First time potential dog owners - choosing a breed

[gerbo]

First time poster here.

My dc are 11 and 14 and were thinking of getting a dog. We have a small 3 bed in a town in the Chilterns so great walking nearby. We would prefer a small dog which needs medium exercise amounts (?1-2 hours a day tops).

We would prefer a calm breed, our children obviously aren't bouncy anymore more which makes things easier.

I work four short days (8-345) and dh will be at home 3 ish days a week.
Do you think this would maybe work? With a dog Walker on days when I'm out longer?

Just starting to think about this, at initial stages!! Breeds which have popped out on lists so far are: daschund, English bulldog, King Charles spaniel, affenspischer.....

I think we'd prefer a puppy rather than a rescue just in terms of knowing the dogs history/raising it from scratch.

I'm a complete novice so please be gentle! Thanks. Any advice gratefully received. Like I said, we're complete beginners!

All of those suggested breeds are seriously unhealthy OP.
The first three especially.
I’d try and look at small breeds more ‘natural’ in construction; Yorkies, papillons, toy poodle etc

Poodles are great dogs. Also Personally I think bigger dogs are easier. There’s a reason labs are popular family dogs.

We got a puppy last summer and I underestimated how much work it would be and how much they bite. We had to get up several times a night with him for the first few months which was a killer when we had to be at work by 8.30.

Luckily both of us wfh and our puppy was pretty good but it was a struggle. I cried on several occasions as the evenings were a nightmare of Zooming, biting, and general over stimulation no matter how much we tried to calm him.

He's now 9 months and much easier. He goes to day care one day a week which he loves. He's a cockerpoo which I know is a hated crossmix on MN but we adore him. He's fairly bullet proof - loves other dogs, copes with loud noises, eats anything (including horse poo.....).

We are similar to you OP in that we are in the early stages of considering dog ownership. My youngest is only 4 though. I am interested in rescue dogs but I can’t find anywhere that would consider rehoming to a home with a child under 12. That might be because rescue dogs can’t be with young kids, or maybe I’m just looking in the wrong places?

That might be because rescue dogs can’t be with young kids, or maybe I’m just looking in the wrong places?

I think the main reason rescues don't re-home with small children is because dogs can be very overwhelming to young children, and also if the rescue doesn't know the dogs' background, they'll play it safe and no re-home with small children just in case there's a problem and the new family blame the rescue.

Yes that makes sense. So it’s either a puppy or wait...,

I, too, would recommend a staffy or a staffy cross (depending on what it is crossed with - mine is a cross). I would never have a puppy again as they are an enormous project for quite a long time, as pp have said. I got my dog when she was 4 years old (rescue) and she has been perfect (very laid back and affectionate and good with other dogs). She could manage on 2 hours' exercise a day (but we both like more) and quite a bit of this needs to be off lead, really, for her to truly enjoy the experience (plus, she has 2 hours' sleep when she gets home, which is convenient for me). Staffies are usually very trainable and very eager to please. I wanted a dog that did not have a "flat face" so no breathing problems that some of the other bull breeds have. Before Covid, I worked full-time but, as a temp, did have some weeks with no work as well. I always use a dogwalker (who spends one hour with my dog) if I have to go out for the day to work (though WFH most of the time nowadays).

Some smaller breeds need a lot of exercise. We have a St Bernard, calm temperament and doesn't need much exercise. Loads of breeds often discounted on these types of threads.

The OP doesn't have young children though.

The thing that strikes me about your list of breeds is that none of them are dog-shaped; these phenotypes are associated with severe health problems that lead to suffering and reduced lifespans for the dog and increased vet bills and insurance premiums for you.

I agree that size doesn't necessarily = calm but if you could commit to regular professional grooming visits then many toy dogs may suit - maltese, bichon etc. Also the earlier suggestion of toy poodle, yorkie or papillon and the less hardcore of the terrier group. The smaller and more amiable spitzes might also work (German spitz klein?)

Thanks for all your contributions- I'm learning lots.

We thought small size wise as our house is small, our back garden too.

Strangely, the breeds i mentioned seem to pop up on the net in top ten lists for calm family dogs. But I hear you all about health implications and have read up on those, we will avoid those breeds.

It's a huge decision and we will not take it lightly! I'm being swayed into thinking a puppy may be too big a project right now.

I'm also not bothered massively about a certain breed, type or look of dog- I'd just prefer a dog who won't jump up at me- I'll be honest - I find this intimidating! As a family I think it's about having a dog, any dog, to love, for walks and companionship. I'm just not keen on manic hyper dogs. Several friends have these and it's not for me. Does that make sense?

So a rescue dog could be one idea we will research further. I guess waiting lists will be enormous due to covid?

I'm also not bothered massively about a certain breed, type or look of dog- I'd just prefer a dog who won't jump up at me- I'll be honest - I find this intimidating!

This is a training thing, not a breed thing. If you want your dog to behave in a certain way, you'll need to put the work in, but be prepared for them to do all the behaviours you hate for a while, too.

As a family I think it's about having a dog, any dog, to love, for walks and companionship. I'm just not keen on manic hyper dogs. Several friends have these and it's not for me. Does that make sense?

It definitely makes sense, but LOTS of dogs are like this as puppies and teenagers - they're hard work. I guess what I'm saying is you can achieve what you want (a calm dog that doesn't jump) but if you go for a puppy, you'll need to go through a couple of years of solid training first.

If the jumping/manic behaviour of a young dog puts you off, then I would definitely go for a rescue over a puppy. There's a reason why lots of young/adolescent dogs end up in rescue - they go through a period of totally ignoring their owners and acting up (jumping, barking, mouthing, no recall whatsoever) and people get fed up.

We thought we would rehome rather than get a puppy but we couldn't even get on the waiting lists. We don't have children in the house but we do have 2 cats and that was a no for many rescue shelters. So we ended up buying a puppy.

You can train your dog not to jump up - ours hardly ever does it now - but he did it a lot as a young puppy. Plus it took quite a few weeks before he was reliably toilet trained.
But he is an amazing dog and has enhanced our lives immeasurably

Looking only at your most recent post, and accepting that it's an MN cliché, you probably need the right rescue greyhound.

“Strangely, the breeds i mentioned seem to pop up on the net in top ten lists for calm family dogs.”

Hmm... it’s quite easy to be calm if you can’t breathe properly or are prone to mobility issues...

It’s totally a cliche that people on mumsnet recommend greyhounds... but I’m going to anyway, lol, they’re recommended for reasons like - they’re usually very calm and easygoing dogs.

They do like a sprint about - but once they’ve done that they’re fairly easy about how much walking they do, they’re sort of nicely gently affectionate and mostly lounge about inside - and they’re rarely clumsy, so while they’re bigger than you’re thinking of, they don’t really take up much room inside.

Please don't buy a brachycephalic dog. Anyone buying them is enabling the trend of bred in health issues and frankly cruelty.

A small house isn't an issue. Dogs don't care about that anyway as long as their lifestyle is good.

A good non bouncy dog is a staff though not everyone's taste. I have a lazy show cocker in v similar circs to yours though you sound like you are at home more.

A rescue whippet might also suit you.

If you want a calm dog then hounds are ideal, they like exercise but in the house are incredibly laid back and chill. Whippets are lovely and not too big. If you are after a rescue then centres usually have lurchers which can be great dogs.

We thought small size wise as our house is small, our back garden too
I have a medium size breed, tiny house and small garden and it’s fine.
If the dog is calm and/or you are out a lot of the day walking it (as I am) it isn’t really an issue.

Strangely, the breeds i mentioned seem to pop up on the net in top ten lists for calm family dogs
Well yes, would you have stacks of energy if you struggled to breathe? (Bulldog and affenpinscher)
Would you have lots of energy if you were in pain with spinal problems? (Dachshund)
What about if you had a dodgy heart and excruciating head pain and difficulty breathing? (King Charles)

But I hear you all about health implications and have read up on those, we will avoid those breeds
Good.

I'm also not bothered massively about a certain breed, type or look of dog- I'd just prefer a dog who won't jump up at me- I'll be honest - I find this intimidating!
This is 100% a training issue.
All dogs will jump unless taught not to.

I'm just not keen on manic hyper dogs. Several friends have these and it's not for me
This is a multi faceted problem imo.
Temperament is largely genetic, a lot of ‘hyper manic’ dogs had parents who were also hyper manic so choosing a puppy where the parents are calm (whatever the breed) greatly reduces the chance of that.

Sometimes hyper manic behaviour is down to diet - cheap, high grain foods, often with colourants.

And sometimes hyper manic behaviour is the result of overstimulation - dogs who don’t get enough sleep, have never been taught to be calm and settle down, dogs who are given huge amounts of stimulating exercise eg ball throwing.

Thanks all! As a complete newbie this is super helpful.

I'll research whippets and greyhounds.

My children are quietly dying for a pet to love, I'm not a massive lifelong dog lover (no real experience) but I know I'd love it when it arrived. We all love to walk and be outdoors.

At risk of sounding needy (ha ha) do you think it could work?! It's an exciting thought...

Labradors make wonderful family pets!

Why don't you wait until the beginning of the summer holidays?

@Highwoman

Labradors make wonderful family pets!

Guess what my favourites are...

@gerbo yes, I think you can make a dog in your family's life work, you're clearly putting the thought and planning in. I'm also a pro walker and daycare supplier, for a good walker who is properly insured and has done dog first aid courses etc you need to be thinking £12 per hour, and at least £25 per day for daycare. If you line up your walker in advance you should be able to work with her or him right from the start, I usually do Puppy Playtime visits to help pup get used to me well before support is actually needed. I've got a baby whippet starting these weekly on Monday ready for actual need from June. You really need at least one of you to take as much pupternity leave as possible at the beginning whether you have a pup or rehome an adult dog.

I’d get a rag doll cat!! Amazing company and companions, don’t jump up and cover their own poo! There is a reason they are known as dog like cats, with none of the downsides IMO. I have dogs too btw.

A quick online search found a rescue/rehoming place in our county. They regime dogs from Hungary. Does anyone have experience of this? Is it contentious or a good thing?

Our local dogs home is closed due to covid and apparently demand is huge.

We may be forced to wait a while which I guess is ok. Gives us more time to prep.

“Is it contentious or a good thing?”

Very contentious, lol

I would say, though leaving the idea of it aside... I’ve been looking for a new dog for a while ( I want a very active dog, but it needs to be cat friendly and that’s a rare combination) and looking at all the bringing dog’s over from abroad places... I’m not convinced they assess the dogs very well, that worries me. There seem to be an awful lot of dogs that are ex street dogs with a stint in a pound that are described as being good with children, dogs, cats, being left alone... it seems unlikely that so many are all those things with that background...