[tenar]

So imagine hypothetically that I could get a new dog....

I love the way on here I see breeds suggested that I have never heard of. So throw me your ideas that are a fit or a near fit for these criteria:

Physical:
- large enough to be robust with kids, small enough to not cost as much as a great dane to feed.
- no or low shedding
- low grooming requirements but I'm happy to clip every few weeks
- preferably not a bearded breed, as I've had it with getting food out of schnauzer face...

Temperament:
- must be intelligent and trainable. I've lived with dogs most of my life and can deal with a dog who needs training, as long as the result will be something I can trust with kids around off-lead in a park
- good with kids and other dogs. The sort of dog you'd be happy to leave tied up outside a shop.

Exercise:
- needs to live in a small house with small garden, 1hr walk/day with a fair bit of off-lead. Plenty of additional time out and about with me and the kids in our local area.

So hit me with your suggestions to match these criteria

[*Spikey*]

Standard poodle. Non-pom pom clip.

[la di dah]

I can't advise on the food bill thing. I've had big dogs that ate less than other people's small dogs. That seems an individual thing. My Akitas didn't eat much at all for their size - less than dachshunds we babysat. But a dachshund is a much "busier" dog that roams the house and patrols around and snorts food crumbs off the floor...?

Not good at off lead but calm, big, and easy-going temperment... have you considered a rescue greyhound? They're not wee and fragile, but not hyper either. Like lots of naps. Not super-brilliant but not determined to alpha. I did hear one greyhound owner when asked "does he know stay...?" say "sure, stay on the electric blanket, stay on the sofa, stay inside because its drizzling..."

Not easier to groom than a schnauzer but you can shave their face... miniature (not toy) poodles can be athletically built and of reasonable size to not get shattered. They're very clever and trainable but don't need massive exercise as they're not that big. A Standard Poodle is one of my favourite medium-large dogs but maybe too much exercise needs? There's some poodle people around. I do think of them for being intelligent, trainable, and a "people person."

[melbelle]

I'd say a standard as well. My parents have two who are divine. My mini is five times more energetic than they are - they're happy with a robust play session every day and a long walk.

Very much people dogs they need to be with you, but are such a wonderful companion

[leJadie]

I agree with the standard poodle. I'd go unclipped because I don't like the froo froo look

[caninestorm]

Can't go "unclipped" with a poodle! Have to at least get a puppy/lamb/sport clip or their hair will grow and grow and eventually turn into dreadlocks I'd suggest a miniature over a standard for a few reasons... standards are very, very boisterous. They cost a lot more when they go to the groomer (unless you learn to clip them yourself). I adore the standards though!

Lagotto are really nice pooches, but you'd have to be really careful with temperament as many in Australia appear to be quite timid. The confident ones are gorgeous, a nice size, no shedding.

[*Ker*]

Lagotto are really nice pooches, but you'd have to be really careful with temperament as many in Australia appear to be quite timid. The confident ones are gorgeous, a nice size, no shedding.

I've met quite a few Lagotto's, and have NEVER met a timid one yet! They've all been outrageously confident.

[*Spikey*]

I don't think standard poodles are particularly boisterous.

Maybe its a comparative thing - I have some really boisterous BCs in my classes. The poodles seem positively laid back and chilled in comparison.

[caninestorm]

That's good to hear Ker! I've met about 10 all up, two of them had lovely temperaments (including a baby puppy) and the others were all questionable. Not a huge sample size though!

[tenar]

Thanks for the replies. I think a poodle might well fit the bill, too.

The only standard poodles I've known were mean. There used to be a pair walked in our local off-lead park and one of them killed a little dog by rolling it over. It was a few years ago - I forget the details and I didn't see the incident. Is dog aggression common in the breed?

Are there differences in temperament between miniature and standard poodles? My grandparents had a mini poodle years ago and he was lovely and just gorgeous with us kids. He'd happily do "tricks" for us all day when we visited and we loved it.

How often would their faces need clipping to keep the food thing under control? I am happy to clip a dog - I have clipped my schnauzer all her life and I'm sure I can learn to clip a poodle too in the future.

Do poodles come up as rescues often and would it be likely to get one with a reasonable temperament that way?