Top 20 breeds according to the Kennel Club

1 Retriever (Labrador) 32,507
2 Spaniel (Cocker) 22,577
3 French Bulldog 14,607
4 Spaniel (English Springer) 10,246
5 Pug 10,087
6 German Shepherd Dog 7,783
7 Bulldog 6,960
8 Retriever (Golden) 6,928
9 Border Terrier 5,426
10 Miniature Schnauzer 5,302
11 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 4,563
12 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 4,383
13 Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) 3,932
14 Shih Tzu 3,636
15 Boxer 3,379
16 Dachshund (Miniature Smooth-Haired) 3,450
17 Whippet 3,084
18 Lhasa Apso 2,719
19 West Highland White Terrier 2,692
20 Beagle 2,424

Didn’t realise those ugly little French Bulldogs were so popular??

I have 2 black labs, one 7 years and the other about 4 months. They’re popular for good reason. Wife would also have liked a Spaniel (I would only have entertained a Springer) but wasn’t sure about the crazyness or need for so much exercise.

Labs are great with kids, mine are 4 and 5 so have never not had a dog around.

I’m not saying go for the most popular, but it’s a helpful thing to reference. Most dogs are popular for a reason (caveat those rat like French Bulldogs and pugs!) – one of my favourite comments from my kids was when I was cycling with my son and the dog round the normal walk – “look daddy, a cat”

We were even told by one of the charities that they wouldn’t even consider us because we didn’t fit their requirements.

They will have their reasons – they only have the dogs & yours best interests at heart I promise you.

Drac – Moderator
It looks like it has a bit of Wheaton terrier in it . Lovely looking dog mind.

Cheers! Yeah, definitely got terrier in him. It’s just his body shape which gives away the lurcher content – deep chest, small waist, faster than he looks…

Get a large sofa and a beach at sunset and then it really doesn’t matter what kind of dog you get.

There are some really good looking dogs about. From this thread I will need to eaither choose 5 or 6 different ones, open my own rescue place or learn how to splice DNA. Still early days but I’m convinced a dog is the way to go.

In true way of recommending what you have Standard Poodle. Good points they don’t cast, are smart, train well, lovely chilled nature, have a good balance of speed and agility. Bad points don’t like being left alone for long periods, everyone wants to stop and pet them, and finally they are very happy to almost walk upright on their hind legs, so things you thought were out of reach aren’t.

That’ll be a standing poodle!

Googling staffie x boxer wasn’t a great idea.. (completely worksafe)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/2b/32/1b/2b321b2471d692c0d585a76261d2523f.jpg

From the link above. Best dogs ever 😉

One that won’t bite your kids face off. My sister has had two of here kids bitten by the grandparents family friendly dogs. I wouldn’t get too hooked up on the breed, just rememeber you can never really trust a dog with small children.

We had a novascotian duck tolling retriever rescue with our eldest and she was great, but I still wouldn’t trust her.

A cat! Just get a cat!

Standing Poodle, i see what you did there 😉

I can’t seem to link to images on my phone but there are some good examples on the Web. Women beware as their front paws always seem to end up a breast height! Can leave interesting muddy paw marks.

Reluctant to go with a cat again as I’m worried it will go the same way.

They will have their reasons – they only have the dogs & yours best interests at heart I promise you.

No doubt, but I am just tempering the OPs hopes that they might be able to get a rescue as with a young family they will find it difficult if our experience is anything to go by.

Flat coat retriever – the king of dogs – enough said