Choose a breed for me

[Happymiraclemorning]

Hey, so we would like a dog to join our family. 1 child age 8 and 1 cat.
Husband is home all the time and I work part time. Would be left no longer than 4 hours when we sometimes pop out shopping on a weekend.
House is medium size and garden small.

Walks will be 30 mins a day
Weekends longer about an hour (sometimes longer)

Husband is moderately allergic so would need to be something that doesn’t shed too much although I can deal with some hair as I vacuum everyday

We live in a terrace house so nothing too barky!

Would need to be a dog that likes other dogs , cats and kids

I just can’t find something that ticks every box

Any suggestions?

Hmm... the issue really is the 30 minute walks, that’s not a lot so it kind of limits you to small companion type dogs, which tend to be fairly vocal.

Long haired, female Chihuahua. IME they are not barky (unlike my short haired boys!!) and very tolerant of other dogs/cats/kids. Don’t shed a huge amount and will be content with 30 minute walk per day, although will happily go further if you fancy it, or skip a day if it’s pouring down. Have a look at Silver Fox Rescue or Angel Small Paws. They have some lovely ones, a little bit older (3/4) but temperament assessed and most are suitable for families.

It’s probably would be longer so 2x 30 min walks - most days
But occasionally it would be 30 mins a day which is why I’d want a dog that would adapt to this

Yeah, you are limited to knee-high breeds. And as someone who lives in a 100 year old terraced house and a neighbour with a Maltese-Bichon mix (who was an expensive pandemic puppy), that thing is barky and it echos around our house let alone theirs.

Also, if you're getting a puppy, a dog that is sociable with other dogs, with cats and with kids, and can be left for any length of time, only happens with training. They won't come like that. There's still a chance, no matter the breed, they won't get on with the cat, or won't be able to left for more than a few moments for a year or more.

And I agree that only 30 mins walking a day will also limit you, that's not much, especially without having a large garden. Most Terriers will need a lot more than that for example.

My long haired chihuahua would fit your needs.

Honestly? You need to commit to longer than half an hour a day - it's not fair on the dog otherwise, especially when they're young.

Could you afford dog walker? As that would really expand your options.

I also have a chihuahua and would have suggested the same.

They do have a reputation for being barky but a lot comes down to training and also temperament as excessive barking can often be due to anxiety.

Mine is a short haired boy and the only time he tends to bark is if the door goes and I’m not there as he gets a bit nervous (if I carry him with me to the door he’s fine).

The longhair chihuahuas are often more easygoing and placid than the shorthairs and they tend to shed less too.

Fair enough on the 30 min walk - maybe a dog isn’t for us at the moment

I have a pug and even he needs more than half hour a day. He is walked between 45 mins and 2 hrs per day. He isn't awful if walked less (if i am sick or something) but you can tell he needs it. He would get really fat if he was only walked half hour. We are really strict with food but he seems to have inherited my metabolism

Lots of behavioural issues in small dogs are down to lack of exercise.

Half an hour - even for companion breeds - is nowhere near enough. They need to get outside, sniff, socialise, meet other dogs and people, see new things and have new experiences.

Half an hour on the odd rainy day or for very young/old dogs would be okay but adult dogs of all breeds need more than that - for their mental health/happiness as much as anything.

We have a cavalier King Charles she ticks all your boxes provided you keep it groomed and short haired which we do

@Happymiraclemorning

Fair enough on the 30 min walk - maybe a dog isn’t for us at the moment

My dog would be happy enough with half an hour a day tbh

Italian greyhound. Toy dog, one good blast of running a day and then they tend to sleep. They are however velcro dogs. I have a Iggy cross chihuahua and he's my shadow.

Lhasa apso- we have one and he fits your criteria

A rescue breed

I also have a cavalier but unlike PP, mine would go crazy on 30 minutes a day! Mine is a very good girl, an absolute darling, but she goes a bit crazy if she isn't walked for at least an hour each morning, and then she needs a shorter walk in the evening too. She also sheds quite a bit, which I dont mind at all, but might be a problem if your DH is allergic.

She loves children and other dogs though, and is scared of cats

If you know your husband is allergic, surely it's not a great idea to get any kind of dog?

@WaltzingToWalsingham

I also have a cavalier but unlike PP, mine would go crazy on 30 minutes a day! Mine is a very good girl, an absolute darling, but she goes a bit crazy if she isn't walked for at least an hour each morning, and then she needs a shorter walk in the evening too. She also sheds quite a bit, which I dont mind at all, but might be a problem if your DH is allergic.

She loves children and other dogs though, and is scared of cats

Hahahha it was me with the lazy cavalier mine does love chasing a cat though hahahah

Our pug ticks all the boxes. He's the friendliest dog in the world who loves everyone and doesn't require much exercise

@XelaM he's gorgeous

Rescue breed but you will probably buy a cockapoo at great expense, struggle and give it up.

With the pug and bulldog breeds, can people think twice before enriching breeders, as these poor dogs are overbred and often suffer breathing problems. If you are an animal lover please don’t support this.

I have a very easy lurcher dog to look after. Even he likes an hour every day it's not fair really to give any dog less than that. Also it would be impossible for anybody to say if your gig would get on with a dog and a cat because every dog is unique regardless of their breed.

Rescue greyhound? I haven’t had one myself but I hear they need a good run but otherwise sleep most the day. More experienced people than me may put me right though, I have a long haired stinky goldie who needs at least 2 hours walk a day and heads straight for every bog. And sheds everywhere but wouldn’t be without her.

Italian greyhound or whippet. My mum has 2 as does my sister. They are lovely dogs - good with children (in the family we have kids ranging from newborn to 9), my cats and other dogs. They have very short, fine fur.. don't shed.