What dog would you recommend for us?

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

Family of four, DC 10 and 8. Both calm, gentle kids; used to dogs as they spend a lot of time with their grandparents' dog.

We live in a small house with a small garden in a small city centre, so need a small-medium dog (but not toy breed). We live very near three parks, and are a 10 minute drive from open countryside.

I am home most of the time, the dog would very rarely be left alone and never for more than a couple of hours. I am fit and very active, and happy to give a dog as much exercise as it needs.

We also have a confident, dog savvy cat who's unphased by visiting dogs.

We've tried rescues, but haven't found one with a suitable dog, so we've decided to register with a reputable breeder and wait for the right puppy - we aren't ready to get one till autumn, as we have a holiday booked, so have time.

We want a hardy dog without congenital health issues. We are not keen on dogs with squashy faces like pugs and bulldogs, (nothing personal, my mum has a Frenchie and she's a sweetheart, I just worry about the health issues) and DH isn't keen on "fluffy, fro-fro" dogs like bichon frise (sp???), although I wouldn't rule them out.

We're financially secure and can afford vets bills, insurance, training, etc.

Initial research has thrown up miniature schnauzers, Cairn terriers and Australian shepherds as strong contenders, does anyone have any experience of those breeds? Or have another suitable breed they'd recommend?

We'd be perfectly happy with a scruffy mutt, but they seem surprisingly hard to find these days! Thanks in advance.

Any terrier really, but a Westie? I know they look like fluffy wee things, but they're hardy, cheeky and friendly. Or a Scottie, though they tend to be more aloof.
Jack russells are fab but can be hard work.
Beagles are nice but have the hound nose on them!

Exciting, best of luck!

My friend has a Patterdale and it's a fantastic dog.

just a late vote for cocker spaniels.
ours is now 14! my youngest was 10 when we got her.
she has been an absolute joy for us.
Really easy to manage , looks lovely, loves walking. no health problems.
she is a show breed.
we get her groomed 3 monthly.
we were new to dog ownership but read loads of books stuck to the advice given plus training classes and I cannot imagine a better family pet

Patterdales are the most terrierish of terriers. Lovely but can be challenging as they are working dogs. Too clever by half, basically a cross between a dog and a monkey, depending on the type (I’m only really familiar with nuttall line patterdales).

There's a reason Patterdales are affectionately known as Twatterdales 😉

They might be small and cute but they are 100% working terriers, bred to run for miles and to hunt small furry things. They need HUGE amounts of exercise but many can't be let off the lead as they simply won't come back.

They are also well-known for being dog aggressive.

There was a thread about them on here recently, and 95% of the owners who responded said they were lovely indoors but a nightmare on walks and incredibly hard work well into double digits 😂If I recall correctly, most people also said they'd never get another.

IMO Patterdales are not generally not suitable for pet-only homes. You may get the odd one that's fine, of course, but given their exceptionally high prey drives, intelligence and tendency to bugger off, I really wouldn't recommend them unless you also plan on working them for life.

Mini poodle, American cocker or bedlington

Having slept on it, I've decided that DH's preference for a beagle shouldn't overrule mine, when it's me who'll be doing the vast majority of care for the dog, so I've contacted a Tibetan terrier and a Norfolk terrier breeder too. May also try a miniature Schnauzer breeder too.

Betty says good luck and she hopes you have lots of fun with your new addition!!

I've realised I meant Australian terriers in my OP, not shepherds. I was wondering!

we have a cocker-she is a Velcro dog with severe FOMO. She won’t even eat her dinner without someone there-she scoops her kibble up in her mouth and drops it on the carpet to eat with you.
my next dog I’m after will be a Portuguese Water Dog; lovely lovely dogs

I know everyone on MN hates them,but we have a Cockapoo and he is fantastic. Wonderful temperament, can walk for ages but also can chill out all day if necessary. He is almost 2 and can be left for 3 hours, although we rarely do do. He's great with other dogs and also with small children.

He is a cross between a miniature poodle and an American Cocker so doesn't seem to have the manic behaviour you associate with some cockers.

My SIL has a cockerpoo and she's fab - but how do you go about finding a good breeder for a mixed breed, especially a trendy one? I'd hate to inadvertently support a puppy farm.

Betty is gorgeous, @Derbyderby - is she as sweet as she looks?

Oooh, one of the beagle breeders has invited me to come and meet her dogs, to check if they're the right dog for me. That's very helpful!

There's a reason Patterdales are affectionately known as Twatterdales 😉

I was just coming on to say this - I've known a few and they were all very smart and fun dogs but my goodness so stubborn, terrible (non existent) recall, and hated other dogs. Not an easy dog at all. Owners had to have a real passion for them to put up with some of their behaviour and said so themselves!

She’s lovely, loves her family, can be a little aloof with other dogs/people!!!

We bought him from a local breeder, after a recommendation. We visited several times to see the puppy and his mum and siblings. His mum was very chilled and relaxed.

We also rang the breeders vet before paying a deposit, and she was reassuring.

I would say spaniel. But I would always go for a working one personally. Mine are a delight, the only neurotic ones I've come across are the ones not exercised and stimulated enough.

Oh but factoring in grooming is a must.

Before putting your name down, I would recommend trying to meet dogs from all the breeds you like and see if they're what you're looking for.

Ask about separation anxiety, barking, exercise, grooming needs, shedding, recall, temperament, behaviour around other dogs/people/children, recommendations for training etc etc.

I'm actually a bit nervous about meeting the breeder. She shows at Crufts. Her dogs are better bred than any of us!

I know they look adorable but do yiu know any beagle or beagle owners?

I was coming here to say Tibetan Terriers too! I have a mixed breed rescue (TT and King Charles, as far as we know) and she is the loveliest dog. I’d never heard of Tibetan Terriers until I got her (they’re not as well known in the States) but now I’m obsessed with the breed. I’m going to add a puppy to our family next year, I think. ❤️

Derby your girl is beautiful! Here’s ours (we tend to get her hair cut short because it’s impossibly wiry and tangled when it gets too long since she’s a mixed breed)

I’d suggest mini poodles or possibly a medium-sized terrier like a border or parson Russell, though they’re all going to be pretty lively. I wouldn’t recommend cockers for that reason. And I think beagles are generally a bad idea all round. We train dogs as canine partners and most are poodles or labs.

Manchester Terrier?
It's a rare, vulnerable, native breed.
Short hair, low maintenance, and quite stunning if you ask me

"The Manchester Terrier is bright, intelligent, alert, loyal and affectionate to their family and keen to be involved in whatever activity is going on, yet small enough to be economical to keep and naturally neat and clean."

I'm personally on a waiting list to get an English toy terrier, the toy version of Manchester Terrier (so I'm a bit biased)