Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

So i'm looking to get a dog. I was thinking of beagle, but thats out of the question - escape artists.

What i want:

~Good around small kids, and fairly large groups (50 people)

~Active -Can run and do stuff like fetch etc

~Can be calm, sleep normally etc =P

~Can stay alone (i suppose this depends on training)

~Not extremely tiny (no chihuahua)

~Not extremely big (great dane etc.)

~Shouldnt shed too much hair - should stay there and be clipped when needed

~Not violent, except when injured (i.e if someone punches him he should bite them, but i suppose this is also training)

~Strength can be anything, doesn't matter.

I was thinking cocker-spaniel, but again im not sure.

Thanks

p.s best answer will go to someone who gives the most options and opinions relating to the specifics and things, not just one answer

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

you kidding. Cocker Spaniels have bad temperaments and are not good around a lot of people. I have 3 friends that have CS and they are bitches, they hate my kids. My neighbor has one and bit his 2 year old in the face. My best friend has one and bit her husband in the nose and our other friend in the lip.

===Schnauzer!====

Doesn't Shed

Does need Grooming

Friendly with kids

Small and manageable

Not food aggressive

Highly intelligent

We have two males neutered. My kids 4 and 8 wrestle with them snatch toys from them. Pull on their legs and they just lay there and lick them.

But then again any breed you get is really all about how you train them. The best dogs are MUTS they don't have any genetic imperfections due to inbreeding like full breeds.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Cocker Spaniels have a lot of hair, and they shed. Lots of grooming required.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I htink that your best option would be a lab. Labs are very family friendly (although as puppies they are really stupid not being mean luv them) but they are great around people including small kids. I do have a long haired chihuahua she loves people (vet tells me she is just weird for her breed) but she does not like crowds. Still she is a great dog.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I think that the best kind of breed that would suit you is a standard poodle. They LOVE kids and people, and they love to go outside and play. When inside, usually sleep or just lay and chew on a bone or squeky toy. Good size. Don't shed at all. Are not violent, but good for protection. Pretty strong. We have one, and we will always have one in the house.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

blue heelers are awesome dogs. my grandparents have on and she is loving playful and gentle. however, if hurt, threatened or trying to protect the owner, they can be viscous according to the trainer they sent her to.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Golder retrievers are great because they can be very active but they also settle very quickly. They are great with kids and large groups. They do shed though. You could also consider a lab, they have very similar personalities to Golden's but they are a bit more active. With proper training, both breeds would fit your description well. Standard poodles don't shed, but they are very active for about the first 5 years of life. Rottweilers are also really good breeds. They can be trained very easily but they can also be very active. Most small breeds are not a good choice. They tend to be a bit temperamental. You will also want to stay away from the terrier group. Stick with breeds from the sporting and working groups.

Hope this helps, and good luck!!!

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

mini daschund (weenie dog) because they're not too small, so so cute, healthy and they still alert you if things arent right

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I think you are almost over-thinking this. There are a lot of dogs that would fit the bill, but it is based a lot on temperament and training, not necessarily breed. Where do mixed breeds fit in to your equation?

Try going to your local shelter. Give them your concerns, and see if they can't fix you up with a great dog.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I really like Olde English bulldogges. They are wonderful with children.They like to sleep but they can be active and playful when you want them to be. I have a 5 year old male Olde English bulldogge and he can stay by home by himself (and sleep). They do not shed much and they don't need very much grooming. Just a bath about 1-2 times a month. They are strong dogs.

You can find the standard for them at

http://www.ioeba.net/ioebaOEBbreedstanda...

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Shelter mutts!

Every size, shape, mix, breed, color, EVERYTHING you could possibly want is in a shelter just dying to meet you.

Shelter dogs are temperment tested, inexpensive and come with lots of "extras".

You save a life too.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

i would say get a mixed breed. no one ever adopts muts and they need a home too. my dog is 2 years old and is a boxer/lab/??? and we love her. she's very friendly and loves all people.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Labs make great family pets but they shed like crazy. Golden Retrievers are also nice family dogs but shed like crazy.

Your other concerns have more to do with training.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

lab or golden personally i have an irish terrier which fits your whole description but some people need calmer dogs although mine is very calm usually

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

poodle or rottweiler

The Poodle is a breed of dog. Toy, miniature, and standard poodles are distinguished by adult shoulder height. Poodles come in many colors including black, blue/charcoal, white, red, apricot, silver, and brown. They also appear in parti-color, or multi-colors. While the multi-color poodles cannot be shown in the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or any F鑼卍鑼卹ation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) conformation ring, they can be shown in the United Kennel Club (UKC) show ring and in all performance rings.

The FCI lists the country of origin as France; although some experts believe poodles may have originated in Russia or Iberia. However, it is commonly agreed that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Poodles have been popular all through Europe for several hundred years, and poodle-like dogs are found depicted on Roman sculptures.[1]

Poodles are retrievers; or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. The show clips evolved from working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is shaved for less drag in the water. Poodles are skilled at most other dog events including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding.

They are elegant in the show ring, having taken top honors in many shows. The poodle coat is dense and generally does not shed. As a result, the coats in showing condition require extensive care and grooming. Most pet poodle owners keep their poodles in much simpler cuts that are easier to care for and require less grooming.

The name poodle comes from the German word Pudel, which is short for Pudelhund, which means "splashing dog". This reflects the breed's use as a water dog (the word Pudel is related to the English word puddle).

Toy weight: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.)

Toy height: Up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.)

Miniature weight: 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg.)

Miniature height: 11-15 inches (28-38 cm.)

Standard weight: 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.)

Standard height: 15 (38cm) or more

Coat: Profuse, wiry curly coat (well groomed and clipped)

Activity level: Medium

Learning rate: Extraordinarily high

Temperament of toy and miniature poodle: Sensitive, remarkably intelligent, highly responsive, pleasant, happy, perky, lively, demanding, delightful, amusing, clever; some bloodlines may be high-strung and timid.

Temperament of standard poodle: Proud, elegant, dignified, good-natured, highly intelligent, very trainable, pleasant, happy, sensitive, friendly.

Guard dog ability: Low

Watch-dog ability: Very high

Litter size: 4-7

Life span: 12-15 years

Most poodles are proportionally long-legged dogs. They have dense, curly, non-shedding fur that grows year-round and requires regular grooming. Most are solid-colored, and many registries only allow solid colors in conformation shows. "Parti" (short for parti-colored) poodles have large patches of colors. "Phantom" poodles have the color pattern of a black-and-tan dog, although not necessarily black and tan. Solid-colored poodles may either "hold" their color (i.e., stay more or less the same color throughout their lives) or "fade" or "clear" to a lighter shade. Usually, the ears and the thicker guard hairs hold more of the original color than other fur.

The tail is usually docked in the US, less often in Europe. These days, tails, when docked, are left much longer than in times past. "Bunny like tails" (very short-docked tails) are now rarely seen except among puppy millers.

Unlike many breeds, poodles come in a variety of sizes, distinguished by shoulder height. Standard poodles are 38 cm. (15 in.) and over; miniature poodles are 28 cm. (11 in.) to 38 cm. (15 in.); toys are under 28 cm. (11 in.). These heights are established by all the kennel clubs in accord. "Teacup" poodles have also been bred which are very small; however, they are not recognized as a distinct standard by any of the kennel clubs.

Poodle hair sheds little or not at all, and ranges in texture from coarse and wooly, to soft and wavy. Poodle show clips require many hours of brushing and care per week, about 10 hours/week for a standard poodle. Poodles are usually clipped down as soon as their show career is over and put into a lower-maintenance cut. Pet clips are much less elaborate than show clips and require much less maintenance.

[edit] Show clips

Many breed registries allow only certain clips for poodles shown in conformation. In American Kennel Club (AKC) shows, adults must be shown in the "continental" or "English saddle" clips. Dogs under 12 months old may be shown with a "puppy clip". A handful of registries, such as the United Kennel Club, allow simpler clips.

[edit] Puppy clip

In the puppy clip, the face, throat, base of the tail and feet are shaved. The coat may be shaped with scissors for neatness. Although this clip appears simpler than the other clips, the length of the hair makes it as difficult (maybe more so) to maintain as the adult clips.

[edit] Continental clip

In the continental clip the face, throat, feet and part of the tail are shaved. The upper half of the front legs is shaved, leaving "pompoms" around the ankles. The hindquarters are shaved except for pompoms on the lower leg (from the hock to the base of the foot) and optional round areas (sometimes called "rosettes") over the hips. The continental clip is the most popular show clip today

Poodles are intelligent, alert, and active. Historically, their aptitude has made them ideal for performing in circuses across the globe for centuries. Otherwise notable is this breed's keen sense for instinctual behavior. In particular, marking and hunting drives are more readily observable than in most other breeds. Even Toys will point birds. Classified as highly energetic, poodles can also get bored fairly easily and have been known to get creative about finding mischief.

Poodles are extremely people-oriented dogs and, therefore, are eager to please. They are excellent watchdogs, but unlike some working breeds, don't usually become "one-person" dogs when they are part of a family. Standard Poodles in particular tend to be good with children. Poodles are adaptable and easy to train. Like most dogs, they appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk or a play session. Most are fairly agile and athletic.

The most common serious health issues of standard poodles (listed in order of the number of reported cases in the Poodle Health Registry (as of August 20, 2007) are Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV = bloat/torsion), thyroid issues (hyperthyroid and hypothyroid), epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia, and cancer. Standard poodles are also susceptible to some health issues usually too minor to report to the poodle health registry. The most common of these minor issues are probably ear infections. Ear infections are a problem in all poodle varieties. Ear problems can be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted if the dog shows signs of an ear infection, lest a minor issue turn into a major issue

A Rottweiler is a large dog breed originating in Germany as herding dogs for their livestock. The early Rottweilers also worked as beasts of burden, carrying wood and other products to market. In addition, they were used as draft animals to pull carts filled with various products for their owners. During the first and second World Wars, Rottweilers were put into service as war time guard dogs. Currently they are frequently used as guard and police dogs. A Rottweiler which has been properly trained will be as gentle as any other breed of dog, though some have trained them to be hostile. The breed is almost always black with clearly defined tan or mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest, legs, and eyebrows. The coat is medium length and consists of a waterproof undercoat and a coarse top coat. Rottweiler coats tend to be low maintenance, although they experience shedding during certain periods of the year. The skull is typically massive, but without excessive jowls. The forehead may be wrinkly when the Rottweiler is alert, but otherwise the skin should be relatively fitted, or "dry." The ears are small drop ears whose inner edges are flush with the head. 'Flying' ears are considered undesirable.

Naturally, Rottweilers are a tailed dog. There are at least two different explanations as to why tails were originally bobbed. One version is that tails were originally removed to prevent breakage and infection that would occur when the tail became covered in mud and other debris collected from pastures and livestock. Another is that as working dogs they were bobbed to avoid a "tail tax" (the method used to count livestock being driven to market was to count tails). Today, many owners in U.S. decide to have the tails removed soon after the puppy's birth for purely cosmetic reasons. The tail is usually docked to the first joint, and in general should give the impression of a lengthened topline. In the past docking was a commonly accepted practice, but it has been banned in many European countries and Australia as well as Mexico.

The chest is deep and should reach the dog's elbows, giving tremendous lung capacity. The back should be straight, never sloping. According to FCI standard, the Rottweiler stands 61 to 68 cm (24-27 inches) at the withers for males, and 56 to 63 cm (22-25 inches) for females.[1] Average weight is 50 kg (110 pounds) for males and 42 kg (95 pounds) for females

Weight: 95-130 pounds (43-59 kg.)

Height: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm.)

Coat: Short, hard and thick

Activity level: Medium (relatively inactive indoors)

Learning rate: High

Temperament: Calm, trainable, courageous, devoted, reliable, fiercely protective, strong fighters, serious, steady, confident, highly intelligent

Guard dog ability: Very high

Watch-dog ability: Very high

Litter size: 8

Life span: 10-12 years

In the hands of a responsible owner, a well-trained and socialized Rottweiler can be a reliable, alert dog and a loving companion.[citation needed] However, any poorly trained dog can become a danger in the wrong circumstances. In general Rottweilers are fond of children, very devoted, quick to learn, and eager to please. They are typically very bright dogs. Rottweilers are playful animals who may frequently demand attention from their owners. However, if they are not receiving the mental stimulation they desire, they will find creative and sometimes destructive ways to elicit it. Such behavioral problems as chewing, barking for attention and eating less can be a result of lack of human interaction. The Rottweiler is a good working dog that is also good for protection of children, as well as guard duties.

The Rottweiler is a steady dog with a self-assured nature, but early socialization and exposure to as many new people, animals, and situations as possible are very important in developing these qualities. The Rottweiler also has a natural tendency to assert dominance if not properly trained. Rottweilers' large size and strength make this an important point to consider: an untrained, poorly trained, or abused Rottweiler can learn to be extremely aggressive and destructive and, if allowed to run at large, may pose a significant physical threat to humans or other animals. They can be strong-willed (bull-headed) and should be trained in a firm, fair, and consistent manner - the owner must be perceived as the leader. If the owner fails to achieve this status the Rottweiler will readily take on the role. However, Rottweilers respond readily to a clear and benevolent leader. Aggression in Rottweilers is associated with poor breeding, poor handling, lack of socialization, natural guarding tendencies, and abuse.

The Rottweiler is not usually a barker. Male dogs are silent watchers who notice everything and are often quite stoic. Females may become problem barkers in order to protect their den. An attentive owner is usually able to recognize when a Rottweiler perceives a threat. Barking is usually a sign of annoyance with external factors (car alarms or other disturbances) rather than a response to actual threats.

The Rottweiler Welfare Association offers the following advice for would-be Rottweiler owners

Rottweiler is a tough and hardy breed, but potential owners should be aware of known health issues that can affect this breed. Rottweilers are highly prone to be affected by serious diseases mainly to its hips. The most serious genetic health risks a Rottweiler faces are canine hip dysplasia (CHD), subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), elbow dysplasia, and osteosarcoma. Other conditions which may affect this breed include hypothyroidism, gastric torsion (bloat), and allergies.[4] Rottweiler owners should have their dogs' hips, elbows, heart, and eyes tested by a veterinarian before breeding. DNA tests should also be performed to screen for von Willebrand's disease (vWD). Rottweilers typically live between 8 and 11 years.[5]

The breed is an ancient one, and its history stretches back to the Roman Empire. In those times, the legions traveled with their meat on the hoof and required the assistance of working dogs to herd the cattle. One route the army traveled was through W鐪塺ttemberg and on to the small market town of Rottweil. The principal ancestors of the first Rottweilers during this time was supposed to be the Roman war dog, local sheepdogs the army met on its travels, and dogs with molosser appearance coming from England and The Netherlands.

This region eventually became an important cattle area, and the descendants of the Roman cattle dogs proved their worth in both driving and protecting the cattle from robbers and wild animals. However, by the end of the 19th Century, the breed had declined so much that in 1900 there was only one female to be found in the town of Rottweil. But the build up to the World War I saw a great demand for police dogs, and that led to a revival of interest in the Rottweiler.

From that time the breed has become popular with dog owners, and in 1935 was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. In 1936, Rottweilers were exhibited in Britain at Crufts. In 1966, a separate register was opened for the breed.

The first Rottweiler club in Germany, named DRK ("Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub" 閳?German Rottweiler Club) was created the 13 January 1907, and followed by the creation of the SDRK ("S鐪塪deutscher Rottweiler-Klub" 閳?South German Rottweiler Club) on the 27 April 1907 and became the IRK (International Rottweiler Club). The DRK counted around 500 Rottweiler, the SDRK 3000 Rottweilers. The goals of the two clubs were different. The DRK wanted to produce working dogs and did not emphasize the morphology of the Rottweiler. The main stud dog of this club was Lord von der Teck. The IRK tried to produce a homogeneous morphology according to their standard. One of the main stud dogs of this club was Ralph von Neckar.

A popular misconception about the Rottweiler is that the breed was bred for dog fighting

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

OK I have a Jack Russel cross and she is lovely. Shes not to big, always is friendly and loves being patted!

~Good around small kids, and fairly large groups (50 people): yep! Just she doesn't know which one to go to be patted by !

~Active -Can run and do stuff like fetch etc: yep!

~Can be calm, sleep normally etc =P: Yep!

~Can stay alone (i suppose this depends on training): Yep all of our family work/go to school!

~Not extremely tiny (no chihuahua) : No

~Not extremely big (great Dane etc.) : No

~Shouldn't shed too much hair - should stay there and be clipped when needed : We have never brushed her or clipped her!

~Not violent, except when injured (i.e if someone punches him he should bite them, but i suppose this is also training) : I am not sure, because we are very nice to her and she is always friendly and loyal, she has never bite anyone before though!

~Strength can be anything, doesn't matter. : I'm not to sure about her strengh...

If you don't want a Jack Russel try this:

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Firstly, cocker spaniels are awful with children! They tend to be very stressed dogs and do not handle children well at all. A springer spaniel resembles the cocker and is much better with children. Stay away from the working breeds, rottweilers, shepherds, border collies as they are high energy dogs and require a lot of exercise. Also stay away from retrievers as they are also high energy. Please keep in mind that ALL dogs shed! Dogs are not naturally violent, they are taught to be violent! The smaller breeds tend to not be well with large groups of people, and should probably be avoided. Check out this site, they have pictures and a wealth of information regarding temperament, size, grooming requirements, etc. They've even got a quiz to help you choose a breed that closely meets what you are looking for! Good luck in your search!

A previous poster suggested a Jack Russel, this is a VERY high energy dog, and probably not what you are looking for.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/index.htm

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Poodles. And they are very smart, easy to train to boot. The main "issue" is they require grooming. come in 3 sizes.

Poodles are not fluffly, silly dogs as they are often portrayed, but intelligent, even tempered dogs.

If you want them clipped like the "crazy show dogs" you can, but there are "normal" poodle clips, that makes them look normal, average, etc.

Cocker spaniels can have "rage" issues- and can be very hyper. Golder retrievers are almost over bred and are having alot of temperment problems showing because of it. Labs are nice, but really depend on the breeder, as many labs are HYPER, and dont know their size, knock everyone over....Labs are sometimes "headstrong" too.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

well really there is NO such dog.. perhaps a mutt..

the BEST dog around kids is a WELL SOCIALIZED one..

Golden Retreivers - they are "soft mouthed" dogs - bred to be patient and retrieve things gentaly (less problems with biting)... can stay alone.. but dogs are pack animals and should not be alone much...

ONLY thing that does not fit is shedding - BUT you can control shedding with grooming and BETTER FOOD

Cockers are NOT good with kids.. dispite how Disney portrayed them - they are often high strung...

NOT A PUPPY ! pups jump and chew.. they are NOT good with small kids.. and heck small kids are NOT good with pups.. if you have small kids how will you ever house train a pup??

please consider adopting an adult dog - Golden Retreiver or Retreiver cross from a shelter - remember you might not always find the perfect dog on your first try

NEVER buy from a pet store!

AVOID - intelligent breeds, like Border Collies.. they will be too much to handle and always looking for jobs..

AVOID TERRIERS - any dog that was bred to kill is not going to be good with kids (most,if not all, terriers were originally bred to hunt and kill.. either rats, gophers, foxes, etc)

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

There are quite a few online sites where you can plug your specific needs into a data base to select the type of breed that best fits your criteria. For additional choices plug into google/yahoo search engine the term "Breed Selector"...you'll find a lot available.

No one person on an internet site can give you the information you need for yourself and your family.

I've included a list of Breed Selector search databases, for me this is the best resource I could give you. Only *you* know the types of breeds that will appeal to you and your family, the specific needs you have and your home situation.

BTW having said that I offer only this suggestion.

If/When you chose your breed, first always consider adoption via a purebreed rescue group or something along the lines of petfinder.com

Secondly, if you choose a breeder, go armed with a lot of research material, including the genetic problems of the breed - make sure your breeder tests for those and ask to see validation - including PRA/Cerf #, OFA/PennHip number, etc...so that you can verify those tests were done and the results are as shown by the breeder.

Also, ask *why* the breeder chose that breeding, there should be more than "because"...a good breeder does a mating for specific reason - adding something to their bloodline, correcting something they feel is not strong enough in their lines, adding depth to their lines gene pool, etc.

That's really all I have to offer. Best of luck finding your new family member.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

its hard to say a specific breed would meet your needs, because temperment can vary with upbringing and training. Mostly any breed of dog can give you what you are seeking with proper training.

But to answer your question, consider the following breed options:

Lab

Golden Retriever

Boxer

English Bulldog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

=) Well you were very descriptive in what you want. The following are what I think would be best for you, however all dogs should be monitored around small children and in large groups, and will need effective training as a pup to become what you want, labs, golden ret., weimaraners (hyper), german short haired pointers (kinda need to hunt) , rohdesian ridgeback (leery of strangers, vizsla. In personal experience beagle are insane, and cockers are not good with children. Hope you find your perfect dog.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

Definitely NOT a Coker Spaniel. They are over bred and have major aggression issues. They are fear biters which is the worst kind of aggression. If you like the look of the Cocker Spaniel you should look into the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are good around kids as long as they are mature enough to not pull their hair and ears. They can be at one minute very active and playful but then the next minute they will be on your lap sleeping. The only thing is they are very bonded to their owner that they cannot be left home alone for long hours .They will suffer from separation issues.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I hate to say it, but personality differs greatly from dog to dog, even within specific breeds. I would go to www.petfinder.com. Search for one based on size, and then email the folks who have the dog (foster, rescue, whomever) and ask about temperament. Show them your list, and ask if that dog is right for you, or if they know of one that might be. Most rescue groups will bend over backwards to help you find the right dog.

Good luck!

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

first let me say a puppy should not be left more than 4 hrs. at a time or you will have a hard time housebreaking. any breed you choose will need training and alot of socializeing to be around kids and large groups. small kids need to be trained on how to behave with a dog also.

if you want a purebred you can check with animal shelters (more and more purebreds are ending up in shelters). most shelters temperment test the dogs so you have a better idea what you are getting.

if you don't find what you want there then i suggest you go to the AKC web page ( akc.org) they can show you all 159 breeds that AKC reconize and it will tell you all about the breed and give you list of breeders. you can also go into google type in the breed and it will come up with the breed club for that breed and they will give you all information includeing health issues. they also have rescues that live in foster homes,foster parents will be able to tell you everything about dog and normally they are housebroke already.. cockers require alot of brushing inbetween grooming sessions and are prone to ear infections. Pugs shed 365 day a year. short coats does not mean less shedding.

i can't give you a specific breed,you need to do your home work and research the breed you are interested in. there are drawbacks in every breed and not knowing you personaly it is hard to judge what it the best for your family. some breeds are barkers, all dogs require a secure fenced yard, some are more difficult to train but all need training. there are no push button dogs.

all most all dogs shed, some more than others . do your homework, don't buy from pet stores, or BYB ( ads in paper).breed rescue or shelter rescue have already spay/nutered dog, shots are up to date.

good luck on your search

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I agree 100% w/ Rachel H. We have two Jack Russell terrier mix dogs, littermates, neutered males. One we got at age 9 weeks (tall legged), the other was living w/ friends %26amp; we took him in at age 9 months (short legged). They had always had 'puppy playdates' w/ each other. Jack Russells have a reputation for possibly being overly hyper %26amp; uncontrollable. Much of this can be due to training or lack of it. Again, our dogs are Jack Russell mixes (with what we're not sure, maybe pomeranian). They were raised w/ their mother until adoption so we got to see the more docile temperament of the mother, the Jack Russell. Our dogs are sweethearts %26amp; meet the specifics you listed, as Rachel replied. (no need for me to repeat that). Ours are lap dogs, love to cuddle, sleep w/ us, are good w/ kids %26amp; groups, also good watch dogs, alert, nothing happens that they don't notice. Due to good training by us they are mostly well behaved %26amp; listen well, are not excessive barkers %26amp; they've learned to not be hyper or jump. They just turned a year old %26amp; b/c of the addition of the second dog at the age of 9 months, some re-training of both has been necessary %26amp; is ongoing. Jack Russels, even our mixes require consistent ongoing training. They are highly intelligent dogs but can be strong willed, just means they need consistent ongoing training as stated. With any dog it's best to spend time on good training now than to spend time on the consequences of poor training forever. You will have a better behaved more loveable dog. Jack Russells can be 'active' %26amp; may require more exercise than some other dogs or they could become bored (read destructive), so can any breed of dog. They would play fetch %26amp; other 'people games' more often but now since they have each other they're less interested in that %26amp; play puppy games w/ each other. They enjoy their leash walks (together w/ each on his own leash) %26amp; their romps together in our fenced back yard. These dogs, especially the longer legged kind can be good climbers, scaling a 4ft plywood wall or jumping from the floor onto the counter or tabletop. We have a 4ft fence %26amp; he has not scaled that. That is just a touch of their unique abilities. Most things will not be a problem w/ good training or good knowledge. For our 'escape artist' we added a wood rail to the top of the plywood wall, no problems since. Love our pups! The ones I almost didn't go see when I heard their mix. Regarding personal experience w/ Cocker Spaniels, my husband had one from puppyhood till she died. She was cute %26amp; loyal but the constant grooming, ear infections, etc were a real pain. A higher maintenance dog. I had a yellow labrador, they're silly high energy dogs that could play fetch for hours %26amp; love water (mine did). Reminds me of the Marmaduke comic! They need alot of daily exercise but are family loyal %26amp; good around young children. Growing up we had what was thought to be a husky-shepherd-beagle mix, nice dog until it got older %26amp; became a bit 'nippy'. I suggest a mix of some sort since you don't seem to be breed particular. They often have less health related issues than purebreds %26amp; possibly a better temperament. You have to do research, which you are. Get several opinions %26amp; research your choices on the 'net on dog sites %26amp; in books from the library to help you decide. Don't rule out a shelter dog that you like that has a good temperament, that's half the battle, getting good temperament. Whatever, train puppy well %26amp; love puppy always, their love is unconditional. This is not suggesting that an adult shelter dog wouldn't be suitable if you have the time %26amp; patience to devote to a dog that could have some 'issues', not all shelter dogs do, most of them are loyal lifetime companions %26amp; all dogs require training upon entering a new home. A puppy is a lot of work, worth it.

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

I have 4 miniature schnauzers they play there not to big not to small they do not shed at all . Very loving and friendly . they come in different colors as well saltand pepper, black , white . blackand white mixed and one called part schnauzers which have spots . there great dogs

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

i have 2 dogs, a german shorthaired pointer and a weimaraner. i think weimis are to hyper for wat u discribed but german shorthaired pointers fit everything you discribed....i think. do some research on them....good luck!!!

Best breed of dog to have (read specifics please)?

We have a Border Collie. He meets all the criteria except the shedding part. With proper grooming that shouldn't be a problem. He's great with kids (he likes to herd them all together). He is definitely a "pack" dog. He wants to be with the family all the time. He stays by himself all day while we are gone and doesn't get into trouble. Although I highly recommend kennel or crate training your dog. This helps when you travel and take the pooch along. It also gives them their own space to get away from time to time. Our dog goes in his "house" in the afternoons to nap. We leave the door open for him.