What dog would you suggest for us?

[hotcrossedbums]

Family of 5. Dc are 10, 8 and 2.

DH and I have grown up entirely with Labrador's and I've had a Jack Russell and a pug as an adult. Kids are used to these, including the toddler.

We live in the middle of nowhere, acres of space to walk in but we do both work so we are realistic about 7 day a week walks not all being the long weekend style mikes ones.

I work 3 days a week but DH is wfh and he can take dog with him on his site visits so dog would never be alone for long.

Obviously we are thinking Labrador but part of me is considering a border terrier.

Not keen on spaniel, staffie or poodle breeds but wouldn't rule them out.

Any ideas welcome and thanks in advance!

Golden retriever

Funnily enough my mum has a retriever and he's brilliant, should have put that on my list thank you!

Golden Retriever.

I would think about what you can offer the dog first as you’ll be able to rule a fair few breeds out.

Grooming? Exercise? Time?
Do you have a size in mind?

There are so many breeds out there and usually everyone recommends their own

I would be thinking about things like:

• what kind of exercise you can do on a daily basis.
• coat type/grooming needs/shedding.
• what size and strength of dog you can cope with.
• what aspects of a dog you could or couldn't cope with.

For example, border terriers will need hand-stripping whereas labradors shed like mad. Personality-wise - borders are known for being prone to dog reactivity, labradors are greedy and canine dustbins, etc.

I would also consider which traits you would find intolerable in a dog and make sure you pick a breed that's not likely to have those traits, too.

Some very good input thank you.

My pug is a Labrador in the wrong my body so I am used to having to train him to not beg for food etc.

The shedding could be an issue, although I ruled out a labradoodle due to personality over their lower shed rate to full Labrador's.

We can offer grooming every other day easily and happily pay for regular professional grooming.

We have 2 Lurchers.. Great off lead. Great at home. Great with dc. In fact ds's favourite 'relatives' are our 2 ddogs!!
Low shedding but not nil. Off lead zoomies or a short stuck for time walk. Just like being with their family doing whatever ime..
And sleep loads.
And fold up small.

Personally I would prefer a retriever over a Labrador just because I like the personality more. Some labradors can be a bit much!
We have leonberger which have a similar silly outlook to a retriever but are obviously a lot bigger (and lazier!)