Help deciding on breed

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Can anyone offer advice on possible suitable breeds of dog for our family?
We have never owned a dog as a family before, though husband had dogs as a child. We have 2 kids aged 9 / 12. We both work mainly from home, so there will usually be someone around. We live in a city but are fortunate to have a decent sized garden. Exercise will mainly playing ball in the garden and walks (could manage 2 per day 30-60 mins) in the nearby park and along the river where there are always loads of other dogs being walked.
We are thinking small-medium sized, short/smooth haired and low shedding. It will encounter lots of other dogs and children, so would need to be fairly good with them. We were wondering about Jack Russell / Beagle / Dachsund / Jackshund. Any tips and suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone - lots of good advice to think about. So possibly a Dachshund or maybe mini Schnauzer, but maybe we should also look into whether a rescue dog would be a possibility. My gran used to have a lurcher who had such a sweet nature.

I did an online quiz thingy and it came up with a basset fauve de bretagne, which sounds like a great all-rounder, lovely temperament and brilliant with kids
www.purina.eu/dogs/dog-breeds/library/basset-fauve-de-bretagne

PS my vet pal warned me never to get a beagle ... extremely difficult, moody and stubborn! Jack russells can be bitey with kids and every miniature schnauzer I've met has been really quite yappy so they personally wouldn't be for me. A friend has a dachshund who is brilliant with their young daughter and very sweet.

@GoingGently haha I tried the quiz and it matched with a pug which we absolutely do not want

Haha yes we got some weird and wonderful matches too... but it's good for inspiration... I play fantasy dog shopping all the time. Just waiting until we can move house and in a better life situation for it. One day I'll be a dog owner again...!!

sorry... 'fantasy dog ownership'.... 'dog shopping' sounds a bit inflammatory!

If you don’t mind the grooming requirements a Bichon frise .

I also think that a Whippet would suit your family.

If you want something a bit more clever, I would suggest a Chinese Crested (Powderpuff). I know not everyone's cup of tea but they have lovely little personalities.

I just did a quiz, told it I wanted a small dog, and amongst the top suggestions were greyhounds and a Dogue De Bordeaux

Our Jack Russell is very low maintenance. He's now 19 months. He walks nicely, is super friendly with other dogs and people and has good recall and almost no prey drive. He sleeps a lot and loves a lap to cuddle on. He sheds like mad and doesn't love to be brushed or bathed but we manage with lots of treats.

@wetotter we just came across the most gorgeous border terrier out on a walk. Such a lovely friendly guy he was. Spoke to the owner at length. Thanks for the suggestion.

I was about to suggest a border terrier. Mine is coming up to 1 yr old and she's adorable. She's been easy to train, loves people and other dogs and children. Obviously normal puppy biting stage but apart from being fussy with food overall she's been great. She does shed though (but most dogs do this) - she needs her topcoat hand stripped every 6 months or so .

They probably aren't for the faint hearted due to the bad press but Staffordshire bull terriers are absolute little diamonds. Sweet natured and fantastic with children.

I'm glad your looking into rehoming op. I've heard dachshunds can get slipped disks.

We can cope with a certain amount of shedding. I think I'll continue to investigate lurcher or whippet rehoming (my preference) and also start looking at how me might be able to find a BT (DH absolutely loves them). We are in no rush.

I'm here to recommend a cocker spaniel! Yes they're crazy but it means they exercise themselves on a walk but super calm at home! Great with the kids too.

My daughter in law has got a schitzu/poodle cross and she's absolutely gorgeous. She's small and a pale biscuit colour with woolly hair like a sheep. She's friendly and jumps up into people's arms for a cuddle when they arrive, loves a walk but isn't high maintenance.

ylvamoon we've got a Chinese crested powderpuff, and you're right, they're very sweet. I love her but she's a bit barky.

If you are interested in adopting a Lurcher, both Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue and Lurcher Link rehome on a case by case basis and will home with children if it’s the right fit/home. It’s worth following their FB pages to keep up with what’s going on.

Agree with everyone saying avoid Beagles. They are goooorgeous and I've never known a nasty one, but bloody hell they're hard!

Have you thought of a smaller rescue greyhound? They need less exercise that you would think (they can walk for miles, whether they want to us another matter 🤣) laziest dogs in the world! With kids at 9 & 11 I don't think you'd struggle to get one.

Others have suggested lurcher (we currently have a 6month old- she's nuts but SO clever and trainable!), and they're great family dogs too.

We have a border terrier, these are great dogs with kids. As long as they're properly trained from young age (like all dogs) they're very docile, friendly and affectionate and brilliant with kids. They somehow have an instinct when around kids and they're very gentle. They do need regular exercise (at least an hour a day) and in terms of grooming, a hand strip twice a year would do. They're really clever dogs and easy to train but if letting them off lead make sure you're not in a wooded area (squirrels!) preferably a large enclosed field, park or beach.

The only thing is they are small but mighty, with a loud bark!!!

Greyhound/ lurcher

"On that amount of exercise, steer clear of anything of a working, hound, gundog, pastoral type, like beagle."

Really? I have a Saint and she only plods for two 30 minute walks per day. She isn't into big walks. Working breed.