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.

Whippets are the sweetest most darling dogs you can imagine.

Whippets are the sweetest most darling dogs you can imagine.

Shih tzu! Ours is so loving.

Golden retriever or lab. Brilliant family dogs.
Greyhounds are fab too.
Rescues are my favourite breed though 😄

Whippets tend to be stand off ish which gives the impression of timid. We used to say to ours: What's with the long face? Mine was of a rather grumpy disposition to anyone else but her family. I got her when I lost a pregnancy and nearly died. She was my therapy dog. They are very cuddly and sort of velcro but not too much. She was very attuned to me and just knew to read the room. When my children came along, she was wonderful with them. She only got nervous and started shaking when anyone screamed. They have a wonderful quiet strength and I think they are the most 'English' of all the dogs I have ever met. But they are not for everyone. They need training and handling that is nothing like I have ever experienced with other dogs (I was used to gun dogs and terriers). She was very powerful and it was hard to train as they need to go off the lead.

From everything you are saying I would say Border. Great little souls with an outgoing personality. I know nothing about Collies else than Lassie in the film.

<an exhausted sounding voice whispers from a dark corner filled with bits of torn up cardboard and ripped shoes >

.... Get a Podenco

As a border terrier owner I’m very biased but she is definitely the best decision we’ve ever made

Smooth Collie sounds a good call, really good all-round family dogs.

If a smooth collie has a similar temperament to a rough then I thoroughly recommend them! We have had 4 roughs. They are nothing like Border collies and don’t need the same amount of exercise. They enjoy a walk for the sniffing opportunities rather than the running about. They can be vocal though. I would also say if you struggle to get a smooth coated collie don’t be put off by a rough. They don’t need nearly as much grooming as you may expect - maybe a good brush once a week. They don’t tend to shed in the same way labs do, but do shed undercoat a couple of times a year that does need brushing out - but you can book them into a groomer for that.

We got a golden retriever as a first family dog. Biggest sop ball ever. One walk in the morning and she flat out snoring for the rest of the day. Kids were 8 & 10 when we got her and she’s been brilliant

I love those faces. They make me laugh. A friend of mine had one at uni whilst his parents were away, he went on pub crawls with us off the lead.

We had a Lhasa Apso. Happy dog! No shedding but we had him trimmed in a pet trim.

Was ok with our cats. They are quite self centred dogs - they know what they want - but are full of personality. Don’t need long walks but enjoy them if offered.

I am getting tired of seeing cross bred poo type dogs. Breeds will be dying out! My neighbour has a bonkers one. Most seem to be ginger coloured too.

Terriers will chase a cat. Collie - all need extensive walks. Beagles too. Extremely active and are hunting dogs. Whippets are good first time dogs.

Mini poodle! They’re amazing. Clever, incredibly cuddly and so happy!

Whippets need a lot more than 30 minutes run. And it needs to be off the lead. They are not like a lap
dog they were a poor man’s working breed. Mine went for 7 miles runs with my husband. She was particularly strong for a whippet I will concede.

I can also highly recommend the Lhasa Apso, you will need to get them groomed every three months or so but no shedding, fabulous temperament, delighted with short or long walks, ours lived to be 18, he was the finest of dogs 💔

Cavapoo. The most adorable dogs. I love mine so much; she supported me through losing my lovely mum.
Clever
Funny
Extremely loving
Non demanding
Likes a walk - we do 1-2 hours a day
Loves a snuggle
Hardly sheds
Groom x 2 times a year (ours is wavy rather than curly)
Looks like a teddy

Collie x lab or collie x spaniel accidental dog. Cheap and plentiful, usually pretty healthy, great dogs.

Every border terrier I have known has been awful with cats. Same with whippets. I know they can’t all be but they are a no for me. I just don’t trust them.

I don’t like how poodles look (sorry) but all the smaller poodles (miniature and toy) I have known have actually been exceptionally lovely dogs and I would have one of those and hope I got over the look of them. The ones I have met have been absolute poppets, I just can’t get on board with the coats and how they feel.

If it was me I’d have a retriever though. They are more my thing. Just lovely personalities but a bit big.

A Staffie all day long! Also known as The Nanny Dog, their reputation with children is second to none.
The Kennel Club recommends this wonderful breed for families with children.
Staffies are medium sized, don’t shed and are very cuddly. Exercise wise, they fit in with you and walk for miles if wanted. Equally they are happy to slouch on the sofa with their family.
(Pictured is George who is simply the best dog!)

Good luck!

Whippets have a run at such speed they are then exhausted and sleep. No trouble at all.

Smooth collies are the best dogs ever. They don't need half as much exercise as a border collie and they have a beautiful nature. They are a vulnerable breed but are perfect family dogs. And look at that face...

Cannot recommend a Parsons JRT enough, fabulous breed,

@IesuGrist1975 please please please consider your cat very carefully before making this decisions. I work with foster cats and the majority of adult cats who are surrendered to us are in circumstances where the family has brought a dog into the home, the cat has become withdrawn/anxious/stressed/aggressive and they give up the cat in favour of the new puppy.

All cats are different but a cat who has not grown up with a dog may react badly. This can alter the personality if the cat as they start to live in fear which can potentially lead to physical health problems.

If you are certain you need to add a dog then look for a breed that has low prey drive, is calm and relatively quiet. Find a breeder who has cats in the home with the puppy and learn about proper animal introduction.

Even if you do all this there is no guarantee so you need to ensure you have enough space that the cat can live comfortably away from the dog if it needs to.

There will be others who say they’ve had no issues with cats and dogs co existing harmoniously, that does happen but it’s not the norm so please be prepared.

I don't agree that whippets are good first dogs. Mine was very boisterous and bitey as a puppy, much more than other dogs. He is very nervous and timid which can lead him to be aggressive through fear. I think a lot of whippets might be uncomfortable with younger children. But that's my from my experience.
I think a lab or cavapoo type dog would be good for a first dog.

Think you should consider a Minature Schnauzer. They are great little dogs- very intelligent, easy to train and don’t shed. They are really good with children, playful, very affectionate and devoted to their family.