wanting a puppy - what breed?

flower24

We are thinking of getting a puppy, but can't seem to decide on what breed we'd like. We live in a fairly small house so big dogs are out. We have a yard but no garden, would be able to walk it regularly and we have young children! Any recommendations?

elsien

How young are your children? Some places are reluctant to place some of the bouncier breeds with young children because even though they're brilliant with kids temperament wise, if you're having a pup and it's boisterous while you get it trained it can accidentally send kids flying.
Are you definitetely after a pup or would you consider an older dog? Pedigree or mutt? How active is your general lifestyle? Some rescue dogs come with a full history so you can be sure what you're getting, which isn't the case with a pup, and you can get dogs which are still quite young - mutt was 1-2 ish when I got her.
You might be able to narrow it down a bit using this sort of tool if you're sure you want a pedigree puppy.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2102

Although having said that, my preferred breed is a bull terrier and that never comes up as one of the suggestions when I put my info in!

Edit - this one has a bit more info in it.
http://www.purina.co.za/Home/All+About+Dogs/Your+New+Pet+Dog/Choosing+a+Dog/Dog+Breed+Selector.htm

kjmtidea

We have a springer spaniel, he is 11 months old. We also have 4 children who are 9,7,5 and 3. We got our dog 3 months ago and whilst I am sure many wouldn't recommend this breed when you have young children and live in a 3 bed mid terrace with only a small yard, it's working out pretty well!

We live 10 minutes from a massive heath so he goes over there every day for 2 hours off lead. He also has two one hour walks a day. He is so loving and patient with the kids, I would definitely recommend the breed.
When we were researching breeds a couple of years ago, border terriers were top of my list, they seem a good all rounder.

themull1

I had a cavalier king charles years ago, and i also like miniature schnauzers. Would you consider a mongrel puppy maybe?

skysky69

I was thinking maybe cavalier king Charles too, they are great little family dogs. Will love the kids, won't take up much space, love a good walk as much as any big dog.

gettingready

elsien wrote: »

You might be able to narrow it down a bit using this sort of tool if you're sure you want a pedigree puppy.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2102

Although having said that, my preferred breed is a bull terrier and that never comes up as one of the suggestions when I put my info in!

Me too, never had a GS come up with any of those online breed selection tools.. and GS is probably the ONLY dog for me

Caroline_a

I would probably agree with the people who suggested a cross breed, as they are better at dealing with the rough and tumble of a young family, plus they are hardier.

However, please don't go for one of these ridiculously expensive 'designer' cross breeds, which cost a fortune, and are just mongrels! Most of them have stupid names like cockapoo etc, and you will be well and truly ripped off if you pay the sort of money that some of these 'breeders' aka con artists ask for them.

Also, remember that a pup is not a toy for your children - apologies if I appear to be lecturing you! - but any new pup should be treated as a dog, rather than a toy or a baby, and should have proper socialisation and training. What you put in you will get back a thousand fold. He/she will need vaccinating, worming, de-fleaing, and insuring, all of which costs, plus you will need equipment, beds, leads, collars, etc and (ok I admit, I'm a fan) a crate.

Good luck in your search for your pup..... I wouldnt be without mine!

Raksha

I have to speak up in defence of the 'Designer Breeds' - there are many reputable breeders out there who are working to produce a dog who is an ideal family pet - including health checks for all conditions both Labradors and Poodles are prone to. Surely they should be entitled to cover their costs buy charging a realistic price? After all, apart from stud fees, it costs as much to breed and raise a little of cross breeds or mongrels as it does to raise a little of pure breds. Most of todays breeds were bred to do a job of work, few breeds were initially developed to be a family dog.

flower24

I think we probably will get a scruffy little mutt of some sort, I've been through pretty much every breed profile on the Kennel Club website and still can't decide! There's so many pro's and con's to each breed!! My children are 3 and 4.5. Will definitely get doggy insured, vaccinated etc etc. I don't think a rescue would let me adopt a pup because of the childrens ages?

gettingready

Re "designer breeds"

Sorry - pay for someone wanting to experiment?

Caroline_a

Raksha wrote: »

I have to speak up in defence of the 'Designer Breeds' - there are many reputable breeders out there who are working to produce a dog who is an ideal family pet - including health checks for all conditions both Labradors and Poodles are prone to. Surely they should be entitled to cover their costs buy charging a realistic price? After all, apart from stud fees, it costs as much to breed and raise a little of cross breeds or mongrels as it does to raise a little of pure breds. Most of todays breeds were bred to do a job of work, few breeds were initially developed to be a family dog.

I'm not aware of any reputable breeders who are breeding cross-breds. Most of these are for sale on sites such as GumTree where some con merchant's dog has had a litter to the dog next door and thinks that they can make a killing by inventing a cutsey name. I've certainly never seen any advertised with health screen already done to both parents.

The ideal family dog is a trained, socialised dog.

OP - sorry for the hijack