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