Smallish dog

[superplumb]

My children are now 9 and 7. 7 year old has diagnosed adhd and likely autism. He loves dogs. My eldest also likes them and is a sensitive boy.
We live in a 4 bed semi, okish garden. Currently I work from home and my parents live a few streets down ans they own a sprocker rescue since he was a pup. Lovely friendly boy.
We are considering a dog. I have looked at labs and gr but i think they're too big.
As 1st timers we need a biddable dog easy to train, medium amount of exercise, maybe an hour a day. I have considered a cav but I worry about their health. I'm in touch with breeders who do all the tests but still concerned.
Have also thought of border terriers but not keen on them either really.
Dog may occasionally be left alone for an hour or two if I have to run errands.
Any other breeds to consider please? I've watched so many YouTube videos which all contradict each other

Cairn Terriers are an amazing breed with kids.

They are trainable but can be stubborn.

They are very gentle.

I've had 2 growing up with children with autism.

And they don't tend to have health problems, we've had several over the years who've all lived to good ages 14-16 on average.

Ive a few friends with Bichons which are great little dogs, tiny bit yappy but generally easy, biddable dogs, great with kids and other dogs, and happy for a big walk or half an hour round the block. Not too desperate for endless stimulation either.

The one thing I would say with ND kids and dogs, especially puppies, is that puppies are absolute jerks. All of them. They will bite, they will get ready overstimulated and your child will need to reliably follow instructions around them for their and the puppies well-being. It’s very different to being round an even tempered older dog

A staffie. Gentle, lazy, love people, soft, easy to train. Just the best family dog ever!

Bichon Frisé
Coton de Tulear
Mini poodle
Lhasa Apso

All small companion type breeds who don't need masses of exercise and are generally pretty trainable.

They all need regular brushing and grooming though.

While that's all true they have a tendency to be quite dog reactive which isn't ideal if you're going to be out walking with young children.

They're not a breed if recommend unless all the children are at least secondary age.

This is a really good point and I'd also say true of any children and dogs! Be really really prepared for how hard it will be in the puppy stage. You've got to have help to put the work in.

I'd stay away from any dog that has a background in retrieving (so spaniels, cockapoos etc) because they pick things up and if not properly managed will resource guard.
Also - Biddable dogs tend to be dogs that require a job - because they'll look to you for stimulation. You actually dont want an intelligent dog!

Go for dogs bred for show - ones that come from a line that is all about being calm in a ring and relaxed when required. Obviously not overbred for show but I mean show type lines. Parsons Jack Russel for example over Jack Russel..

I disagree with this, especially compared to other breeds people have recommended on here. I haven’t got a staff, but when I’m walking my two it’s always staffs that I can let them loose to play with. All they do is get yapped at and snapped at by terriers, and all bichons I’ve met are little arseholes towards other dogs. Common sense and socialising should be applied to any breed. I think it would be a good idea for the op to sign up to puppy training classes with her children to get it properly socialised, and they can all learn together how to interact and train it, whatever the breed.

I will endorse staffs too... Had one from when I was 8 and my siblings 6 and 4... calm, unbelievably tolerant (yup, we dressed him up and did ridiculous things to him) and very trainable- a bit older I took real pleasure in training him... A huge comfort when times were tough, he was a great shoulder to cry on as a teen... So utterly reliable and very affectionate and very low maintenance

I'd look at a Staff too. Brilliant temperaments, low maintenance, real family dogs. Boston Terrier might be a good fit too. Again, low maintenance, no grooming, low shedding and bred to be companions.

Our DD has autism and we rehomed a Yorkie Apso (Yorkshire Terrier x Lhasa Apso) on recommendation from Wood Green. They are bred for their calm temperament so perfect companions for anyone looking for a loving, cuddly sweet dog - she only barks when the door knocks and always makes a beeline for my DD when she's in the room. Only needs one short walk a day, loves cuddles and is very low maintenance!!

My parents have a sproker and despite the biting, I taught them what to do and what not to do, safe space while eating g sleeping, stroke gently . They're the best of friends now

My sil has a Boston terrier but don't they suffer with breathing like pugs ans the like

Awww NY mil rescued a Yorkie. He lived to about 14 I think. He was lovely, big character for a little dog.

Seconding this. I used to have a Cairn and she was amazing. I believe it's one of the breed traits to love children.

Mine was trainable and had great recall and an hour a day of exercise would have been perfect for her. She could also happily do more or on wet days, be content with a lot less - she hated the rain.

One of the things I loved about her was that she was an ace "potterer" didn't need hours running off lead, she thrived on running little errands with me around town - like going to the famers market and the post office - and loved to be in the middle of everything going on at home.

@superplumb they can live up to 16 apparently! She's our first dog and has fitted in like a dream, even though she's come from a rough background (she was a stray, found roaming a field age 12 😢)

One of the things I loved about her was that she was an ace "potterer" didn't need hours running off lead, she thrived on running little errands with me around town - like going to the famers market and the post office - and loved to be in the middle of everything going on at home

Yes this is a lovely description. We now have a Golden Retriever and a Cairn. The cairn has the funny personality. She does just potter around, either following the GR or my daughter mostly. She sits next to my daughter at the table on a chair while she does her homework.

They love being with their humans and being part of the family.

If you're set on a puppy I'd go for a Chihuahua or an Italian Greyhound. Of the two the Iggy is the easiest to toilet train but both breeds prefer to toilet inside. They're the only puppies I know who are quite laid back.

There's no way I'd have a staffy or terrier type puppy with a 7yo.

Yorkie (very clever, learn quickly, not very demanding in terms of walks), or Maltese, so adorable and great companions.

Awwww love a rescue ❤️

I love staffies but they’re not for a first time dog owner imo. They are, usually, as soft as butter and very tolerant. However we all know if it goes wrong it can be very serious.
They need a firm owner and children need to respect the dog.
Saying that my dgc have grown up from babies with my staffies and no incidents whatsoever. Dogs know their place and dgc know how they must behave.
A small companion dog sounds like it would suit your family.

I have two with autism and we have a rescuse Lhasa Apso. She's a lovely dog very calm and gentle and loves to be cuddled up next to them or sitting on their laps. The joy of her being a rescue is that we had none of the difficult puppy bit which mine wouldn't cope with like nipping or stealing their stuff and the rescue were very good at matching our needs to her needs.

I have a rescue staffy (I think there is a tiny bit of something else in there as he’s a bit leggier and narrower than a proper staff) and he’s very easy in so many ways; happy with a mile round the block or a 5 mile run or a 4 hour hike, completely indifferent to being left, very friendly with dogs and people, and we think he was born with bulletproof recall.
BUT can get very excited especially if there is a lot on or lots of toys out. He is generally a lovely gentle boy and we’ve worked hard on his manners but if he’s worked up/over excited jumps up and could easily knock a child over, and if he’s over excited with toys about will forget his manners and “snatch” them - little fingers would potentially be a problem! He needs the people around him to be fairly steady and calm or he just gets stupidly giddy. Children wanting to play with him the whole time and he’d just get stupidly over stimulated.
I know you say your children are good with dogs but other children not being sensible if they come round for play dates is a consideration

Miniature schnauzer