Advice on small to medium calm dog breed for multi generation family

[CharlotteCChapel]

I'm currently very ill and it has been accepted that having a dog would force me to exercise. Anyone have any advice on a small to medium non yapping dog. We are a multi generation family and dont want a designer one.

Propper cross breeds are OK but although I need to exercise i dont want some that is too energetic like a border collie. We have access to an all year beach.

Could you volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust? They may have people near you looking for help with dog walking. Or even fostering (although I'm not sure whether that would work with your cat).

https://cinnamon.org.uk/

If you are set on a dog being part of your recovery the likleyhood of some random people on the Internet being able to persuade you differently is unlikely, it may help and it may not but you need to consider the impact on a dog if you can't keep up the level of care they need.
Puppy's are cute and people like spending time with them but a middle aged dog that is suddenly not getting enough walks is unfair on the dog.

I do think however that you need to prove to yourself that you are capable of this level of exercise before getting a dog walking in the cold, rain, snow if you get it and in the summer when you need to walk early or late to avoid the heat on the hot days.
Make sure you have the spare time in your day to train and clean up messes.

Iv just today had to cancel the insurance on my 2 as its gotten too expensive and have gotten a credit card out as a just incase untill I can put some of the money I was spending into savings to cover emergencies.

Smaller dogs are yappy, and you mention a beagle, they don't yap but they do make alot of noise.
A close family member has one and while it's very cute it needs a lot if excersice, it likes to take itself for walks eg escape, on walks it's nose is engaged but it's ears are out of action so you can forget it coming back when you call if it picks up a trail.
It's also been very destructive in the house on days it hasn't had enough stimulation.
It is a lovely dog but has caused no end of problems.

Tibetian terriers are nice but are known to bark and need a moderate amount of excersice, the only one I know is very vocal.

If I had to suggest a breed I would say stick to the lap dogs, something that likes company and requires less excersise than other types of dog.
I'm not a lap dog person but the Biewer Terrier or the Maltese would be my choice if I couldn't manage the hearding breeds I favor.

I’m probably the most undoggy person there is. Cut a long story short, not wanting much children to be as silly as me over dogs and my DH ‘surprising’ me with a pup from the local dog’s home 🙄 I’m now a proud dog mummy to a spaniel/retriever cross.

He’s honestly the calmest and sweet dog. Great around our children and their friends, doesn’t really bark and pretty obedient. Only down side is the doggy smell when wet and dog hair (probably not that noticeable to ‘doggy people’ though.

Hes a good boy! Highly recommend!

There is a dog trainer on Social Media platforms under the name Cherry Hogs who goes through various dog breeds and says what he thinks they are like for the average dog owner - he does not recommend hound dogs at all, especially not beagles, as he says they are so difficult to train. Have a look at miniature schnauzers or griffon breeds.

Yes, as I said we have 4 adults and apparently their current next door dog loves the 10 year old and has been known to break in for a cuddle

Have you really thought about the next 16 or so years with this dog, though?

16 years of vets bills, food, walks, training. Not being able to pop out for the day or go to the zoo or a theme park because you need to be around for the dog. No holidays without shelling out for pet care, or taking them with you (and they often can’t be left in holiday apartments or taken to restaurants, so you can’t do anything that won’t allow you to take them with you).

If would suggest joining a friend while they walk their dog - everyday, come rain or shine, and see how you feel about it at 6am in the pissing rain because the dog won’t poo in the garden and you need to leave for work at 7.

If you are set on getting a dog could I suggest a greyhound or lurcher?
We've got 1. He's an absolute angel. Will walk as far as you want, but also happy with a toddle around the local field (well he doesn't toddle anywhere. He practically flies) but the message is greyhounds are known for being potatoes. Ive also found our boy to be incredibly loving and loyal, despite his awful start.

I’m sorry to hear you are ill, but a living creature with its own wants and needs for the next 15 or so years, is not a good motivator to get out and exercise, I think you need to find different motivation unfortunately.
what if your dog is reactive on lead, or really nervous and walking becomes really difficult. What if the dog just adds loads of work to your routine given it needs feeds and walks and toilets, vets trips, playing and mental stimulation, or when you can’t go out for the day or go on holiday, or when you have to care for an ill dog and pay their very expensive vet bills,
or when they need to learn to be housetrained or the first few years when they can be terrible and bitey,
that all seems like a lot when you are already ill and it doesn’t sound like you want that, you just want a reason to get out to go for a walk. Surely there are other much easier and probably cheaper ways you could make that more appealing.

I like the suggestion above of finding a dog to walk and seeing how that goes over a number of months. I did that before I bought my first horse. I was doing lessons 4-5 days a week, so having my own horse was cheaper and I'd demonstrated it wasn't just a phase.

As for breeds, use your hospital time to research. I had to succession plan for my staffy. I wanted a smaller dog as he was a bit heavy for me to lift into the car in his older years. I searched for 10kg, stocky dogs. I also looked at many "what is the right breed for you" sites, top 10, top 20 small dogs etc. For the dogs I liked the appearance of, I did further breed specific research. Usually looking at pros and cons sites. I narrowed my search to 4 or so breeds and then went and read the breed standards. That's the benefit of pure breds, they have consistent traits. Once you pick a breed, go to breed specific sites - Facebook is great for breed pages. Ask owners to tell you about the pros and cons of the breed. They will love the socks off their breed but will also be honest about challenges as they want the dogs to have forever homes.

I eventually settled on a westie - 10kg, stocky, square head. I never saw myself as the owner of a small white fluffy (don't call him that in his hearing!). If I'd limited my search I certainly wouldn't have considered the breed. He has been perfect from the day he came home. People say puppies are hard - I loved every moment of his puppy days. He doesn't bark a lot as I don't like it and trained him not to. I love terriers as they're pretty cheeky. The westie breed standard uses the word "varminty" and westie owners refer to westitude, meaning they have attitude and aren't afraid to use it. That's my type of dog, but isn't for everyone.

Poodle × cavelier spaniel
Mine is the most perfect creature I've ever met ❤️

queenfreak did op say she had a cat ? Caution needed with a sight hound !!!

Having a dog, is like having a toddler.

Ask yourself what you will be doing on thouse wet, dark and windy winter days. Who is taking the dog out?
Who will get up at 4/5 am to give the dog a walk in summer, because the forecast is 35°C + and the pavement will be to hot for the dog?
Can you commit to 18 months of regular training classes? And regular training sessions at home?
Think carefully about what you can offer a dog in real terms. Because if you get the dog, you will be responsible if the other adults won't alter plans in favour of the dog.

You mentioned a Tibetan Terrier. Now, I have Tibetans and to me they are the best dog ever! I would even say, that a Tibetan ticks a lot of your boxes.
But, they are not lap dogs. They are actually very intelligent and fast learners with a healthy dose of self confidence.

They also have the tendency to entertain themselves in a destructive way if they get bored.

@Ylvamoon this has not been my experience. First three months were hard work with a puppy but she is undemanding, loving and will takeca long walk or stroll round the block. She doesn't like to go out in wind or rain and is happiest snuggled up brside me in bed, under the covers. True, I'm the onlyvone in the household who looks after her, but I'm the only one she snuggles up with.

I’m so sorry to hear you’re poorly. I think that once you’re well… a dog might be the perfect creature for you…from my experience, I’d say a show type whippet (gentle, calm, adorable) as opposed to a more feisty high prey drive type could be perfect. A lurcher???? I’d say definitely not…. Too wild and prey driven (tho I’ve had some, and loved them) i currently have a cavapoo and a maltese, and would say they are both pretty perfect…gentle, loving and biddable…but all dogs need a LOT of time and attention, and that might not be what you need right now?? This is maybe the time to put your own needs first, and think about a dog in the future? Good luck!!

A cavalier king charles is usually a good fit for most families. They love their walks but just as happy sitting next to you on the sofa. I have had 2 and known many and they have all been the sweetest dogs. Go for an adult one if your health isn't good because even ckc can be wired as a puppy. Whatever you decide think long and hard about it and make sure you really want a dog and you can fulfill its needs as well as your own

My bestie has a cockerpoo. Never barks, doesnt chase, doesnt shed and is hypoallergenic. You can easily lift it and is very easily trained. Everyone comments on it being the perfect dog. If I were going to get one I would get this one.

Forgot to say we're the older couple and dh had wrsties growing up

Beagles have a reputation for howling, so might not be the best choice.

Think really hard about this OP, puppy stage is heavy lifting it is like having a baby/toddler and you have to put in alot of work to create the sort of dog you want longer term.

We recently got a Wheaten Terrier after a long research period and meeting some. She is 10 weeks old and our life revolves around her right now.

You need to think about shedding/non shedding, size and type of dog you want. We went for the Wheaten for its non shedding coat as I have asthma, and they are great family and sociable dogs. Have a good read through different breeds whilst you are recovering. Also remember some breeds are really hard to get hold of so you will also have to be patient.

I agree. I have a wonderful Jackapoo who was two and a half when I got him. I love him to bits and he fits in so well with my lifestyle, but he does like to alert me to everything that's going on outside, and to everything/everybody we encounter on walks. I did start some reactive training, but gave up after a short while as it was very hard work!

Don't go for a cookerpoo. Whilst some are absolutely fabulous others are a complete nightmare!
Mine is currently snuggled up beside me. A false sense of security.

Coming from a position of being ill/inactive and getting a dog to 'force' you to exercise is not a good idea op.

If you want to exercise, exercise. If you're consistently walking daily after a few weeks, that's the time to consider a dog.

Don't get a dog to force you to exercise. It's a really risky idea.

Start litter picking, you can meet dogs and owners that way. (This was my free solution to not being able to afford to get a dog). Or walk parkrun if you have one.

Agree with all the other posters. I have had dogs all my life,I'm 75, mostly border collies (got 2 now) several rescues and other breeds..you don't know what you are going to get temperament wise.. agree with borrow a dog or volunteer..I had a phalane, cousin of the Papillon,breed originally from the cavalier. He barked at people coming to the door, but was a great all rounder. He was 18 when PTS 3 years ago. Although he was a toy breed,he could do a couple of hours up the Downs with the Borders. He and most of the others slept on the bed.. something else to think about.T he initial outlay of buying is likely to be at least £1000, no one has mentioned the cost of neutering. Teeth cleaning,ours last year £600. We had insurance on the toy,he came with it,it became ridiculously expensive,apart from check ups, jabs,he had one vet emergency visit because he ran into a wall as a puppy, insurance refused to cover anything back related, teeth cleaning and extraction. I have a dog now with a cyst on her leg,covered in compression bandages and special tape (I was nursing over 40 years) she keeps getting at the wound, she does it at night, crafty. Putting on the steroid cream is a 2 man job, she fights. The phalene did he hated being brushed, teeth cleaned,nails cut. When my oldest now 10, was a puppy, I went to the gp was sent straight to hospital, I had I worked nights,DH days, I had to get someone to come in They are toddlers, would I be without them,hell no.

Totally right. Each dog is very different. I know at least three people with labradoodles and they are all a bit crazy (dogs not people!).

i would still recommend a cockerpoo based on what I have seen. Westies can be happy.