2025 is our year for getting a dog. But what breed and from where?

[LarryUnderwood]

After lots of thought and discussion we've decided we will get a dog this year. DS1 is 13, DS2 almost 12. We live in a London suburb in a 4 bed terrace with a private small-medium garden. We have 3 chickens kept in a large fox proof enclosure. They free range in the garden at specific times and are otherwise enclosed so can be easliy kept separate. South London with lots of parks and recreation grounds in easy walking distance. I WFH full time, with 1-2 days in office per month. DH is in office 3 days per week so easy to coordinate days at home. Kids out of house 8-3. Neither of us have owned a dog before but I grew up with dogs in my extended family (all my grandparents, aunts, cousins etc, mainly yorkshire terriers, cockers and goldens). Relaxed about shedding and fur, we're reasonably active but not out hiking every weekend. 1.5-2 hours of walking plus time doing bits of training during the day on weekdays is feasible and I'd expect to take dog on all errands so be out and about in our local area a lot in addition. Weekends we'd be happy to do more. Keen to have a dog which is loving, trainable and friendly, not too barky and ideally will have calm moments as well as zoomies. We aren't experienced dog owners so trainable but not a working line, for example a border collie or GSD would run rings round us and we wouldn't be able to meet its needs. Basically a dog that is happy to be a family pet, not a dog that needs a job to do all day.
Breed discussions are around golden retriever, Staffordshire bull terrier, old english sheepdog, bernedoodle or goldendoodle. I'd also consider a Havanese as the small dog alternative. DH is the doodle fan - he wants a fluffball. My preference is for a Staffy, I like their hardiness, affection and that they're smallish but strong and with lots of personality. Overall though my preference is for a dog we can get from a good breeder, and that's what worries me about doodles, I'm not.convinced doodle breeders are going to be so ethical or concerned with breed standards and health. But do know some really lovely doodles. I would prefer a medium or large dog, I want something I will feel confident walking in the dark at night and I just like larger dogs. Any owners of any of these breeds have any recommendations or warnings for us? I've heard that goldens are nightmare adolescents then great from about 2, Staffys are fab as long as socialised well and given plenty to chew. Don't know so much about old english sheepdogs except my cousin has one and he's brilliant. I love cockers but having known many in my family they are too nervy and hyperactive for me. Thoughts from any passionate golden/doodle/staffy/OES/havanese owners? Or any other breeds which would better fit the bill?

We got out fantastic dog from a rescue. They matched us and we fostered him for a while. If it didn’t work out they would take him back. It worked out.

"I wouldn't get a large dog as a first dog, when you've no experience of dogs. Dogs need to be trained. Big dogs can be dangerous and without training it could attack you"

Sorry but this is nonsense. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with your neighbour's medium sized dog but that does not justify this statement. A large dog is completely fine as a first dog - big dogs are arguably less aggressive than small ones overall. My first dog was a giant breed and while I wouldn't necessarily recommend that for most people, making unjust and ill-informed comments when you clearly know nothing about dogs is not helpful.

Any dog can be dangerous, any dog can attack you but if you do your research before buying your puppy all risks can be minimised. This is, however another reason for not recommending a rescue as a first dog for a family with children.

Show type Labrador is a perfect fit for your family.

As a 1st dog he was very trainable as they will do anything for food!

We just lost our boy, he was nearly 12, had him since 8 weeks. He was mad for the first year then settled down to be the most loveable boy, miss him so much.

Need not be a specific breed, but a mix from a rescue organization.

There's a big advantage to having a dog you can easily pick up and carry. My Chihuahuas were super smart and easily trained; very eager to please.

I've heard that poodles are very intelligent. My cousin had a small poodle for about 16 years while her kids were growing up and he was beloved by all. Went everywhere with them.

Your perfect dog is waiting for you - you just haven't met him/her yet!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogrehomingportugaleuanduk

I believe OP said she wanted a dog from pup...
Imo, breed dogs are more predictable than rescues or x breeds. I have had one breed for the last 18 years (some were rescued) they all come with similar traits, needs and temperaments.

I've adopted a x breed, and oh boy it makes me appreciate my breed dogs!

I would say for you a Labrador would be a good bet or a golden retriever. They’re both bit messy dogs though and can pong a bit so depends if you can put up with that. Need to work on getting them not to jump up.

We got a toy poodle for our first dog. Shes perfect for us as we have a small house and small children! Pros are very loving, flexible amount of exercise e.g. I was unwell recently and she lasted a couple of days with just the garden. However can walk an hour ish happily. If my kids were teenagers I probably would have gone for a retriever maybe 🤔

Personally not keen on Staffies. They are usually nice with people but not always good with other dogs and I would be a bit fearful it would be lumped in with XL bullies / people would be scared of it.

Many have made great points but maybe a few to add - sorry if I’ve missed these.

1. Your kids may want to take the dog for a walk as they get older. Are they going to be able to handle your dog?
2. Every dog is an animal with instincts and may react. I would consider jaw size and strength before I brought a dog into our home.
3. There is shedding and then there is shedding. We had a lab and the shedding was horrendous - it look like it snowed hair on the floor every day in the summer. We had a German shepherd and you could pull clumps out when shedding. Daily vacuuming and sweeping.

So from my experience, our lab was the loveliest. Our cockerpoo is the right family dog for us now. I would never get a staffy or a big bite dog with children no matter how lovely - see point 2. Also if other kids come over will they be okay with the dog? Will the dog be okay with them?

Good luck.

Agree with this. Other parents and children (rightly or wrongly) may not be keen on staffies.

Thanks. I think also some “mistaken” for XL bullies could be an issue and I have seen many threads about parents not letting or wanting their kids to play at a friends with a bully or staffy.

Meanwhile how many perfectly good cross breeds languish unwanted in burstingly full shelters?

"Adopt, don't shop"

Not everyone wants to take on a rescue dog.

Agree. We got a puppy for Xmas, and it is like having a new born. He’s so cute but such a pest at night. He’s fine sleeping in his crate during the day but put him in at night and he cries. Our other dog just sleeps wherever in the house and night so the puppy has been doing that too, sleeping where he wants in the lounge room on the rug. He’s too little to be outside alone so we have to constantly watch him.

our older dog is also not a fan and barks and growls at him when he doesn’t behave. I am hoping that as he grows and learns some manners they get along better. The kids love him to pieces and he is very sweet but just so much work.

Not everyone has the experience to take on a rescue dog. Or to judge if a dog with some ingrained habits will be a good fit for them.

If you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, you can see what health tests the parents have had, what related dogs are like in terms of temperament, what longevity and general health are like in those lines, satisfy yourself that the dog hasn't come from a puppy farm.

It is also a lot easier to train a puppy from Day One to leave the chickens the fuck alone than it is to bring home a 6 month old rescue dog, untested around chickens, who has had no prior training and who suddenly discovers a previously dormant prey drive when confronted with prey. (I've seen a dog who had never encountered prey animals apart from the odd squirrel switch from 0 to 60 over the course of about four hours.)

Rescue. Why do you need a specific breed, you could save an animal from being PTS?

Most shelters in the UK aren't 'kill' shelters. The dogs just stay in kennels - or in many cases peoples homes.

People are perfectly entitled to pick a dog, from a puppy, where they can be sure of the dogs history, lineage, health tested parents and have the best chance of having a resilient, happy puppy that can integrate with their family.

OP has said she doesn't want to rescue and chances are that a rescue wouldn't sell to OP anyway...

I do wish people would read the OPs posts.

old english sheepdog, bernedoodle or goldendoodle. not the doodles it's only encouraging silly breeding and prices.
Im a lifelong staffy owner, all rescued, was lucky enough on two occasions to adopt pups.
Amazing family dogs, quick to learn, equally happy to hike for miles or have a snuggle.

Second this

We have a female black lab from show lines as first family dog and she is wonderful.
Loves her long walks but doesn't need miles and miles several times a day. Very happy to chill around the house when not out and about. Doesn't bark much at all
Food driven so very easy to train. Lovely personality, definitely the right dog for us

Have you actually tried getting a rescue with kids? You can’t just parrot out these platitudes without appreciating that rehoming rules and regulations are often so ludicrous that they exclude all but the mythical “perfect” home owned by unemployed millionaires who never leave the house, have no kids or other pets and have 6ft fences round the perimeter of their ample rural detached property. Is it any wonder many families resort to buying? And, harsh as it sounds, why should responsible prospective owners have to sort out the consequences of the crap decisions and irresponsible breeding by taking on dogs often riddled with issues? It’s a noble thing but absolutely nobody is obliged to rescue and it’s certainly not suitable for everyone.

Number two would rule out the labrador too

Sure but the OP wants a big dog and generally people aren’t as worried about sending their kids over to a house with a Lab rather than a staffy. It might not be right but it’s true.

Because some of us are one breed people and if that is a rare breed then the chances of finding one in rescue are minimal. All my dogs have been bought from reputable breeders as young puppies. I will never regret it even though it has lost me friends.

The size of a Labrador or Retriever is fine as a first dog in this case. The OP's children are not tiny.

It is worth noting that (rightly or wrongly) the Staffie is a banned breed in a number of countries and has been involved in fatalities, so people do have a natural wariness.

Doodles...of any type are not a breed...they are a mix or ar best a cross breed and please don't encourage this by buying these dogs.

We have cavalier kings Charles spaniels...( Plus one other breed which is very rare and rather outing on here).
Cavs are perfect first dogs...so loveable, easy to train, low maintenance walk requirements as they are lazy, super cuddly and patient with kids, if you don't want grooming hassle you can clip them...
Small enough to take places easily...fit under the pub table and ours travel in the tube and bus in London.
I know labs and retrievers are bigger nice breeds but a big dog is more of an imposition for example if you want to take the dog places with you.