First time family dog, what breed might we be missing?

[IesuGrist1975]

We are finally in a position to get a dog within the next year due to my father-in-law moving into our granny(dad) annexe meaning a pet dog will be a companion for him on my 2 work days. Our youngest children are 6 years old and 10 years old and we have a medium sized garden and live in an urban area but have access to a good few large parks and spend the weekends at kids sports, usually in muddy fields with loads of other dogs so a dog being happy around other dogs is important.

It will be our first family dog, we have a 9 year old cat and while my parents occasionally bred my father’s working springer spaniels when I was growing up, they lived in kennels rather than indoors so this is a first indoor pet dog. Another thing to mention is that this dog is going to be a bit of emotional support me (my mum is terminally ill) so a dog that is happy to be loved by me would be excellent.

Having done quite a lot of research on here and other online resources I’v got a shortlist of,

• Miniature (or standard) poodle,
• Rough collie
• Border terrier.

These have made it onto the list for being either side of medium. Intelligent, happy with a couple of 30- 60 min walks a day, being good family dogs, happy to relax after a good walk. I’m wondering if we’ve missed any other obvious breeds off the list? Or if any of those don’t really fit the bill? We’ve been in contact with a couple smooth collie breeders and they’re currently what we’re leaning towards but happy to be swayed.

Smooth collies and rough collies are different breeds, which are you interested in? Personally I'd say that from your list the Border is your best bet. Collies can be a bit tricksy and less keen to stand around watching sport and can be vocal (as can poodles) and may just bark at the players/other dogs and a smooth collie will likely need more than 30 mins per walk. Rough collies are a poor choice for muddy fields as their coats are horrendous to maintain well.
I'd throw a cavapoo in the mix if you'd do the grooming, as well as a whippet.

I would go for a Labrador. They are just the most loving and friendly dogs.

Parson terrier. Wonderful kind loyal dogs.

not a collie.

A westie could fit the bill. Loving, good with kids and other dogs, trainable, don’t need huge amounts of exercise. Love cuddles!

Strong agree!

Knowing I will get flamed for this, as I generally do on Mumsnet but have you considered a Cockapoo? Mine is a wonderful family pet but does prefer to be cuddle and sit with me, mines nearly 10 and is still playful but very cuddly

Sorry, smooth collie. Roughs are lovely but too much grooming.

Thanks for recommendations, I’m not up for a poo cross but like whippets although the two we know are quite timid and I don’t think that would be a good fit for our family.

Miniature schnauzer! Ours is as happy to walk up Pen Y Fan as he is to sit at home, will never want to walk in the rain, loves a cuddle and is just the best companion.

Mini or standard poodle. They are wonderful.

I do love a border terrier though, although high prey drive so your garden needs to be secure as they’ll chase cats.

Whippets are great family dogs that often get over looked. They only need one good run around and spend the rest of the time wanting to snuggle on the sofa with you. Very good temperament with kids playful full if energy but just as happy to go with the flow and do what you want to do too.

Just spotted you have a cat! Don’t get a terrier then. Or anything else with high prey drive. I have a spaniel with cats and it doesn’t make for an easy life. My next dog will 100% be a poodle.

Labrador. Loving, easy to train, really easy going, and very forgiving of first time owners.

Also whippet is a good call.

Wave from another Welsh miniature schnauzer owner!

Miniature poodle. Such high emotional intelligence and can "read a room and the people in it".

Is very content with 60 min worth of exercise walk a day (not necessarily in one go) and were literally bred to be companion dogs for the French aristocracy. Small lap version of the bigger standard cousins.

This miniature breed is so overlooked and an untapped little gem of a breed for first timer owners.

Another vote for a miniature schnauzer. They're wonderful family dogs.

Beagles are really good family dogs and medium sized. If you’re willing to go larger I would suggest Labrador or golden retriever.

Another vote for a labrador

Our mini poodle is an absolute joy and the easiest dog we’ve ever had. She’s very cat like and loves nothing better than cuddling on the sofa watching tv but enjoys her walk and will walk as long as anyone wants to but also happy to skip a day if the weather is awful.
She absolutely knows who her family is and has a different relationship with each of us, isn’t very interested in people outside of her circle and not particularly dog social. She’s very very cat like actually.

We did have to work hard on building her confidence with being left alone - separation anxiety is a common issue in poodles - but she’s happy being home solo for a couple of hours now. She’s also quite vocal - not happy but will alert bark loudly if someone comes to the door. She is also quite small and my in laws find her a bit of a trip hazard - she only comes up to mid - shin height.

The non shedding is an absolute game changer as well!

Definitely a Labrador, wonderful family dogs. Low maintenance grooming. From show line will be calmer than working lines.
Collies need really good and consistent training and are rarely recommended for first time dog owners, while some Borders can be very reactive around other dogs.
Are whippets ok with cats? Some have a strong prey drive.

Christ no. I loved our beagle but NEVER again! They’re incredibly loving but really challenging dogs

Whippet!!! They are incredible family dogs, don’t need too much walking - just a good run around and the rest of the time they are total couch potato’s!

They are so cuddly and very gentle and even tempered, fab dogs!

Whippets aren’t timid! Absolutely lovely dogs. Loving, affectionate, hilarious, don’t smell, dont have much fur to shed, don’t need much exercise (30mins running).

and
they don’t bark! Only very occasionally

Labrador.
Great with children and cats. Great temperament.

King charles cavalier, amazing family dog, really chilled at home happy for short or longer walks.