Can you suggest a breed for us?

[SamosaSammy]

So we're in the position where we'll hopefully be able to get a dog in the next few months. We're both experienced dog owners but not for several years now.

We're in the middle of breed research and can't decide. Totally appreciate no breed will exactly meet the below - but in an ideal world this would be the dog I'd choose.

Medium to large
Easy coat care - no allergies but ideally low shedding/easy groom requirements. Easy to clean after long muddy or beach walks so long hairy dogs are out!
Good with children
Happy to go on long walks/hikes over mountains and beaches - but equally may have to make do with an hour or so a day at times in the local park, whilst chasing a ball maybe for added intensity.
Likes to swim
Can be left alone for approx 4 hours twice a week (past puppyhood, building gradually)
Protective of the family but doesn't bark at every sound!
Fairly chilled at home (past puppy hood) - not overly bouncy and nuts
Intelligent, easy to train and socialise
Can be let off the lead after fully trained

Any suggestions? We've been through all the 'usual' breeds but wondering if there are some lesser known breeds that we haven't considered. Cost isn't an issue and nor is time - if we need to wait for two years on a breeders list that's fine if it means getting the right dog for us.

Thanks in advance!

I wanted a lab or welsh springer.. we have a whippet. I didnt like whippets 😂... I am now totally devoted to ours... but swimming... um... no... ours doesn't do mildly damp, low cloud or a hint of possible rain in the next day or so !

Lots of specifics on that list, which will be (in large part) down to you and how you train & socialise the dog. Personally, I would go to a REPUTABLE rescue, one that properly assesses the dogs they have and find one that suits your family & lifestyle.

Echoing PP’s that have said staffy. They get an incredibly unfair reputation. They meet a lot of your criteria, and are one of only two breeds the kennel club recommend as being suitable with children. Easy coat care, love exercise but also happy to sit around, lovely around children, easy to train. They are lovely dogs.

How about a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever? A bit more going on than a lab or golden, but more amenable than a Chesapeake. Could be a long wait for a puppy, though.

Standard poodle all the way. Our SP is cuddly, hugely athletic, zero shedding and has a super temperament. Excellent with children. Otherwise I would’ve said Lab- they do shed hair like mad though.

P.s. we from our SP every 6-8 weeks or so and keep her coat fairly short, plus shaved face and feet. Very easy to hose down after a muddy walk too- just get them used to it early on.

@Buildingthefuture

Lots of specifics on that list, which will be (in large part) down to you and how you train & socialise the dog. Personally, I would go to a REPUTABLE rescue, one that properly assesses the dogs they have and find one that suits your family & lifestyle.

Agree, but so few rescue centres will let a dog go to homes with children unless children are at least teens.

@WickedWitchOfTheTrent

Anything with poodle in it is likely to be hypoallergenic and also won't shed. I've got a real mix of a dog, but it's mostly poodle and terrier. He's great as doesn't shed at all, we keep him clipped so easy to clean. He's happy doing a 10 mile mountain hike, but equally at home with a walk round the block and a sofa to sleep on during the day. Brilliant and patient with the dc, but as he's a terrier can be a bit barky and anything small and furry is fair game, and he has a high prey drive (he can't listen and sniff at the same time)

I know mn don't like the mixed breeds, but something like a golden doodle, or Cockerpoo would suit.

Wrong wrong wrong Why don't folk actually do some research before offering 'advice'?

@MyAnacondaMight

How about a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever? A bit more going on than a lab or golden, but more amenable than a Chesapeake. Could be a long wait for a puppy, though.

I second this as we have one and would fit your list to a T. They love water, self cleaning, very trainable, god with kids and love walking and chilling out. Agree it would likely be a long wait for a puppy (although we were lucky) photo attached although Toller ears are normally flatter - we have the marmoset version

Flat coated retriever, beautiful, happy fun dogs! Not as thick a coat as golden so not as smelly when wet! Don’t take a lot of grooming, I’d hose mine down after a mucky walk they aren’t hard to clean. Plenty energy they can be bouncy but I’m sure with the right training this wouldn’t be an issue. Or maybe a munsterlander?

What about a Basenji? Beautiful family good natured dogs.

However I do second the please look at rescues first sentiment.

Please don't throw a ball around the park for added 'intensity'. Repetitive ball throwing puts a huge strain on the dog's joints over time and it's not a natural behaviour to do it over and over. Dogs are supposed to have a few short bursts of chasing, not twenty.

Re the poo mixes, they are not shedding onto your floor because the coats are matting underneath. They take a phenomenal amount of grooming or you end up having to shave them. Ask any dog groomer!

Please consider adopting a rescue dog. There are many dogs waiting in shelters for a living home and they will be forever grateful. Please don't have another dog bred into the world.

@toocatstophat I know and that is a shame I think. But I do understand why…there have been some very well publicised cases of unsuitable dogs placed with very young children, although the majority of the awful attacks that have happened have been through dogs “privately adopted” (eg bought of gumtree!!) . Some good rescues though will place a suitable dog with children over the age of 8. children must be taught to respect the dog (wherever it comes from) and the dog must be taught to respect the children. My granddaughter grew up around my (very large pack) of rescue dogs and from the age of about 4, they would follow commands from her in the same way as they do from me. She was never, for one minute though, left unsupervised with them and that would be the same whether they were rescue or not.

One of the labrador rescue sites: www.facebook.com/LRRSE

A staffy? They really are the loveliest dogs

I wouldn't get a viszla- we have a 2 year old and she is the most loving dog but she is a handful and not really the best around younger children as she spooks easily and gets over excited easily. She's also very bouncy and tall so gets quite high up!

Having observed lots of other dogs I would say a lab although they seem very boisterous when they're young. Cocker spaniels also seem lovely but often very very ball focused as far as I can see!!!

I have Vizslas, mine can skip a day’s walk if you get too busy/ill/weather is desperate but will go for hours if you like. Swims like a fish, good with other people’s kids although we don’t have any. Very clean dogs, don’t smell and minimal moulting, although I brush mine weekly with a rubber thing which keeps it to a minimum. Super easy in the house, they mostly sleep unless the lead comes out. Can be left with no trouble, has been left up to 8 hours in a pinch and nothing is ever touched in the house.

However, there are some terribly bred, highly strung neurotic ones around, more so since the COVID puppy boom. They give the breed a bad name, they should be the Hungarian version of a Labrador, with the added Hunt and Point as well as Retrieve.

A Toller would be another good choice, smaller and neater than a lab, I’ve only ever met nice ones, although people sometimes don’t know what they are.

Consider a Curly Coated Retriever too, they’re a bit bigger, but placid as anything. My friend breeds them and they are quite frankly complete dopes, but adorable and will do all the things you want. Easy coats too, cleaner than a Lab.

Don’t get a Pointer, especially a German short haired pointer. They are much more difficult to train and every one I’ve known that wasn’t owned by someone that worked them hard three days a week was a complete nutter.

Have you thought about a Boxer? Our boy is nearly 11 months now and a total, slightly bonkers, joy. With consistent training a Boxer could fit your list to a T…..though ours is not the most graceful swimmer but he absolutely loves giving it a go

Australian Kelpie!

Ticks every single box you have there, will run with you over every mountain or sleep on a cozy duvet day.
Silky smooth but barely sheds
Excellent with kids, perfect guard dog, very easy to train (collie type so follows instructions with ease)
Adores a ball game of any kid
Will 1000% entertain you 😂

@LadyCatStark

Lab definitely 🥰 here’s a pic of our 7 month old enjoying a walk in the woods.

We regret choosing a lab as we have a six year old and the lab is so boisterous he knocks him over and constantly bites plus chews sons toys, pulls on lead etc. We expected the walking commitment and lots of love and fuss but didn't realise the level of attention he needs. Just curious what's your labs temperament and any tips for a struggling lab owner?

Border terrier.

Labs shed like an absolute bastard
I love mine, he's the sweetest dog ever, but I'd never get another because of the hair

To answer some of responses I have not found a lab a good fit with children (younger children anyway) just imagine 30plus kg hurtling towards your kids, our lab is walked 2 hours a day, trained regularly throughout day and requires lots of attention or he becomes destructive. He also jumps on 6 year old and bites. We find we end up giving more attention to dog than child and often unfortunately have to seperate them. Our older children even struggle with him jumping and biting and we find spending time with extended family (nieces etc)very stressful. We love him but our life is extremely stressful. I think labs are great for people who have no or older kids and only work part time ( which I do thankfully)