Recommendations for breed suited to my circumstances

[Snowandtinsel]

Hi, this is my first post, so please be kind. I live on my own, but work as a childminder so always have small children in the house. Obviously not all my life is working and having grown up with dogs, I really would love to spend my 'outside working hours' with a canine companion.

However, I am stumped with what breed to go for, because of the children. I would add, that I obviously have stairgates etc and have always crate trained, so I can easily separate a dog/puppy, but I understandably just want to choose carefully. I would be getting a puppy to train from the beginning and meet those important socialisation periods and obviously my home is my work, so dog wouldnt be left on their own for very long at all.

I live on the rural edge of a town, so lots of walks after the children have left/weekends, but I would like to take the dog with the children out too sometimes.

I live in a smallish house, but it does have a safe garden with a secure fence.

I would like a small dog that doesn't mind cuddles (from me) but one that isnt so small that housetraining and therefore hygiene isn't known to be an issue (I love italian greyhounds, but understand that they are difficult to house train).

Playing fetch is something I would absolutely love to do, not sure why, just would like to be able to do this with my new dog. Also it is a good way of getting the children to interact with the dog in a purposeful and kind way. I used to have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but I wouldn't have another one due to their health issues and a lurcher. No matter how much training I did, none of them would play fetch, it is just not in their nature.

I used to love dog training and miss the social aspect of that at weekends.

I am not a pug/flat faced dog person nor a terrier person really. I have seen border terriers mentioned on here quite a bit but like other terriers, they can be a bit 'sharp'. Bit worried about 'cocker spaniel' rage to tbh.

Ive spent hours poring over KC breeds and have also been to Crufts and Discover Dogs a few times, but I am stumped!

Thank you x

What a beautiful question. We almost sent our child to a child minder who had six pugs! They were kept separate for most of the time but available if the kids wanted to play etc in an organized way.

Pugs and Frenchies are awesome. Yes there are health issues but if you get a rescue they've usually been checked for things like that, so you know what you're getting. Boston terriers or pug/French crosses are an alternative. In general I've yet to meet one who hasn't been a playful, entertaining delight.

Bichons can be good as they're hypoallergenic, which might be a factor for some kids. I hate cockapoos because half are great and half are nuts and more than should be for 'family dogs' are reactive in ways that if my 10 stone gentle giant behaved that way I'd have the police on my doorstep I'm sure. I really do love a border terrier again generally very sane as sturdy dogs. Kids may not enjoy petting their wiry coat though.

I know a cavalier cross who is an absolute stunner. Not that interested in humans but crossed with a springer or cocker so health wise much better and a lovely size.

I have been a childminder and had a crazy Jack Russell cross, she was kept separate most of the time.

How about a staffy? My brother had one and she was amazing with kids. I would love a staff but in days they are chavvy!

My DS went to a childminder with a failed guide dog. He was a big black lab that was separate to the children... in theory!
DS always went to say hello/ goodbye to the dog!

My old child-minder has a lovely miniature labradoodle.. wasn't a problem for me as a parent but I love dogs!
It didn't affect her business at all - she's always full.
I came onto say a bichon or poodle. We have two poochons which is a cross of the 2. Easy to train, smart and good with kids. You just have to factor in grooming costs.
One adores her ball the other wouldn't chase one if her life depended on it.
The only other consideration is kids with allergies - you may be better choosing a breed that is less likely to cause allergies. I'm allergic to some dogs (short hair usually) but am fine with my two xx

I’d also say that it’d be hard raising a puppy alongside multiple children. You can’t get better than a lab with kids, but they are clumsy. Another vote for a very well rounded adult dog if poss. An ex guide would be fab.

Miniature labradoodle would be a great option, Australian if you can justify the cost, but multi-generational rather than a first gen will be more predictable in it's nature.

Someone I know has a miniature ColliePoo. Other known as a mongrel. But it's smart, trainable, small, and affectionate. Loves fetch.

Why not go to a dog rescue and explain what you’re looking for. They mostly know after they’ve assessed the dogs what kind of personality it has. Don’t be fooled by thinking certain breeds all behave the same. I have 2 Frenchies, with totally different personalities and a Labrador that is as thick as two short planks 🤣, I’m not being cruel, she is.

My previous black Lab was uber intelligent, would play fetch all day if she could. My current one has retriever on her KC papers and hasn’t got a scooby doo. She can’t catch, doesn’t bring the ball back, yet the younger Frenchie loves it. I’ve never experienced a lab that’s such a numpty.

Also an older dog will be potty trained, this in itself can be hard work. Our younger Frenchie is 5 and we still have to put puppy mats down. I would say 4 out of 7 nights he uses one. He goes out before bed for a wee but it makes no difference 🤦‍♀️, he’s a lazy little bugger. They have their own quirky little personalities but we love them. They’re so amusing and we wouldn’t be without them.

Border terrier would be my recommendation. Ours is fantastic with my/visiting children, very gentle and just generally awesome. He’s now 12 and a half and snoring next to me!

Sorry should’ve read your post properly!

However out of the terrier breeds I’d say they are the least sharp/on and their bark is the least offensive!

Ha! Not a puppy though, they aren’t called land sharks for nothing. They can make a grown man cry with those needle like gnashers.

Not many parents will be ok with the dog mixing with their children, it sounds like a terrible idea.

I love dogs and have a dog. He’s big, hairy, soft as hell, but children (and adults) are scared of him. He’s old now but people can still be wary.

Rightly or wrongly, lots of parents are not going to want their small children in the same house as a staffy.

I'm a childminder and we have a whippet. I'd say it's attracted more families than it's put off. She comes with us on days out but she's equally happy to sleep all day and go out later with just me.

My mum has a 5yo toy poodle and he is absolutely amazing with my 18 month old daughter, they adore each other and she loves throwing his ball for him to fetch! They are never left unsupervised of course, but he is very gentle and as pp have said, too light and little to cause much harm, he’s only just over 3kg. He is quite squeaky and yappy but it’s just noise, especially when excited.

No fur shedding either which is a bonus.

I would not go for a poodle cross, too unpredictable and I read an interesting article once about them generally being a mixture of canine personality/role types and so they are mentally conflicted. Explains a lot as the ones I’ve met have always been disobedient and a bit crazy.

I wanted to say a huge thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions, I really do appreciate them all, so much to think about.

I am only at the consideration stage and I would obviously speak to all the parents of the children I care for and get their thoughts too. We are in a rural area and many of my parents have dogs too, but I agree that doesn't necessarily mean that they would want a child minder who has one. Training wise and house training wise, I completely see your point, both for the children and obviously the puppy.

Thank you also for the breed suggestions, Ive met so many different temperaments of -poo's that they really are pot luck, however I had not actually considered a poodle, especially a toy poodle, so will look further into that breed. But ultimately my 'plan' may have to wait - thank you all again x

Anything a doodle can do, a poodle will do better.

My childminder has always had a dog/dogs (over the years a puppy came) and it was always a positive and a plus for me, my children love dogs and she was absolutely meticulous about safety, training, safe socialisation and separate garden areas. Seeing photos and videos of the kids out on forest walks with a lovely, friendly and relaxed dog was lovely as we weren't in a position then to have our own. She also has a waiting list for new attendees so from what I can see it's definitely not put families off.

We have a beautiful Labrador now, she is 18 months and the absolute best family dog I could have hoped for. The puppy stage was long though and she was a complete landshark but she's just a joy, brilliant with kids and loves nothing more than a game of fetch. If you could just bypass the mouthy/bitey puppy stage.......