Help me pick a breed?

[gigibea]

We are looking at getting a puppy later this year/early next year.

I'm currently going around in circles looking at breeds.

We are a busy household, 2 dc aged 7&8.

Dog would be home alone twice a week max for a few hours at a time. Plenty of time for walks each day as well as playtime and training.

Looking for something mid size.

Not sure where to start, obviously want to avoid puppy farms and backyard breeders. A rescue dog isn't an option for us at this time.

Please come and tell me about your lovely family friendly dogs

Go to a re-homing centre and get whatever dog takes your fancy. It will be saving a dog, not giving money to breeders; a healthier dog if not a pedigree, and you will feel more bonded to it because you rescued it. Breeders create more and more dogs being born for financial profit while dogs' home have to sort out the problems. Be part of the solution not the problem.

@Lilyargin That's fantasy land. No rescue centre will rehome to the OP, as she has young children. That's just the start of the long list of criteria that are often impossible to meet and make rehoming a dog versus difficult. Plus, the dog might not get the memo that it should be grateful to its new owners and might cone with an array of problems.

versus = very*

@Lilyargin

Go to a re-homing centre and get whatever dog takes your fancy. It will be saving a dog, not giving money to breeders; a healthier dog if not a pedigree, and you will feel more bonded to it because you rescued it. Breeders create more and more dogs being born for financial profit while dogs' home have to sort out the problems. Be part of the solution not the problem.

I'm not anti-rescue at all, but I do get sick of breeder-bashing. Some breeders are terrible, but some are bloody good.

Well-bred dogs are not the ones who tend to end up in rescue, as responsible breeders will take responsibility for rehoming dogs they have bred (yes, this does happen).

And while cross-breds and mongrels are on average healthier than pedigrees, it's not a guarantee.

As for bonding... Personally I find it easier to bond with a puppy. Some people find puppies an utter nightmare (they can be, our last one was) and don't bond with them at all. It depends on the person and the dog.

If I were to downsize to something smaller than I have I would go golden retriever. I think there’s a reason they are really popular family pets. I’ve got a couple of friends with them and as long as you’ve got the time they seem to have lovely gentle personalities (once out of the wild dog teenage phase obviously!)

On a side note, I’ve always left my puppies for a very short period of time from day 1 too. Never had any separation issues at all.

I’d choose a Labrador over and over again. Easy to train, beautiful temperament, happy to walk for hours, good recall, but also absolutely fine if he only has one walk per day.

You've asked for a breed rec based on leaving it. You can't leave a young dog that long. It's not fair to any puppy. I suggest you firm up your wfh plans. If not find a rescue lurcher type.

I would recommend a spaniel! Lovely, funny dogs who will play with your children and enjoy lovely long walks.

I never understand these threads. It’s like other dog owners think nobody else should ever get a puppy as they simply won’t cope and don’t know what they’re letting themselves in for. Yes it’s hard and shock to the system but it’s not all do and gloom (coming from someone with a pup with major issues costing me a lot of time and money to try and resolve).
I don’t understand why people assume anyone wanting.m a pup is an idiot that hasn’t thought anything through or done any research. She’s asked for breed advice and tbe resposes are mostly people hinting that her lifestyle probably isn’t suited for a dog when actually it sounds pretty great. Yes separation anxiety is something to be aware of but it shouldn’t put people of getting a dog.
I wonder if people try to put people off having children in the same way.

Anyway, my choose would be a cocker spaniel but be aware of potential resource guarding.

Also, my puppy has an extremely nervous temperament, has many many issues but is fine with being alone. Haven’t done more than 3 hours at 8 months but she was ok for an hour by 5 months. Probably could have done longer but I’m too nervous to take it too fast.

We’ve had 3 rescue dogs. A cocker - wouldn’t recommend it, a border collie - loved that boy but pretty hard work, and a lurcher. Got him when he was about 2, lost him when he was 14. He was a dream dog! Had a quick half hour walk every morning, back home, breakfast then a lovely day sprawled on the sofa before a quick walk at 3.30 and a longer run later in the evening. A good 2 hour walk on the weekend. Generally he could be left for 5 - 6 hours a day. (We had a camera to watch him and he really did just sleep all day!)
Given the choice, I’d have another rescue lurcher in a heartbeat.

Staffies are great. Ours is 6 and she is great with all people, loves children, good with dogs and cats (we don't have cats but there's some on our road and at our families). She goes to doggy daycare once or twice a week to break the week up and can be left home all day (7.45 until 5), no chewing, barking etc she is very chilled. We did lots of training with her when she was a puppy and it has definitely paid off a she is great! X

And while cross-breds and mongrels are on average healthier than pedigrees, it's not a guarantee.

But do mongrels have ceased to exist? They are now all called designer breeds and even more irresponsibly bred for money, the only difference is that the mongrels are no longer inexpensive to get.

Have a look at Standard Schnauzer - not yappy like the miniatures and the giants are literally, giant.

They grow up to be pretty resilient, very flexible on exercise and have fascinating facial expressions. Females will be easier in all respects.

That said I have 2 lovely labs, and echo what others have said - perfect dogs 😍

@XelaM sorry but that isn’t true. I used to work at one of the biggest rehoming charities and we rehomed to families with small children if they were experienced and had minimal time alone for a puppy. Yes, it means you have to register have checks in advance, you don’t have to take the first puppy you meet, you may have to wait longer.

I think breeders definitely have their place. I think it should also be known that an average of 10 dogs a day would come to our London site and need new homes (ie no owners traced or someone coming to claim them). That was 3500 to 4000 a year to one rescue branch in the U.K. which I believe is higher with the lockdown dogs being given up.

Personally, I think we should have dog licensing where people go on a course to learn all about dog welfare and behaviour because even some of the best intended owners don’t have clue what they are doing, and with some dog behaviouralists still using outdated methods, it’s understandable to see why people don’t know what to do.

Rant over lol

I wouldn’t be grudge anyone using a breeder when they do all the checks to make sure they are legit and the dogs are well looked after.

Definitely have a look at a working cocker spaniel. They are mid size. Very friendly dogs. We got one with a 7 and 9 year old.
They need lots of exercise / chance to sniff.
You will get loads of love back.
Highly recommend crate training. They are like a baby …. They need to be ‘put to bed’ for naps etc … otherwise they don’t stop!

I don’t think you can go wrong with a lurcher ❤️ Mine is an absolute dream… bit of a shit as a puppy but is 15 months now and perfect, loves everyone and everything, sleeps all day, loves a cuddle, perfect recall, happy to be left for a bit. Best dog ever 😍

Border Terrier , we waited a year for our little dog . We got her last year through a KC breeder , who didn't charge a stupid amount for her .

She gets a short walk in the morning and then a dog day care for 3 hours when I'm at work . She doesn't need another walk after that as she's very tired .

She's such a sweet little dog , she's so friendly , doesn't bark even when people come to the door . She's great with my kids aged 9 and 10 , and loves to have a cuddle . She house trained within a week of having her and after we realised the crate wasn't her thing she slept through the night from 8 weeks In her bed . We do have a large room/dining area which is closed off to the rest of the house, so she isn't roaming the house .

I do think we hit the jackpot with her , she hasn't chewed anything and is an all round good dog .

She's very friendly with other dogs and other people.

Shes going through the selective hearing stage at the moment on recall but she was worth the wait . Couple of other friends spent £3.5k on a cockerpoo and £4k on cocker spaniel at the same time I got her , she was
Less Thank £1k

Champdogs is a good place to look if you're after a breed.

Have used it myself recently to get in touch with breeders and find out info/waiting lists etc.

The puppy months can be demanding, but they don't last that long!

Don't get a pug, or any flat face breed, until after you've read up on their health issues, and are absolutely sure you can afford the (expensive and ever rising) cost of insurance and are up additional care some conditions entail (yes, some can be fine, but it's not something you can predict or select for)

I'm a fan of the smaller friendlier terriers - Border, Cairns, Norfolk, Norwich (the last 3 are quite rare, but if you can find one they're lovely dogs, very good natured, not as stubborn as many terriers!). Airedales are also lovely dogs, but more - um - independently minded and need assiduous and ongoing training.

Schnauzer could be a good call - you don't see many of the larger ones. Labradors and goldies have good reputations with families for well deserved reason (friendly and biddable, but can be very bouncy and that can be alarming for small DC). You could also look at the other, less common, retrievers. But the more they're bred for work (rather than pets) the more work-like activity they need - if DC are old enough things like activity competitions can be fun all round

We have a 5 month old Black Lab. And an 8yr DD.

Being a wiry long hair dog lover I never thought I'd be a Lab person but, like you, we spent a long time deliberating on breed and decided on a Lab as we wanted the security of a dog that is very biddable and most often friendly & good with kids.

No regrets here AT all. We adore her. We feel we've made a great choice for us.

Here is where we are at at 5 months, just for your information as might be helpful.

1. She is crate trained, and sleeps in her crate downstairs 10/11pm - 6/7am most nights. She started sleeping through around 11 weeks old.
2. We can leave her in her crate and go out for up to 90 mins as long as she is really tired from a good long walk, and she starts with a stuffed Kong. It's taken us time to build up to this. Havent tried longer yet as dont feel comfortable to yet.

We dont feel she is ready to be left outside of the crate as she is a typical teething labrador and she chews everything. This is a downside.

1. She is house trained. This was pretty easy. We have a garden, the lawn is ruined though.
2. She is amazing with DD and my DD LOVES her. She will let DD and her friends pamper her etc. She is patient and tolerant with them all.
3. She is friendly with every human and dog she meets. A massive softie.
4. She needs a good 2 walks a day, a mix of play with dogs, sniffy off lead and just walking alongside us. If she has these, she is easy at home if she gets a little bit of training and some play with us too.
5. She's trained to sit, lie down, wait etc. This was all easy. But she is struggling with counter & table surfing now she is bigger as she is a classic greedy food driven Lab who will eat ANYTHING.

This has been another downside when on walks as you cannot take your eyes off her, even on lead, as we live in London and there are unsavoury things everywhere and she finds them. But she's getting better as she gets older.

1. Colour and fur type are important! I hadnt considered it at all but being Black, you can't see the dirt as much, and being short coated, barely any grooming needed. Very handy as less baths etc. Friend with a Goldendoodle has to groom and wash after most walks.

We were going to get a spaniel. They are lovely but now that we know many from our park, I'm glad we didn't as they seem to need a lot more excercise and stimulation than Labs and sometimes are a little highly strung.

Once you've decided on a breed, highly recommend Champdogs.

Hope this is helpful x

We have a zoom cross terrier & is the best dog we’ve ever had.
Super friendly, easy to housetrain & can now be left for about 6 hours at 1 yr old. He’s cuddly but full of energy so loves a good walk but also happy to bypass it in favour of a chew in the bad weather.
Smaller than you were looking for and can be a bit yaopy but after having full terriers, spaniels and retrievers I’d never go back to those breeds.

Meant to say, our Lab is a mix of working and show lines. That's something inportant to consider if you go down the Lab route.
We were advised by a lovely Lab breeder I spoke to on my hunt that a mix of show and working is a good choice for a family like ours.

It depends a bit what you mean by mid-size. If you're happy to put in the time with training, you could do a lot worse than some of the gundog breeds. Vizslas can be delightful dogs (just check the parentage, as some of the working ones, especially the wire-haired, are very full-on and prey driven). They do tend to be very needy, but plenty of them are fine to be left for a few hours. Some of the more obscure breeds like the Braque d'Auvergne are also pretty chilled IME of them, but might be a bit big.

Once you have a few ideas of breed, have a scout on Champdogs. The litters there are from health-tested parents, but you will still need to check out the breeder - some are excellent, some are emphatically not.

Thank you all so much for the replies and recommendations.

I can see the issue of using a breeder and not a rescue has been raised. I've already explained why a rescue isn't an option for us this time. I have in the past had a greyhound rescue and would do so again if it not for the reasons I've explained.

Also my lifestyle is well suited for a dog which is why I didn't ask for advice on this.

I had a lab up until a year ago when he passed away after a long, happy and beautiful life with us so I'm confident that we can give a dog an excellent home.

Mid size I suppose I mean smaller than a lab, they will always be my favourite breed but just the practicalities of home/car would be easier with something slightly smaller.

Looking at cocker spaniels and also miniature schnauzers off the back of this thread as a starting point I think.