Recommend your breed to me

[HouseOfEssex]

I'm in the very early stages of thinking about a new dog. Backstory is after waiting years for my first dog we bought an aggressive, resource guarding, anxiety riddled groodle pup. For his safety and ours heartbreakingly we had to rehome to an experienced adult only home last year.

I'm in zero rush but we'd love another dog some time next year. I was criticised roundly on here for having bought a "mongrel" when I posted about the issues we were having. How I should have bought a "pure breed" So, requirements are

• as non shedding as possible (allergies)
• temperament second to none with children
• small to medium sized
• good for a "novice" owner

Any suggestions for breeds I should look at? So far I have minature Schnauzer and Lakeland terriers on my list and would love any advice?

I’d go for a bichon personally with that list. I’ve got a few friends with them and they are all without fail lovely easy dogs, lovely with people and other dogs, don’t need walking the legs off but will cope with a longer walk in a weekend happily.
Schnauzers and terriers can be a bit tricker.

Remember all puppies will behave like puppies; they will nip, chew childrens toys, get overstimulated, shit on the floor. Etc.

@Lastqueenofscotland2 Thank you, I'm not familiar with the breed so will do some research.

Absolutely no issue with usual puppy behaviours at all, won't accept growling at family members and regularly biting hard enough to draw blood again (we kept last dog to 8 months so out of initial puppy stage)

What about what you can offer the dog? Activity levels? Training? Grooming?

Shih tzu

If you don't want nipping and biting, get rid of the mini schnauzer and lakeland terrier.

Looking at all your requirements, the perfect dog for you doesn't exist.

I suggest a shih tzu might be better for your needs than others.

Lachon, Bichon Lhasa cross. Nice natured and smart.

I came on to say mini schnauzer while ne see it’s already on your list. Having never had a dog before (allergies) we got ours two years ago and she is THE BEST for the following reasons:
•Loves a big walk, but will happily also just do the school run twice a day during the week.
•Sleeps A LOT
•Entirely non-destructive apart from any discarded Amazon packaging left lying around which is considered fair game
•Good recall, and we’ve not been over zealous with the training
•Doesn’t scavenge and has NEVER eaten shit, or rolled in it 🤢
•So funny! Facial expressions, how she bounces like Donkey from Shrek when I’m about to throw a ball
•No interest in getting into streams and rivers which is great not just from a “wet dog smell” pov, but also the safety aspect - a spaniel died in our local park after chasing a ball into a swollen river.
•So good with kids. Ours are 10 and 13 and the dog doesn’t mind being picked up and cuddled like a baby, although she is good at throwing the stink eye when she’s had enough!
i could go on on and on 😁 Miniature Schnauzers are the best!!

Did your previous dog not have enough/correct training?
You can just give them up
like that. What if the next dog doesn’t fit your criteria are you going to ditch that one too?

*can’t

@Wolfiefan I can offer a dog pretty much unlimited time for exercise and training - and did with our last pup. He had regular professional grooming and daily at home grooming.

@holierthanthou73 How apt your user name is. Maybe search my posts about my last dog and you'll see my absolute heartbreak and devastation about having to rehome after several serious incidents involving my children. I rehomed after well qualified professional advice and after 8 months of professional involvement.

@holierthanthou73 What I took from my last thread was that I should seek out as much advice as possible. Hence this thread. And when I do seek out advice this is the response I get. Rapidly coming to the conclusion that dog people are even worse than horse people ( I'm a horse person) and horse people are twats

@ToBeOrNotToBee I absolutely don't mind usual puppy nipping and biting. What I won't accept is biting hard enough to draw blood with aggression without warning. Do you mean even with appropriate training and exercise these breeds are "bitey"?

@Itsalloutofwhack Thank you! We have a friend here who has a mini schanuzer and is giving us the hard sell. From what I've seen of her dog he's wonderful (and the breeder is still breeding so we could have a pup with same breeding) Thank you for taking the time to reply

I should have added into my OP that I do want a dog who will tolerate a good walk daily as I enjoy a 5k round the lake most days.

Non shedding is going to be the main barrier I guess
I'd day miniature poodle is your best bet.

Otherwise maybe a whippet? But that will shed.

It might actually be better to talk to a rescue and maybe get an older dog where it's temperament is already known about.

@AdamRyan Thanks for your reply. I'm stalking the local rescue groups FB pages as I'll tolerate shedding (with antihistamines) for the right temperament. The issue I'm having is that most won't rehome to homes with kids under 10 and my youngest is 5

I can’t, he’s far too much hard work 😁 he genuinely believes he has as much say in what goes on in this house as any of the humans do. He’s a huge sulker and a law unto himself.

Would I have the same breed again ABSOLUTELY ❤️

@BethDuttonsTwin If he's good with children that's really my only non negotiable criteria, he sounds wonderful - is he a terrier?

I have three.

Scottish Deerhound - absolutely don't do it, she is insane

Borzoi - as above, but harier

Retired Greyhound - absolutely delightful dog and I recommend them to anyone looking for a dog. The sweetest most even tempered boy ever, absolute couch potato, and wonderful with children, so much so he's been a PAT therapy dog for children for most of his life. They do shed though I'm afraid, and probably bigger than you'd like, but I can't help but recommend them anyway.

We have 2 Lurchers.. Perfect off lead. And love (and respect our 2 dcats!)
Ds 8 declares them his best friends. Barely shed.. Don't bark. Fold up small! Can walk miles or skip the walk on a very rainy day! Love the car and family holidays!
Sorry mine arent for sale they are just perfect for us!

Also recommend miniature schnauzer - my friend has one and he is incredibly docile around my hectic and mad collie. He is very cuddly too.

He is a Scottish Terrier, but he only really likes me and my kids. Not other people’s. In my experience Scotties are fiercely, loyal, loving and protective but only to their own immediate family, they’re very aloof with “outsiders”. Obviously they’re not all like that, but mostly 😁

They don’t shed though so you need regular grooming to get the undercoat out.

Also I just read your previous thread and wonder if your previous dog was affected by his castration. It can make them feel more anxious for a bit.
You did the right thing.

If you aren't as bothered about shedding, border terrier might suit you too.

@BreviloquentBastard What a fabulous combination of dogs you have. Where we are in Western Australia there are a lot of retired greyhounds and I come across loads on our walks. Beautiful dogs. The size thing isn't really a non negotiable, it's more the shedding as I'm really allergic.