Dog Breed suggestions for family

[Llewellyn]

We currently have a working cocker who is 10 (don't tell her she is not growing old gracefully) and we are looking at getting a puppy in the next year while she is still young enough to keep up. I was given her six years ago by someone who'd lost patience with her so didn't have a 'choice' of breed.
We have young children 7, 6, 3 and 1 (hence won't be considered by any rescues) who all love dogs and are comfortable around all sizes (up to GSD and golden retriever they've not met bigger) we live in the countryside so lots of long walks on the doorstep, secure large-ish garden. Done agility and running with Pip so will probably look at doing similar in the future. I'm very fortunate I don't have to work so apart from the odd two hours for playgroups etc it won't be left alone.

Any suggestions for a breed that can keep up with energetic family, is tolerant, enjoys long walks. At the moment I'm probably going to stick to what I know and get another off her rocker cocker! But don't want to not consider a breed because of ignorance. (Been on the KC website to see what they suggest and after doing the quiz it's basically anything!)

Thanks in advance.

 

[TGM]

Whippet! Although energetic they usually have an off switch, unlike most cockers. Less hair too.

 

[Maesfen]

Border Terrier or lurcher!

 

[satinbaze]

Come to crufts in march and "do" discover dogs, meet the dogs and breeders to see what would suit

 

[Leo Walker]

Whippet! Although energetic they usually have an off switch, unlike most cockers. Less hair too.

You beat me too it :lol:

I've got two and I'll never be without one again. Best dogs in all the world! Mine will run the fells for 5 hours but be equally happy with 20mins of zoomies in the park. Mine love other dogs and people. They genuinely want to be with you and are very, very loving. They are incredibly sunny natured, confident little dogs. I can take them anywhere to do anything with them.

Mine are full of personality and a pair of complete clowns!

They love to play and make horrifically violent sounds but are actually very gentle with each other

They really do like to be comfortable though!

 

[Llewellyn]

Saw 'discover dogs' mentioned in another post - looks good. Pretty sure it'll win votes from the children! I hear the dog hair issue although my cocker isn't as bad as my ex husbands two GSD's, you literally open the door and see a swirl of hair.
Do whippets not suffer with cold? They look very 'fair weather' compared to pip in her untamed winter locks.

 

[Apercrumbie]

I'm a very biased cocker fan - they are such great, fun family dogs and very snuggly. However, would a larger terrier also fit the bill?

 

[Sprout]

Discover dogs would be very helpful - when my girls were young, we had a Golden Retriever and she was just AMAZING - patient, gentle, hapoy to walk all day, play in the garden, or just curl up and watch tv, a true family dog. Good Luck in your search.

 

[Leo Walker]

Do whippets not suffer with cold? They look very 'fair weather' compared to pip in her untamed winter locks.

Mine dont, they do like to sleep under a blanket but neither wears a coat for walking etc. I think a lot do wear fleece jackets in the house and waterproof coats for walking though.

 

[madlady]

What about a Border Collie?

I have one I got a couple of years ago who is a bit ASBO - she was farm raised and a working dog so hasn't been socialised. My brother however has 2, he's had them both from 8 weeks old and they have been brilliant with the kids. Yes very energetic but would easily take to agility or flyball.

I've found them to be very loving - even my special girl loves nothing better than a cuddle and a tummy rub.

 

[Dowjones]

For a family dog with young children I don't think you can go wrong with a golden retriever! Patient, loyal, fun and cuddly, easily trained and great for games of fetch or agility etc.

 

[lizziebell]

Don't rule out ALL rescues. Most of them do stipulate age restrictions of children, if you speak to them, there are often exceptions to the policy depending on the individual dog being rehomed.

I would also recommend discover dogs or/and the discover area at crufts - although everybody thinks their breed is the best so you might get just as confused!

 

[Clodagh]

LOL! I wondered how long before the whippet Taliban popped up. It was the first suggestion! They always look so cold and miserable when out, it wouldn't do me. I would also worry that a small child being rough might be too much for them.
We all tend to suggest our own breeds, so I always say labrador is the ultimate all round family dog. Easy too. Not so trainable but great fun little dogs, and less hair than a lab would be a border terrier. Lovely dogs.
Am off now before the whippet defence league arrive!

 

[Llewellyn]

I always thought (probably hideous stereotype) that labs were incredibly greedy. A lot of food ends up on the floor here! Would be worried that I'd end up with an embarrassingly rotund lab.

 

[Leo Walker]

LOL! I wondered how long before the whippet Taliban popped up.

I'm not sure if you were being deliberately offensive or your just coming across wrong. I'll assume the latter! I could post a thousand pics of mine doing all sorts and absolutely not looking cold and miserable. Maybe the reason they were suggested is that those of us who have them find them utterly charming and ideal family dogs.

On the other hand the vast majority of labs I meet are fat, rude and greedy and would knock a small child flying. I'm sure they arent all like that though!

My aunt always had Border Terriers when I was a child/teenager and I thought they were lovely. Really friendly happy little dogs. But she lived on a farm and they had a job to do as ratters. Not sure what they are like as just pets. I havent actually seen one for a very long time, not sure if thats because they dont make good house pets or if they just arent popular round here?!

 

[Mahoganybay]

Would second and third a Golden Retriever if you can put up with the moulting. We had our lovely girl for 16 years, got her when my daughter was 4 years old. She was super soft, friendly, gentle. However, you have to be careful to build up their walks in the early years to protect their joints for the later years.

I currently have a Cockapoo, I know there not a 'breed', I know not everyone will agree with the cross, but he is absolutely adorable, playful, friendly, intelligent, loving and will run/walk for miles.

 

[Clodagh]

I always thought (probably hideous stereotype) that labs were incredibly greedy. A lot of food ends up on the floor here! Would be worried that I'd end up with an embarrassingly rotund lab.

One of ours is, one isn't. You would have a very clean floor!

 

[Roxylola]

My small springer gets on well with my beagle. Mine is basically a slightly shorter stockier version of the whippets that have already been described. She doesn't like cold and wet too much but she will still happily go out in it, she just likes being cosy! They are the most cuddly loving dogs and mine certainly is far easier to keep clean than the springer with her little dainty feet compared with spaniel thunder paws

 

[TGM]

I would also worry that a small child being rough might be too much for them.

I think anyone who allows a small child to be rough with ANY dog regardless of breed, shouldn't be allowed a dog at all!

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

I've always loved staffies for family dogs but not sure they'd appreciate the long long walks..
Sorry to jump on your thread OP but whippet people...do they need walking a lot?

 

[galaxy]

Do you do agility for fun or are you competitive? Some breeds are generally better and faster than others.... but any dog can do it for fun!

 

[Leo Walker]

I've always loved staffies for family dogs but not sure they'd appreciate the long long walks..
Sorry to jump on your thread OP but whippet people...do they need walking a lot?

No, when I was mega fit I used to fell walk mine 50 or 60 miles a week and they would come back full of running, but that was extreme and on rest days they were settled and quiet. Mine will go jogging for 5k with my OH, and do a couple of hours in the park, but equally be happy with 20mins of zoomies. They do need to be allowed off lead to run though. They are 40mph couch potatoes!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Another vote for Labs. We always had labs when we were throwing up - they are usually brilliant with children. Then I've had them as an adult, also had JRTs, BC and now Forties, none of which I would recommend as family dogs, although actually the BC came from a home with a s all boy and had been fine.
If labs are hoovering up too much, just adjust what you give them at mealtime, they don't have to be fat!

 

[Peter7917]

I have a whippet and other sight hounds but am not sure I would recommend them for a family with young children. I guess it depends how gentle the children are but as a rule they don't like rough handling, I'm sure mine would be offended by a toddler being clumsy with her.

A border collie would be a nice choice. Mine is fantastic with children even though she has never lived with any, will take all the exercise she can get and is tonnes of fun.

 

[PorkChop]

We have springers and a Rottie.

The Rottie is a proper family dog, very trainable, loves children. Would be a bit of a porker if I wasn't careful, but very athletic, and a short coat which is great.

I wouldn't say a springer is the best family dog tbh. I do love a cocker as well, tbh there are sooo many breeds that would fit in with your lifestyle.

Good luck choosing and look forward to pictures

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Stupid auto correct! We were growing up not throwing up!
Our Rotties are fabulous dogs and love children but are very boisterous and clumsy, so I wouldn't recommend them for a young family.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Border all the way for me, fun and friendly little dogs.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

If you're not keen on the shedding and like agility, how about a poodle? I'm very partial to an apricot standard. Depends on if you can be bothered with the grooming.

Make a list of what you want: size, coat type, what you want the dog to do, it might narrow it down for you. Tricky when you have free choice.

 

[CrazyMare]

My greyhound adores children and looks utterly blissed out with a child wrapped around her neck fussing her ears!!

Sighthound rescues tend to be pretty good about children too.

 

[ponyparty]

Manchester Terriers are cracking little dogs - I have one and he's amazing. Great at agility, versatile, VERY intelligent, will run for hours or just have a 30 min mooch in the park and cuddle back up on the sofa. They are not the easiest breed though, I'm not gonna lie! Good if you like quirky, shall we say...

My next dog is going to be a Hovawart (although this won't be for a few years! Nothing like planning ahead though...) . Look em up, they are gorgeous, great family dogs, and sound like they'd be suited to your house/garden/lifestyle. I've just joined the Hovawarts UK Facebook group, to get more of a feel for the breed, their temperament, potential health problems, behavioural issues etc (not saying they have these, just want to find out as much as poss before diving into getting one). I'd suggest doing similar for whatever breed takes your fancy - just lurk on the breed Facebook group, you find out so much information it's brilliant!