Evening all,

Please be kind. We have been Searching for a dog for 1 yr+. Mainly rescue, but are finding they are not good with children or have the wrong temperament. Our son is 8 and is autistic. The dog will be my pet as much as his but our son is a quiet soil, he won't want a bouncy or yappy dog (his words!). He's intelligent to know there will be some yapping and bouncing (but obviously not looking to get a boxer)

We're finding it impossible to re-home but I worry a puppy could have the wrong temperament.

Can you recommend a breed or an opinion in this situation. He has no siblings so a dog would help us and I'm always at home.

Any breeds (medium or small) you'd recommend

Rescue greyhound or whippet, both gentle breeds & retired racing greyhounds are used to being handled

I have had Puppies with small toddlers and children.

Together they can be a volatile mix, because both can be bouncy and exciteable.

But bringing them up together, has so many plusses.

With a well bred puppy whose parents have been selected for temperament and health you have more of a clean sheet.

Management and training is key, setting rules and boundaries for both.

In my home the rule was no dogs on furniture (that got relaxed by time my youngest was 10), and interaction between the children was low key.

Dogs were not allowed to join in when there was noisy or exciting child play.

I divided the back garden by 4 foot fence and the rear section was child only.

Fortunately canine puppyhood and adolescence is much shorter (2 years) than that for humans.

Generally most small breeds can be put into the bouncy and/or yappy category.

I'd generally in your situation avoid the more reactive breeds like Terriers and Herding breeds (though there are exceptions).

Guarding breeds are perhaps not best for first time inexperienced dog owners.

As broad groups Gundog and Hound breeds are generally Good natured.

The Utility group has very varied breeds, some may be suitable.

I personally would go for medium to large breed.

Now you need to think of traits both mental and physical of must have, must not have, and what you can accept.

For example physically I prefer a coated breed, not smooth but not long coated either.

I like clean heads (no jowls or slobber), prick ears, and normal skull to muzzle ratio (no flat faces) and dark eyes.

I like a dog at the shoulder to be above adult knee height, around 20kg adult weight, so that I can lift if needed.

Then there are the very important mental characteristics.

Original breed purpose will give you an idea of strongest mental traits and instincts, so training can be taylored to accentuate or temper these.

if you do decide to consider a rescue greyhounds the rescues will encourage you to come and meet the dogs and even take tthem on  ashort walk . This would mean your son could be involved and meet the breed and maybe your future dog. Greyhounds arnt all big dogs either

I was going to say Whippet if they don't mind smoith coat and sighthound shape.

My sister is also autistic she an adult though but she had the same requirements wanted a quiet , calm dog. We have chosen the Labrador and we recently joined 2 lab facebook groups and every awnser was there quiet. A few recommended due to her autism we look at rehoming an older dog so we can find the right lab for her.

I'd suggest a Lab or Golden or as others have said a Greyhound.

I'd also suggest looking at large instead of small as nen gets anxious around small dogs barking compared to a large dog barking

retired greyhound.  Calm loving dogs who know how to walk sensibly on a lead and as you will be meeting a young adult you can see whether the dog and your boy gel temperament wise.  and have advantage of availability, sadly there are always greyhounds entering rescue as their racing days are over.    sleep 23 hours a day , love their home comforts but up for a decent walk when you are.  also although largish they curl into a remarkably small ball!

whippet,, mm I have one and she can be a little nutter zooming all over the place.  maybe a little too lively?

Labrador everytime.  There's a reason they are the UK's most popular Breed.  Beautiful dogs who tick all the boxes.  They don't have to be 'winners' at anything in particular just be the lovely characters they are loved for!  Biased - soz!

Agree it's the breed I'd choose for my daughter and son in law, as it will suit them well, but not for me, it's very individual.

Brainless:  > it's very individual. <img class="fsm fsm_lol" src="/images/epx.png" title="lol" alt="" />

Very true.  So what draws you to the Silkens?  Not a breed I am familiar with.

I like the Silkens, but I am a Spitz girl.

I like the Primitive canine template physically not too far removed from the basic wild canine template.

I also like my breeds self reliant but sociable nature.

As a  divorced parent of 2 pre schoolers the Norwegian Elkhound was the perfect match, and a better fit compared to my first dog of a herding breed which was too needy and sensitive to be ideal for my busy family and time constraints, even though I managed her needs well.

I like a friend rather than a servant. I can't handle dogs that are looking for high levels of owner input, so more independent mindset with an 'off switch' suits me well, can take as much excersise as I like, but happy with quick half hour on occasion.

I no longer have young children (hoping for Grandkids, if only my 33 year old daughter would oblige), and my son would be 30 in March had he not died nearly 8 years ago.

When I lost my 5 year old bitch last year, I did consider looking at changing breeds, but despite liking and knowing lots of breeds, after 29 years with the breed, can't imagine living without them.

I have two severely autistic grandsons. My Flat Coated Retriever was brilliant with them.