Best breed with kids

[Christmasfairy2020]

Hi
I have not owned a dog before. My mum always has had dogs. I really want a puppy since there are 0 rescue dogs around here. I had kids aged 11 and 6 whom love dogs. We have an elderly cat. I'm unsure of breeds I was thinking dalmation as a friend has one. What are your thoughts as I'm literally a novice. I want a mid size dog that likes to walk

Hi I have had dogs my whole life springer spaniels are amazing but very bouncy and need loads of exercise, just now I have a little Norfolk terrier but can be nippy so not ideal for kids , if you can get a sprollie (collie/springer cross) the best dog I have had very intelligent easy to train amazing with kids also labradors my last one just passed in nov at 18 amazing with kids

@Indoctro

Try walking a husky for 5 minutes only

On the back of your comment I’ve contacted my vet today and they have said he’s getting a good amount of exercise and Husky dogs can walk and run for miles, even as a puppy. He’s 15kg so not exactly a
tiny little pup.

I get that @blowinahoolie, I'm not saying I fully disagree either, but my experiences do not match what they said so I am also right to state this and feel my points are also valid, they are real life experiences so I have based my views both on this and also documented research, it is also very well documented that many pugs endure unnecessary breathing issues due to the way they are looked after. There are flaws in many many breeds that are actually considered 'ok' to have so I just felt the way it was worded was unfair and not really relevant to the thread in any way. If they had just pointed out the flaws of that specific breed I wouldn't have had an issue, but if you look at their first post that isn't really the case.

I shouldn't have reacted in the way I did.

but my experiences do not match what they said so I am also right to state this and feel my points are also valid, they are real life experiences so I have based my views both on this
Unfortunately though a lot of BOAS dogs are mildly affected so appear to be absolutely fine, in reality they aren’t but because they appear fine or just have a ‘little snore’ or ‘only sound breathy after a walk’ etc people assume they they are healthy.

There are flaws in many many breeds that are actually considered 'ok' to have
There are different degrees to which flaws affect welfare though.

Me personally, I don’t like to see too much deviation from the original ‘Wolf like’ dog form/exaggeration for welfare’s sake.

I don’t like excessive wrinkles because they are hard to clean and easily infected.

I don’t like super short legs/heavy set bodies because it reduces the natural athleticism the dog should have and puts them at bigger risk of hip dysplasia.

I don’t like to see floppy ears because they put the dog at higher risk of ear infection which is very painful and can be harder to ‘read’

And so on and so on..

But I would argue that a severely brachycephalic face (like in the pug) that causes a dog to be unable to breathe fully and be largely exercise intolerant negatively affects welfare more heavily than any of the flaws in other breeds.

Especially when for the pug it is combined with floppy ears, shortened legs/heavy set body and a curled tail that can be linked to spinal problems.
Imo, their confirmation is more problematic than most other dog breeds.

I did see once a foreign breeder with absolutely gorgeous, stunning pugs with longer noses and more athletic legs.
I don’t have too much issue with those pugs (though the Kennel Club here would never accept them as they aren’t ‘pure’ and don’t conform to the breed standard)

I can’t agree to the breeding of the pug in its current format.
It is cruel imo.

so I just felt the way it was worded was unfair and not really relevant to the thread in any way
I wasn’t intending it as a personal attack on you and I felt it was relevant because the breed was being recommended as a potential option for OP.
I don’t think the pug in it’s current format should be bred or promoted in any way.

You are entitled to your opinion and a post worded like your last is more than fair as you are explaining why you feel that way. Your first post wasn't helpful to the OP I dont feel.

I dont agree with all you have said, I have done a lot of research and that's fine that I dont agree, not everyone will.

[quote StealthRoast]@Indoctro

Try walking a husky for 5 minutes only

On the back of your comment I’ve contacted my vet today and they have said he’s getting a good amount of exercise and Husky dogs can walk and run for miles, even as a puppy. He’s 15kg so not exactly a
tiny little pup.[/quote]
I think you need to look for advice from a source that knows the breed.

You absolutely should not be walking a 15kg 4 month old puppy for that amount

Honestly you will do serious damage to its legs and the dog will pay the price when it's older

www.myhappyhusky.com/how-much-exercise-does-a-husky-puppy-need/

Staffordshire bull terrier is what I'd get, the KC describes the breeds suitability to young children.
One of only two breeds, to have this recommendation the other is the Cavalier King Charles.

[quote StealthRoast]@Indoctro

Try walking a husky for 5 minutes only

On the back of your comment I’ve contacted my vet today and they have said he’s getting a good amount of exercise and Husky dogs can walk and run for miles, even as a puppy. He’s 15kg so not exactly a
tiny little pup.[/quote]
Just because they can walk for miles, doesn't mean they should.

It's not good to put growing joints under too much strain, regardless of breed. There's a reason why sports like canicross, agility etc. have minimum ages for participation.

I agree with Indoctro. Would love to walk longer than 20 minutes with my Saint but she is 4 months old and cannot be walked long due to her growing joints. Will increase it as she gets older. It's all about common sense isn't it if you want a puppy to grow into a healthy dog.

I imagine it must be hard blowinahoolie to not walk her more as guessing she is full of energy and capable. I never considered walking more as it seems to be really pushed by vets and others in the know so I just assumed this was something people really stuck to.

Although saying that last week when we were out walking we bumped into some people with a lab pup. As we got closer they picked it up, I assumed because maybe she was a bit bitey or hectic with other dogs but they stopped and said that she hadn't had her jabs yet. I really think some people just do what they fancy

I think Boxers are wonderful with children. They are very loving dogs.

@UnityUnited

I think Boxers are wonderful with children. They are very loving dogs.

I agree - I love Boxers but they are very big, strong dogs and take a while to calm down

I don't think a boxer puppy would be a good choice for an inexperienced owner with small children. But an older, calm adult that's well-trained could be a fantastic choice.

Maybe. I just love boxers. I think they develop a very special bond with children. They think they are family members.

Lab, lab, lab every day!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Wonderful family pets.

Not a Dalmatian, unless you walk a few miles several times a day.

Not just walking. In normal times how will you manage? Going away for the weekend and holidays?

DS would love a pet we don’t have the time.

@Indoctro

I would like to thank you (genuinely) for sending me the link to my happy husky where it is confirmed that a 4 month old husky needs 20 minutes walk. Dp and I were both shocked and a bit mortified to be honest!

Thankfully he has only been going out since 14 weeks old and we have completely revised his walking schedule today. He’s a bundle of energy and we thought we were doing the right thing.

Sorry for not believing you

[quote StealthRoast]@Indoctro

I would like to thank you (genuinely) for sending me the link to my happy husky where it is confirmed that a 4 month old husky needs 20 minutes walk. Dp and I were both shocked and a bit mortified to be honest!

Thankfully he has only been going out since 14 weeks old and we have completely revised his walking schedule today. He’s a bundle of energy and we thought we were doing the right thing.

Sorry for not believing you [/quote]
No problem , glad to of been some help

Pug she definitely would walk more than 20 minutes if she could. It won't be forever, gradually she can do longer walks

Until I read more re the specifics of puppies I assumed the early walking would depend on the size of the pup, it seems crazy pugpup can do 20 mins same as yours but he's tiny. He is small enough to do laps in the garden really (just under 5kg) but he loves his walks and would definitely do more than 20 mins if he could. He takes forever to walk anywhere though as has to say hi to everyone, try to eat everything and sniff everything.

My boy last week I was so glad he got to experience a little bit of snow!

Our first dog was a golden retriever who was absolutely gorgeous but a little too strong for my slight, 11 year -old DD to manage at first. They grew into each other eventually. Then had two flat coats=ed retrievers that I wouldn't recommended for a first dog. Our new cocker is prefect with the DGC aged 6 and 3.

Thanks everyone. Going to leave it at moment and see what happens with lockdown etc as it sounds like I won't have the time at mo from what everyone has said:)

Whippet. The most gentle, docile dog. Not an ounce of aggressiveness. Mine is a year and I've never heard him growl. We walk him twice a day for more than 15 mins though. Most dogs need more than that.

I think a Bichon Frise could be a good option for you when the time comes.

I have always lived with a grown up with Labs, Springers and Cockers.

I have my own cocker now but I'd suggest a Lab would be the very best larger dog for a young family. More dopey, gentle (although capable of being great jumpy lunatics too)and less sensitive than a (working) cocker. But our cocker is highly intelligent which makes him a joy to own for me. He's quick and sharp and has a particular mood which does make me watch him doubly closely around the kids at times. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a working cocker as a very first dog, they (like most dogs) would run rings around you without training but once they are trained and about 2yo they are SUBLIME.

I love cats too. Enjoy your pusscats until pu get your dog.