Which dog fits this criteria?

[Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987]

Family with 2 small children are thinking of maybe ( still on the fence) of getting a dog. It must be compatible, so here's the criteria. If anyone has any suggestions, please..

1. Good for children
2. Good with cats
3. Not too much exercise is needed ( Alstians need 2 hours walking a day, so big no no)
4. Nothing too yappy
5. Nothing too big that DH couldn't lift, if it was ill and had to pick up and take to the vets ( We like bull mastiff but they are around 90kgs!)
6. protective of family but not a guard dog
7. Nothing prone to medical problems

I'd advise against guard type dogs when you have young kids around. What about a show cocker spaniel? Small enough to pick up, lovely temperaments and will love playing with the kids. Would also recommend mini poodle / schnauzer as both don't need a ton of walking and have nice temperaments.

I immediately thought about a greyhound, lovely family dogs and don’t require much exercise, other than that a golden retriever/Labrador (make sure they are from a good show line and not working lines) they make amazing family dogs.

I wouldn’t recommend a ‘guarding’ breed for your first dog as they need extensive training to be able to shape them into a good dog.

why does no one recommend the Airedale? mine is adorable great with cats and fab with kids. happy with or without tons of exercise.
perfect size.

Unless a dog is a highly trained personal protection dog , any dog described as "protective" is usually just fear reactive and a completely liability - so I'd remove that from your list .

No dog is great with kids and cats automatically , it requires training ! Of both the kids and dog , and providing appropriate separation for the cat

If you have never owned a dog, it’s a huge leap to go with a breed that will guard (including the mastiff you mentioned). If you don’t really get how to be the ‘leader’ in the relationship, things could go bad in the worst way. They (and even dogs without a guarding background) will test the boundaries when young. They are simply asking which one of you is higher in the hierarchy of the family (the humans, or the dog/s). It’s quite natural and it’s imperative (with a guarding breed) that you get that right. My Rottweiler bitch was a very special joy to own, but she challenged me as a youngster by getting on the sofa and refusing (by growling at me) to get off. I made it clear that was unacceptable, we understood each other. She accepted her position and we had a lovely, happy 12 years together. If you really want your first dog to be substantial, I’d advise you to find a good local canine behaviourist who you can have regular sessions with so they can teach you how to train your dog. They can’t do it for you. The training is how you build your relationship with your dogs. Well trained and lived in a family, Rottweilers are lovely dogs (as are Doberman’s I believe, but I haven’t owned one).

That should read “loved in the family” (bloody autocorrect)!

I'd just get a well rounded family dog like a lab - from good likes brought up in a busy household

standard poodle. amazing with kids.. amazing huggers.. no allergy risks. Cons. counter surfing bastards, and they have a big bark if a stranger comes..then they lick them to death and show them where the good jewellery is hahahaha. I have two of the big idiots. these are my 3rd and 4th. the last two lived till 13 and 18

We have a 12 month old rottweiler and she is amazing with my 10 year old ss. We don't have a cat so can't comment on that. However she's currently 33kg and has another 6-12 months of growing to do.

She gets an hours exercise per day then extra training to engage her brain. She's very loyal and loving to the family but also protective towards strangers approaching the house. I've grown up with rotties though and wouldn't have any other breed. However I wouldn't recommend them as a first dog as they can be stubborn and need a lot of training to stop them becoming destructive.

Grace and Oliver

excuse our boxes..our home is sold and we are retiring out of the country in less than a month

This. Your comments are a bit weird tbh. Not too much exercise and to protect from intruders Poor dog.

Dominance theory was disproven eons ago.

Hmmm, try telling that to a Rottweiler

Second the cockapoo.
we got ours with young dc and cat.
easy to handle especially for first time dog owners, very good with kids, adores the cat and the door bell is redundant.

will either have an hour a day exercise or climb mountains depending on what you want to do. Can be prone to seperate on anxiety and dodgy stomachs unless you get one from a good breeder.

Just get a poodle.

Lhasa apso

Greyhounds don't need much exercise, they like a sprint but that's it. But some of them cannot work stairs.

Have a look at your nearest shelter they should be able to find a good fit.

A good rescue centre will help match you and say no if you're not suitable.

Staffy.
Great with kids, very loyal, family driven, main health problem is allergies which can be managed with diet, 15-20kg's, not vocal dogs, they like to chat but not yap. Happiest with people, walks and play for stimulation ours doesn't need a huge amount of exercise. Not sure about cats though....but imagine you'd need to test that with most dogs.

My Labrador would welcome any intruder, show it round the house and share his toys.

lmao

Please don't get a dog.

If you can do an hour's exercise and have a big garden then a Gordon Setter would fit the bill. Absolutely brilliant with kids. Has a deep bark, and is the same colour as a doberman/rottweiler so people tend to be weary.

Ours lived for 14 years. The only reason we didn't get another was the hair.

I would find a mastiff hard to walk on my own if he decided to pull. I have a Springer and he walks very nicely on the lead unless he sees a squirrel. He is so strong but still at a point where I can keep hold of him. I'd really struggle with anything bigger.

How young are your DC?