What breed for first dog

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Naryafluffy

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My friend is talking about getting their first dog, just looking for thoughts on what breed they should go for?
They have twins that are aged 7 (boy and a girl) who both love dogs and are quite happy round the ridgebacks, however think ridgeback breed may just be a bit much as a first time dog.
Have thought about a Staffy given the nanny dog status but again as a first dog could be a bit much with the large personalities they have.
They will go to puppy classes and/or training classes and have suggested breed rescue/rehoming.
Whilst I personally would get a dog from dog trust etc I feel with the lack of experience they have they may find a rescue dog with no knowledge of any issues it may have might lead to problems which is why I was thinking of breed rescue where they tend to have been fostered and issues are known.
I've never had a Staffy but going on the basis that it's a terrier how easy are they to train, could a first time dog owner cope or would it lead to an over exuberant (sp?) dog?
 
Staffys are great dogs but aren't known for being easy round other dogs & can need careful socializing so fantastic as they are with kids I wouldn't pick them out as a first dog. Smaller breeds westies are great, brilliant personalities & love kids ime. The few beagles ( not working dog bred) that I know are good family pets too. Golden retrievers & labs are easier breeds if they want a bigger dog rather than say a guarding breed.A lot depends on how much time they have to exercise it. A rescue collie could be great, easy to train but if they don't get plenty of exercise/ stimulation they can be horrors.
 
Honestly? A lab. They can be bouncy when young, but they are easy to train (they should make sure they sign up to a puppy class - not just for training, but also to socialise the dog around other dogs and people). They are generally gentle dogs and kind with children. I personally think they are a good size dog to have as they are not so small that they trip you over:D

They need to make sure that the breeder breeds for temperament - as with any popular breed, they have suffered from unscrupulous breeders bunging any two dogs together. Also, they should be health-tested parents - hips, eyes and elbows should be tested. We knew our old lad would be a good one when we met his mum, and my sister (very little at the time) fell over and sat on her - and she didn't so much as flinch! He was an incredibly kind and tolerant dog - there are many pics of him dressed up, being dragged over homemade agility courses, etc etc.

I would recommend a show type over a working type as a first dog, as the working types need more exercise and stimulation. The show types will be stockier, but they don't actually have to be fat, it's just that people let them get that way!
 
I'd suggest a Corgi but then I would.

They're on the smaller side without having little dog complex, will walk all day every day but equally happy with a day on the sofa. Easy enough to train and socialize. Plus they're cute :p
 
Forget looks and write a list of what you want.
Size, activity level, grooming needed, etc.
Then apply this list to breeds. Obviously if you don't like the looks of a breed cross it off but people choosing for looks is a common reason for dogs in rescue - just ask husky rescues.
Less common breeds are often a safer bet than the ten a penny ones that are more likely to come from commercial breeders.
When you have a shortlist of breeds call up the breed rescues and ask if they know of anyone within reasonable distance so you can meet the breed away from a "selling a cute puppy situation".

The absolute best choice for someone in your position, IMO after 30 years doing rescue, is a retired showdog or, if you want a gundog type a too soft working dog.
Staffies can be brilliant but when children are involved get a hand in rather than an ex stray.
 
An Ex Greyhound.
Many of them just want cuddled and to lie down against a nice fireplace. They don't need ove excercising and generally have no badness. But then again... you have the little dog problem where they will go for them thinking they are rabbits.
Staffy could be a good choice but again... no strays, definatly a child friendly staffy, or a pup.
A wee terrier for the kiddies to walk would be fabulous, but terriers are tempremental(mines is)!

Lab's a great but can often knock children down with there over excitment.
It just totally depends on the family's situation etc, they should get down to an RSPCA find some suitable dogs and they will know what dog is for them ;)
 
Having had lots of different breeds. I can recommend a Wire haired Dachshund. I agree about Greyhounds however they are inclined to chase (and catch) anything that moves, cats, squirrels etc. Generally Staffs hate other dogs. It depends what she wants to take on really. Some shed hair by the bucketful, some want to herd children, some will eat shoes, some stink, some are hyper. So many to choose from.
 
Lintel said:
An Ex Greyhound.
Many of them just want cuddled and to lie down against a nice fireplace. They don't need ove excercising and generally have no badness. But then again... you have the little dog problem where they will go for them thinking they are rabbits.
Staffy could be a good choice but again... no strays, definatly a child friendly staffy, or a pup.
A wee terrier for the kiddies to walk would be fabulous, but terriers are tempremental(mines is)!

Lab's a great but can often knock children down with there over excitment.
It just totally depends on the family's situation etc, they should get down to an RSPCA find some suitable dogs and they will know what dog is for them ;)
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Greyhound was originally put in the mix when discussing with another friend, but was voted out because of not being able to let them off leash, whippet was put in the mix though.

s4sugar said:
Forget looks and write a list of what you want.
Size, activity level, grooming needed, etc.
Then apply this list to breeds. Obviously if you don't like the looks of a breed cross it off but people choosing for looks is a common reason for dogs in rescue - just ask husky rescues.
Less common breeds are often a safer bet than the ten a penny ones that are more likely to come from commercial breeders.
When you have a shortlist of breeds call up the breed rescues and ask if they know of anyone within reasonable distance so you can meet the breed away from a "selling a cute puppy situation".

The absolute best choice for someone in your position, IMO after 30 years doing rescue, is a retired showdog or, if you want a gundog type a too soft working dog.
Staffies can be brilliant but when children are involved get a hand in rather than an ex stray.
Click to expand...

Good idea, know quite a few people that have working gun-dogs. Looks are not important, I was thinking along the lines of what would be easiest to deal with for a first time owner, something that isn't going to take offense over mistakes made, they are quite active with walking etc and are keen on the training classes and probably getting the kids involved with agility/obedience trials. Size not really an issue, but I feel they would prefer a medium/large dog rather than a small dog, although personally because of food bills I would probably be inclined to have them avoid the giant breeds (St Bernards/Bernese etc), but the kids are not phased by the ridgebacks in the slightest when they are haring about on a walk.
Think the problem is i could probably come up with a reason for pretty much every dog breed as to why it's not suitable for a first time owner. Labs were put out there, but the overbreeding of Andrex puppies was off putting, although hadn't considered a gun-dog and will look into this. Spaniels on a different wave length and I feel really need to be working, collie for similar reasons, I did suggest Husky just to see the look on my other friends face (not going to happen I might add), Staffy still swaying over but the intensity of a Staffy is causing concern, Beagles concern over recall, ridgebacks the guarding instinct and aloofness.
Starting to think they should get a goldfish!!!!
 
amymay said:
Rather than a breed, how about a dog that will fit in to your family - a rescue perhaps?
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Agree with this :) It if MUST be a pup (this was the case for me, so not criticising), I think background, parents and a good breeder are more important than a set breed. We got a JRTx as a first dog and although he's not perfect, he's perfect for us :) By the time we got him at 12 weeks he'd been surrounded by kids, cats, dogs, horses, cows, busy family life on a working farm, and was very well adjusted, and at any point I can contact his breeder for advice and support which has been invaluable
 
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