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?

My first ever dog ( DS was 9 ) was an RSPCA Lurcher they matched us with.

I was 🫤at first as didn’t want a puppy OR a girl, but she was SUPERB.
Like the most perfect match.

Love Sighthounds.

Love Sighthounds.

OP"s chickens might not 😂

Can't speak on any of these breeds but just wanted to say that family members of mine have kept free range hens alongside rescue dogs successfully for years (herding mixes that definitely did not come as ready-made 'easy dogs'). The hens rule the yard and the dogs give them a lot of respect.

You are well positioned to rescue, please at least consider it :)

Puppy stage was fine. As with all breeds they go through the nippy stage but that passes very quickly. Staffs are so eager to please that training them is easy. Toilet training was really easy, the youngest uses a door bell.

My oldest has never destroyed anything other than her toys. The youngest will chew shoes if she thinks she's being ignored. If she is left uncrated and I leave the house she is fine but if I go upstairs and she's shut downstairs then she will chew a shoe if one has been left available!

I know not everyone agrees with crate trying but both my dogs love the crate. Eldest hasn't had one for years but as soon as I got it out for the puppy she was getting straight in.

You will find some people cross the street when they see staffys but equally I've had people run down the street to come and say hello.

@LarryUnderwood
As puppies; very easy to train, last girl I had was toilet trained in two weeks, sailed through training, went on to work with me in rescue to help assess other dogs and to work with reactive dogs, her temperament was perfect, never barked once in her ten years( sadly lost her to cancer) good with every dog, cat, child, her only dislike was highland cows 😆
She was adopted at 10 weeks after being handed into rescue as unsellable as she was a brindle. Best dog I have ever had and she is missed every day.
You need to be committed to training as they are clever, energetic dogs and deserve the best to keep them stimulated and fulfilled.
Equally they are fit and active (as long as you don't let them get chunky) mine have always went on hikes.

Thanks @cluckycluck and @SnoopysHoose. I think my mind is made up - DH is also on board now he's seen some videos of staffys on instagram. We also met a cane corso yesterday whilst out and about (don't worry, we're not getting one of those!) and DH couldn't believe how powerful he was, and he was severely underweight (a rescue, his owner chatted with us for ages about him, he'd been found in a real state and has at least 20kg to gain, but despite his background he was so lovely and friendly). So I think this meeting lots of breeds recently has snapped DH out of his doodle preference.

I also popped into our local vet today to ask if there was anything I should know before starting the search, she was very helpful.and confirmed that staffys are in her opinion 'sweeties who make lovely family dogs' if they are raised in a good home (like all dogs). Can you tell I am in full on research mode?!

Now to find a good breeder!

So exciting! Please do keep this thread updated - I’ll be watching avidly for staff tips for when the time comes to plan (a faraway dream at the moment!) Wishing you all the best.

Can you tell I am in full on research mode?!

The best way to be OP! Glad your DH realised about the size/strength of big breeds.

Staffies are lovely dogs and incredibly loyal. There's a man near me who has a Staffie and I've never met a dog so clearly absolutely in love with his owner. Puts my own dogs (who only love me for the chicken in my pocket) to shame!

I grew up with Staffies and they’re lovely dogs, adore children and are silly, strong, funny sweetie-pies. They used to pull me over when I was little trying to chase rabbits, but I was younger then than your kids. Will knock over small children if not trained not to jump up. Very trainable as food oriented. Really gentle though clumsy - they don’t mean to knock you over. Good breed examples aren’t anything like the size of the bullies and crosses. Strong prey drive, but if you train from a puppy I think you’ll be okay. My dad had a terrier notorious for prey drive that learned never to touch his chickens as he had it from a puppy - in fact it protected the chickens from predators like crows and rats.

I now have a working cocker and am giggling at the many comments about how bonkers they are - true! Mine is truly now the best dog ever and a dream in the house and so quiet and well-behaved in my office people are often surprised to realise he’s under my desk, but he was a challenge for the first 18 months and I wouldn’t recommend for a first dog.

Ah thanks @MaryLennoxsScowl. Everyone I've spoken to has said how lovely they are as pets, with one exception - a woman I met who said hers has chewed up her whole home. But she then also let on that she has a staffy, cane corso and 2 kids in a 1 bed flat. I'd chew the furniture if I was that squashed up! I've heard back from the breed association with lots of advice and warnings about what to look out for, and suggestions for events to find a good breeder. I think this is the way we're going to go. Watch this space for pupdates!

If we could train a dog to guard the chickens that would be a dream! I'd love to be able to let them free range from dawn till dusk, sadly we can't due to the number of foxes so they can only be out when we're in the kitchen or garden.

POODLE from the poodle
rescue organisation.

To guard your chickens you would need a Livestock Protection Dog breed like mine, but they are HUGE and I would not recommend unless you were 100% clued up on them. My female pup is 45kg at 9 months. She's my 8th of this breed but it's still not easy handling such a big pup.

Ah, the dog didn’t stay out with the chickens, and they were shut in at night. But he used to kill rats and crows by the shed so could clearly tell he was allowed to hunt those and not the chickens.

I think you’ve settled on a stuffy now but just in case…

We have two female show bred labs, both older ladies now.

We got chickens in 2020, and never had an issue with the dogs and chickens being free range together.

When we first got them our older girl (who was about 9 then), was a bit WTF are those? Interested but never showed aggression/prey drive. The younger one, who was about 5, was scared of them 🤦‍♀️. We had a few accidents in the house because she didn’t want to go outside with them. (She then realised their poo was absolutely delicious 🤢 and decided they were probably just about ok… but will still move out of their way if they get too close).

We have had three labs over the past 18 years. They have all been absolutely wonderful family dogs, kind and generous souls, whose default to most things is ‘whoop!! This is my new favourite!’. The only downside has been the hair (my god the hair!!! How they are now bald I have no idea!). They are not for the houseproud. And eating things they shouldn’t (see chicken poo above- also note all food, toys, and people’s socks).

I'd advise contacting your nearest sbt breed club and contacting the secretary to ask for advice on breeders and planned litters.
Alternatively if you join the fb page staffordshire bull terrier debates and topics, you will get good advice on there.
I'm currently on my second and third staffords. My first 2 were rescues. When I lost my first I waited a year and then tried to find another rescue. After a year looking countrywide I found nothing under 4 that resembled a stafford, so I went through personal recommendation to a breeder I had been aware of for 10 years. My friend was on the breed club committee with him and recommended me.
The pup I had from him is now 4 and the most successful agility dog I've had. He's dog friendly but I don't allow him to interact with unknown dogs on walks, only friends dogs of every shape and size. I did a lot of work on being the most important thing in my dog's life and teaching him to ignore other dogs.
You have to be aware that if there was a disagreement the sbt will always get the blame.
My other advice, don't get a blue. They are now the most common colour but also very prone to allergies and skin issues. I've had a black/brindle, a white and a red and never had any skin issues or allergies. Mine are fed raw.
Edited to say that mine is just under 16" tall and my bitch is 13". This is what they should be.

I've added a photo of my youngest at a recent show where he got best pedigree, and with his agility rosettes from this year.
Don't let anyone tell you they are stubborn. They are not....you just have to find the reward that works!

If you do change your mind about a staffy, do consider a retired greyhound, most of whom are just that, rather than rescues. Ticks all your boxes and (sorry) is much more handsome/beautiful than a staffy. And a lot of them wouldn’t chase the chickens.

@Abc1weabc1
Gorgeous pup!
I fully agree not to get a blue, awful health problems, I love brindles myself.

@Abc1weabc1 your boy is gorgeous! What a star!

I have had a very lovely email from the club secretary who's given me great advice and some breeder contacts. I've explained to the family why we won't get a blue and we're decided to be open on coat colour and just look for a breeder we like with the right dam and sire and good temperament, health tests etc. My head is full of puppies now!

Not all rescued are troubled. Absolutely tons of staffies in rescues & some will be young.
There's no guarantee even if you decide upon a puppy that they'll be problem free, lots have real issues.
I'd always opt for a dog over a puppy any day of the week. Puppies are very hard work needing lots of training, time, energy

Puppies are wonderful and rearing a pup is such a great experience for older kids like the OP's. I was 13 when my family got our first dog and we learned as we went along. I've since reared another 8 dogs, all bought as young pups. The whole puppy bonding event is such a magical thing and there is nothing better (or more excting) than bringing a tiny pup home at 8 or 9 weeks old and watching it develop into a happy, confident dog.
Puppies are hard work, yes, I'm not denying that, but it's such a joyful time as you get to know them and introduce them to the outside world.

We lost our lovely dog last year. We had her from a puppy for 14 glorious years (lab/border collie cross). I'm not ready for another dog yet but very much enjoying the discussion.

Most Staffies in rescues are actually Staffy-crosses - most are larger than a proper Staffy and the other non-Staffy components could well be much iffier (unknown temperament)

Better by far with this breed to stick to known lines

Absolutely 100% agree with this.
Years ago it was much easier to find a sbt in rescue. Now it's nigh on impossible. They are nearly all gigantic crosses, which is fine if that's your thing.

Absolutely not always guaranteed