Wondering what breed you'd recommend for my situation

We already have a labrador who is 4 years old, sociable, playful, loves other dogs especially big ones. We have 3 children the youngest is only 2. We also have 3 cats. We have a large back garden that has 6 ft fencing and we live near woods. Children want a dog that is small enough that they could manage on the lead (with me too of course, but them holding it) - oldest child is 10. We want a dog that will hopefully love the water as we spend a lot of time at the beach etc. We'd like a dog that is playful without being manic. Any suggestions?

Hi,
The Kennel Club is holding it's annual Discover Dogs exhibition at Earls Court shortly. You can find details on the Kennel Club web site, www.the-kennel-club.org At this event there are breeders and owners of all manner of breeds, whose experience and knowledge would help you to make the right choice for your family. The other good thing about Discover Dogs is that there are dogs there that you can see for yourself, so you can see if the breed you like is going to need a lot of grooming or not, whether it is suitable for a family which likes to spend a lot of time on the beach and playing with the children.

Im agreeing with polly on this one.

Discover dogs is excellent if you can make it, they have every breed there and experianced owners to talk to about the breed. Also the kids will love it to be able to fuss all the dogs.

I have friends and family who we have said to look at DD and see what they like and if it will be sutiable.

It is on the 22nd/23rd of november.

I would advise if you do decide to go then get there early!!! (london traffic, extra traffic and parking reasons!!!!!)

Id same the same, Disocver dogs is well worth a visit, if i were to pick some for you maybe something like a Clumber spaniel, Portugese water dog, a Cavalier, a dalmation or possibly a Staffordshire Bull Terrier because all these dogs are good with children and other pets including the staffie aslong as its brought up form puppyhood with other dogs. Their easy enough to manage and enjoy the water, like walks etc.

Discover Dogs sounds good but we aren't anywhere near London. Do you have to buy tickets in advance or can you buy them on the day? Perhaps we'll have a day out - it does sound like a good idea to meet so many breeds at once. Thanks. I'll check out the breeds you've mentioned too - my husband likes cavaliers but I'm not sure they'd be energetic and playful enough. Husband doesn't want us to have any kind of bull terrier. I've read about them and know that they are supposed to be friendly & loyal but he isn't convinced about their temperament with other dogs and cats, squirrels etc. Will check out the others. Thank you :)

Look here http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk & click on Discover Dogs. DD is also held at NEC during Crufts in March - but you probably don't want to wait that long.

Have you thought about a springer spaniel??? Thery would match all of your criteria But try and meet some first as they are very lively possibly to lively??? Just a suggestion but i am biast..

Brinny

I have an Irish Wolfhound that's wonderful with kids, but you were looking for something smaller than that, weren't you <G>. But I also own an Icelandic Sheepdog, they are exeptionally good with children, rather smallish, usually 40-46 cm and 10-15 kg. They are very playful, with a happy disposition, usually very easy to manage and generally also a very healthy breed and often live up to 15 years or more. More info here if interested: http://www.islandshunden.dk/english/index_uk.htm and http://www.icelanddog.org/

The downside is that it's a rare breed, so you would probably have to import if you're in the UK. But it's easy to get one in Scandinavia and of course in it's country of origin, Iceland.

Well I am entirely biased, but I think my breed "The Norwegian Elkhound" is an excellent family dog for the right family. Have a look on this website as there are great informatiohn pages http://hometown.aol.com/brelkclub

They are not a very common breed with only between 100 - 150 bred a year, but breeders who belong to the breed club work to a code of ethics (also available on the website), and offer lifelong support.

Cavaliers basically suit you, as you mentioned your worried a Cav may not be playful and energetic enough you couldnt be more wrong, Cavs love fun and are willing to play all day, their perfectly willing to walk for miles by your side or just curl up to you round the fire. I can understand your husbands worries about getting a Bull breed because their is that fear of them not liking your pets but i assure you if you were to get a pup their would be no problem aslong as your firm with the dog and socalise it well.

I agree totally with Bullboy :)
Cavaliers are lovely natured dogs, small enough for the children to handle (supervised obviously). Just the right size for your 2 year old to cuddle. Bags of energy for the beach. Adaptable. Friendly. Lots of character. What more could you want in a dog. I think Cavaliers make wonderful family dogs. & they look pretty cute too.

You could go to your local resue and have a chat with them. If you aren't wanting a rescue dog you could just say you'll have a careful think and get back to them. :)

This site has info on different breeds and a breed selector questionaire to help find out what's suitable for you. I've just tried it and it came up with lots of breeds including Springer which is what I've got! A typical breed description page gives a photo, description, height, weight, health problems, living conditions etc, etc.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/

Kath.

If it's a family pet you are after then I'd def say check out the rescue centres they have some amazing young dogs that would be ideal.

For kids I don't think you can beat a staffi but if hubby isn't sure then any of the spaniels are 'bouncy' dogs - but thinkk about grooming required for a certain breeds.

Hi Topsy, check out the nova scotia duck tolling retrievers (tollers) at discover dogs. Sturdy enough to play with a lab, managable for children on a lead, with training of course, never tire of games and retrieving and absolutely water crazy! The drawback is that they are difficult to get hold of.

I would suggest a westie, i know a number of them that live alongside Labs very happily. Its probably because they think they are 10 feet tall and are bigger than the lab, god knows! Westies, in my experience are very tolerable of children and get along fine with toddlers. Two gundogs together with children about isn't clever. They are too bouncy and boistrous. A small breed would be much better for you!

I don't think a westie would be able to cope with our lab. Our lab loves to play tug of war games and I'd like our next dog to be able to play this with her, but I don't think a westie would be strong enough.

Westies are very hardy little guys! Don't underestimate them because they are vertically challenged!!!!! My mum's westie gives the neighbouring Flatcoat retriever a good run for his money, they play tug o war, chase, try to bowl each other over they have so much fun! Westies need a good rough and tumble and smaller breeds can't give them this, gundogs are their perfect match!!!!

I've just been reading up on them as I didn't know much about them at all before. Do you work yours or have it just as a pet? I wonder if nromal family life would be enough stimulation for one - plenty of walks and runs etc. but no working as such. They look lovely and I like the sound of most of the characteristics.

Hiya
This seems to be the most accurate of the breed selectors out there, it gives you an idea of what you might want to consider but don't go for a dog just because it selects it. :-)
http://www.waltham.com/dogs/select_a_dog.html

I'm impressed! Usually when I ask for a small long coated dog I get a Border Collie! However I got Bichon as my first choice with Mini Poodle second, not bad!

Jesse

This is a good one - we got GSD, Weim and GSP in the first 3 and Viszla in 5th place, just our kind of dogs.:)

I have tried loads of these and I have never even come close to my own breed. I suspect that it isn't even in their database :)

I did it and labrador was what came out first - funny as that's what we've already got. It also mentioned a few others that I'll look for more information on. Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I'll let you know when we decide although it will probably be a while - we're going to try and go to the meet dogs day as well.

Well I'm going to have to say that the best dog ever is a Samoyed. Yes, they can be slightly manic but they are the most friendliest dogs ever!! Our one is 4 and she is such a sweetie. They are very playful breeds and they love all over dogs. We also have 2 cats and she just licks their ears! She adores children and they can do ANYTHING to her and she just lies there. Just be firm with them as a puppy, teach them not to jump up, snatch treats from your hand and you'll never want another breed. I taught my Sam 'gentle' when she takes treats from anyone and she just takes them ever so slowly!! Most Sam owners will tell you the same thing.

Charlene

Have to say that ones no good for me, doesn't even have Spanish Water Dogs on the site!! Spanish Water Dogs are a good breed as long as you socialise them with people from an early age. They love swimming and once old enough can walk for miles, they also love to play tug of war.

Good luck in your search but if you can make it Discover Dogs is brilliant I'll be there on the Saturday and Sunday.