Any advice on breeds?

[Twilightstarbright]

We would like to get a dog. I’m now a SAHM so will be in most of the day. One DS who is almost 9 and very chilled out (nickname is sloth). I had a bearded collie growing up and a spaniel before that.

I would like a small/smallish dog and not one that needs hours of walking- obviously I know they need walking but spaniel levels of activity aren’t compatible with us. Happy to get regular professional grooming.

Any suggestions would be welcome. TIA.

My miniature poodle is amazing. Poodles are very intelligent, willing to please, affectionate and easy to train. My poodle hardly ever barks, just at the doorbell mainly. She’s very good with other dogs and people and I’ve never heard her growl. As a puppy she was brilliant. She was very quickly housetrained and she wasn’t chewy. Finally she’s happy to be left, no separation anxiety. The stupid haircuts do nothing for the breed. My poodle is cut the same all over and she looks like a normal dog.

Labradors are nice but require a lot of walking.

German spitz? Lovely family dogs and beautiful too.
Or a Pomeranian- small but need more grooming...

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain a lab is too big for us but they’re lovely dogs!

Adding poodle, spitz and Pomeranian to the list to look at.

We have a minature poodle (14 weeks old) after a lifetime of spaniels & spaniel crosses and I can't believe how much easier he is!

Hoping he stays this lovley and like Parrlorwarrior's* *example above 😊

Whippets are lovely. Happy to go for a long walk but also fine with a walk around the block if that’s all you can do. Loving and sweet, and their fur doesn’t stink. Mine adores kids.

Maybe not small but the females can be pretty petite.

One of the “calmer” terriers? Border terriers are meant to be a good family pet. I have a Norwich terrier who I think is ideal and I had the same requirements as you. Norfolk terriers and maybe Cairns or Westies?

Another vote for poodle here. I second everything @Parrlorwarrior has said.

Mini schnauzer!

mine are handsome little fellas - don’t need long walks but are happy to do them. Intelligent and playful. Don’t shed. Have beards. Love their family and protective.

downside - both bark like mad at the door but quite like that! Luckily not happy when out and about but I understand a lot of the breed are

Are Borders calm? Every one I've met has been a nutter.

I have a cocker spaniel. Don't.

@ShawnsLeftEyebrow as much as I love spaniels, absolutely not a Spaniel!!

As a first 'family pet' (i.e as an adult, you being totally responsible, and with children in the household) you absolutely cannot do better than a poodle. Poodles are perfect for 99.9% of families.

When I'm Prime Minister, my first law will be that any family that wants a dog has to get a Poodle as their first dog. 😀

Ha ha, not sure. Neighbours have a border which they adore and it seems calm. Didn’t the breed win the top recommendation for best breed for a family?

I’ve got a soft spot for border terriers. The one we look after is non barky, super chilled and very affectionate.

A staffie.

Or a staffie.

Maybe every border terrier I meet is trying to tell me I shouldn't have got a spaniel?

A friend of mine got a poodle in South Korea and is very happy with him.

How about a mini pin or standard dachshund?

Yep spaniels are bonkers. Red setters gorgeous to look at but scatty.

Miniature schnauzer

If you can find healthy ones (they exist but are rare) cavaliers are fab

well bred staffies are pretty dinky dogs and lively without being OTT

bichons are usually nice wee dogs, can be on the yappy side but not as much as other small companion types.

i know it’s a cliche and you said small, but I suggest it to anyone saying they might appreciate calm and not needing masses of exercise - a greyhound.

Always a cavachon? I have one and she’s super chilled. Maybe diluting the cavalier genes may mean not as prone to cavalier health issues? Will have a bigger skull?

Lhasa Apso! Bigger and better than Shih Tzus, but just as gorgeous. They don’t need long walks but can do them occasionally. They don’t shed, though do need regular grooming.

Ooooh I’m not a poodle fan - they can be bonkers. I’ve got a cavapoo and as she’s got older she’s got pretty grumpy… I’d definitely recommend a retired greyhound (I’ve had 3, and all of them mellow and loving) and my whippet was a dream… but my most perfect dog is my other current one, a rescue Maltese…loving, gentle, biddable - she’s honestly flawless and i hate to think that she’s 10 and might not actually live forever (she’s also blind, but as she was born that way she has no idea what she’s missing)

Ime Norfolk terriers are just divine and could meet your criteria. Also a friend had a shih’tzu who was just about the most adorable, laid back dude ever. Maybe an Italian greyhound?

go to a rescue or shelter talk to them tell them your lifestyle volnteer help out or Foster to see how you get on. no-one dog of breed is the same three jack russles here and they are all very different no one dog is the same