Beat dog breeds for a young child?

[rainbowbee9]

I miss having a dog. Haven't had one since before my son was born. Have had a staffy and a shar pei in the past. Both rescues and lovely dogs. I have a 7 year old son and am curious if anyone can advise on dogs they've had with young, active children? My son adores and gets on very well with our friend's pug however would rather a non bracycephalic dog. Ideally small or medium. Not in a rush as would like to do my research. I work from home so velcro dogs are fine! Thanks!

*Best not beat!

Also, have always wanted a king Charles spaniel, but wondering if their health problems are too difficult to manage without a whole heap of stress? I know any dog can have health problems but this breed seems to be almost guaranteed to eventually.

Miniature poodle. They are honestly just a lovely, robust, predominantly healthy dogs. Never met one who wasn't an absolute sweetheart and utterly devoted to it's owner. Also really intelligent, so you can train them to a high standard, plucky (and energetic, but not manic) and quite funny little characters.

If you wanted a bit larger I'd say Labrador.

I would avoid any 'oodles' (not that you've mentioned them but someone will) just on the basis of the breeders being predominantly puppy farmers (every single breeder of a 'doodle' that has been linked on Doghouse this year, by someone wanting to know if the breeder is a puppy farmer, has been a puppy farmer), the parents not being fully health tested and the high chances of behavioural issues.

cairn terrier, be careful on here though, people are right nasty.

Nasty about what?

@rainbowbee9 no one was nasty to the PP, she was the one calling people names and insulting them, and at least one of her posts was deleted as a result. You can check her thread on Doghouse (it's the post below yours) and click 'see all' (Apologies if you know how to do that, and I'm teaching you to suck eggs), you'll see how charming she was to people offering advice😊

Oh right. Was trying to work out why anyone would be nasty. Fairly certain my post is fine 😅

are you as a family energetic, lots of walks adventures and days out or more wfh 9-5 house and walk the dog types, are you town or country? All of these would depend on the bred suggested.

i would 2nd the oodles comment, besides the fact they are everywhere I’ve been bitten by 2 of them seperate owners and incidents but both food related guarding.

im a large breed owner so my only advice would be a retriever they are arseholes as teenagers, I do love a rottie as well, neither of these match your brief!

I was going to suggest a cairn terrier they are cracking little dogs, my sister has always had them, i don't know what that poster is on about, ive never seen anybody being nasty.

I have a cocker spaniel he is a great dog, but didn't settle down till he was 3.5 years old, so it might be too much

I just noticed who the poster was, nobody was nasty to them imo.

Would you consider a mutt? We had some sort of spaniel/ terrier/ + something else and he was the best dog ever.

Greyhounds are really chill

I adored my cavalier, he was the best, rehomed him as a puppy and had him 12 years, he was perfect when DD was born and remarkably unbothered by her as a toddler. I’d love another, but I’m with you on the health issues. My boy did pretty well overall, but he did have epilepsy.

DD is now 6 and we’ve only just rehomed a retired greyhound. Would not have been anything like my first choice, but I was really committed to rehoming rather than buying and this was the only dog we were offered after being on various waiting lists for a long time - it is (understandably) much harder with children. Once we met her it was definitely a done deal, and honestly she’s the sweetest thing, so chilled and has just been so easy - not had her long at all so can’t give a conclusive verdict but it’s definitely worth considering. She’s currently curled up with me and DD on the sofa. We need to work on separation anxiety but she’s got better even in the short time she’s been here.

Very active family. Lots of time spent outdoors. On school days probably for an hour or so. On weekends anything from 2-all day spent outdoors.

In which case have you looked at cockers? Maybe show over a working? Perfect little dogs for a family and they would have the beans for you as a family.

My dad grew up with pet beagles and so did I. They really are great for families with kids.

Dd and dsil have a cockapoo (age 5)and a 2 year old. They are best buddies though she keeps a close eye on them always .Ddog is very smart and us currently making a good job of training his human friend

We got a Border Terrier when DD was 6, perfect family dog, needs to be socialised with other dogs early on though. Happy to be played with for hours on end or cuddled like a teddy bear, also DD was able to walk her holding her lead without risk of being pulled over.

I was about to say border terrier too!

Or Tibetan terrier (not actually a terrier).

A terrier will go anywhere with you.

Cockapoo, or a Shih Tzu. if you like larger, a Labrador. i have a Miniature Cockapoo now, and he loves deeply, and is very gentle, even for only being one.

Working Labrador.

Labrador or staffie. We had a staffie for 15 years, totally reliable with children and happy to be included in all family activities.
More recently I have had labradors - I love them and once again they are good family dogs - but hard work as puppies!

Second beagles ours was bit hard work at first due to recall , they sniff something and off they go
As you mentioned you like being outdoors and energetic is good
Ours was a lovely dog and very good around our boys when they were young . I really miss him

Staffie every time -excluding unknown origin staffie mix.
I work in a vets and we all love them, very rare to have one show aggression to people , obviously their strength can overpower pretty much anything so lots and lots of socialisation and training needed.
They are loyal and loving and as a patient you know where you stand with one, very rarely unpredictable, they love life and everybody .
Norwich terriers are nice family dogs .
Avoid the 'poos and oodles' but not the poodle, these can be great family dogs.
Working cockers, sprockers both need a lot of exercise and entertainment but some show cockers especially red ones can have behavioural issues- google cocker rage.
I agree with pp's re cairns being good family dogs too.
Can't beat a staffie though !

Our current Cavalier is our third now, and they have all been brilliant. The first two have died now sadly, but our girl lived until 12 and our boy until 10. Our boy did have heart problems but only toward the end and it never stopped him from doing anything for the vast majority of his life.

Our girl also had a heart murmur from a fairly young age but again never held her back and she was very active right to the end.

Our current Cav is brilliant. 5 now and no heart/eye/neurological issues. He’s also super active as we have a Labrador too so he’s dragged miles across muddy countryside and never complains or can’t keep up.

I’m also obsessed with our Labrador but with a 7 year old I’d go for a Cav all day long. Our DD’s were born when our original two were still alive and we got current boy when they were small and they have always got along fantastically.

Why not another staffie? They aren't known as the nanny dog for no reason.

If you want another rescue dog I'd avoid a cavalier tbh. They were my first pick when I realised I needed a smaller, less active dog, but with so many horrendous health problems I would only get one from the best of breeders with proven health testing over generations.

A rescue staffie or terrier is less likely to come up with hidden health problems, and as they are adults you can make sure of their temperament before taking them on. Good luck and enjoy!