Serious puppy advice needed. Which breed to go for?

[puppyluvv]

So after many years of knowing we will one day get a puppy, we think in the next year we will go for it.

We have 2 primary school kids.

I work from home almost all week, would be home alone once or twice a week for 3 hours while mine and DH office days crossover.

I've always had the idea in my head that I want a golden retriever and am imagining long country walks with a lovely well behaved dog. However I now need the reality check and advice on to a puppy years and if there are perhaps other breeds more suited for us to look in to.

My husband ideally wants a dog with little malting and not overly destructive in the puppy years.

Walks would be twice a day and sometimes longer (1-2 hours) a few times a week.

Advice and thoughts welcome please.

Go to your local shelter or rescue centre and see what they have available. They will know which dogs are suitable for children and help find you one that will fit with your family.

All puppies are hard work and destructive, the best day to avoid this is to actually avoid it! Don’t get a puppy, get a dog that is a few years old.

Any dog will need walking everyday, not just a few times a week, there aren’t many breeds that don’t malt a lot. Maybe look at rehoming an adult dog, if you want to avoid the puppy years.

I am open to an older dog, many of the rescue centres in my area often don't have many that they home with primary school children so that is a potential barrier.

With regards to walks I am aware they will be walked everyday, as I said they would be walked twice a day, but a few times a week I would like to do longer walks so a dog that would enjoy that, I.e perhaps not a chihuahua that has little legs

I would definitely chat to your local shelters and rescues and get more advice on the likelihood of a child friendly dog becoming available.

The puppy years are extremely tough and testing at the best of times. An older dog seems the way to go.

Don't get a puppy, get a slightly older dog. We got our Cockapoo at 5 months of a website once the previous owners realised he was more than they had bargained for. I can't remember the name of the website. Cockapoos don't shed but do need a lot of grooming. If you are getting a dog from a private seller definitely spend a few hours with the dog and the owner. Someone who is rehominng for a genuine reason will be happy to do so. Mixed breeds are healthier and cheaper for the insurance. All puppies are very destructive but most calm down by 2 years. I hope it helps

Puppies can be super destructive and so you'd need to get an older dog to avoid teething. In general smaller dogs can do less damage and terriers are certainly up for a decent walk but can be very scent driven. How about a bichon frise?

I agree with @DaisyChain505 please consider a rescue dog, so many unwanted dogs in shelters. Also, Greyhounds make fabulous family pets. The majority are great with children, are equally happy with short or long walks and will happily curl up next to you whilst you work.

Your husband (and maybe you?) sound very naive. All puppies are potentially destructive and hard work. Golden retrievers shed an enormous amount.

I have volunteered in rescue and fostering dogs in the past, but I personally wouldn’t get a rescue with children, whether that’s a controversial opinion or not.

I have two giant labradors, so essentially very similar to a golden retriever. They shed 24/7 all year round, both were complete little knobs as puppies (pardon my French - they have caused so much damage around the house growing up I think I have PTSD). We first had one, then when he grew up into a lovely gentleman we decided to go for another one. It was stressful, but by far the best decision ever. It's a change of lifestyle- now I walk more, I clean more, I spend more time outdoors. Totally, totally worth it. They give so much love, I wouldn't change them for the world. Haven't got kids yet (just got pregnant though!), but I see them around my friends kids and they are just the sweetest best friends. Highly recommend.

Golden retrievers shed A LOT. Poodles or poodle mixes don't shed so much.
Smaller dogs and those with less height (so not Great Dane!), bulk (not Newfoundland!) or jaw strength (possibly not the bull breeds) probably do less damage, even as puppies.
Maybe a spaniel or pointer (even mixed with poodle)? Or a terrier which are small but high energy for walks? A greyhound is pretty docile and sweet but will do longer walks.

Every puppy, I've ever had, has been a pain for 2 years and then just seems to settle when they turn 3.

We've had a few henzi 57's - excellent dogs.

A collie, that I wouldn't have around kids as got stressed with unauthorised movement.

Now we have labs - lovely dogs, great with my daughter since birth but I wish I got more show lines as our boy has a high prey drive and just wants to work. They are happy to be left around 5/6 hrs, now they are 2 years plus, as they just sleep.

A lot of rescues in our area will not rehome to families with children under 12.

The best advice, is to spend some time with the breeds you feel may suit your lifestyle. A good breeder will welcome you wanting to really check the breed with suit your lifestyle. Plus good to condition you kids to learn to not being Iver excited and all over the dog.

Little malting?! Below is from his weekly groom - was two handfuls by the time I was done. He sheds all the damn time as well. I find hair in my food (most recently my pecan pie), on my clothes, in my own hair… And goldens are very bitey and do not know the strength of their own teeth and jaws (which are powerful) when they are young. A golden is not for you.

They don’t need 1-2 hours walking a few times a week. They need it a day as an adult. And mental stimulation. They’re expensive to buy, insure and keep. And yes, they can be well trained - but it takes time and patience (as it does with any breed).

I’d look at something smaller tbh, like a poodle - that way you can just take it to the groomers. But all puppies are destructive, can’t be left for three hours and will likely mouth and hurt your children (unintentionally)

I’d avoid spaniels inc cockerpoos with young kids as I know a lot with resource guarding issues. Yes I’m sure some are fine but it’s a hard trait to train a spaniel out of.

border terriers are meant to be a good family dog. I think most wire haired dogs shed less??? I used to have a wire hair Portuguese podengo and he didn’t shed.

I wouldn't get a rescue if I had young children. And as pp have said, puppies have sharp little teeth and can be very bitey and destructive. But it's a phase. I think golden retrievers and Labradors are really gentle and patient with kids. Beagles make good family pets too but they have a loud bark and sometimes howl. But they're funny goofy little creatures.

A rescue could be lovely. Being realistic though it might be hard to find what the OP is looking for. A lot are bull breed or bull breed crosses.

I don’t think you can go wrong with labs and families to be honest. Lovely dogs.

Not all puppies are destructive, my GS hasn’t chewed or damaged anything. However, he is not a breed for a first time dog owner and he sheds. A lot.
A shi’tzu might suit but not sure on how much they moult.
As pp suggested, maybe a bichon frise.
I’ve had several rescue dogs and they all come with baggage. Have seemed to really appreciate a kind home and have been brilliant dogs but honestly, the GS puppy was easier.

Puppies are hard work and can't be left alone at all in the first few months, so you will need some cover for those days initially. If you go too quickly on that you may end up with a dog that can't be left at all due to separation anxiety or destructive behaviour. The same may apply initially to a rescue adult, so don't assume this won't be the case with an older dog!

Have a look at breed rescues such as https://www.retrieverrescue.net/ as they will be able to match you with a suitable dog who hopefully is past the worst of the destructive behaviours, is good around children, can handle being alone as you've described and has settled down a bit. Having said that rescues can come with their own problems and baggage which may need alot of work and retraining..

If you do want to get a puppy make sure you can spot a puppy mill and recognise a good or bad breeder (lots of advice online). Don't get one off Facebook /prelived/pets4homes ect, be prepared to walk away when you first visit and take your time finding the right dog for you (same applies to rescues).

A good non moulting dog that is really good with children is a Bichon Frise! Although ideally you’ll need a puppy or older dog with known history as any dog from a rescue can have history that’s unknown. Have a look at the Many Tears dog rehoming site, they often have a lot that have been used as breeding dogs and need a good loving home

How much are you wanting to walk daily? Because if 1-2 hours is a longer occasional walk you actually probably want something fairly low energy IMO.

I would go Labrador. If you get black / chocolate / fox red they don’t show up the dirt much and pretty much zero grooming needed. Would suggest not a full working lab as they’re particularly high energy. I agree that a rescue may not be best with young children in the house. You need to be able to trust the dog 100%.

A goldie will shed like mad! And talk about mouthy!
Sounds like you either need an adult dog or a breed that doesn't shed or sheds less. All dogs need a couple walks a day, and a golden retriever certainly would like a good length walk too - they are quite good driven.
But if you get a puppy you must train it. And that takes time and dedication.
A mini schnauzer is a good one - smaller but can walk for miles too.

Welsh Spaniel, good natured and good with people.

Whippet. 100%

I think this would be a good breed for you, OP.
Golden retrievers are mad, I’m telling you! Mad!! 😆 Not the best starter breed (but my favourite).

Regarding Labradors, be aware that there are dogs specifically bred for field trials, which are higher energy than the working strains. All my boys have been working-bred but have never had high prey drive and settled easily in the house. But I took their training, mental stimulation and exercise requirements very seriously.

Everyone else has already warned that the puppy years are destructive, but it can be managed - and moulting is likely whatever dog you get. If you've wanted this for years, have a chat about whether you can tolerate those two unavoidable elements. If you can, and you're prepared to invest the time not only looking after the pup but also managing your kids' interactions, then go ahead - but do bear in mind you won't be able to leave a puppy at all for at least the first few months, so you will need a sitter.

If you still want to go ahead, and you have the house/garden space and time for walks, a Labrador or Golden Retriever is a great idea in the long term as they grow up to be lovely dogs. But all puppies are arseholes.