If you don' have any outside space for a dog, and can only commit to two 20 minute walks a day, I don't think you should get a dog.

see i've never had a dog, so im not sure as to how often/long a dog should be walked for. have you any pointers?

LOL ! Whatever you decide I hope that you are succesful and find a lovely little friend to share your family home with....i have 4 and wouldn't be without them !

aw thanks! as i've said before though, if we dont find a dog that suits our family, we wont be getting one, as its not fair on anyone involved.

I had a lurcher. I walked her for half hour in the morning before work, other half would take her to work with him during the day most days, I would walk her for half and hour when I got home from work, then another walk before bedtime, but we also had a large garden and a dogflap, so she was in and out as often as she pleased....

With the best will in the world, as much as you might want a dog, you really have to sit and think about how much you can offer it. Being taken out twice a day, and told to sit in it's bed the rest of the time is not what a dog needs. Maybe wait until you have more space and time.

thats why i thought it best to speak to other dog owners first the two twenty minute walks are what i would manage, have not asked other half what he would manage, as we havent quite got that far in our discussions. speaking for him briefly (not that that happens often .... ) he could do a quick jaunt round the block for a toilet walk at about half 7, then the kids and i could do a ten min walk in the morning before nursery. once the big one is in nursery, i would do another 20 mins with the buggy at about 1. he gets in at about twenty to 4, and could do a round the block again before i go to work, then ten mins with the kids after tea. when i get in at half ten, either of us could do a twenty minute walk before bed. then at weekends we're both off and could go out for big walks and runs around the grassy area thats just beyond our house.

rest assured, the dog would not be made to spend the time in between walks in its bed - whats the point in getting a family dog and not making it part of the family?

If I were you I would leave it until after Christmas! The run up is often hectic, kids get overly excited, time is at a premium, not to mention visitors!

Wait until January when the rescue centres will be full to bursting.

we were adamantr that we wanted a pup but found that the dogs trust in west calder didnt get many pups in so we went to the one in glasgow, would thoroughly recommend them

just a word of advice, some rescue centres can be funny abuot placing dogs with young kids

Jessica
We have a boxer who is just coming up for 6 years old. From what i have read i wouldn't recommend you getting one of this breed. yes he is a lovely and friendly dog (if a little too over friendly sometimes!!!) and i wouldn't be without him, if you only have a small garden it just wouldn't work. they do need a lot of exercise and as soon as you come home they could just easily go out again, they would keep going all day long given the choice, or at least ours would anyway!!!
you really have to think long and hard about getting a dog, they really are a big commitment. and with two small kiddies as well could you seriously dedicate enough time to the dog??
you also have to think about the coming months in particular, a dog still has to go out come wind, rain or shine and it's not nice knowing that it is lashing it down of rain and you have to go home and put your wellies and your big coat on to go out in the rain!!! Although our dog loves to go out in the wind and rain?/!!!!
anyway i am sure you make the right decision for your family and if you do get a dog, enjoy it!!!!

i dont imagine that we'll find the right dog this side of christmas, as 2 months later, we're still at the talking about it stage! we're in no rush, so will deffinately be wating till at least february, as my daughters birthday is in january and we'll have alot of visitors around then too. feb - may, we're quiet lol.


we're prepared for that, and will take their advice as they are the ones who are with the dogs day in day out. thanks for the pointer towards glasgow, will keep them in mind. we're aware that west calder dont get many pups, but thats ok, as we're not fixed on the idea. an older dog may be the one for us, we just dont know yet.

thanks, as i 've mentioned though, there is no way i'd get a boxer, as i know we wouldnt be able to give it everything it needs. and they're a bit big for me - im only a little person and big dogs make me nervous, so i wouldnt have one in the house! wind and rain doesnt bother me, as im waterproof, being scottish lol! im a recently-retired smoker too, so am used to braving the elements. i walk every day anyway, to nursery, home from work, to the shops etc, come rain hail or shine, as i dont drive, so the prospect of getting pelted by snow and hail and wind is not one that bothers me, and it'll harden the kids up lol

For me, when someone says kids, short hair, not excessive exercise and not too long left alone, the breed that springs to mind, is a Staffordshore Bull Terrier.
Be aware that they may well be hard work in that if a strange ( note STRANGE) dog gets to in yer face with them they may well take great offence. But despite what the media will tell you, they can very happily get on with other dogs, you just need to be aware of their history, same as, if you get a German Shepherd, you can be prepared for them to be offish with strangers and guardy.
Staffords have a well know nickname, that is "the Nanny Dog", and are one of only 2 breeds in the Kennel Clud standards that quote the words " particually good with children.
One thing Id advise before this route, is, dont go for heavily show Ch bred lines if health is paramount, and avoid the "Irish" lines, as most are cross bred or more "working lines".
look for KC registered pet stock, and avoid KC lines that are overly squat and shortfaced, eg Valglo or Crashkon breeding.
Even a pound puppy SBT could be a very good bet, but again I stress be aware of any dog aggression issues beforehand.
Dont let media hoohah, put you off a fantastic breed.
Ive owned them for over 20 years and no incidents at all, just the frequent bellylaugh as they do something insane lol!

I'll vote for cavvies as they'll be happy with what you have to offer, I've got two and the only downfall is their scruffy hair but you can clip them in the summer which helps and I only brush mine once a week.

They're fabulous with kids, such gentle natured dogs, I'd never have anything else now and my husband walks them and doesnt feel stupid btw!!!

Only thing I have against Cavalier King Charles's is their general health.
I have many a time looked on them as long haired Staffords, but without the health issues!
Ive yet to encouter the brain disorder, that even as a VN I cant tell you the name off, but, I am aware of their heart condition issues, and this is enough to dissuade a potential owner, unless they can be 100% sure the line is clear from heart defects.
As emotive as the highlighted brain disorder is, it is, as yet, now way near as epidemic as heart problems in this breed.

Has no one thought about a bulldog!!!
Placid, great round children, affectionate, lazy, loves cuddles and would be happier sitting on the sofa with you than going out in the cold for a walk!

Absolutley NOT! Not unless the new owner wants sky high insurance premiums and a dog they cannot even take for a short walk in clement weather.
Lazy? Ony because ther poor creature cannot exercise.
This breed is a fast lane to heartache and bankruptsy, AVOID!

Oh well, i was only giving my opinion.
But i know what i would choose for a pet if the choice was bulldog or a cavelier.
Just pointing out that the posters criteria fitted in with a bulldog.

As am I pointing out the non blinkered health minefield that is the poor poor Bulldog. Yes, they have a fantastic temperrment considering how much they suffer for fashion. But I will never ever suffer the consequence finanicially and emotionally of having reccomended one to anybody.
I hear even Pedigree have bowed out of Crufts... 'nuff said!

So if i recommend one to someone i should feel guilty?
I could find many a bulldog owner who wouldnt swap theirs for the world or choose another dog to have.
But youve educated as far as staffys are concerned. They do have an undeserved reputation by the sounds of it, there are some round my way who havent maybe got the best owners.
What was the other breed that was particularly good with children?

You tell me.... I do not know, I Do know that one of the 2 breeds is the Stafford, so please dont try and pull points agains me like that. I have one agenda, as a Vet Nurse, and that is happy healthy pets and sorry if it bursts your Tom and Jerry bubble, but the Bulldog as we see it nowadays, is NOT an ideal pet, for anyone, it is riddled with health problems.
Ironically the Stafford in its pre showring form, was the ORIGINAL bulldog.
This though, is NOT a base for this discussion, it is a place for a forum member to ask for a reccomendations or otherwise , asto a suitible breed of dog for their lifestyle.

I disagree. I have 2 dogs, a very small garden and they have 2 walks a day.

Not all dogs are mammoth walkers.

Greyhounds are the biggest surprise, laziest dogs around, don't enjoy a lot of exercise, very patient animals, and mine loves kids. She will stand and allow them to crawl over her lol

Spaniels are lovely too, cockers are great with kids, so are springers, but they need a lot of exercise

When my 2 dogs are gone, I will be getting a cockapoo, they are lovely sweet creatures

The other breed, for arguments sake is the "Chesapeke Bay Retriever".

I agree 100%! I have a very fit Stafford male and he will take as much as I throw at him one day, and sleep by my side the next 6!
Some breeds need constant work, others like the Staff and Greyhound, for example, have on and off switches. Not that I advocate not walking a dog, but certainly it is nice to have one that say NO WAY if it is wet out lol!

I also have to second the Stafford shire Bull Terrier motion. There is alot of bad press about this breed that i don't buy into at all. I don't believe the dog is always to blame the way the dog has been treated has a big factor in it. Also, the press would never report that the child was to blame!

Ours is 8 years old. When we got her i was 14 and my brother 12. So admittedly older than the OP children.

But, i won't go into details but now living with us is a 6 1/2 month old baby, who was with us from 12 days old. At first she (Dog) was curious about this new baby but she has never been a threat to her in anyway and is now super protective of her! I also have a very disabled relative and again when she was a pup was very curious but very quickly learnt that she could not go near her.

When we were looking at for a dog our preferences where very similar, family friendly, quite low maintenance, medium sized dog. Shes not so big that she takes up too much room in our house, but not so small that you'd be embarrassed to take her out!

As well, i am allergic to animal fur, but i was very insistent as a child i wanted a dog, and after 14 years of persuasion i got my way! Mwahaha. But i have very very rarely had an issue with her fur bothering me, she doesn't malt hardly at all, like wise i have been around dogs that have ALOT of saliva and she doesnt have that issue at all.

I would definitely recommend a female as they are generally much calmer than the lads!

Sorry to go on but i literally cannot recommend this breed enough. The only drawback is they generally dont get on with other dogs. But she has stayed at the same boarding kennels since 6 months old when we go away and such and they absolutley love her there they treat her like a little baby. This is not true to every staffie of course, there are many that get on with other animals just fine.

Regarding rescue or not. We originally went to a rescue center but they refused to give us a dog as they felt that we could not give enough time to a dog. Well that backfired on them as you cant imagine a more loved spoilt dog that this one! I also agree that you can never completely trust a dog 100% that you haven't had from a pup as you can never be sure of what they've been through, but again there are many rescue dogs that are lovely.

So to summarise, i would recommend a staffie! Good luck in finding the dog for you!

thats for all the staffords and their owners out there! Id never be without one, well a staff and a Pit Bull, in all my many years with dogs, and my ownership and handling of many breeds, Id never consider any other.
Ive had a Pit, Ive had and still have Staffs, and they have lived for me an my familly, they have seen me through many a hard time, and i owe these dogs and their breed ambassadors everything. No other dogs have ever in all my years moved me like these funny and misunderstood beasties.
Long live the bull and terrier!!!!!