross the road to avoid other dog owners!

I think you should go for a Cavalier. They are soft and easy and gentle.

But I agree with PPs, it doesn't really sound like a dog is right for you!

Dandie
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

Those saying a dog not for me.

You can’t win, you don’t research properly and you get absolutely flamed “didn’t you do the research, a dog is a lifetime commitment”

I’ve researched and made myself aware of pitfalls with some breeds so I make the right decision for us and for the dog rather than just getting a designer crossbreed or a pet off pets4homes and get told a dog isn’t for me???

You genuinely can’t win

@Funf ahhh they look wonderful!

Consider a patterdale, lovely size and temperament, minimal grooming, would be fine with your exercise.

I'm sorry, but this is really, really bad advice.

Patterdale terriers are not for novice owners. They're notoriously hard to socialise, need a LOT of exercise and have exceptionally high prey-drives. They are working dogs through and through and shouldn't be kept in homes that can't give them what they need.

Small and low maintenance coats? Maybe so, but they are confident, bolshy and need a job and lots of stimulation. They're not a good breed for novice owners with small children, especially as OP as said they can only walk for an hour an hour.

I think a miniature poodle wold be a great choice for your family.

@Ellmau a miniature poodle was definitely on my list of considerations,

Have a look at

Clumber spaniels
Wheaten terrier

Both breeds are adaptable in regards to exercise- will be happy having 30 mins twice daily but also happy for long weekend walks

Medium size

Good temperature

Good with cats

Miniature Schnauzer? The two I've known have been amenable pretty laid back characters who did ok on walks of 30-45 minutes.

I wouldn't recommend a Patterdale for a novice dog owner.

I have a 9mth old working cocker and 3 small children (2yr old, 3yr old and 5yr old) he is fantastic with them and we specifically got a cocker because they are used as autism assistance dogs and our eldest has asd. He does need a good long run every day though so if you cant offer that then definitely not the breed for you, he gets a long run in the morning, 30mins lead walk at lunchtime, another shorter but decent run in the afternoon and a quick lead walk before bed, on top of that we constantly train throughout the day and do lots of sense work to wear him out.

Id suggest a westie

I have a Patterdale x JRT and he’s probably the nicest patterdale I’ve ever met , but they really are not suitable for homes with other animals , including in many cases other dogs . Mine is pretty good , goes off lead in selected places , loves everybody and is ok with some dogs . The downsides are he would go down a hole like a ferret up a pipe , would kill anything he can catch and if another dog starts the slightest scuffle would happily fight to the death rather than admit he won’t ever beat a German shepherd ! .

Wouldn’t recommend a Maltese for you. They are tiny, quite delicate for children to handle, huge amount of grooming as it isn’t an easy coat & even before the Covid Greeders struck were very expensive.
I’d definitely suggest a poodle, miniature not toy, a Bichon, or one of the small sturdy terriers. I’ve mentioned many times that when I attend the Terrier section of dog shows with my tribe( not a breed I’d recommend as a family dog for people not very experienced) the rings with THE most young children & babies round are the Staffie rings. They really make wonderful family dogs, don’t be put off by their looks or folk who swagger with them to look tough.
There are usually a lot of Bichons, Shih Tzus( another good choice) & Staffies in rescue. A good few of the smaller rescues or breed rescues don’t rule out families with children.

I am doing the same research as you. I’ve narrowed it down to:
Shih tzu
Westie
Cavapoo
Cavalier (health issues put me off).

I’ll probably go with a shih tzu. I’m drawn to westies but a lot of people say they’re not great for novice owners.

Westies unfortunately can be prone to skin problems. Even the best breeders sometimes have problems.

Well done for asking questions and having thought about it.
Personally I'd wait until your children are a bit older as they can be quite overwhelming for puppies.

Also, I appreciate that you don't want a rescue but please don't think that overseas rescue dogs are all damaged. We've had our Romanian rescue for 4 years. I am a SAHM with a large garden and older children so I didn't get him because it was easier as some may think. Anyway, our dog is amazing and in 4 years has never put a foot wrong. He loves children even toddlers and all dogs. He's fab, so please don't think that they're all aggressive. He literally has his own fan club where I live

One thing I often say to people is you may get a dog that just doesnt fit your life style, a good breeder will help you. Our Breeder quizzed us at length and explained the dog comes with return ticket any issues or second thought she can go back. Very few breeders are like this as many see dogs as a cash cow, endangered breeds are bread because they like them not for money.
The Comment above re Shit Tzu. Lhasas are also a similar dog but dont have a flat face so no breathing issues, but at the moment they tend to be bread to a bigger size.
Its not an easy choice but its great you are doing research as all to often we see people and wonder why did you buy that!

I would definitely avoid the cross breeds - cockapoos etc - and any other trendy breeds such as French bulldogs. There are too many unscrupulous breeders.

I'd go for a pedigree small dog and invest in puppy training and be prepared to be firm with puppy around cats - and be firm with children around puppy.

Having a puppy is like having a child, lots of effort and clear boundaries. But.it.does pay off.

Shih tzh
I got mine when my youngest ws 3
She is amazing
Can cope well with just one short walk a day round the block then we take her to parks on weekends