Dog breed suggestions

CFC

I'm looking for suggestions for suitable dog breeds.

2 adults in quiet home.
No other animals
Have a garden.
Not bothered about grooming, happy to do it if necessary.
Not a huge dog.
Must not be aggressive breed
Will get 40 mins - 2hr walkies a day, but the object of the dog isn't to give us long, long walkies and runs!
Must not be a noted 'escape artist' type
We've both had dogs before, but not for a long time; I've had a mongrel and a JRT, husband has had a mongrel
We both work, so must be able to tolerate periods of being home alone
Not a notably destructive chewer type.
Must be a 'healthy' breed, not one known for a lot of potential health issues.
Cross breeds are also an option.

After that comes aesthetics, but I could decide on that after having a list of potentials.

OK let's hear those suggestions please!

UKTigerlily

Well, generally a Staffy fits everything you require, however my advice is to got o a Rescue & go for the right personality/character & one that fits everything not a breed as such. People will all suggest breeds that fit, but within the breeds each dog is different, so i'd go on what the Dog is like, for example the breed which came up tops for me was a CKCS, however I ended up with a Staffy & she's perfect & has just qualified as a Pets as Therapy Dog!

Your part about not an aggressive breed is confusing, no breed is aggressive? The dog will be what you make it, take any dog of any breed & you could probably make it aggressive, tho with a Staff it'd be harder than others. It's the owners that make a dog aggressive, no breed is an aggressive breed, unless you meant must not be dog aggressive in which case again, it varies dog to dog, Staffs are known to be dog aggressive but some are perfect with other dogs.

Fire_Fox

How long are the periods at home alone? Are there children in the extended family or are you likely to have children in the future? Are you able to install a dog flap?

foreign_correspondent

I would say an adult dog rather than a pup if you are both working - presuming you are able to go home at lunchtime and let the dog out - a greyhound or whippet may fit the bill!

BitterAndTwisted

Eh, a greyhound or whippet will always fit the bill! It's a concern that both parties are out working full-time: it's not an ideal situation for any dog imo

foreign_correspondent

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Eh, a greyhound or whippet will always fit the bill! It's a concern that both parties are out working full-time: it's not an ideal situation for any dog imo

I agree, but then again, it depends on what the owners can arrange - with a dogwalker, or a mid day run about, many steady dogs would cope and be quite content - but for the wrong dog, eg. a young or lively one, it could be a nightmare!

CFC

TigerLily - thanks for the suggestion, but if Staffies are known to be generally dog aggressive then that's a no no. I want a dog that isn't dog or people aggressive. Of course dogs are individuals, however I dont want to start with one that's got a question mark over it.

Firefox - the periods alone are going to be 4-6 hours 4 days a week. No children at all. Dogflap - never thought of that, didn't know that they existed, it is a possibility.

FC - I think greyhounds may be a little large, whippets; just looked them up in detail, fell in love with the long haired type but I bet I couldn't find one in the UK. Whippets are now on the 'potential' list.

More suggestions please folks

Also would I be better with a dog or Bi*ch, I've only ever had dogs.

Bitter and twisted - thanks for your opinion, but I'm not going to get into the whole 'you shouldn't have a dog if you work outside the home' question. I'm neither independently wealthy, on benefits, or a mum.

Hughesy84

Staffy fits your bill the best.

foreign_correspondent

whats a long haired whippet? Must be a whippety lurcher I think! - just looked, it is a dog type someone has 'invented' recently, rather than a recognised variation I think!

Any breed of dog can be aggressive, to dogs or other humans - individual temprement varies within a breed, and training and treatment also plays a part. Many staffies, for example, are absolutely bombproof!

Have a look at dogsblog:
http://www.dogsblog.com/

You will see you can searh dogs by age, size, breed and criteria - on the bar at the right - a browse on here may be useful!

If you are interested in whippety dogs, the lurcherlink forum is well worth a look - http://www.lurcher.org/llink.html they have all sorts of sighthounds, not just lurchers (a lurcher is a sighthound crossed with any other breed, so they can be small or huge! A whippet crossed with a jack russell is a lurcher, as is a greyhound crossed with a collie!) - they often have some very lovely dogs!

hethmar

Have a look at lurcher rescue.

But a smallish cross terrier may be your best bet. What part of the country are you in?

hethmar

Look at this baby

http://www.dogsblog.com/category/unknown-cross-small-size/