What’s a good starter breed?

[ChiChaNaYubi]

I’m a few months time our circumstances are changing and we would have time for a dog. I’m not really a huge fan of them but my kids really want one and I do absolutely love Pomeranians! Are these a good starter breed?

I would say no as they require a lot of grooming and are extremely yappy. They can be quite highly strung as well.
I believe greyhounds are a great first dog. My in-laws have an absolute angel of a cavapoo as well.

Also don’t only get a dog because your kids want one. You’ll do 90% of the work

A Shih-tzu from a very reputable breeder would be an easier choice. How much time do you have to train/socialise/exercise a dog?

Will have plenty of time for the dog. I’m dropping down to part time hours and my husband will be working a job that the dog can happily go with him. Grooming isn’t a problem as we live right opposite a dog groomers!

Agree .
Op unless you want a dog and are willing to commit then the answer to dc is no. It will be you walking the dog, training, cleaning up, vets bills and vet visits. Dc will fuss it now and again.
Id also advise you to do your own research. What breed suits one person won’t suit another.
so what are your exercise and grooming commitments? Exercise time? What will fit in with you. eg I love huskies and collies instead I have a cockapoo who fits in lovely with lifestyle.

I would get one just because the kids want one. I wouldn’t mind having one but only very certain breeds. My husband loves dogs so would do most of the things with it anyway.

No such thing as a good starter breed - it depends on what you want and can offer.

Some breeds are easier than others for a ‘pet owner’ but again it depends on your circumstances.

I’ve got a Border terrier - often advertised as a good first breed but she certainly could run rings around us if we didn’t know how to train her as she’s very bright. I could see her being a nightmare in a home where they didn’t work her legs AND brain. I enjoy training and especially terriers.

How much exercise? How much training? How much enrichment? Just puppy stuff or more advanced? Grooming? Feeding cost? Do you gave other pets? Barking? Neediness? Are you able to work harder than most on separation training? Etc etc.

Our Pom is a really fun little dog, he enjoys longer runs off lead but is equally happy with a couple of short on lead walks and is great with the kids. I had working breeds before and he is a lot easier. Grooming is tricky as he isn’t a fan of staying still, but we manage. How old are your children? Poms are quite fragile, especially as puppies, so probably not ideal for very young children.

Have you asked the groomer's nion?

opinion!

I have a yorkie and he’s been a great first dog.

small, very trainable, doesn’t need a lot of walking, sticks to family when out so good recall, doesn’t bother other dogs or people.

however. They’re easily spoilt if you don’t treat them like dogs. They are proper dogs in small bodies and do best like any dog with proper training. It’s so easy not to bother as you can just pick them up if they don’t like a visitor, or a dog they meet on a walk, or their recall is shit.

Are you ready for the extra housework - mud, occasional wees, dog hairs?
Also the cost if you want to go away and can’t take dog of a dog sitter.
You really do need to be 100% committed.
Also in my experience it is a rare dog that doesn’t have at least 1 issue - resource guarding, reactive, needy, poo eater etc etc.
Why not help at a local dog shelter, foster or take dogs for walks for a local shelter - kids and husbands included before committing. Will also give you a taste for different breeds and what you want as a family.

Always do a hollow laugh when people suggest shih tzus... this one is the most difficult breed I've ever owned. Even though I've done 'everything right' with her.

Stubborn as a mule, thick as shit, hates hates HATES other dogs, requires her own specialised (and ridiculously expensive) groomer that comes to the house, or she goes utterly bonkers and tries to savage everyone in the near vicinity, won't play fetch/ball/anything, just sits and judges. Hates walks, hates not going for walks, hates birds/policemen/horses/did I mention other dogs?

Hates the vet, postman, delivery man, visitors (including people she knows), hates all the neighbours, hates men, hates cars, hates everyone and everything. Won't eat anything unless it's bloody well crafted from unicorn poo, or my own sweat, blood and tears. Unless it's chocolate or grapes, obvs 🤦‍♀️ won't have her teeth cleaned, her nails clipped, and god forbid I ever have to try and wash her bum after a 'clingy' poo.

She does however love barking loudly and for prolonged and ear splitting intervals at the slightest whisper from approx 5 miles away. Which is fun. And also loves judging. I think I mentioned that, and voicing her displeasure at the latest thing that irks her. She also loves barking loudly at other dogs and going on full on werewolf mode, even if they are barely visible on the horizon.

She's very lucky that we love every stupid fluffy bit of her, despite all of her very extensive short comings!!! Will never ever get another one after her! She's a total fucking nightmare!

I think some dogs are easier than others, most dog breeds are suited to a certain lifestyle... you just have to establish what type of dog is suited to your lifestyle.

I also think that what you put into the dog in terms of training in the first 12 months determins "how easy" the dog will be thereafter. (Be cautious, dogs have individual personalities, likes and dislikes- so you'll be working with that. )
One of the most important questions you should ask yourself is how much time & money are you prepared to spend on training classes. Are you willing to join a club or do you have the money for 1:1?
(I think the KC good citizen dog scheme is a good start for basic dog training)

Once you have established what you are able to offer in terms of lifestyle and training, you can look into the different breeds.

Our border terrier has been an amazing first dog. Intelligent, sociable, loves everyone (especially kids). Can walk for miles but is very affectionate and likes to settle with her people. Very little grooming and doesn’t shed. Just a brilliant girl.

My DD was desperate for a dog. In the 9 years we had DDog my DD never walked her (wouldn't poo pick) fed her, stayed up late, got up early, brushed her, cleaned up the hair, cleaned up the mud, came home from something fun because DDog couldn't be left for more than 4 hours, paid for food, vets, dog kit, insurance, dog boarding, training, sat up all night when she was sick.
We did all that but don't think for a minute kids will do anything except run in, cuddle dog for 2 minutes and then disappear upstairs. And then say dogs are easy can we have another one! 🤣🤣 Fortunately we loved our DDog to the moon and back so never minded any doing any of the above.

There's no such thing as a starter breed, dogs are individuals with their own personalities.
Why not volunteer as a family for a dog rescue and gain a bit of experience and knowledge rather than trying to chose a breed that will make life easy for you....that isn't really fair on any dog, especially a puppy.

Working type cocker spaniel or a soppy Labrador. Both brilliant dogs. If you buy well they're virtually bomb proof. If you raise well they fit in with any type of household.
Whatever breed you choose research well, check the breeders license, health testing certificates, co efficiency scores etc.
Good luck.

My DS wanted a dog badly and the only breed I'd consider was a greyhound. We adopted an ex racer (he chose us) and, as expected, I do everything. But he is genuinely one of the best decisions of my life.. He likes a mooch round the park twice a day, demands his meals on time and sleeps the remaining 22 hours of the day. The only downside is the occasional rancid fart which can bring you to your knees..

‘Starter breed’ do not get a dog OP 🙄

Second this. Ours is the same, incl farts. Love her, and her fumes. Laziest creature ever to have graced this earth (after me).

A rescue dog. Breeders are scum

I will just say, they are a big tie. You can't be as spontaneous with a dog.

I love our dog but now we have DS too days out are tricky - a trip to the zoo or aquarium requires a dogsitter as its too long to leave DDog.

The lovely dogfriendly spring/summer days out I envisaged are often not possible due to a) no dogs allowed on many beaches, b) it being too hot for DDog, c) DDog losing his mind with excitement.

He's a cocker spaniel and a bit of a thief, so managing that with a small child who enjoys nothing more than removing his socks is... interesting. Oh, & the mud. The constant traipsing in of mud.

If neither your nor your DH has any dog experience, avoid working lines of anything. They are usually very trainable, but also clever, energetic, ambitious, driven and need their brains worked as well as their bodies. One of mine turns into an absolute arse if not given the outlet she needs (structured retrieving, basic obedience).

So long as I am able, I will have dogs (plural) but even I admit that they are a tie and a massive commitment.

If you're not 100% committed and prepared to do all the grunt walk, then please don't get a dog. They are a huge tie and a lot of work, especially for the first couple of years.

There are regular threads on here from women who've agreed to get a dog because their DC/DH want one, and now they're stuck doing all the work and are seething with resentment. So please, please think it through. There's a lot to think about when considering dog ownership.

Cost - food, injections, flea/work treatment, insurance, toys, equipment, chews, threats, training classes, dog walker, kennels or boarding when you go away or want a day out, replacing the stuff they've chewed or ripped holes in, grooming, dog towels, coats etc.

Time commitment - walks, toilet training, getting up in the night, not being able to leave it alone for long periods, no spontaneous trips to the zoo or theme parks as you can't leave the dog alone, having to rush back from work or school or activities for the dog, planning trips out well in advance as you need to source care for the dog...

Just don't underestimate what you're taking on. Also, like a PP said, I don't know a single dog that doesn't have some kind of issue - reactivity, noise sensitivity, hates traffic, needs a special diet, hates the groomer, has no recall, eats poo etc.