Help! How do you choose a breed?!

[MoiraRoseIsMyQueen]

We’re starting to think about getting a dog, but I’m totally bamboozled by choosing!

We’ve always had rescues in the past, but now with two young children this isn’t an option for us unfortunately. I’m really struggling to find a breed that might work for us. I think we need something that’s not too big - I’d love a retriever but I think they’d just knock my kids over (and I’m not sure I could cope with the hair!) I met a lovely working cocker the other day, but the others I’ve met have been utterly mad 😂

We’d also love a dog that’s quite affectionate/people-oriented - our lurcher was the best dog in the world but she was a bit aloof and I’m not sure that will work with the kids (my son is unbothered and I think he needs a dog that will love him). Other than that, I’m not a massive fan of small fluffy/toy breeds, but equally I wonder if we’re up to managing the full-on energy of a working/retriever type. Having said that, we’re an active family with a garden and living next to a massive field/woodlands, so we’d definitely be up for something with a bit of energy!

Any suggestions or recommendations? Much appreciated 🙏

To make a different point about crossbreeding, they're also doing highly inadvisable things like crossing a low prey drive guarding breed with a high prey drive gundog, thus potentially creating a guard dog with a high prey drive.

Also crossbreeding a curly coated non-shedding dog with a heavily moulting breed like mine, is creating a dog with a problematical coat and a tendency to hot spots, because the undercoat can't naturally moult out through the curly top coat.

I'd honestly avoid these crosses because there is so much potential for health and behavioural problems.

Sadly there isn't a DNA test for hip dysplasia. The only way to establish if a dog has a healthy hip joint (ball & socket fitting perfectly) is by doing an X-ray and have a specialist assess and measure the joint. That gives you an idea about the hip health of that specific dog. It's then up to the breeder to establish if this dog is suitable for breeding by checking parents & grand parents. The KC does hold all available records for pedigree dogs if tests have been done. If the sire or dam have good scores but one of their parents have poor scores, you still risk the condition in a small number of puppies. It's a long process of selected breeding to eliminate the condition.

As for brachiocephalic breeds and other deformation of dogs, I'm against it and would never own one!
What you get with a pedigree dog is acess to health & breeding records for the dog. It's a tool to help you to make an informed decision about your potential puppy purchase.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet ’guard dog with a high prey drive’ such a disaster waiting to happen, isn’t it?

We’ve had an uptick of calls recently about Goldendoodles needing rehoming. But we can’t/wont help. We have enough Goldens who need homes without taking on the designer crosses…

there are some haters around, so I’ll preface this by saying find a good breeder as there are puppy factories curing them out, but our Minature Australian Labradoodle is an absolute joy. Reminds me of the golden retrievers i grew up with personality wise. Very trainable, beautifully behaved, can leave him for hours, doesn’t mind if we miss a walk, great with kids, I’ve never seen a hair outside his basket, small enough won’t send kids flying but not so small he’s in the separation anxiety zone. Haters are going to hate, but find a good breeder and enjoy. They were developed by the Australian guide dogs association to be the most trainable low shedding dog possible and all ‘proper’ alds are at least 7 generations from any of the pure breeds that went into them so the characteristics are very consistent unlike someone crossing their lab with a poodle.

There are some haters around and that would include you. You're the one who said old working breeds no longer have anything to offer, and aren't needed in modern society. You're also the one who referred to one of my dogs as a "dinosaur" because it's an ancient breed. You even end your post here by denigrating those who cross a Lab with a poodle. Presumably on the basis that you consider yours is superior by virtue of not being a first generation cross.
You suggest the Australian Labradoodle on every single thread about choosing a breed. You've been repeatedly asked by several people here to suggest a breeder of these dogs that isn't a puppy farm and you aren't able to. Then you refer to us as haters. Having ethics about where we source a dog from doesn't make us haters. Nor does advising people not to be conned into buying a dog from a large scale commercial breeder.

You can't tell the level of affection based on breed. Each dog has it's own personality, you can't know what they'll be like from a puppy, there's no guarantees.

Have a look at Flatcoat retrievers. Can be daft and bouncy but typically just adore kids. We are on our third (Walter) and now have numerous DGC’s who he just loves to be around, whatever they are doing he just has to ‘help’. Hes our oldest DGS ‘best mate’ 🖤🖤

I haven't read entire thread, just the OP so others may already have advised the same, and apologies if I've missed or am repeating anything.

I think you're wise to be considering this. In my experience of raising a male lab from puppyhood, in their first few years, they're not ideally suited to being around young kids all of the time without years of onerous training. When I went to pick up my 2mo lab from breeder he was playing gently and delightedly with a 3yo child, and politely ignoring a young baby in high chair. First impressions can be deceptive! As a puppy he literally caused me blood sweat and tears. Despite hundreds of hours of training and countless classes even my adult neighbours knew not to stroke him lest he jump up on them with his 5.5 stone hulk. My relatives refused to dog sit him because he was too full on for them, even for 1hr (i have him 24-7).. Think Marley and Me dog sitter saying "that is not a dog, that is evil with a dogs face". The dog wasnt evil (certainly mine isnt, hes a big sop, just extrordinarily big and boisterous). Think the dog trainer scene where trainer is convinced that SHE can manage his behaviour better than the owners only to be pulled over and to ban him from class. Mine is EXACTLY like Marley. Not a bad bone in his body. Lives all people and dogs, all food and fun. Sooo much joy for life. Extremely loveable. But A LOT. I occassionally struggle to hold him back as a large adult. I would definitely not want to be a child who weighed less than him having to live with him.

So my advice would be to choose a dog that weighs LESS THAN half of smallest family member. The lighter the better.

I'd also emphasise that dogs truly are individuals just like people are. You really can't simply choose a breed and know the individual you get will be a good fit.

However you can significantly stack the odds in your favour by looking at breed traits inherent in dogs genetic breed and being realistic about these and not romanticising these in any way. Having a retriever greet you at door with a fluffy toy is cute, having them pick up and chew EVERYTHING as a puppy is not.

Listen to people with experience. The first breeder I went to refused to sell me a male lab as she thought he'd be too much for me. She recommended a female if I was determined too get a lab, but none were available in her litter or others (it was winter). I thought I knew better. and went on to buy a 2mo 10lb male lab who was available elsewhere , he was tiny and cute and Id read ALL the books, had a lab in wider family, and thought I knew what I was doing, so. what could go wrong? Mwar har har. Suffice to say, I didn't know better. I should have listened. He's adoreable but to say he makes his presence felt is an understatement.

So yes, I'd say go small for first time dog. Know the breed traits. But then be prepared to welcome a complete individual.

I don't have any experience of small dogs though so take that with a pinch of salt. But I do have experience of big male lab that could potentially help you avoid mistaking their idylic image as family dogs for closer to Marley an Me reality, at least some, when young and in my case.

All that said, I love my dog and wouldn't trade him for world. Retrievers are the only breed for me. But given that you're flexible, I'd strongly suggest smaller breed.

Dog walking is also easy to say you'll want, and always enjoy. Reality really does get in the way. Days where someone's had to go to A&E, you've had to work 12 hours; you're too fed up to want to get out of bed: it's raining horizontally all happen. Even on a good day, walking the same route for literally the 500th time gets old. So much easier with a small dog who only needs 30 min but can manage more than with a retriever who needs at least 3 times that every day or will make his own entertainment (in ways that will not entertain you!)

Good luck, whatever you decide. They really are peoples best friend.

Another corgi convert here! We accidentally adopted one years ago (I was a beagle owner previously) and I just love their personality! I have a pembroke. He needs a job (policing the cat, monitoring the doorbell/ phone) we did agility with him , which he loved. Real characters!

RESCUE is the best breed!😊

Matching dig breed to your lifestyle, family and home environment is really important too if you want a happy, plain-sailing dog who fits happily and easily in to your life, family and routine. You COULD have a large guard dog if you lived in a top floor flat with loads of new visitors. But neither you nor your neighbours nor dogs life would be as stress free as they could be if you had a home with garden and fewer unknown visitors. You COULD have a border collie if you work full time, are out all evening and a live in a city. But the dog (and by extension you) would soon be climbing the walls. The same dog as a pet and working dog on a farm with agility trainer would be great fit. You COULD have a breed with a high prey drive if your DC has a beloved hamster who is left to run free unattended. But it would not make for a harmonious happy family life. The same dog in household with no small pets would be happier fit.

But put a small, friendly, sociable, trainable, loving dog in a kind, loving family home with secure garden, people who have lots of time for dog, go on regular dog-friendly holidays etc. and you're likely to have a plain-sailing very happy fulfilled dog companion and by extension a less stressful life style yourself

I agree. We saw DD2's dog on a hot day. The dog she chose just observed the chaos of puppies running around and then settled herself down in a corner and slept. Then we spent some time with two puppies and after a while of exploring, her dog settled down by her hip and snoozed. Just what she needed. She's now a qualified assistance dog.

DD3 wanted something different. Her dog was the one who interacted with her the most. She's been much harder to raise as a puppy, but she's a wonderful little dog now she's over a year and she's so emotional and intuitive, which is exactly what DD3 wanted.

Well, firstly rescue isn't a breed. Rescue can be anything from a mutt of unknown parentage to a Chihuahua to a Great Dane. Secondly, rescue also isn't always the most sensible choice around small children because its history isn't known. There are good reasons why very few reputable rescue organisations will rehome in houses with young children.

Get a lab. They’re known as a family favourite for a reason. Ours gets an on-lead 20min sniffy walk first thing, a good enriching hour off-lead with lots of play and finding things, usually including a swim, at lunchtime and a 10-30 minute on-lead sniffy walk at teatime depending on how much time we have. Other than a bit of food-based enrichment at dinner time and 10 minutes max of training, he then sleeps all day.

He was a bit mad as a puppy, but I think that’s standard for most breeds, but by 10-12 months he was the best dog that ever lived.

Retired greyhound, staffy and whippet were what I was looking for.
We met a Bedlington and they became my focus.
It took 18 months to find one that was from certified CT clear parents.
He is almost 9 and has my heart.
Costs us a fortune every month with insurance, grooming and low allergic food.

We have a two year old Border Terrier and he’s fabulous! We got him when the kids were 4 and nearly 7 and he has always been really good with them - and the kids both love him. He’s quite easy going on the exercise front too.

I want something much more predictable with a known history around a child.

Miniature schnauzer all the way! Amazing character dogs - they adore people and so affectionate, love being around you - ours are brilliant with kids. Ours are highly intelligent and very easily trained. Love walks and just fit into your lifestyle whether you want long treks or short around the block.

I did my research, they no longer breed, there’s no point recommending them, anyone interested can do their research if I mention the breed. I recommend Australian Labradoodles a lot, i think they are exceptional as a family dog which is often the ask here. It is a breed with bloodlines and an established characteristics which suit modern lives. Just as certain breeds were developed 100 years ago to suit the needs and lifestyles of their owners then I have no problem with new breeds being developed to suit modern lifestyles. I suspect my dinosaur line was in jest, sorry you’ve taken it to heart, an old breed might suit your lifestyle, doesn’t mean they will suit everyone’s. I wish the KC would recognise ALDs there is an established worldwide registry, then you’d have more breeding for show selling the spares, but you can find decent ALD breeders if you look.

You didn’t do much research as you have, at least twice on Doghouse, recommended puppy farms.

You can claim all you wish that your dog and the ‘breed’ have good breeders - yet despite nearly a dozen Uk breeders being listed over the last few months, we’re yet to see one linked that isn’t a puppy farm

@ACynicalDad strangely enough I agree with you, we need to develop an urban dog that suits our modern lifestyle.

Problem is, both Labrador and Poodle are retrievers, hunting dogs. They are intelligent and energetic. The Australian Labradoodle is a marketing success story. Breeders try to protect their breeding by neutering tiny puppies, as a result they are riddled with avoidable problems. Most notably joint and coat issues.

There are already established breeds that come pretty close to this urban dog. Think small to medium sized, happy go lucky. Not to energetic, friendly & playful but also content to spend a day snoozing while you work from home or are too busy battling housework and kids. Happy to be dragged around the block for a quick walk if time poor but equally up for adventure walks in the woods. A dog that's a little buddy to their owners- highly emotionally intelligent, that can morph into whatever is needed in the moment.

Yes, I am very biased but all of the above can be found in a well bred Tibetan Terrier. Obviously like any dog, they need training, but may of the above things come naturally, they just need to be encouraged.

we need to develop an urban dog that suits our modern lifestyle.

Do we? Is that really in everyone's best interest?

We nearly bought a TT before we landed on the ALD, Had a long conversation with a breeder and ultimately felt they were too nippy for the age of children we had at that point.

So you wouldn't want a rehomed dogs around a child, some of whom will have known history and will have been assessed in a home environment by experienced fosterers, but you are happy to have a puppy farmed dog around them? As pp said, you already recommended puppy farms on here to those looking for ALDs.

Well, they are not more or less nippy than any other puppy... you have missed out on a great dog.