Finding the right dog

[Clettercletterthatsbetter]

Finding the right dog seems impossible. Can anyone recommend me a low-shedding breed that is medium-sized (not bigger than about spaniel sized), good with children and not known for being particularly smelly (I had a Labrador growing up and he was a wonderful dog but good grief did he hum!).

I thought I’d settled on a Cockapoo (I know Mumsnet hates them so I expect to be flamed), but finding a decent breeder is impossible. Every larger outfit seems like a puppy farm and every home breeder could be seen as a backyard breeder!

So I’ve started to think that we might need to look for a proper breed, so we might have a better chance of finding a breeder who’s not just in it for the cash. Any breed recommendations welcome!

And yes, I know I should adopt from a rescue, but none will rehome to us as youngest child is 4.

You need to focus more on breed traits than size and smell. I find dogs have little smell if they are fed an appropriate diet and the coat is maintained.

Herding, gundog, terrier, hound, toy…what are deal breakers and what are not. Could you handle resource guarding prevention (anything with spaniel) or hunting? Exercise? Do they need to be alone a lot or very little? How much mental stimulation and training are you willing to do?

For a crossbreed it’s a gamble. For a breed then the KC is good, Champ dogs, speak to breed clubs. Ours came through the KC website but we still did our due diligence with health tests and how and why she was bred.

Agreed, personality first and coat second. Labs are known for being particularly doggy-scented due to the natural oils in their coats, but all dogs will have a slight smell.

Think about these and that’ll help:

amount of exercise you want to do/can commit to
other pets in the home
size of garden
will dog just be a pet or do you want to do specific activities with it
grooming requirements (do you want to just give a quick brush once a week or are you happy to take for regular professional clipping/stripping)

That’ll narrow it down.

Yes, I should have provided more info!

Some smell is expected and fine, but I’d prefer to avoid the oily Lab smell - next door also have labs and despite being fed a high quality, grain-free diet and regularly brushed, they’re still very smelly!

in terms of what we do want -
Exercise: can commit to 1+ hours of walks per day plus time for training
We’d like the dog mostly as a pet, but I could also do some agility with the dog. We won’t be working the dog in any capacity so no need for a gundog breed.
No other pets in the home, fairly large garden and countryside at the end of our road.
Grooming - I can commit to daily brushing. Happy to take for professional grooming if not too frequent (say every 8 weeks?)

Ideally something with a relatively low prey drive, as we live near a lot of open land compete with many rabbit warrens/badger setts, etc and I’d prefer to be able to let the dog off lead without the fear she’d never return!

A Lagotto ticks most of your boxes but not many breeders around.

If you liked the sound of a cockapoo, what's wrong with a poodle?

If an cockerpoo had a low enough pray drive for you, a poodle would be fine.

I had seriously considered both Lagottos and Poodles - I’ll do more research into both!

I should also have added that dog would only be left alone for an hour or two (and obviously I’d build up to that with a pup). I wfh but only a couple of hours a day.

Thirding Poodle, fabulous dogs.

Honestly, go with a mini poodle. They tick all your boxes and are really fun dogs to train and be around.

If you have plenty of time, maybe a Tibetan Terrier would fit the requirements...

Yep, mini poodle (not toy) will tick all your boxes - fab little dogs. Look on Champdogs for a decent breeder who does genetic health testing.

Miniature Schnauzer ticks your boxes. We have one, doesnt smell, no shedding, good at agility but can be a bit barky.

I bet you cannot guess what I would recommend!

Honestly the Sheltie is a fabulous breed, they do have a long coat and do shed but coat is easily kept in excellent condition. I comb and brush my Sheltie about two or three times a week and do not have hairs all over the house. They love agility, are loyal and make just amazing pets.

I may be slightly prejudiced as I have had five - not all at once, just one at a time. 😁

We have a Lowchen cross cavilear and he’s got the most gentle lovely nature. Hadn’t planned to get one but ended up looking at the breeders pups and falling in love. He’s 8 years old now and has never had any health issues. Doesn’t shed , although we get him groomed every 8 weeks. He’s fantastic with children, has really ticked all our boxes!

How about a whippet?

@Clettercletterthatsbetter have you read 'The book your dog wishes you would read '? If not it's really worth getting and the kids might enjoy thinking about the chapters too.

Whippets are fab pets with little shedding/smell - but high prey drive so might not be suitable. I'd go with poodle.

Cairn terrier

Don’t know where you are in the country but Crufts has Discover Dogs where there are examples of so many different breeds and their owners. Lots of chances to ask questions etc. Poodles are bright little dogs who might well love agility.
When you pick a breed then contact the breed club regarding breeders. Check what health tests parents need before breeding. (Eg eyes, hips etc) and be prepared to wait and travel for a puppy.
Good luck OP.

Poodle we have a small standard (still within breed standard) but size of lab/ collie.

The trouble with cockapoos is that they aren’t a breed. They are poodles crossed with a cocker spaniel. They can inherit traits/genes from both breeds and you don’t know what you will end up with. They also tend to be very high energy.

Your best bet is to get a miniature poodle. We have one and she’s the easiest dog we’ve ever had. She’s intelligent and very willing. She has a lovely nature, is calm and hardly ever barks. This and the fact that she doesn’t shed makes her the perfect dog.

I had exactly the same requirements and I have a 5mth old Miniature Schnauzer puppy, bit chatty but mostly grumbles like a little old man (despite being a little girl!). They are great at agility!

Every larger outfit seems like a puppy farm and every home breeder could be seen as a backyard breeder!

You also don’t get any sort of contract with the seller as they’re not registered (council registration means jack shit). Or any long term care/support. Most of them also fabricate their dogs health tests.

A cocker spaniel (depending on your child’s age) could be a good fit. The health conditions that mar the breed are easily managed. But, I’d never recommend a spaniel for young children (under ten) - they can be quite twitchy and highly strung.

Poodles are lovely but quite a lot have skin conditions that not only can be painful for the dog but can also cause flakey skin etc (like Westies)!

Ultimately, no dog breed is ever perfect. So you need to consider what matters most to you - what your prepared to deal with in a worst case scenario - and go from there

Nooooo!!! Prey drive!!