Dogs for beginners

[Frazzled2207]

DH and I are both 'dog people' but he's never had one and I had them growing up so not completely clueless but that was a long time ago.

Now in our early 40s with two children (8 and 6)with a bigger house, working mostly from home (likely permanently) with a dog proof (fenced in) garden we are finally having the Serious Dog Conversation. We're not in a rush and may well not be ready for a year or two, understand that waiting lists are sometimes long anyway! So just at the very beginning of thinking really and would like some pointers on which breeds we should be considering and investigating.

We are not dead set on a puppy and not that bothered about 'pedigree' but I know rescues are unlikely to rehome a rescue where there are children; also I would be slightly wary of any adult dog where I didn't know the background.

General dog considerations
-we're prepared to walk a dog for a minimum of an hour a day, probably more at weekends
-we both wfh most of the time but assuming the dog is generally well exercised it would be great if he/she could be relatively chilled for most of the working day at least and not need constant attention
-ideally would be happy to run with me on a lead (not very fast)
-medium to large breed, not a small yappy terrier. Definitely not very large dogs though like great danes.
-not a dog that needs serious grooming and/or sheds a lot
-obviously needs to be good with kids albeit not particularly small any more.

Any ideas of breeds to start researching would be great.

Also a possibly stupid question. I get the impression that these days it's basically pay 000s (and wait months) for a 'breed', either from a reputable breeder or puppy farm (obviously won't go near the latter), or hopefully get lucky at a rescue. I wouldn't mind a mongrel as long as I knew about the parentage, is there a way to get a 'legit' mongrel puppy, from a family rather than a rescue? That's where our family dogs came from!

Thanks all

@Coronawireless

We have a working golden retriever, male, 8 months. He needs a LOT of walks, sniffing and really, really loves other dogs. So much so that I’m thinking of getting another dog to keep him company…but oh, the poos! And the trying to find a minder if we go away. I don’t know if a bitch or a show line might have been a bit easier…less active…He is so large. And so muddy. And the car is ruined. And soooo many huge poos. And the walks take up so much time. But too late. The DCs love him. He snuggles in to them on the sofa. And I have lost weight.

@Coronawireless, get him to 2 first before deciding to add to the family. He will calm down once puppyhood and adolescence are over. He’s at his most giddy and keen to play with every other dog at this age. It’s very likely that he will become much more choosy and aloof as he matures and will be less bothered about trying to make friends with every single living thing in his eye line. He’ll still need walks, the poos won’t shrink and he’ll probably still be a mud monster (my cars are also wrecked despite covering everything with protectors) but he’ll calm down once the first 2yrs are done.

@Coronawireless

We have a working golden retriever, male, 8 months. He needs a LOT of walks, sniffing and really, really loves other dogs. So much so that I’m thinking of getting another dog to keep him company…but oh, the poos! And the trying to find a minder if we go away. I don’t know if a bitch or a show line might have been a bit easier…less active…He is so large. And so muddy. And the car is ruined. And soooo many huge poos. And the walks take up so much time. But too late. The DCs love him. He snuggles in to them on the sofa. And I have lost weight.

Haha at the poos! Can I ask what food he is on? My dogs poos are drastically smaller now she is on Millie's Wolfheart, but I think it would the same on any grain free dog food, as the grain bulks out the food, passes through them and, err well, bulks out the poos. Just thought I'd mention it.

I'd recommend a show cocker. We keep him trimmed short all over, and so grooming/shedding is minimal. He's very chilled at home, great with children, and equally happy with an hour's walk as he is with a 3 hour outing. Although I grew up with dogs, he's the first dog of my own and he's been so easy.

@Coronawireless

We have a working golden retriever, male, 8 months. He needs a LOT of walks, sniffing and really, really loves other dogs. So much so that I’m thinking of getting another dog to keep him company…but oh, the poos! And the trying to find a minder if we go away. I don’t know if a bitch or a show line might have been a bit easier…less active…He is so large. And so muddy. And the car is ruined. And soooo many huge poos. And the walks take up so much time. But too late. The DCs love him. He snuggles in to them on the sofa. And I have lost weight.

Just like @BalladOfBarryAndFreda we feed our golden retrievers on Millies Wolfheart, we found it made the poos much smaller and slightly less stinky. Funnily enough, my bitch is the crazy one. She rolls in mud so much that we say she must be trying to disguise herself as a black lab. Our boy is much calmer and less interested in other dogs. So I think it is just a general personality thing rather than male/female.

That said, at least the girls are smaller. I love the look of a male golden (such big heads) but they are just that bit bigger and stronger. I feel more in control with the girl.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda
Ha, ok fingers crossed
Thanks!

@SuperheroBirds, yeah, Millie’s is great. Ours is on countryside (70/30) and looks fab on it.

@LizzieMacQueen

I recommend show cocker spaniels. They do need fairly regular haircuts but we have groomers that come in a van.

I'd agree with spaniels. We've had them for nearly 40 years, and while active when out they're very chilled in the house. My current 2 (1 springer 1 sprocker) are both snoozing on the settees.

Oh, I'm surprised at people saying not pointers (not doubting you guys, I only have experience of mine)! My German short-haired pointer must be a misfit - she'll do as little or as much exercise as we give her, gets a mix of slow and sniffy walks, off-lead and on-lead runs (we've run up to about 10k together, I never really took her further than that) and spends the other 20-odd hours of the day sleeping in various positions on the sofa (or, very occasionally, in her bed). She was a rescue who came to us at two though, so maybe she was a psycopath before that?

@arootintootingoodtime

Oh, I'm surprised at people saying not pointers (not doubting you guys, I only have experience of mine)! My German short-haired pointer must be a misfit - she'll do as little or as much exercise as we give her, gets a mix of slow and sniffy walks, off-lead and on-lead runs (we've run up to about 10k together, I never really took her further than that) and spends the other 20-odd hours of the day sleeping in various positions on the sofa (or, very occasionally, in her bed). She was a rescue who came to us at two though, so maybe she was a psycopath before that?

I think all puppies and teenage dogs are psychopaths. I love my dogs, but they were definitely easier to live with once they were older than 2. It’s like babies, they make them super cute so you forget how much trouble they are.

Depends on your kids, to an extent, but a middle aged retired greyhound from a reputable rehoming organization is worth a look.
I've had them for decades, have done parkrun with some of them. Personality varies dog to dog as in any breed but there are certainly some extremely stolid hounds who are happy to jog and walk but otherwise sleep all day.

I have a retriever too, poo is fine but you need to feed on good food or they will be massive and stinky. Mine is v energetic and young yet - we were looking to add another but not until he’s 2 plus. Lovely family dogs, big and hairy mind you but lovely

I was in your position too, similar age children and similar setups. Then a few of my colleagues got puppies. We have completely reconsidered how much of a commitment the puppy time is, and it's almost a year before they really become a bit more manageable. I couldn't do it, bit sad about it but my colleagues are like walking shells!!

@Cherryblossoms85

I was in your position too, similar age children and similar setups. Then a few of my colleagues got puppies. We have completely reconsidered how much of a commitment the puppy time is, and it's almost a year before they really become a bit more manageable. I couldn't do it, bit sad about it but my colleagues are like walking shells!!

hmmm I think for this reason we are more likely to look at a young rescue, if they'll accept a family with kids.

Did you get put off the idea permanently then?

I thought that puppy would be hell and started off looking for a rescue
But rescues don’t go to families with kids for a reason
And we realised … having a puppy bond with you from babyhood is very special

I assure you - we have not been walking shells , nor have our friends with new pups last year . I presume a lot depends on your housing and boundaries

We were sure we would give her a space of her own and crate her overnight and for a good nap during the day. We would set her routine and change it a bit every day / weekends / holidays

We had to invest full time in the first week but it got a lot better very quickly

Sounds a bit Gina Ford - but within a week our pup was sleeping overnight for 8 hours with no crying or whinging and was toilet trained ( day and night ) … at that stage pups sleep for another 10 hours of the waking day. Really not an excuse for being walking shells

Another vote for lurchers. Ours loves children and is the most laid back dog I've ever had

I agree with @Anon2022 . All the puppy horror stories I think ate due to people choosing very energetic breeds (like spaniels/labradors/cockapoos etc). Our puppy was a dream. He was fully potty-trained within a fee weeks, was sleeping through the night almost immediately, has never chewed the house and has generally been a dream.

are*

We Don’t agree totally
Haha
Mine is a labradoodle amd my lab friends are all similar … it’s not so much about being energetic but about being trainable . Intelligent and distractable. Not anxious …

I think the family temperament is also a factor !

If you have older children you should be fine! Some rescues say no children under 5 and most under 8 so I think that’s maybe something to look at!

Also just to pay Devil’s advocate I have a cockapoo and they are amazing! But I think whatever breed rescue or not will be wonderful hope you aren’t waiting too long!

@Frazzled2207 For now, yes, but I do think as others have said, it's really a breed issue, and being realistic. The two colleagues I'm thinking of went for a labrador and a dalmatian and they're both known to be high maintenance, personality wise. My BIL says whippets are the way to go - can run for hours if you like that, but they're also quite happy with half an hour, and won't go out in the rain, winner! Trying to source a dog for less than £2000 is a whole different question though.

Would like to speak up for all the non yappy terriers living very happy lives.

All dogs can potentially be yappy. I know "a darling" cavapoo who yaps her arse off for attention. Is taken everywhere, not because her owners want to but because she can't be left alone due to extreme separation anxiety. Her owners are completely clueless.

People with terriers know they don't have to be yappy.

Just like people with high-energy spaniels know they dont have to be nuts

But if OP doesn't want a terrier, and as there are so many other breeds and types to consider, why try change her mind?

Definitely not a Pointer or a Dalmatian from your description!

Miniature or Standard Schnauzers are great family dogs, although obviously grooming costs to be taken in to account.

Working Cocker Spaniels are very different to show strain ones.

Smooth Collie would suit you well, I would think. No major grooming requirements, until they moult - then a good bath or two and some concentrated outdoor grooming to save your house - but all dogs are going to need some work at some points in the year.

And anything that isn't short coated will pick up an incredible amount of burrs that need picking out.

We have a bedlington/whippet cross (so a lurcher I guess) and he's a wonder so far! Not too big for my little car, VERY chill in the house provided he gets suitable exercise (usually a longish walk in the morning off lead, a few sprints in the afternoon and sometimes a sniffy evening walk on lead). Can do longer walks when needed but also ok with short sprints. He's not a barker really, is quick to learn and is (too?) friendly with people. Copes well with long car journeys and is pretty adaptable.

He's got wirey fur rather than the longer fluffier fur some crosses like him have, which makes him easy in terms of grooming etc (bit of a beard trim and can usually just wipe mud off, doesn't need brushing really). I guess you couldn't select for this if getting a puppy though as his fur type didn't show until after we got him.

He is bouncy though- we don't have kids yet, but he'd be able to knock over a small child (accidentally!) easily. His bouncy moments only really last 5 minutes when he first meets someone though, and tbf he doesn't meet many kids so it could be a lack of experience.