Dog breed help

[Lolly2803]

So we are looking for a dog to complete our family. But I want to get the right breed and am after some help.
We are an active family with 3 children. I am a SAHM so home a lot. Exercising a dog not a problem. My husband wants a dog that can snuggle on the sofa (I’m not bothered). I want one that has a brain and can do a good walk and good with children. I would like one that can walk off lead in the woods with us. has to be small or medium sized. Considered a working cocker but think the lack of off switch would be too much. Husband loves Cockerpoo’s (I am not convinced). I’d have a Lab he says too big. Border terriers seem a good option but can they be off lead? Any help or advice would be great!

I think a poodle would suit you brilliantly

Wow thanks that’s a lot of info! All very useful! I wish I could work on DH for a Lab but it’s a hard no. a shame but guess we have to both be for it.
Interesting you’d said you would choose a girl terrier over a male. Why is that? Is there a big difference in temperament? I had always thought of getting a male but am interested to know more.
cocker spaniel is interesting but I don’t love them as much as the working ones. As much as I would love a working cocker I just think the energy would be too much for us in the home. My husband likes a BT and so far that’s the only breed we seem to agree on. I’m not a fan of the poodle mixes or poodles really. Not sure why just don’t look at them and think “I want one”.
I’ll look up that Instagram profile!
we are going away for a week in august. Do you think wait till we get back? Or would a week with a dog sitter be ok?

Oh and just to add this is our first family dog. I grew up with dogs. We had a spaniel and a Jack Russell. We loved the Jack Russell but it was an absolute headcase! My children are 5 (twins) and a very grown up dog mad 3 year old! Please don’t tell me they are too young. I know some people will think they are but I know they’ll be fine.

I would not get a Jack Russell. I know some can be lovely but I have met soooo many snappy horrible "devil dog"-types that I would never risk getting one.

What about a show Cocker? Still very active, smart, easy to train, but have a bit more of an off switch?? My mum has one, she is an amazing dog, just doesn't like to be left for hours on end.

We have a cavalier King Charles (but I'm pretty sure she's a slight mix with another spaniel because she doesn't have the classic bug eyes!) and she's a great mix of temperaments. Loves walks in the woods for an hour and a half every day but also loves a great snuggle on the sofa with you. Great with my 4 year old and has been since we got her 2 years ago!

Mum also has a cockapoo and she's also amazing, she's the comedian of dogs!!! but hard to find someone who has bred reputably, mum's was a rescue.

All types of setter struggle with recall and are prone to running off.

just Thinking about your husbands suggestion of a cockerpoo, we have a Cavapoo who is all the things you’ve outlined and generally far more chill than any of the cockerpoos we’ve met who tend to struggle with an off switch in my experience

You’re right I wouldn’t get a Jack Russell. The reason I had one as a child is my mum grew up with them and she rescued one. A bag of puppies were thrown into a bin liner and chucked in the river. 4/6 were dead and 2 survived. We had 1! I’ve also had a King Charles but he was definitely crossed with something else. He was a one of a kind. I couldn’t get another because I just loved him so much.
I think we are pretty set on a Border Terrier if there aren’t any red flags we come across. It’s the only breed we can agree on! I’m just not a huge fan of the poodle crosses. I’ve met some lovely ones and a friend has one but it’s just not the dog for me. With the BT It was just the recall that bothered me but if with training it is fine then that’s ok. I just didn’t want it to be an absolute nightmare to do! But I don’t want a dog that has to be on a lead when we are on a family walk in the woods! From what I’ve seen plenty are out on walks off lead so that’s a good sign. Training is fine and I’ve heard they are fast learners.

Please don't get a pug, or a KC cavalier. They are banned in some countries, with good reason. They have been overbred to such an extent that they are often in constant pain and distress.

I would recommend a miniature poodle, ours is super chilled and endlessly cheerful/optimistic doesn’t require endless mind games, can be left alone, loves walking even at 10 yrs old will happily walk 4+ hours a day but will also accept 20 mins a day and in all weathers, easy to train just wants to please you, low prey drive, excellent recall and known to be exceedingly healthy will easily live to 14+ providing they’ve come from a reputable breeder who’s done relevant health screens, non shedding a total joy after my previous endlessly shedding working dogs, non yappy and love to snuggle up with you but will also happily stretch out on a rug mine never pulls on his lead and can easily be picked up for example to go in the car finally won’t eat you out of house and home mine gets 1/2 a cup a day of dried dog food or do poos that require shopping bags to pick up. Go through the miniature poodle club UK they will know breed dedicated breeders who are expecting puppies. Avoid mentioning poodle crosses obviously they are not a fan of them.

And you can clip them to look how you like mine looks like a miniature curly coated retriever.

Love our Tibetan Terrier, he's gorgeous. Not a terrier, despite the name, so no terrier tendencies. Loves being with people.

we have a cavapoo, snuggly like a bear, does not molt and intelligent due to poodle in him, walks off lead, loves swimming
just perfect

Yes to miniature poodle. (They aren't miniature, that's toy or teacup poodles). Best dog ever and not a pom pom in sight of you have "puppy cut"

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Whippet
Corgi
French Bulldog
Bull Terrier
Wheaten Terrier
Samoyed
Dachshund
Papillon
Mini Schnauzer

I suggested a female terrier as my experience of meeting them is they are less reactive to other dogs than males.
I have 2 labs, one of each, and the male has certainly met his share of aggressive male terriers ( it doesn’t help that he is black) .
With my 2, I find the female more biddable, but they are both sweet.

I second a Tibetan Terrier. They are a bit of a class clown but have very little prey drive and have the tendency to stay with you on a walk - so not disappearing into the woods & returning covered in mud!
They love their humans and are very friendly with a happy nature.

Only downside is, they are little puppy devils ... but with consistent training they are the most chilled and unfazed by anything adult dogs imaginable!