Which small dog for a big family?

[HBGKC]

Hello MN, I'm after your expertise on which small-medium dog breed would be the best shout for our large family.

My eldest daughters (22&20, will be at home for a few years yet) really want to get a dog. I've made it clear that they will be responsible for it/its mess/its costs/exercise/meals etc

Our youngest child is 2, loves animals, & is used to our neighbour's cat who spends a lot of time in our house. We also have 5,8 & 10 year old girls (and a couple more older ones but don't want to out myself!)

There is always someone at home, so a breed that wants company pretty much round the clock would suit us well.

Exercise - an hour a day we could easily manage

Low-shedding pls!

Don't mind even daily grooming, as there's enough of us to take turns, as long as it's fairly simple to learn how to do.

In a terraced house, and I'm noise-sensitive, so not a yappy breed or one prone to incessant barking.

My research has thrown up: bichon frise, poodles (miniature?), Maltese (my DDs don't like the look of those tho)... they live all the cute Daschund & Cavalier crossbreeds, which I'm trying to warn them against...

Any advice welcome

Havanese!

Don't worry, I am very aware of this!

To clarify - it's not I who would be getting this dog. My eldest DD, 22, very responsible and hardworking and disciplined, would be principal dog-owner. I have been very clear with both her and next DD (20) that I am not accepting any responsibility for ANYTHING - not buying food, not vet visits/bills/, not walks, not clearing up mess, not teeth-cleaning or eye-wiping or nail-clipping...

As several of you have highlighted, I have enough small living creatures to look after already!

(I will of course fall in love with any dog we have, and would LOVE to do some walks/play/training, along with my eldest girls. I have older boy teenagers whom I would also expect to help out with walks as well - which would do them a world of good.)

Notwithstanding all that, puppies sound like they might be a step too far at this point, in terms of the 24/7 availability required by them of my DDs.

But my research suggests that most rescues won't place any dog with a family with children under the age of 5..?

How dangerous is it to buy an older dog who needs a new home, from a private individual rather than a breeder? Obviously there's not really any way to know what the dog's life's been like until then, and how much trauma/anxiety may be hiding just under the skin.

To clarify - it's not I who would be getting this dog. My eldest DD, 22, very responsible and hardworking and disciplined, would be principal dog-owner. I have been very clear with both her and next DD (20) that I am not accepting any responsibility for ANYTHING - not buying food, not vet visits/bills/, not walks, not clearing up mess, not teeth-cleaning or eye-wiping or nail-clipping...

Honestly, I would be telling them that if they want a dog, they need to move out first, then they can do whatever they want.

I assume they both work - so who is going to look after the dog all day? Who is going to toilet train it? Care for it while they're out with friends or staying over with boyfriends?

You're hardly going to let the dog piss and shit on the floor and just "leave it" when you have a toddler crawling around, so it's inevitable that you're going to need to do at least a fair chunk of the day to day grind of puppy-hood.

And please, for the love of god, do not buy a random dog off the bloody internet.

How dangerous is it to buy an older dog who needs a new home, from a private individual rather than a breeder? Obviously there's not really any way to know what the dog's life's been like until then, and how much trauma/anxiety may be hiding just under the skin.

You'd be an irresponsible (and downright crap) mother if you did that or allowed your adult daughters to do that when you have young children.

Have a look through some of the threads on the Doghouse to see how badly it can go wrong. A best worse case scenario is you end up with a dog with a host of problems you cannot deal with (separation anxiety, nervous, resource guarding), worst/worst case is a dog that attacks and seriously injures one of your children.

Yes, fair points both.

Every time I seriously examine the possibility, I conclude it's A Bad Idea - at least for now.

But then am swayed anew by all the good bits and my offspring's entreaty, and lovely dogs everywhere.

If and when it does eventually happen this thread will be a great help, so thanks to all who have answered.

Don't give in based on the idea of a lovely fluffy puppy, or a well trained, calm adult.

Because the reality is very much neither of those things, at least for a couple of years, and even then, it takes a hell of a lot of work to get to the calm adult stage.

My maltipoo would be perfect. He loves everyone and can't get enough cuddles. He knows DH is the boss but I'm the love of his life!

I agree with this. It is not the ideal first dog especially with the house with as many people as you have which means a lot of responsibility for you with all those children.

My daughter moved back with two French Bulldogs, we already have a Labrador. I wasn’t sure at first as I’m only used to larger dogs. They are the most loving fun dogs, they’re absolutely adorable. Not the easiest to train, they can be stubborn, or in the case of one of ours, dumb 🤪 but adorable.

I absolutely adore the breed now, they can have health issues so use a reputable breeder, or rescue one from a charity 🤷‍♀️. Given a choice now after always having Labradors I would choose the Frenchie, they are so much fun 🤗

Please don't be naive.
It will be your dog once the honeymoon period is over and deep down you know that.