Help me chose a breed

[CheersBoris]

I’m hoping to be able to get a puppy in the near future. I’ve spent well over a year learning about breeds and breeders and what a dog will need so I’m not after advice about that.

So the breeds id love to hear of peoples experiences with are;
Shih tzus (maybe not able to handle longer walks?)

Westies (barkers?)

Mini poodles (need a lot of stimulation and sensitive?)

Cavaliers (health)

Cockers (resource guarding?)

Frenchies (health)

And possibly some of the poodle crosses (I know,I know, bad breeders..)

I’m aware of health issues within a couple of these breeds being significant. I’ve also put a lot of consideration about what we could offer the dog in terms of exercise ect.
So the main things I’m wondering about and prioritising are..
Exercise requirements, I’m willing to put in what’s needed but ideally not a dog that absolutely needs more than an hours walk every single day but is physically able do stroll around a park for a couple of hours or more

A dog that isn’t too vocal (neighbours)

My kids are 8 and 16 so able to respect the dog and be involved in training. A playful dog would be good, my youngest has adhd and likes to play outside.

A small-medium dog.

I’d say that a KCC probably meets your needs best. I have a shihtzu cross and while he meets loads of your needs - they do tend to be fairly vocal as do poodles.

Obviously you’d need to be careful on health though.

Yeah I’ve pretty much ruled frenchies out to be honest. Shouldn’t have really put them on the list.
I’m leaning towards (in order of preference)
Shih tzu
Poodle
Terrier (border, westie, Norfolk)
Cav (would be higher up if I could find a good breeder)

Cocker
Crosses

I waited a year for our Border Terrier, we went with a KC registered breeder . She was worth the wait and we paid £850 for her . Best money we have spent .

[quote CheersBoris]@icedcoffees I’m happy to consider them, such as border terriers people have suggested. The others that have been suggested are unsuitable, I’ve already spent a year going through breeds and this is what I’ve narrowed it down to.[/quote]
I suppose I just don't really understand what you find unsuitable about, say a Lhasa Apso or a Maltese when you seem happy to consider very similar breeds like Shih-Tzus?

Similarly you say you like Westies - so why not a Cairn Terrier (basically a dark coloured Westie) as they're less likely to have skin issues?

What is it about breeds like that that means you've ruled them out? I'm just trying to understand what it is you want from a dog because most of the breeds you've picked are very different from each other lol.

It might help people narrow your list down further, that's all.

@CheersBoris

When I speak about staff us being powerful, what I’m really referring to is the stuff in the news about them killing children. Now I understand staffies are not like this, and other dogs have the ability to. I just don’t feel comfortable with it.

They’re never actually staffies... they’re usually much larger dogs that are vaguely staffy shaped - so someone has decided they are, but they’re large bull breed types with probably a whole load of breeds in there.

But staffy reads better than - mongrel to sell papers, so...

Not trying to persuade you to have one btw, just mentioning them because actually, most people don’t know anything about them - they just think they do because people call all sorts of dogs staffies.

They’re much smaller than most people think they are. They’re really quite petite wee things and they do make pretty good family pets.

So Lhasa aspos I’d read are less friendly towards strangers than shih tzus. Not as good for novice owners and more likely to be protective/barkers. So it’s not that I think some breeds are unsuitable but that the ones I’ve picked are slightly more suitable in comparison.
Nothing against cairns at all. Not unsuitable. I think they’re hard to find though.

I’m also pretty certain I’d struggle to get a rescue to home a dog with us.

Why is that?

Border Terrier - research needed for good temperament mum and dad, then lots of socialisation with other dogs from a young age, otherwise we have met some mardy ones, they love being around people, ours does anyway. Ours will walk as far as you want but just as happy with 20 mins, probably because she gets fed after her walks, very food orientated. Ours occasionally barks but is not a yappy dog, unless DD is winding her up. My vet always recommends a Border Terrier for a family dog.

I wouldnt go small just for tendency to be nervous and snappy. Something solid, soft and unshakeable like a spaniel, perhaps a sprocker or a span lab cross as long as you are careful not to overfeed.

I have yet to meet a badly tempered Cavalier. I think they are the best breed ever (heart issues aside)

@Bortles small dogs are infinitely easier to deal with for first time owners than big ones! There's a big difference between an excitable big heavy breed and one that you can easily pick up and cannot cquse as much damage

@tabulahrasa I’ll do some more research into them. As I said, I’ve known a couple and they have been lovely, calm and obedient dogs (and one had a rubbish owner)

I’m actually on a waiting list for a cavalier and have been for some time and might be able to get one in November but the price is high and although the breeder is good and they are from healthy lines, it still worries me.
But I know tney make good therapy pets. Not that that’s why I’m getting a dog, but would be nice to have a dog that’s gentle with my ds.

Also going to look more closely at border terriers as they’ve been recommended a lot.
Nobody has really mentioned westies??

I'm surprised there are so many recommendations for border terriers. I only know two but they are bad tempered snappy little fuckers. Maybe I've just been unlucky but I thought the breed were well known for it.

@Sisisimone

I'm surprised there are so many recommendations for border terriers. I only know two but they are bad tempered snappy little fuckers. Maybe I've just been unlucky but I thought the breed were well known for it.

I know 6 different borders , all lovely and nice temperaments .

Respectfully disagree. Ones not prone to being neurotic and highly strung are better. Also, picking up when there's trouble can lead to making them aggressive and nippy. Children more likely to treat roughly and like a toy though ops are old enough to be more sensible. A neutered, solid, dependable type over an overbred, quick and nippy one any day.

We have a miniature poodle he's 9. Prior to him we always had gun dogs. The poodle is easy going, loving, a doodle to train, never barks, mine doesn't have separation anxiety and will walk as much or as little a you want in all weather and best of all he doesn't shed. We would never own anything else now.
Only go through the miniature poodle of club of GB or whatever they are called they'll know all decent reputable breeders who are expecting puppies.

@Bortles But small dogs can't cause as much damage, can't knock over kids, don't eat your house and are generally more potable. Who says bigger breeds aren't neurotic? Have yet to meet a particularly friendly lab to be honest and one lab has put my parents' neighbour in hospital a few weeks ago

Portable*

@CheersBoris

Also going to look more closely at border terriers as they’ve been recommended a lot. Nobody has really mentioned westies??

My (now elderly) friend has had quite a lot of them over the years-rescued). They've all been friendly & trainable (even the 'damaged' ones) but, for me, they're in the small dog category and not for me. I'm very partial to a cocker spaniel! Nothing smaller.

How can a cocker spaniel be a good fit for a family that don't want a high energy dog that needs a lot of exercise?

Having owned a miniature poodle, I also wouldn't say they are easy first-time dogs. They are way too smart for new owners! And also have a lot of energy!

Ive got a cocker spaniel and my mum has his brother both in completely different environments...... my mum live son the countryside so hers gets to run round woods and fields several times a day, lives with just my mum and a cat, is left home for 5 or 6 hours alone whilst my mum is at work (if its longer than i go and walk him).

My dog lives in a house with 3 young children (eldest is 6 and is autistic), hardly ever left alone and we live in a much more urban area so although he gets 1 decent run around woods/fields/beach every day most of his walks are on lead.

Neither are vocal dogs, both are fantastic with the kids, i can take the food bowl away from both of them mid feed and can put my hand in either ones mouth and remove a treat. They are fantastic with the kids and very easy to train.

We have a maltese/poodle cross. He looks quite like a little white poodle.

He does not shed at all but he does need clipping.

He is the sweetest dog ever. Loving, cuddly, and gentle. His worst trait comes from the Maltese I think.

He is absolutely certain everybody loves him, so he is enthusiastic to greet everyone. I have to keep him close as there are a lot of people in my neighbourhood who are from countries where pet dogs are not usual and they get frightened.

He is very much a lap dog. He is very smart and knows a lot of words. He is ten and still likes to play. He does not need a lot of walking. He does hate to be alone.

He does not like the car and gets anxious, which is a bit of an issue.

I would get another one in a heartbeat but there is concern about breeders. Ours came from a very reputable breeder.

Lots to think about.
People with poodles and cocker spaniels how much exercise do they need? My garden is tiny so count that out. All exercise will be walks.