I have decided to get a dog for me and my family - (husband and 2 children).  Don't want anything too big.  What's best - a pedigree or a cross breed?  Any ideas?

Its really up to you :) No one can make that decision for you :)

If you buy a well bred thoroughbred dog from health tested parents you will know what it will be like when adult, if you buy a cross breed from health tested parents you will know it has a good chance of being healthy in that it will not suffer from known hereditary problems but you will have to guess which parent the pup will take after, if you buy any cross breed with no tests and no background info you will have to take a chance on what you will get and if it will be healthy, with the added problem that you will not know should the dog be taken ill if the problem has occurred in the pups ancestry as it is unlikely that anyone will know what that is.

But as has been stated you are the ones who are paying the money and it is up to you to decide where you spend it, like most things the more research you do the better deal you will get.

As the others have said it depends on what you want I had a rescued mongrel for many lovely years & at the same time I'v had pedigree dogs as well; I never regret having any of them, but if I was to chose I prefer pedigree dogs

It isa personal choice at the end of the day

I would never buy a deliberately bred X breed tho' my mongrel sort of chose me :D she must have known I'm a soft touch ;)

Also with cross or rescue dog you don't always know the temperament and like jackie said the dogs heath. If I was you and if I had children who were young then I be more likely to get a pedigree dog because you can be nearly 100% certain of what sort of temperament it has got weather it be good or bad. No dog particularly pedigree should have problems with its temperament and if a pedigree dog does then it is the fault of the breeder for breeding two dogs with problem resulting in problem puppies.
But then on the other hand rescue dog can make the most wonderful, loving, gentle pets and you could give it the best life till the end. Talk to people visit dog's homes, go to crufts at the NEC in Birmingham next year or discover dogs this November at earl's court and talk to people there. You might find a breed that is perfect for you. But I is really what you think would suit your family. Why not join this website, is free and really easy to do. And then you can ask people for advice and ask about different breeds that you may like. I wish you and your family the best of luck and hope to see you join here so you can tell us how you are getting on with you dog.

Good luck :)

sarah xxxxx

   You can never be certain that any dog will have a good temperment I have had both crosses and pedigree dogs. and the only one I ever had that didnt have a prefect temperment was a pedigree and I wouldnt say that the breeder was at fault either as my dog was the only one from the litter with a problem. I know of people with crosses that have had problems. I think alot has to do with the way the pup is raised not if its a x or pedigree.I now have both and they are all brilliant. so go with what you like

Think if you buy an adult cross then that is fine but if you buy a pup you will not know what it will be like as an adult. If you buy a thoroughbred with care you will not only know what it will be like physically as an adult but you will know the normal bred temperament and the usual attitude of the breed toward things like other dogs and children, you will know if it is likely to be a guarding dog or a laid back type. Of course, there are odd dogs that do not conform to type neither in conformation nor character and that is just one of those things but with care on the purchasers part that can be cut to the minimum.

It is a case of deciding what sort of dog you want what will fit in with your family life and how much grooming and exercise you will be able to manage not just now but in 10 years time. It is also worth considering if you are house proud get a dog that will not slobber and if you love your garden either fence an area the dog can't get too or try to find a breed that only does the minimum amount of digging. IMO all this is easier to ascertain with a thoroughbred dog than a cross breed but what ever you choose do look at the expected traits and the 'normal' temperament type, if it is a cross breed you will need t do it twice and hope the crossing does not interfere with what is breed type for the two breeds.