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

You need a Sheltie in your life

They love to please, easy to train and are just fabulous dogs. Can be a bit yappy but easy to stop that, do need grooming a couple of times a week. I cannot imagine life without a Sheltie.

Our springer spaniel was the most gorgeous family dog ever, , sadly she passed a couple of years back (age 12) and now our cocker spaniel is an only. Also a beautiful good natured dog. Got them both as puppies - I would say spaniels all the way for families.

I have a shar pei and she is a baby !!! She's about 8 now though so she's crying on but we have 7 kids from ages 2-20 she is such a gentle clumsy bear best dog we've ever had. She isn't huge and she isn't small she's just brilliant and so plasid. We also have a sausage dog, she's tiny but is also like a baby an great with the kids- even takes a bath with them ? Haha
They do get left for an hour twice a day for school runs otherwise their never left alone and are glad for bed when they get peace.

I do think it helps when you get a dog if the breeders have children to so the dogs are used to it as we've bred in the past an they've all been brought up with my kids so they are used to it
Good luck x

I'd say springer spaniels should suit your lifestyle and some of the terrier breeds mentioned above.

Half of the working cockers I know are dog reactive and have gone for people with no warning. I meet a couple of show cockers on dog walks and they seem more easy going.

I also bumped into a bearded collie recently when walking my dog and it was utterly gorgeous.

My own dog is a GSD so not a medium sized breed but she is brilliant with everyone she meets, adores children and is used as the socialising dog at her daycare.

If you want labrador but smaller, then see if you can find a duck toller

@XelaM

We have a black pug and he is honestly a dream dog 🥰

Our boy is the friendliest little soul who loves everyone - kids, pets, horses etc etc. He is just an amazing dog who can be taken anywhere and is just the best companion. We take him everywhere - on long road trips, on seaside holidays, to horse shows, on days out, school runs. Everyone loves him (even my parents who were very much against getting a dog are absolutely smitten with him). If you need to leave him home alone, he never chews or destroys anything- just snoozes on the sofa.

He can walk for hours and was having a race with my daughter's pony the other day when out on a hack 😂 or sleep all day - depending on what's on offer.

He's super easy to train and knows loads of tricks and has been a dream to potty train. He is also super lazy in the mornings and can sleep until noon 😴

Honestly the best dog in the world and the best little furry companion. 😍

This sounds like my little Chihuahua, now departed. He loved everyone with passion and even dog haters adored him. Miss him so much.

Lol at how a thread to ask about breeds becomes people telling op they can’t get a dog. Surely everyone has to be a first time ddog owner to be a dog owner

Anyway back to your question Op
Sprockers! Best of both types of spaniel imo small and eager to please, would absolutely need training etc but so much fun!
Or working lab that is a more petite breed. My friend had one who is spaniel size and just lovely and saner than my sprocker!
Also a lovely mini schnauzer at out training class altho can be a bit stubborn

We have a now 4 year old Boston Terrier, she loves long walks but is also quite happy staying on the sofa. She is fine staying in her crate for up to about an hour and was really easily house trained. Loves cuddles, is very loving and not particularly high maintenance (Apart from ears need cleaning at least once a week) However.....

She doesn't respond to commands very well, she has been to puppy training and numerous other trainers. If I was to be in the market for another dog I would def have a Boston from a reputible breeder as there are alot of scammers about (Pets4Homes ect)

Hope this helps and you find what you are looking for

Wheaten Terrier, as long as you don’t mind coat care or paying someone to do it for you.

Perfect mid-size family dog, full of fun. Ours was super intelligent and easy to train, never met a dog, adult or child she didn’t love and lived happily through us being a child-free couple for several years, before dc1, 2, then 3 came along. She used to come on holiday with us while the other two stayed in kennels for some trips because she was so easy to manage, portable (size wise) and never a problem wherever we went. She also used to go on holiday with my PIL’s in their caravan regularly in her older years, because they would get told off by the other people on their regular camp-sites if she wasn’t with them.

The UK breed club are really helpful and maintain a list of people looking for pups, which is how we got ours. We to wait 18 months, but that was in the 90’s and I believe they aren’t as scarce now as they were back then.

I have a miniature cockapoo (cockerspaniel mum and miniature poodle dad) - he is 12 months old today and is 9.2 kg, he wont get any bigger now. He is the light of our lives. He does not shed AT ALL. He is clingy but that is our fault. So clever, playful, gives so many kisses and not a bad bone in his body. Best decision we ever made. Cockapoo gets my vote

What about a Westie? I've never had one but friends have and she fits in brilliantly with their family, good with kids, other humans, dogs. (But like I say, that's from a sample of one dog.)

Springer spaniel - I am biased of course! We got ours as a pup when my dc were younger than yours. He was a great puppy, quite bright and easy to train. He loves kids and is so friendly with dogs and people I never have to worry about him being aggressive. He's just wonderful, he's an old doggy now he's made such a fantastic family dog.

I am a lab lover but didn't feel a lab was quite right for our current life.. also our last black lab was from VERY strong working line and wasn't really suited to a family life.. we spent years pondering breeds as I have children with additional needs and needed to get it right and have ended up with a whippet. She is in full raging adolescence at the moment and has many PITA moments but is still amazing. Although a total velcro dog when I am home she is fine being left for a few hours in her crate if she has a kong to start with and has been walked. I have a camera on her crate I can check on when out so I know she is OK. Size wise she is perfect, a little smaller height wise than our smallish lab but half the width ! Never really liked the thought or look of whippets before, still not convinced she is actually a dog but can't imagine life without one in it now and am contemplating a second 😁

We are empty nesters now, had a number of dogs over years while raising our family, pedigree and rescue, big (wolfhound) and small (terrier). Each one was special and I feel a bit guilt picking a best one, but for us as a family it has to be the old girl snoring at my feet, a show type cocker. She has the most beautiful temper, she is steady as a rock, gentle, tolerant, with a constant air of calm. We feel very blessed and are hoping to add another cocker to the family very soon, if our new addition is half the dog my old girl is we will be very happy. Only thing that some might consider a down side is the grooming - ours has to go to the groomers every couple of months for a trim (she has a traditional show cut - because I like it, she has never been in a ring), she needs regular ongoing grooming, and she is as someone said earlier, a velcro dog, by my side always. Unlike a working cocker she doesn't need lots of exercise, 40mins to an hour a day now - if it raining she will often decline a walk and sits down at the door! So definitely a breed I would recommend for a family. Good luck with your search, hope you find the perfect pooch soon

I own a grooming salon & spend a lot of time with dogs - from what you've said OP you might want to look at a cavalier king Charles spaniel. Mid size also very sweet natured, I've never met an unpleasant one.
If you want a dog a bit brighter you can't go wrong with a toy poodle but bare in mind that they need to go to the grooming salon regularly.
They also need a lot of stimulation as they're clever little things.
I would look at the listings on the kennel club don't go near Gumtree or FB. Look at the inbreeding information too, and the tests this will help inform your decision about which litter suits you & your family.

@gigibea

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.

Cockers are ok but can be very busy - miniature schnauzers are sweet but they guard - they bark a lot at people & are sort of in charge. As I said maybe look at a cavalier they're so sweet & toy poodles aren't that difficult to look after except for the grooming! I'd suggest that you could look at your lifestyle & decide on what breed temperament would suit. I have a miniature dachshund & a Springer spaniel both rescues. Dachshunds I'm familiar with & I'd say they can be anxious - Springers are very lively but they're family dogs.

Field spaniel. Bigger and more chilled than a Springer, v v affectionate

@GeorgesMummy1

We have a now 4 year old Boston Terrier, she loves long walks but is also quite happy staying on the sofa. She is fine staying in her crate for up to about an hour and was really easily house trained. Loves cuddles, is very loving and not particularly high maintenance (Apart from ears need cleaning at least once a week) However.....

She doesn't respond to commands very well, she has been to puppy training and numerous other trainers. If I was to be in the market for another dog I would def have a Boston from a reputible breeder as there are alot of scammers about (Pets4Homes ect)

Hope this helps and you find what you are looking for

That's an excellent suggestion! I have a friend who breeds Bostons and they are enchanting. Whatever you decide OP please be very, very careful as it is a jungle out there at the moment. Once you have picked a breed (or breeds) look up the relevant breed clubs on the KC website and get in touch with the club secretaries. Most of us are a friendly bunch and will do our best to help. We can also advise on what health testing should have been done on the parents, any oddities about our breeds, what sort of price you should be paying and how to find a good breeder. You may also be invited to a breed show to meet the dogs and chat to as many owners as possible. Best of luck to you

A few links that might help you find a breeder when you've decided on the breed

https://www.champdogs.co.uk

https://www.champdogs.co.uk/info/puppybuyer?menu4=2

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/find-a-puppy/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lQP_8wEqDoQ&feature=youtu.be

Also the national breed club of each breed often have a list of breeder...

Good luck!

Another Boston Terrier fan! We've had 2 now - compact size, able to go for a run or a family walk.Low shedder, no grooming, don't slobber or smell either. They are not food obsessed like labs and generally very polite small dogs that rarely bark. Very loving and much healthier than other short nosed breeds - especially if you can find a breeder who is breeding for the terrier nose rather than bully.

I have had lots of dogs and done a good bit of rescue too. If I was picking a smaller breed I would try a poodle- they always seem fun. I have a GSD at present, still young, lots of hard work but very rewarding. Spaniels always seem a bit mental for my liking, Im in a training group with one at present and he seens to have lost his mind!

Malshi ( maltese and shih tzu cross) is the best thing we have ever done to have her. They are brilliant breed, small to mid size, no shed, no smell, due to their size they fit in anywhere lovely nature, always love human company she is our joy of life- can't imagine a world without her
Best of luck

She is with her bestie cockapoo, next door neighbour in the second picture

Shout out for border terrier