Calling all experienced dog owners for advice- first time dog owners after small family dog

[intothedoghouse]

I'm after some advice from experienced dog owners.
We are thinking of getting our first dog. The children have been really keen for some time and we are now in a position to seriously consider it. The children are between 10 and older teens.
Overall, we prefer a smaller dog (possibly small-medium) that would fit in well to family life. There would usually be someone at home most of the day but we would pay for a dog sitter/ walker when we can't be at home. Children also keen to be involved in walking, care, training when not at school. I would like a breed which tends to have a good temperament, not too barky, aggressive, clingy or difficult to train.
My oldest is currently very keen on a Jack Russell-Cocker Spaniel cross. I like the look of Border Terriers (not just the physical appearance, obviously).

Please can someone give me some advice for first time dog owners:
Where and what to research
Suggestions re breeds that might suit
How to research a good breeder
Things we need to know re training, equipment, etc
Anything else we need to know.

Many thanks

@Ostryga one of my neighbours has 8 cockers that he uses for shooting and they are so well trained its like 8 little robots following him down the road 😁

He is so good with my son when he has meltdowns it just comes naturally to him, from the day we bought him home at 8wks he just senses a meltdown and goes and lies on my son until hes calmed down. The pair of them are inseperable.

Oh you need a cairn terrier

We look after one regularly and have done for years and he's 16 now and still full of beans.

They're fun, feisty and like being cuddled and fussed. Stubborn and just full of fun really. They'd be a good fit for what you're looking for

I'd also never recommend a greyhound even though they're heavily 'pushed' on here.

The majority haven't lived in a home before obviously and they're also huge. Loads of people have problems with house breaking them and if they're not running, all they do is sleep. And probably pretty boring for a family who want something cute and fun.

We have had 3 Jack Russell's and they have all been very affectionate with the children, loyal, not one has nipped, good recall and not barked/been aggressive around dogs even when they are being barked/lunged at when out. Downside- all have barked in the garden when they hear strangers walk past the back fence but they see that as their job and (mostly!) always came when called. They have great personalities and are really fun to be around. Not without their annoyances like any dog but if you do your research on your breeder I would recommend!

I have a jrt x yorkie and think he's a great dog, very clever, easy to train, very loyal, loves his walks, great with kids.

The only issue we've had is he's hit and miss with other dogs, generally he's fine but with some dogs he seems to take an instant dislike to them!

My dad has a jrt who is much higher energy than ours, he never seems to tire out.

Have you thought about a rescue?

This one bailed up a policeman who had stopped for a fag in our park one morning and demanded he state his business.

She has a healthy prey drive so cannot be walked off lead. Treat her barking as you would a two year old telling you that someone is at the door but sometimes mitigation strategies can be put into place. Not clingy but always curious. Willing, eager to please. She’s wonderful.

I volunteer with greyhounds and although some can be easy going and lovely pets, many are troubled.
They have spent up to 4 years in kennels, only going out for racing.
Going in a car, a house, a cafe is all new and often scary for them. Meeting other breeds can be terrifying.
A seemingly calm dog can be shut down and their true feelings come out weeks after coming home.
They’re beautiful, gentle dogs but often challenging pets.
Also they can’t be let off the lead unless in a secure, usually rented, field so additional costs to be considered.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. Food for thought!
There are some really beautiful dog photos on this thread.

I personally cannot recommend JRTs enough. Have had two and they are / were the most gentle sweet natured dogs. The one I still have is 6 and she has a very calm temperament and has been absolutely brilliant with my now two year old grandchild.
She has never shown any aggression or impatience with the toddler…but always looks very relieved when toddler goes home.
The only downside is dog hairs!
She sleeps on my bed and it’s not too much of a problem if she only gets a short walk !

Also interested in same as you OP (in our case we have grandchildren) and from this thread I've started to research miniature schnauzer. Like their sort of grumpy faces

They look a really good option but heard they can be a bit vocal!

When choosing a puppy from a litter is there any way of knowing if the dog will be an excessive barker?

can heartily recommend Border terriers - we lost ours last year and the house isn't the same without him. He was friendly, biddable, patient, loyal, healthy, and sweet-natured. He loved us all differently - DH was his sun and moon; the kids were his big brothers and sisters, I was the provider of food, medicine and fuss. We lost him at nearly 12, through arthritis related issues, but aside from his arthritis he was rarely at the vets.

In the interests of honesty, I have to say he was quite barky (the postman was the first non-family member to notice his departure), definitely not safe around cats, and he took agin some dogs, for reasons we never go to the bottom of.

But i would have another BT in a heartbeat, once the heartache of realising that dog wouldn't be DDog has healed.