Best small breed for a family

[Dirtystreetpie]

Hi, I would love a rescue dog, but with 3 young children we don’t seem to be eligible anywhere.

We ideally would like a small sized dog, with a good nature for family life. I grew up with golden retriever and they’re may favourite but I feel too big for us. Would love any opinions. Thankyou. I am home all week and kids are all at school now so have lots of time to offer a wee pooch.

A proper KC Stafford

Yes to Stafford. I have a cross now (rescue) and my last dog was also a rescue cross. Bloody amazing dogs.
I am currently sat listening to the poo crosses next door yapping at everyone walking past the house on the school run. It's bloody relentless. My girl is snoozing on her bed.
She is chilled, great with the kids, can walk for miles, is very clever. Very minimal grooming. I will always have a staffy or cross of.

They aren't small but they're very low maintenance- a rescued greyhound. They need hardly any exercise, they happily put up with toddlers, most other breeds of dogs, they don't bark or get stressed about anything and you just need to be careful with them meeting a cat. Otherwise they don't change your lifestyle at all really.

Staffies are lovely but they are incredibly strong which may not be ideal if you have young children - they often don't realise their own strength!

How small is small?

Border terriers are generally good family dogs, we've had yorkies which have always been fab little dogs as well.

Bichon frise are generally pretty sweet little dogs.

Miniature poodle?

No bigger than a westie I think

@Dirtystreetpie

No bigger than a westie I think

I would look at breeds like:

Toy poodle
Cairn terrier
Border terrier
Bichon Frisé
Lhasa Apso

The first 2/3 probably need more exercise than the latter ones, but nothing too crazy. I would also make sure you look at grooming needs as IME many smaller dogs need regular grooming or brushing.

Thanks IC that’s very helpful

Pug

Best family dog ever!

Don't know why the reindeer pic appeared 🙈

Miniature schnauzers are a great family dog

Tell me more about your mini schnauzer?

Border terrier- best dogs in the world.

Why do you love Border terrier’s so much?

How much walking and grooming are you prepared to do? That’s a good start!

Cairn terrier! I had one and she adored children. They're bright, busy little dogs who love family life. They need a reasonable amount of exercise, but they're fine with pottering about and duvet days too.

They're also sturdy enough not to get bowled over by a toddler, but not so large they they can cause any real damage.

The smaller, friendlier, less obstinate terriers?

Border, Norfolk, Norwich, maybe Cairn

Havanese are a brilliant family dog and so soft but very rare. Good luck.

Unpopular I know but our chihuahua has been truest wonderful with the children. Dog is 5.5. Kids are 4,11 and 13

A Cairn Terrier one hundred times over. Friendly and will play, can cope with being bothered by children and will relax when it's time to. Can cope with a 30 minute walk a day or a 10 mile trek. A really portable breed.

Sounds ideal FB

I have a miniature poodle cross, either crossed with bichon or Maltese (rescue so not confirmed). She's playful but loves snuggles snd sleep. Likes short walks and play at home or long walks (although does stop snd won't walk when she's had enough! Gets carried a while then walks again). Copes well with children and noises associated surprisingly as she was kept outside on her own by previous owners for the first 3 years of her life! She's really adaptable and easy to train, very cuddle motivated!
I have heard that her breed commonly suffers with separation anxiety but I've not found that, she does follow me around and is clingy but also copes quite well when on her own for short periods.

Have you tried Saving Cavaliers UK?

They have a FB page, may be worth joining?

A podengo pequeno could be a good choice.
They aren’t yappy and are intelligent, easy to train and hardy. There are two varieties: smooth coated and wire coated, each have their charm, I love the bat ears on the smooth coated dogs but the wire coats have a rakish scruffy charm, they look like the sort of dog Charlie Chaplin’s tramp would have on a piece of string.