Suggestions for first family dog

[Flubadubba]

Just that, really. Looking at dogs for a small family- DH, DD (4) and me. Would be first time owners, open to suggestions.

We have a large garden and plenty of space. There is usually someone at home at all times as we WFH a lot.

Probably couldn't cope with a breed that needs a insane amount of walking, so ideally a breed that is calm and good with children.

Our cocker spaniel is fab. BUT some are hard work. He's a mix of working and show, requires one 30 min walk per day but most of all likes people (DH) around. Working cockers tend to like lots of exercise but the show cockers are often lazier! But our dog will also walk miles if he gets the chance.

The child needs to be good with the dog too.

Oooh. Fun! What size dog do you want?

I grew up with a dog but got my own one for the first time two years ago. We got a flat coat retriever. At the time the kids were 2 and 4. They love her. She loves them. They all sit on the sofa and watch TV. It took 6 months or so as to start off with puppies are bighty and annoying and the kids were scared of her but we used stair gates to keep them separate.

She’s big though and sheds a lot of hair. The summer has been great with no muddy footprints in the house but it’s all about to start again.

We don’t leave her for longer than 4 hours though. If we’re out for longer she goes to a friend.

How long can you walk a dog for? Most will need at least an hour a day. Ours needs close to two which we do over two walks.

I really like the retriever breeds as they are generally all very driven by food which makes training much easier. They’re big though. We also looked at spaniels but they need a lot of walking.

King Charles spaniels and Boston terriers are excellent family dogs. They're pretty adaptable so will go with you for a long walk but also would be happy with less.
You also need to think about what your tolerance is for grooming etc. Are you up for monthly or 6 weekly groomer visits? Do you have the capacity to brush every day? Or are you looking for something with a more low maintenance coat?
Whatever you go for make sure you clear with whatever breeder you go with about your requirements and they can tell you if the dogs they breed will be a good fit.

Pointers and Hungarian Vizlas.

Golden retriever

Border Terrier. There’s been a recent thread about them, here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4901654-please-tell-me-about-your-border-terriers

There are lots of dogs that aren’t good first dogs but lots that are depending what you can offer.

Size? Walks? Training? Grooming? Garden is neither here nor there really. I know lots of dogs very happy in flats.

Irish Terriers are wonderful family dogs. Calm and friendly but don’t need insane amounts of walking like spaniels for example. They need good training when puppies though-don’t treat them like a fur baby. They also like to be around you so not for chucking out into the garden all day. They’re also not seen so much these days unlike the ubiquitous cockapoo. If you want a low maintenance dog as far as grooming goes, get a short coated one.

Golden retrievers are good family dogs depending on what size you’re looking for. I have a golden retriever and he’s great with children. He loves my baby and is very gentle with him. But he is also quite large and bouncy. He jumps up a lot (we are training him not to do this but he still forgets). He only jumps up at adults and seems to instinctively know you need to be gentle with children. But a different golden might not be able to make that distinction and could definitely knock a child over with their size. If you had one from a puppy you might have better luck training them not to do this. Ours is a rescue and his last owners encouraged it so it’s been really tricky teaching him that it’s wrong.

Dogs are lovely. However, be warned the puppy stage is hard and constant and relentless at times. You’re getting a baby/toddler/Duracell bunny entering the household.

How has a greyhound not been mentioned yet !
Mine sleeps all day, cuddly, always been perfect in the house, house trained from day 1, has two short walk a day but can miss a day, will walk a bit further sometimes ..

cons are I had to train him out of separation anxiety (now is fine ) and he’s very scared of other dogs so I can’t walk anywhere with off lead dogs - if I ever get one again I’d make sure it was one that adored all other dogs as this is quite limiting

Our toy cavapoo is wonderful. He is small (5kg) and is excellent with children. People often comment on his lovely, happy nature. He wasn’t calm when he was a puppy, but if you can put the work in, by about 6 months they can calm right down. He is 1 now and still has a mad hour every night. He also requires around an hour a day walking, when he was younger it was less.

Youll need to put the work in (training, constant reinforcement of training) which is a lot of hard work but it is worth it to get a calmer, well behaved, engaged dog. If you don’t put the training in, no matter what the breed, they won’t listen to you, will have you up through the night to go to the toilet, want constant attention etc

Cavaliers are lovely but echo the PP who said the children need to be good with the dog too. And dog will get fed up and snap if it’s constantly mithered while eating or sleeping and being manhandled.

Get a golden retriever. Do not get a cocker spaniel.

A family member has a golden retriever it is the calmest best behaved dog ever. We have a cocker spaniel. It's an absolute t**t. Now she's older she actually sleeps most of the day but she needs a lot of walking. Has needed a lot of training for behaviour and to cope with anxiety. Luckily she is incredibly loving and cuddly. She was also a nightmare puppy!

5 years ago and with similar requirements I got a border terrier. I now have 2. They are wonderful little dogs and very family friendly.

Get a beaglier🐶. a cross between a beagle and a cavalier. loveliest nature ever and they enjoy a cuddle but also enjoy a walk. so happy with ours

Please don't get a KC Cavalier. They are banned in some countries, and IMO should be here as well. They have horrendous health issues and many of them are in pain most of the time. Which in turn can make them snappy.

If i had a 4 year old I'd probably go for a labrador. They are usually great with childen. As others have said, the puppy stage is horrendous, but you'll get through it!

Golden retriever. The loveliest, warmest, most affectionate goofball to add to your family. Food orientated and a people pleaser so easy to train and their sunny, happy go lucky outlook means they are confident things so can be left without feeling distressed. Mine gets a decent walk at lunchtime and another short sniffy walk in the evening. If however for some reason you can't walk her she's genuinely happy playing games in the garden.

Labrador, border terrier, golden retriever, cavalier or a rescue pug (so as not to condone the breeding of them). Obviously look into health issues with each breed too.

Wow! So many answers already!

4 year old is kind and gentle with animals, but likes to play with them. We looked after a friend's Cockapoo for a week as a test, and she was great with him. He was an AMAZINGLY well trained boy, though!

I think we would probably prefer something small/medium, that needs max an hour of walking, easy to train (as it is our first time) and look after whilst we get to grips with having a dog (moon on a stick, right?)

Husband likes the idea of a beagle, but the amount of stimulation and walking they need seems to be huge, and, realistically, we can't give a beagle everything they need. We really want to ensure that we go into things with eyes wide open and are sure we can give whatever breed we choose its best life!

How about a Havanese? Lovely little playful things. Expect puppy stage to be hard with any dogs… also hypoallergenic and non shedding

I meant to also say, you dont need to grow the hair crufts style 🤣 we keep her short with fluffy tail and ears.

Poodle?
intelligent. Very trainable. Cuddly. Fun.
as it won’t be left much at all you will not have the usual concern that poodle can have separation anxiety and you’ll be able to slowly train to leave it.

cavalier King Charles spaniel. The archetypal little girls lapdog through history. I have one. He’s lovely. Was very Velcro for a while but at 4 has grown up , can be left ( though sits on the window ledge staring at you just so you feel guilty ) . If there is a lap he’ll sit , but happy in a bed or on a bed 🤣 if not. Travels well. Small but not delicate. However is all dog when you get him in the woods etc. runs and runs with such joy. Some days if it’s wet he doesn’t need much of a walk but mostly needs an hour or more and will walk 2-3hrs eg on holiday

I should also add that we would be happy to have a rescue dog, not just a puppy!