Recommendations for a first family dog breed

[TheShins]

Can anyone recommend a breed for our first family dog? We have two primary school aged children. We both work a mixture of office/at home so there is rarely a day with nobody in the house. We don't like large breeds or very small breeds. We are prepared to walk a dog twice a day. Ideally, we don't want a dog that sheds or has a tendency to bark a lot or pull too much on a lead as our children will want to join in walking the dog. Any ideas from experienced dog owners? Thanks!

“The "Scandinavian terrier" usually refers to the Danish-Swedish Farmdog (Dansk-Svensk Gårdshund). While it looks and acts a lot like a small terrier, it is actually genetically closer to pinschers” I’ve read has good temperament

A whippet

A Labrador and a Robovac. A perfect combination.

I agree with the miniature poodle recommendation. They are fantastic dogs. My children were 5,6 and 8 when we got ours. She died in March when my youngest was 18.

So, @TheShins , what can you offer a dog/ puppy?
I mean how much time do you realistically have for the dog while working and raising your children?
How much do you like poop picking, walking in the dark, or the damp and cold either early in the morning or late at night? How do you feel about taking the dog out when you generally feel unwell- cause the dog still needs to go out.
What when you are busy taking DC here there and everywhere and you can't take the dog with you? Holidays? It's ok taking the dog along, but most attractions won't allow dogs (except guide dogs). Kennel or sitters, budget half as much as you pay for your holiday.

Think carefully, having a dog can be a wonderful experience but it's also a huge commitment.

I would say a border terrier ticks all your boxes. Ours was great with my children . She liked a walk but was also happy lying on the settee. Doesn’t shed much at all.
id avoid the poodle mixes that are popular I know 3 and they are all badly behaved and very nippy.

Another vote for the Border Terrier - mine adores all the neighbours kids, he’s so incredibly gentle, he makes me belly laugh everyday and he’s excellent company - is my literal shadow.

I have a Boston Terrier and a primary school aged child, plus a teenager and a cat. She’s the best thing I have ever spent money on!

I think it depenss on the ages of the kids rather than "primary aged".

getting a dog with three year old - no.

A five year old - also no.

An ten year old might be different. Kids mature at all different paces and I know some nine year olds more mature and sensible than some thirteen year olds!

Breeds - shedding does occur at different rates. I barely notice my poodle shed a thing but i go to my friends house with her corgis and it's a different matter... ✨ corgi glitter everywhere ✨

All dogs pull on the lead unless you teach them not to.

Beware Labradors, while common and suggested upthread, are really ducking strong dogs

Every dog has the potential to be a (loveable) barky little gobshite - it depends on the personality and to a lesser extent training

Consider the size of your car. The best and safest way to transport the dog on your doggy days out and holidays togetger is in a crash tested crate in the boot - an excellent investment. Please get a crash tested one. The bigger the dog, the bigger the space/crate. You'll therefore end up with a roof top box for holidays.

thats enough ramblings for now....

p.s a poodle (a pure one not crossed) is a good first timer dog. They cost £60 every two months at the groomers though or they get painful matting. Miniature (~8kg) and up. Dont go teacup or toy sized.

Agree, I know a few proper miniature poodles and they are lovely.

We acquired two puppies when we had primary-aged children (we got the first one when two of the DC were pre-primary; the time we got the second, everyone was at school).

I won't lie, it was bloody hard work, especially the first puppy. I worked P/T from home, DH was out of the house 12-13 hours a day, and we had no family nearby to call if we needed to go out, or to mind the DC if one was ill and couldn't be left, but the dog(s) still needed walking. Both dogs got plenty of exercise, and though both of them were fabulous with people (including small children) neither was particularly well-trained. Finding the time and the headspace for training was the hardest thing of all.

On the plus side, both of us had grown up with dogs so we had a very clear idea of what we were letting ourselves in for. Two walks a day were non-negotiable, which saw me many times out in the winter dark through snow, sleet, horizontal rain etc.

But it worked. Two dogs had happy lives and our DC grew up into massive dog-lovers. None of the DC ever got bitten, or even came close. You have to keep an eye, teach the DC to respect the dog's space and when they're eating, encourage plenty of positive interactions between the puppy and the DC.

You do have to go into it prepared to build good relationships between the DC and the puppy, and explain to the DC that toys and other possessions left lying around might get chewed and if they do, it's not the puppy's fault. And you have to be sure that you WILL give the puppy enough time, exercise, play etc. We were/are by no means unique in successfully combining young DC and a dog. I only know of one family who gave up on a dog they acquired when they had young DC, and that was an enormous young rescue dog who should never have been rehomed to a family where both the adults had compromised mobility...

As for breed, I think border terriers are a good shout. Just be prepared for a LOT of hard work and some frantic shuffling of schedules to make sure that everyone, including the dog, gets what they need.

Finally @TheHungryHungryLandsharks . We have found something to disagree about!

while I would agree,the bog standard traipse round a village hall style of training is next to useless, tarring us all with that particular brush and writing it off as worthless is a bit much! What might be very obvious to you as an experienced handler is most definitely not what I see in a class environment and with behaviour problem prevention at the core of my classes, the vast majority claim useful help and often return for years, just for fun

@Dunnocantthinkofone I did say most! 😁😂Would certainly never tar you with that brush!

I think the point being made was not specifically that junior age children can’t coexist perfectly happily with a dog. More that a lot of breeders at the top of the ‘welfare first’ scale are ultra fussy (they can be as most have big waiting lists and can pick optimal homes for their pups) and may exclude you. Not because of anything specific about you but the statistical facts that puppies are more often rehomed when children are in the mix. They are trying to lessen the odds of a failed homing as their priority is the puppy’s welfare
Which leaves a conundrum. Tge best breeders with all the health checks will say no. Less scrupulous ones however, will say yes. You carry the associated risk and may well fall unwittingly into the hands of a backyard breeder or puppy farmer

Dogsnet! That made me laugh 😃

I won’t look at my dog as I say this but just not a cocker spaniel or cockapoo- clingy, bitey until they’re older and wayyy too much energy. If you had teens I’d say go for it but not with primary age. Have to add I love my doggy but it’s been tough!

Poodles, Bedlington terriers and schnauzers don’t shed and are all lovely dogs. Border Terriers are also lovely family pets but can shed a lot if you don’t keep on top of their coats. I’d have any of them in a heartbeat.

Having young children and raising a well rounded and confident dog who’s having all their needs met can be a struggle though!

Oh I will add our dog goes ti doggy daycare when we have birthday parties or kids over because 2 are terrified of dogs- will tolerate him a little but I have to have him on a lead the whole time or in another room and then have to keep reminding them not to go into the room. He loves doggy daycare so it’s fine but obviously it’s money and twenty minutes away!

Hmm tough as Lab's are best with kids. I'd avoid oodle mixes (puppy farm issues and they are often not great with other dogs which can cause huge issues on walks, esp if kids are on lead). Don't be tempted because oodles are "hypoallergenic" or whatever, they can be emotional wrecks and need a lot of constant attention.

I would agree Boarder Terrier or possibly mini Schnauzer. If you want something a little less barky (most small dogs and terrier breeds will yap if someone comes to the door or if neighbour is in garden - training will be needed) then maybe a whippet? They are sleepy and do mad zoomies but happy to sleep on the sofa like a greyhound most of the day (just not as big).

Someone told me proudly that they’d done their research into allergies and dogs, so had got a Labradoodle. I asked her why they didn’t just get a poodle? Blank stare. Who has managed to put out this misinformation?

Thank you! 100% what I was saying, but clearly not well enough.

‘Good’ isn’t ’good enough,’ as harsh as that might seem…not for my dogs anyway 😊

I would recommend a poodle. No shedding, they don’t smell and all the ones I have known (and there have been a few) have had lovely temperaments. My preference would be a standard poodle.

Poodles are brilliant all rounders - but so often overlooked and that makes me so sad!

As a lab owner, I actually disagree with this. Labradors are always trotted out as good family pets, but they big, bouncy, strong and take longer to mature than smaller dogs. Plus they’re bites little land sharks as puppies. They also need alot of good training. Theres also two types, and if you get a working type, then you need to add in stimulation as well.

Today I will be taking mine an hours walk this morning, and then play (ie do mental stimulation) at lunch for 30-60 minutes and then he’ll get another walk this morning. He’s four now, so easier, but wasn’t easy for the first year or so.

I think the time is perfect. Kids and dogs love each other and a puppy will be brought up fairly bomb proof in my experience. And ne socialised and get loads of exercise. A dog needs companionship so if you WFH you can let it out or walk it frequently.

No tips on the breed though OP. Ive always had a big dog and a little dog. Nothing in between.