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Original poster

We don’t know which breed is best for us

42 replies

Mumma2Ro · 09/05/2023 22:26

Hi there.
myself and my husband have been set on getting a puppy for about 7 months now. But we really cannot decide on what breed of dog is best for us.
we are doing lots of research and are not taking this decision lightly. So I wonder if you guys could offer any advice?
we had our hearts set on an English bulldog or a beagle. Still swinging towards these breeds but hear beagles are very naughty and disobedient haha!

-must be good around young children (we have a 6 year old and a 4 year old)
-Short hair
-requires 30-60 minutes exercise per day
-okay to be left alone (we know this is almost impossible with puppies but I mean longer term when they get older)
-I’d love an affectionate dog!
-preferably medium size

thank you in advance

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 09/05/2023 22:27

Very few dogs would be ok on half an hour of exercise each day.
Bulldogs have awful health issues.
Beagles are not a great choice for a novice!
What draws you to these breeds?

AnonymousA1 · 09/05/2023 22:28

I’ve just got a sausage dog , never thought I’d hear myself say that I’m more of a retriever , Rottweiler lover.

sausage is THE most loving fun little thing , been easy to train is just the happiest little soul I’ve ever met.

Cavalier King Charles spaniel also fits your remit xx

CindersAgain · 09/05/2023 22:29

I would not consider a flat faced dog, for health reasons.

Moveoverdarlin · 09/05/2023 22:33

With young children, you can not beat a Labrador puppy. We bought a lab pup last November. She’s 7 months now and she just adores my children who are the same age as yours. She’s a very easy dog breed to own. Loves walks, playing with the children and sleeping.

Wolfiefan · 09/05/2023 22:35

Cavaliers also have health problems and dachshunds tend to be a real challenge.

hattie43 · 09/05/2023 22:39

Bulldogs are fantastic , I'm on my third . They were very well bred though and my previous 2 died of old age . There is a lot of hate on here for bulldogs but I've ne we encountered any in real life .
I have tbh though in that mine don't take a lot of pulling and prodding so I couldn't hand on heart recommend them with young children .
Beagles howling would put me off tbh I think they can be very vocal .

bozzabollix · 09/05/2023 22:39

Second the choice of a lab, not many health problems and amazing temperaments - mine adore the kids and vice versa. Food orientated and intelligent so fairly easy to train. I’ve found the girls are slightly less hyper when young looking at other labs in my family. Just a great all round brilliant dog.

Namechangecosmydogisouting · 09/05/2023 22:40

I’ve got a Frenchie crossed with a cockerpoo.

He’s medium size, doesn’t shed, has a proper muzzle, bags of energy on walks but deeply lazy around the house.

He’s very affectionate and extremely tolerant of the children.

Due to his mixed heritage —and the vets refusal to call him a cockerpoolala— he is £3.80 a month to insure.

It might be worth broadening your search to include the mongrels, especially if you can be sure what the parents are.

Picture included. He ate that sofa when he was in his absolute arsehole puppy phase.

We don’t know which breed is best for us
wetotter · 09/05/2023 22:41

30-60 minutes exercise is low, and I think would tend to rule out all but some phlegmatic lap-dogs

But what do you mean by exercise - is it the time you will spend out of the house on main walkies (shorter toilet walks not counted). Will you play with the dog (home based games, "work" etc) and if so how long could you commit to?

Puppies need considerable input - will you be able to take out frequently (could be as often as every 20-30 minutes at the start) and stay out until pee/poo is done?

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 09/05/2023 22:41

and dachshunds tend to be a real challenge.

That's the biggest understatement of the day GrinGrinGrin

PimpMyFridge · 09/05/2023 22:43

I wouldn't get a beagle, they need an experienced hand and a lot more exercise.

Bulldogs often have the usual disabilities/health problems that come with brachycephalic dogs. 😪

Staffordshire bull terriers are very affectionate and are excellent with children. Don't let the image from the wrong kinds of owners make you overlook these good qualities.

Miniature poodles and bedlington terriers would also fit your wish list.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 09/05/2023 22:43

30-60 minutes exercise is low, and I think would tend to rule out all but some phlegmatic lap-dogs

DF has a rescue Lhasa Apso which seems more than happy with this amount of exercise. I was surprised that any dog would be at first.

wetotter · 09/05/2023 22:44

I'm not sure a lab (especially a young one) would be happy on 30-60 mins exercise!!

Also, when you say short haired, is that because of how they look? Grooming requirements? Or a (usually misplaced) believe they don't shed much?

Also, where do you stand on drool?

wetotter · 09/05/2023 22:47

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 09/05/2023 22:43

30-60 minutes exercise is low, and I think would tend to rule out all but some phlegmatic lap-dogs

DF has a rescue Lhasa Apso which seems more than happy with this amount of exercise. I was surprised that any dog would be at first.

They're pretty small (up to 7kg) lap dogs, and I think they're lovely. But by no stretch are they short-haired!

(They always look to me as if they belong in an opulent boudoir)

tillyandmilly · 09/05/2023 22:47

How long will you leave the dog when its older? Do you mean alone all day when you are at work - if so probably best you don't get a dog - they need 2 walks minimum per day - not just to cuddle in the evening.

Original poster
Mumma2Ro · 09/05/2023 22:56

wetotter · 09/05/2023 22:44

I'm not sure a lab (especially a young one) would be happy on 30-60 mins exercise!!

Also, when you say short haired, is that because of how they look? Grooming requirements? Or a (usually misplaced) believe they don't shed much?

Also, where do you stand on drool?

Short haired as I love the look of short haired dogs mainly but also the grooming side of things!
don’t mind a bit of drool

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumma2Ro · 09/05/2023 22:59

tillyandmilly · 09/05/2023 22:47

How long will you leave the dog when its older? Do you mean alone all day when you are at work - if so probably best you don't get a dog - they need 2 walks minimum per day - not just to cuddle in the evening.

All day when we are at work yes but I plan on sending my parents and/or a dog walker in on the days we will be at work for more than 4 hours.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 09/05/2023 23:00

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto I was trying to be polite. The actual case is I rarely meet one that isn’t a fucking nightmare! 🤦‍♀️
Some short haired dogs shed like you wouldn’t believe!! The ones that don’t tend to need regular visits to a groomer.

Shoemadlady · 09/05/2023 23:26

Why short hair? Is it the shedding as whilst I wouldn't recommend a pug or short nose dog (breathing issues) they're terrible shedders.
Do you know your kids are defo not allergic? Cockapoos are hypoallergenic and hardly she'd at all. Super easy to train, love cuddling and whilst love a long walk are happy for an hour with a ball thrower too x

Custardpudding · 09/05/2023 23:33

I’ve got a labrador and he definitely wouldn’t be happy With 30-60 min walk a day. We usually do 2x90 min at least. And then another quick walk at night before bed..15 min. Mine is a bit of a pain growling at other dogs. So not all l lol and are easy! Plus he pulls like a train!

Austrianmilk · 09/05/2023 23:42

Hi we had a beagle for 15 years and believe me he was a challenge! Amazing with the kids and no behaviour issues but jeez absolutely no recall and stole food for fun! Even when on his last legs he would tip the kitchen bin over to eat discarded food.

Puppies need shorter walks of around 20 minutes 3 x a day up to adolescence due to their joints not being fully formed. Any working type breed ie beagle /spaniel/lab would then need around 2 x 60 min walks per day once older and pretty much all dogs would prefer human company over being left 8 hours a day.

If you went for a lap type dog you'll need to be aware that they do tend to yap more and not always quite as patient as bigger breeds.

I am aware that most of this is a generalisation and there's always the exception to every breed of dog.

Wolfiefan · 09/05/2023 23:42

@Shoemadlady no dogs are hypoallergenic. Poodle crosses need regular grooming.

minipie · 09/05/2023 23:54

Sounds like you need a Burmese.
(Cat)

Shoemadlady · 09/05/2023 23:55

Wolfiefan · 09/05/2023 23:42

@Shoemadlady no dogs are hypoallergenic. Poodle crosses need regular grooming.

I have allergies to all dogs except cockapoos. Advice provided by a vet hence why we have one and don't give me any allergy symptoms at all. They are renowned for not interfering with allergies.

Wolfiefan · 10/05/2023 00:05

@Shoemadlady incorrect advice from your vet and they aren’t renowned for this at all.