Hi, my name is Stacey and I have just joined this forum in the hope of getting some advice regarding dog breeds.

In our house, there are myself, my partner, and 4 children aged 11, two 7 year olds, and a 1 year old. We also have an amazon parrot.

We have decided that spring would be a good time to get a dog to join our family as we then have fairly ok weather to get outside as much as possible with our new dog for training, and lots of walks, before the children break up for the summer holidays. It just gives me maximum time whilst the children are at school for training and getting to the know the dog one to one without the kids wanting to play and come out for walks in the day time.

We also would like this time to do as much research as possible into what breeds would suit our family. We would love to rehome a dog needing a new home however we havnt discounted getting a puppy, it depends whether they are any dogs that suit us and that we suit them when we are ready to get a dog.

I have had a springer spaniel before and my partner has had various breeds before. All apart from his labrador, were working dogs so we cant really go off those as they werent family pets.

The one condition my partner has set is that the dog must not be too large. With 4 kids and the parrot we havnt got the room for a large dog, along with a large bed, and have to take into account we have a 1 year old who will be toddling around liable to get knocked over by a bigger dog.

I so far, have 3 breeds in mind but am soooo open to ideas of what ppl think would suit our family.

Springer spaniel (bouncy and mad i know but we are a lively household and relish long walks out - plus I have had a springer in the past)

Sprocker spaniel (I am unsure how much of the springer they have in them but love the fact that they have the personality of the dogs i love but are slightly smaller in size)

Border terrier (these would be a fantastic size for having with the kids, but I have read they are not good to have with other small pets inc birds as the hunting instinct can come out and i cant have a dog trying purposely to attack my parrot. They wouldnt be out alone together whatever dog we get but I dont want one that goes out of the way to attack her.)

Any help suggestions advice most welcome.

Hi and welcome xx

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Hiya and welcome

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ONY

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Some People Are Like Slinkies - Not Really Good For Anything But They Bring A Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs.

Hi

the border terrier is a fantastic little dog, and yes they do like to hunt and chace furry things like rabbits it's in there insticts. they are a fabalous family pet as they are good with children as long a kids respect the dog, no pulling of ears etc and teasing the dog (which is the same with any kind of dog). My 2 get on great with our cat, Meg the youngest border i have at 18 months is forever trying to play with her, the cat is very tolerent of this. but we also have a few stray cats that live in the farm barn, she is not so good with them and will chace them if given the chance. Ours have never met any birds so can't coment on that, but i'm sure if you got a puppy it would learn to respect the parret as it would grow up with it.

borders are great for active people as they love plenty of exercise and games, to keep them amused, and they love lots of cuddles and being curled up by you on the sofa.

good luck in your choice of family pet, they are also a nice size to have in the house

Get A Poodle Great Family Dog Loves Walks And Everybody Very Energetic And They Don't Shed Hair What More Could You Want Lol

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Have had one many years ago. Really good with children, easy to train and easy to look after, I never had any problems with my Holly, and we had a Cockatiel flying around, she never tried to chase it. Mine didnt but other may ???????? Easy to groom aswell.
Bicheon Friese.
Shih Tzu........ I have one now called Suki-sue we had her from a puppy and she is now 8 and half. She is a wonderful dog sooooooo loveing and easy to look after, she gets groomed into a teddy cut twice a year and that is all, they do moult but not alot at all.
cocker Spanels are good too.
Poodles are really good with children and loveable to familys.

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I love the border terrier as well there great all round family dogs as long as there respected by the childern of course. Also a nice size for your eldest to get involved in lead training under your super vision as there not to strong for a older kid. My mates can moult a bit though. But there only down side is the prey drive sometimes with chasing as as all terriers its in the breed. I also love the cocker and have one of nearlly 9 now hes always been fab with children as i was a registered child minder for 4 years and he was great although they need a fair bit of exercise and can require a bit of grooming. I use to hand strip mine but he had so much hair and its so thick he now goes to a lovely grooming lady of which he adores. There a very family type dog although he doesnt always like being left at home. {the same as any breed }. They are meant to grow gracefull with age and that hes doing as a pup he was fun , naughty, into mischeif, dig holes in my garden and be attacted to my trouser leg. Traning classes would be of benefit. Although mine is good off lead loves the water and enjoys a snuggle with me of a eve. Good luck with whatever you decide. x

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Oscar babii