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?

Greyhounds are ideal for first time owners. Gentle, require very little walking and sleep 18 hours a day.

It’s a family friends dog who got caught at a park, luckily by another Pomeranian!

Mum is quite young though

Add the merle, so impossible for it to be pure Pomeranian … This thread is such an Easter weekend wind-up. 🤣

Starter breed 😡FFS OP do not get a dog. They are not a commodity they are a living being that requires a lifetime commitment .
listen to the advice on this thread before you buy some poor unfortunate dog.

Thanks for the helpful advice….

Oh god really?

Not a WCS for a first time dog owner! This is whi so many end up in rescues for resource guarding or just because the owners couldn't handle them! They are a working breed and as such you need to know how to do breed appropriate training and enrichment

Yes that was a particularly nutty suggestion.

I would never recommend a spaniel as a first dog, they are a working breed and need appropriate training and handling

Puppy farm alert ⚠️ 📢 too much of a coincidence and don’t believe the health check line. There is a massive difference between health checks and health tests. Health tests are what should be carried out on a breeding pair and you should ask to see paperwork.

We know that now 🤣 but honestly there are so many websites, books etc that say they're great family dogs! He's amazing though.

They ARE great family dogs but need gentle, compassionate training and plenty of it which many people overlook. They also need a job to do such as gundog work or agility to be at their happiest.

You cannot beat the personality of a spaniel though.

Most people only see the "good family dogs" bit and don't digest the "with training" or "high energy" that usially follows it. My spaniels have always been great family dogs but they are worked so they have a job to do and their natural needs are being met therefore they are calm and chilled at home.

Are you willing to pay for lots and lots of dog training? That's how you get a good first dog, it's not the breed. I have a very obedient well behaved collie, easy to be left whilst at work, not destructive etc which many breeds are. But they take a lot of time training, hours per day! as puppies

Parsons jack russel (eddie from frasier) - perfect family dogs

We chose a working black lab but the choice was more about which puppy from the litter rather than the breed. We chose a quiet pup who seemed content to explore by herself. We avoided the 'hyper' one who was constantly looking for a sibling to play fight with. The breeder hosts a birthday walk each year and that pup is still the same!

We chose a working black lab

Great choice! So much fitter and healthier that the show versions.

She's been fabulous! Now 2 and a half and she brings joy to all of us every single day.

It's a big fat NO from me.

I had one, he was unpredictable (several trainers, behaviourist and breed expert said this... the breed expert actually asked for the dogs pedigree for his verdict!). So unless you know a lot about them and their breeding stay well clear!

Taking him for a leisurely walk? Utter nightmare! No recall & dog reactivate for starters! Not sure how many cyclists & joggers he has on his non extent conscience.
Family life? Hated DC - was an accident waiting to happen, so rehomed. (I had this dog & his mate before DC)

On the up side, very intelligent and a hard "worker" if put to a task- we did obedience & agility. Aced it! In the ring/ field, off lead & on lead (even with the endless waiting) best behaved dog around! Even mingled with the other dogs... talk about two faced twatt!

They can be tricky dogs. I have taught two agility. One wouldn't go near me. Very fearful of people. I don't handle the dogs but I couldn't be anywhere near him. Very very nervous and anxious. Unfortunately the owner decided to stud him.

The other was way better but sharp would be a good way of describing him. Knowledgeable owner so they were ok. But even as a terrier fan it's not a breed I'd have.

Based on my experience I'd consider border (which I have and she is shaping up to be a lovely little dog), cairn, westie or a well bred jack russell. Not farm. From a KC registered breeder who breeds for temperament as they can be lovely dogs but also are churned out with little regard for temperament.

Oh bore off with your condescension and snobbery.