Dog breed suggestions?

[ltucker17]

Hiya, we lost our beloved Barney the bichon frise on 2nd December 2024 and it has absolutely torn us apart as a family. I have 2 daughters (18 and 15) and my oldest is a student children’s nurse and my youngest is football obsessed. We are out 5 days a week for football and our boy used to come with us no problem but we ideally need a dog who can blend into that routine as our oldest is busy with uni most nights on placement etc. We ideally want something a little bigger and not another bichon as our Barney is absolutely irreplaceable. My eldest is particularly struggling however as he was there since she was 4 years old. Any dog breed recommendations? I would absolutely love to rescue but don’t think we would be accepted due to my working hours as a social workers and my husbands as a manager in the council? TIA

How would the dog be looked after during the day?

@DogInATent my mum looked after Barney in the day and is desperate to do so again. She’s a massive dog lover and is missing him so much. The dog would be alone for a max of 5 hours whilst youngest is at school if she’s unavailable but that won’t be very often at all.

You need to build up time alone slowly. Your did probably won’t be able to do five hours due several months (we still don’t do that).

Breeds
West highland white (Westie)
Scottish terrier (Scottie)
Cairn terrier
Retired greyhound
Snauzer

@Snowmanscarf yeah, it’s not our first rodeo haha. Barney was very difficult to do that with and it took a few years so we are prepared for that again and are very lucky to have a decent support system in place for it. Me and my eldest are loving greyhounds, my daughters best friend has one and she is absolutely lovely x

I find smaller rescues are generally more willing to work with you in terms of dogs that get left more than 20 minutes, often the big name rescues have ended up taking dogs from smaller rescues who didn't have the resource to deal with very complex needs.

A greyhound could really fit the bill for you.

Echo previous poster who said try some smaller local rescues! They may well be more likely to accept your circumstances given that you already have a plan for dog care sorted in the main. You could always look into local daycare for the odd days?
We have two labs, super dogs, very kind and friendly and although love their daily walks are also very happy to cuddle up on the sofa. We had one from a pup and one which we rescued. Good luck in your search for a dog!

Don't rush into this, a new dog will come with new challenges. It might not slot into your life as you hope.

I also would not rely on DD's as they are going off to live their own lives very soon.

In the meantime, have a look at these, they are great for busy families that are time poor!
https://www.steiff.com/en-uk/stuffed-animals-toys/stuffed-animals/popular-animals/dogs

Definitely a retired greyhound. I had one as a foster once and he was so chill. One day I once got stuck in traffic for hours on my way home. Poor thing was alone for seven hours that day and when I walked in he was sleeping on the couch. He just lifted his head and when he saw it was me he went back to sleep. But I woke him up again, because he had gone too long without a walk.

I have a sheprador ( lab cross German shepherd ) and he is just the best boy ever. Hes currently sleeping half under me on the sofa with his head on my thigh 🤗

Hes so affectionate with me and my children

A bit bigger than a Westie, I guess means under 20KG still? I'd go Greyhound or whippet.

Anything bigger and you run the risk of lots of exercise, mental stimulation and attention being needed - and if you can't give it that, which you can't if you're out all day and giving day care responsibilities to a relative, you end up with serious behavioural issues. I wouldn't touch a cocker spaniel (and I am sure someone will come along, having not read your post, and suggest one).

That being said, I do think it's cruel to get a dog and give it to someone else to have during the day, all day, five days a week. A good breeder won't sell to you under those circumstances tbh - I definitely wouldn't (and would like to consider myself a good breeder...) - and I think you're right in assuming most rescues wouldn't give you a dog either.

@LandSharksAnonymous um…you seem to know a lot about us haha (you know nothing about us). The dog would not be alone the majority of the day and I’d like to think it would benefit the dog to fork a close connection with someone else like our old dog did because that certainly caused him no harm. We can offer a dog up to 2 hours of walking a day and a stable routine! Yes, my kids are older but my husband and I are the ones deciding about the dog and we are committing to this like we have done before. Having had a dog for 14 years, looking after countless others for friends and family I think we know what we’re getting ourselves into. The dog would be the centre of our universe and have the most attention out of any member of the household. We’re a busy house and I think that would benefit a dog and us.

Rule of getting a dog. The dog doesn’t slot into your life. You slot into their life.

I have never heard that 😂

People get different breeds to suit their lifestyle. Some people like lap dogs, others prefer high energy dogs. People get dogs that fit into their life

@NameChanger91736 exactly! We’re taking a lot of time to work this out to get the right dog for us with the dogs best interests at heart.

@Snowmanscarf also, this “rule” is how people end up with dogs that do not match their lifestyle and why there are so many in rescues right now, for example, huskies, cockapoos, border collies just to name a few.

Border terriers seem to be really adaptable and very chilled. I’ve always had working labs but they don’t always slot into life!

I have a whippet . Without me booting him he would spend 24 hours a day on the sofa lazing . He's our third whippet and all have been the same . Bonkers puppies but once they grow up the most chilled loving dogs in the world .

You're the one who said your dog would be looked after by your mum and didn't mention home working? It read as though your dog would be with your mum 5 days a week, except evenings. I never said it would be alone the majority of the day - only it wouldn't be your dog, because it would be with your mum.

I just don't understand why you'd get a dog if you're only with it evenings and weekends? And most good breeders would feel the same.

We have lurchers which are fantastic dogs. Both rescues. We got one nearly 12 years ago (she'll be 13/14 now) and our most recent one who we adopted 2 months ago is 2.5years. Me and my husband work full time and we have two children. We got them from the same local rescue.

Sighthounds are overlooked but amazing family dogs. Not sure how well they would do 'hanging about' unless you travelled with a comfy bed to all football games though 🤣

@sleepfortheweek the husband tends to wander as he gets very wound up watching the football 😂 they can rest together haha x

Another vote for sighthounds. We have a whippet and a saluki. They are playful but lazy, love their walks but also love the sofa. They are calm and just beautiful really.

Retired greyhound would probably suit your family

What about a tibetan terrier? They look different enough than a bichon and they seem similar temperament wise. Going against the grain and recommending against a sighthound - they're lovely dogs for the right people but you have to consider if you get a "bad" one with no recall or dog aggression (had a few rescues), they're surprisingly vicious and strong and can cover ground FAST and go deaf while they do it, vs a dog your kids could take out to play with the ball and a nice stroll without worrying as much about squirrels or roads or how secure an area is.

If you’ve got two hours a day to exercise what about a Dalmatian. Very loving and affectionate, are real Velcro dogs, and just love people

Adopt don’t shop.