Which dog breeds is best?

[Princessghost]

Ok...I know the answer to that question is subjective. So.... What dog do you have?

We're looking for our next dog and doing research on the different breeds. We currently have a Weimaraner.

Attributes we need/want:
*Good with children (secondary school age), we also have a cat.
*Good at travelling, we take dog with us in caravan on holiday
*Can run distances when old enough (DH likes to run with the dog...can be quite a few miles)
*Good health/low breed health conditions

Preferably:
*Can be left for a hour or so on their own. (Seriously with a weim I cannot go to the toilet alone)

Does your dog fit these? Or do you know a dog breed that does?

P.s....i know a lot of these behaviours need to be trained into them, but I also understand some dogs are more prone to certain behaviour traits than others.

Greyhound

We've a dachshund who Is really good with children but they are incredibly difficult to train , very clingy and prone to separation anxiety , she's also exceptionally lazy 😅 they can also suffer serious back issues . I think every dog breed has their issues . I'd prefere my little sausage to a lab or a cockerpoo.

This is our Weimaraner, waiting ever so patiently for his allergy/anti itch medication.

I have a young border terrier who fits all those requirements. She lives happily with our elderly cat now she’s grown up a bit! They were bred to run with horses so she has no trouble keeping up with me 🤣

She camps and travels with us, is training and competing now in obedience and agility, is fit and hardy so far (full health tested lines) and generally a pleasure although we have put A LOT of work in and understand what we’re dealing with. We also paid what we think is a fair price to lower the chances of issues by going to an experienced breeder who health tested and matched temperaments.

Try the smaller, friendlier (less obstinate) terriers.

Border has already been mentioned; also think about Cairns and the rarer Norfolk, and even rarer Norwich. All smashing little dogs - can go all day, happy to run (at least up to about 10k if you build them up to it), likely to turn in to a lap dog by night.

Not much bigger than a large cat, so can cohabit if carefully introduced

We love our cocker spaniel but other posters will tell you they’re a nightmare. I’ve never met an owner that doesn’t want another cocker. Once you have one that’s the breed you want. Great characters, easy to train, pretty chilled so long as you give them the walks/sniffing/challenges they need, active when out but cuddly when home.

My dog would fit your needs... but she's a poodle cross, so I'll get my coat 😂😂

If you’ve had a Weimaraner go for russet gold and get a Hungarian Vizsla, we’ve had them since our children were 7 & 9, no problem.

Not suitable to force Greyhounds to run over several miles. They are short bursts of speed only. Jogging is not ok.

I’d love a Norfolk or Norwich but sure I read a breed health survey which said something like a third of them get disc problems which put me off.

Standard poodle absolutely fab family dog, can dog agility running, or just chill out on the sofa, happy to be at home on her own ( goes to sleep) but loves being around the family. We travel to Scotland with her regularly ( she doesn't love this but tolerates it! )

And absolutely beautiful when not given the topiary type clips!

Miniatures are more prone to separation anxiety though I think, so I'd avoid them.

We had a miniature labradoodle, size of a small Labrador.
I researched for ages before deciding on the breed - she was perfect. Definitely up for a run or long hike but very chilled at home.
great with our cats, very tolerant of children.
not snappy or barky at all and could be left absolutely fine.
And she didn’t shed!

If you already have a Weim, try a German Shorthaired pointer.

We're onto our second. They can be needy, but can be trained to stay home alone. Active, love people, usually fine with other dogs. Generally healthy breed, decent life expectancy.

Golden retriever of course! ☺️

We have a Norwich, lovely friendly little boy but super lazy! He’ll do an hours walk (when I say walk he seems to spend most of it stood still sniffing every blade of grass) but then he’ll dig his heels in a demand to be carried home! He’s a stubborn little thing but I love him and do think he’s the perfect family dog.

Smooth collie.

Cocker spaniel every time

We went to see a dog trainer as a family and they helped us choose a breed and we had pretty much the same list as yours. We got a labradoodle who was crossed with a medium poodle rather than large and she is amazing. Perfect size to fit anywhere Plays for hours with kids, is clever so the Kids have taught her lots of fab tricks and is also very happy left on her own. Ours is straight haired as we wanted one that looks like a mini lab but if you get a curly one they don't shed either.

I loved my greyhound but she was not a fan of running for the sake of it! Zoomed in the garden or if there was something to chase - not built for distance. We have a Staffy cross from the Dogs Trust now and she fits all of your requirements. DT will go through a questionnaire with you and match you with a dog that fits with your family/ circumstances.

We have Welsh Springer Spaniels

This thread will end up full of anecdotes but-

I have a miniature who is part cat I swear 😂

Very independent, likes her own space, happy to see you when you're back home but off doing her own thing very shortly after.

She has never once crawled onto my lap for a snuggle. Normally relaxes on her favourite stair while I watch TV on the comfy sofa several rooms away.

So.. I don't get the mad-love cant-get-enough-of-me snuggles but on the other hand that gives me a pup without separation anxiety.

Hard agree.

Airedale. Both mine fine with cats cars and kids.

Sprocker spaniel, Fits everything you listed. We’ve had cockers and springers and the Sprocker is the best of both combined