After many 20 years of owning large breeds and losing our Bullmastiff in september,we are considering a smaller dog as an addition to our family.We are looking for a dog that is good with childern as we have 5 children ranging from 15 years to 20 months.We're quite a busy household (read noisy lol) so need a breed that doesn't have a tendency towards nervousness.Also a dog that doesn't take 2 strong adults to lift it into the bath and isn't tall enough to take a sly taste of my dinner when my back is turned lol.We live near the coast and countryside have a large garden and can spend around 2 hours a day walking a dog.It would be the only dog in the house but we do have 4 cats,there is somebody at home all day except for the school runs and the odd hour here and there.
We've been doing a bit of research and so far Cavalier King Charles is top of our list, the only reservation i have is that it's so small in comparison to our previous dog,although that is what i'm looking for (i know sounds silly).Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

What I would suggest is a Boston terrier. Not too fragile and small and yet small enough to go everywhere with you. It really is a large dog in a small body (to me it looks like a small Boxer). It's not too far from Bullmastiff look either. Same cute face with big eyes :) . They love kids and are not nervous at all. They get along with dogs, cats and other animals. In fact I'd get 2 of them....... twice the fun! :)

cavalier is a great choice......top of my list anyday :)

Two things you need to consider with cavaliers: 1. A puppy will be very small and a 20 month old child may find it hard to understand they are not to pick the puppy up and can't be too rough with it. 2. They do have a lot of health issues sadly. Other than that, you can't go far wrong with a cavalier as they are great family dogs, can take a lot of exercise or little, whichever suits, are easy to train, and tend to love all people and all animals.

If you were to take a step down from your previous dog but not go as small as a cavalier, I'd say a Golden Retriever. :) I have both these breeds and have had extremely good experiences of them with both kids and cats.

What about a Boxer?  Not so different in type to a Bullmastiff, short coat, slightly slobberry but quite a bit smaller and woudl thriove in a busy household with the family around all the time.

I know I'm biased, but how about a shar-pei? They are surprisingly good family dogs and are great with kids and other animals if well socialized as a puppy (shouldn't be a problem with all your children). As long as you buy from a reputable breeder, the health usually isn't a concern and they need minimal grooming to stay in tip top shape. They will accept as much or as little exercise as you're willing to give as long as they are with their family. The only downside is they are seriously addictive. ;)

I'd go with the Cavalier, though I agree you have to be a bit careful with the younger children - and indeed with the older ones that might be rushing around at speed. They're not the best at getting out of the way, at least mine aren't! But they are utterly friendly and affectionate and will love you all forever! :-)

how about a border terrier,our's is 6 months old and a fantasic companion,great with the kids,they are loving gentle and loyal breed,they can be totally devoted to their owners but they don't like been left on their own for too long.
they are very intelligent and easy to train.they are very placid and happy to watch the world go by.
as a rule they travel in a car very well and are happy to tag along with there owner.

i have a cavalier who is 9 months and one who is 8 weeks and my 2 boys are great with them they are 2 and 5 if you can show them that they have to be gentle then cavaliers are great pets, they are very friendly and easy to train, i have had my puppy for 1 day and she already knows her name and is starting to let us know when she wants to go out.

My girl learned her name that quickly too, she's very bright - specially compared with my other boy who took a year to notice the window was interesting to look out of!! American cockers are also good - a bit more robust than Cavs, and perhaps better able to cope with rough and tumbles, but also very cuddly. Both breeds need a quick brush every day or two though or they will get knots under the legs and behind the ears.

We have 2 cavs and their fantastic. We don't have children but our cousin has 2 children, 3 cavs and a st bernard! Slightly hectic house but the cavs thrive in it. One of mine just thinks that everyone and every animal was put on the earth just for her! She does this bum shaking dance when we meet people.

I bet the Cavs beat up the St Bernard! :-D

Thank you for all the replies.We still think a Cav may be the breed for us but will consider the points raised.With regard to my 20 month not understanding the puppy needs careful handling,i think we would be ok on that point as we currently have a litter of kittens from a cat that we rescued and he has been taught not to pick them up and to treat them gently,my mum also has a yorkie pup and a jrt so he is used to smaller dogs.A Boxer or Goldie are bigger than we are looking for really,but thanks for the suggestions

A family friend has a cav and we are going to dogsit a few times and see how we get on.If all goes ok we will look into the health problems more thoroughly and then start looking for a breeder,i think that'll be the scary bit it seems quite a minefield out there!

Hi Jonty :)

You will find plenty of info here on breeders/clubs etc.

Good Luck with your search

Ali
:)

Good choice Jonty! Just make sure the parents are heart and eye tested clear, and the grandparents, and that ideally they have been tested unaffected for SM, though this is nearly impossible it's so widespread! But my boy is 3 1/2 and has no symptoms, so hopefully your puppy will be ok if you get one.

I have owned Cavaliers and they make wonderful pets, lovely dogs but why not consider a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they are smallish, fantastic with kids, probably the best off all dogs with kids and theyre from the same sort of bunch your used to, Bullmastiffs etc, a staffie is just a small bull breed, truly wonderful pets, i have one and im totally hooked on the breed now, i think you should serioulsy look at the SBT!!

I still vote for Boston Terrier :) . They really are a conviniently packaged "big" dog and great with kids. Easy to travel with and not fragile at all..... and sooooo cute!!

I would suggest looking into a Sheltie.  They are small, but not fragile; they're quite hardy and like to rough and tumble.  They can be reserved with strangers, but I have never seen one who would be called "nervous" with it's own family.  Shelties love their family, they're incredibly intelligent, and are beautiful on top of it!  They do require grooming, but nothing that an average person can't do well (no professional grooming).  Also, they can be barky if left outside, but mine are inside dogs and I've never had any big problems with their barking.  Cavalier's are also a good choice.  But my heart is with Shelties!

Thanks for the suggestions we've had a Staffie before and while she was a great dog she was dog aggressive despite being really well socialised from a tiny pup.My 8 year old wants to enter the local fun dogs shows,which she wouldn't be able to do if we had another dog aggressive Staff.
I also like shelties but my younger brother was badly bitten by ours as a child and he was rehomed,which puts me off.

I'd just add a word of praise for shelties. There was a time when there was a lot  of nervousness in the breed (maybe why your brother was bitten?) but it seems to be sorted out now. As Raven said shelties can be reserved with strangers, but that is different and within the Breed Standard. The ones I have had never read the Standard and love everyone. :) They are great little dogs that can take rough and tumble and loads of exercise but enjoy a cuddle just as much. A sheltie would be perfect for your 8yo to enter in fun shows, or even Junior handling should she catch the bug, because they are so easy to train.

Stick with Cavs! :-D