Anonymous wrote:We were first time owners when we brought our goldendoodle home. We got a puppy from a local breeder because my children were young and I didn't want to deal with unknown behavior issues. I think what made our experience so awesome was the amount of research and preparation we put into it. I read every book I could find on puppy development and training. We puppy proofed our house months before we brought our puppy home. While some people don't put much stock in temperment tests, I think that made a big difference for us. We selected our puppy based on behavior and not what she looked like. In fact, she wasn't the prettiest of the litter because she was a late bloomer. Now she looks like a shaggy teddybear and has the best personality. We started training immediately after bringing her home at 10 weeks. Training lasted for 12 weeks, both private and in a puppy class setting. We put her on a schedule immediately and hired dog walkers who still come twice per day. We took two weeks off of work to establish a routine for our dog. We got up in the middle of the night to take her outside when she was still little.

Potty training was easy, very few accidents. Crate training was also easy and likely because of the approach we used. We worked really hard to set our puppy up for success. Our dog learned everything very quickly. She is much more affectionate than we expected and incredibly obedient. I think you should focus less on the dog and focus more on yourself. You do have to commit, have a plan, stick with it and follow through. Our dog has never chewed on furniture, destroyed property, she doesn't run off, she will sit patiently until you greet her, she is incredibly gentle with the kids and just wants to be loved. We are very happy to have her in our lives.

Similar experience here. Also a golden doodle.

Everything was fairly straightforward but the time commitment was very, very large (see bolded sections). We took home the runt of the litter and are very glad to have a submissive dog.

Anonymous wrote:Don't get a puppy.

Get a bichon or a poodle or another hypoallergenic dog.

Yup. "Doesn't need a lot of exercise" is why you don't want a puppy. The best way to train your puppy and turn it into a nice dog is through a ton of exercise and engagement. A tired puppy is a happy puppy.

Anonymous wrote:So while poodles are smart and don't shed much (good for people with allergies) they're sometimes not too friendly. Which is why poodle MIXES are often great - you get the best traits of a poodle without the mean part.

I had a cockapoo who was about 14 lbs, hypoallergenic, didn't shed, easily trained and LOVED her family. Average IQ, but sky high EQ.

I've also met great malti-poos and malteses.

Westies fit your criteria as well. (I like small, white dogs that are smart, friendly and don't shed.)

Actually standard poodles are great, and I've never heard of them not being considered "friendly."

We were first time owners when we brought our goldendoodle home. We got a puppy from a local breeder because my children were young and I didn't want to deal with unknown behavior issues. I think what made our experience so awesome was the amount of research and preparation we put into it. I read every book I could find on puppy development and training. We puppy proofed our house months before we brought our puppy home. While some people don't put much stock in temperment tests, I think that made a big difference for us. We selected our puppy based on behavior and not what she looked like. In fact, she wasn't the prettiest of the litter because she was a late bloomer. Now she looks like a shaggy teddybear and has the best personality. We started training immediately after bringing her home at 10 weeks. Training lasted for 12 weeks, both private and in a puppy class setting. We put her on a schedule immediately and hired dog walkers who still come twice per day. We took two weeks off of work to establish a routine for our dog. We got up in the middle of the night to take her outside when she was still little.

Potty training was easy, very few accidents. Crate training was also easy and likely because of the approach we used. We worked really hard to set our puppy up for success. Our dog learned everything very quickly. She is much more affectionate than we expected and incredibly obedient. I think you should focus less on the dog and focus more on yourself. You do have to commit, have a plan, stick with it and follow through. Our dog has never chewed on furniture, destroyed property, she doesn't run off, she will sit patiently until you greet her, she is incredibly gentle with the kids and just wants to be loved. We are very happy to have her in our lives.

When you say your kid is a bit allergic, do you mean to dogs? Or generally? I have been EXTREMELY allergic my whole life, but have always had dogs (of the normal shedding variety). Dogs are one of my milder allergies....other environmental things are pretty severe. I take allergy medicine of at least one kind every day, and the dog stuff just doesn't appreciably add to the allergic load.

So I wouldn't assume that he'l be majorly dog allergic just because he's prone to allergies. Cats are much worse, from my understanding, as far as triggering allergic reactions. (Which is not to say that some people aren't extremely allergic to dogs. Obviously, some people are.)

Something like a pug would be very sweet and not need all that much exercise. Goldens and boxers are very sweet and easy to train, but do need a lot of exercise or they can be disasterous. Or maybe something like a scottie?

And doodles can really be a mixed bag. Sometimes they are defensive and snappy (like poodles)...I think everyone things they are the perfect solution, but they are really not the easiest dog, in my experience.

The AKC has a breed selector that may help:
http://www.akc.org/find-a-match/#slide1
BUt I agree with others that your best bet is to find a good local rescue and explain what you want. Just be aware that if you ask for "hypoallergenci" that will really limit your options (and all the hypoallergenic dogs are crossed with either terrirer or poodle, neither of which is the easiest breed).

Anonymous wrote:Rather than search for a specific breed, I would call some of the local rescues and talk through your requirements. They can often give great recommendations for dogs that are already housebroken, have calm dispositions, are non-low shedding etc... Often when you go for a specific breed, some dogs meet the requirements and others don't. If you can adopt one that is a young adult with a known background you will have a better chance of finding a good fit for your family.

+1. This was what we did!

Don't figure on letting the dog in the yard to do his/her business. Not fair to the dog, they won't get the exercise they need, and it makes a mess in the yard. Figure on a dog needing a good long walk twice a day even in the rain/snow. If you're not bought in to that, maybe get an indoor cat. Also, I second the poster who warned that parents will end up doing the majority of the work, it's just the way it is. Kids don't have the maturity to be that consistent with walks and spending time with the dog.

Anonymous wrote:Older dog from a shelter or rescue. Greyhounds are astoundingly calm; they need some intense exercise most days, and apart from that they are gigantic couch-cats.

Try City Dogs.

Not true about greyhounds needing intense exercise most days. I came here to suggest a greyhound. Mine fits the criteria for OP. It's a myth that greyhounds need some kind of intense exercise or a place to run. They are perfectly content with regular walks, and I agree that other than that they are couch potatoes. We have two cats and sometimes I think the dog is more like a cat than our cats are.

Don't know about the shedding but I've been very impressed with the Corgis I've known. Nice, smart, like kids, not too energetic.

Anonymous wrote:So we would be first time dog owners. The kids are tweens and early teens, and very eager for a dog! We have a fenced in backyard. One kid is a bit allergic, so that would be something to watch out for. We prefer a non-shedding or low-shedding dog, calm, sweet, easy to train, and that won't require a ton of exercise. An "easy" family dog. What kinds of dogs should we be looking at?

I think you should reconsider getting a dog. All dogs are work. And with the allergies, it will be difficult. There really is no 100% hypo-allergenic dog. It's often the dander and the saliva -not the fur- that people are allergic to.

You seem to want a stuffed animal, not a dog. I know that sounds harsh. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:So while poodles are smart and don't shed much (good for people with allergies) they're sometimes not too friendly. Which is why poodle MIXES are often great - you get the best traits of a poodle without the mean part.

I had a cockapoo who was about 14 lbs, hypoallergenic, didn't shed, easily trained and LOVED her family. Average IQ, but sky high EQ.

I've also met great malti-poos and malteses.

Westies fit your criteria as well. (I like small, white dogs that are smart, friendly and don't shed.)

I have 15 year old twins. We have a mini golden doodle about 18 lbs. He is low key and fine being indoors or outdoors. He sleeps most of the day or is content siting in the window watching the action go by. There is always someone home so I am not sure how he would do if he were at home alone everyday. You have to consider that before getting a pet. They are pack animals and usually follow the caregiver around. Whomever feeds them and makes sure they are taken care of is the head. In my house, it is me. Make sure the kids take responsibility for walking or exercising the dog. My daughter wanted the dog but she rarely takes him out. He will lay in her bed all day and sleep if I don't remind her to take him out.

With those requirements, I'd say a dog that is at least 2-3 years old. Since you are first time dog owners, I would encourage you to get a dog with some past history, preferably one that has been fostered. There are lots of good local organizations, such as FOHA, and HART.

I foster with a rescue based out of TN, which places dogs throughout the US (NE, midwest, South, out to Colorado), including here in the mid-Atlantic. A high percentage of these dogs go to fosters, and if you're interested, you can check the rescue out: https://www.facebook.com/bigfluffydogrescue/

I have an a 20 lb Chihuahua crossed with something bigger and he is lovely. Just wants to snuggle, perfectly housebroken, low shedder, easy to travel with. We got him at age 3...second/third not getting a puppy (like having a newborn and you don’t know what you will end up with) and getting something the rescue recommends however it looks. I had your exact list except my kids are even smaller. I took the small dog they said was best with kids (his foster home had kids) and they were right. He has been way better than the perhaps more handsome dogs with issues. My kid says “he gets cuter every day” and it has been 2 years.

OP, are you looking for a small dog, or a big dog?

Older dog from a shelter or rescue. Greyhounds are astoundingly calm; they need some intense exercise most days, and apart from that they are gigantic couch-cats.

Try City Dogs.