Breed recommendations

Hi

Were looking for breed recommendations as we're struggling to find which breed to go for as my sister has autism and were not sure what to go for, below I'll put what we're looking for.

We are looking for ( based on an adult dog we know puppy's are crazy)

an easy to train dog ( were both new to dogs)

laid back and easy going

a dog whose friendly with other pets ( has to be good with cats)

Ok with other dogs is either friendly or just ignores them

not yappy or Barky we live in a semi detached house and our neighbours are the type who would complain and we dont want to upset or annoy them so more of a quiet breed and jen hates a lot of barking or high pitch noises

a dog who loves exercise as we love long walks

a calm dog ( jen gets uncomfortable around hyper dogs like springers due to her autism she does better around calm dogs)

Easy coat care we dont mind brushing and bathing but we could not handle a huge grooming job.

Not interested in going upto strangers only wants to be with his people.

Large size no smaller than a golden no giants.

Were are looking at puppy and rescue but we would like to pick a breed first.

We are both home all day and I work from home , were both active and plan on training and socializing with the help of a professional from day one.

The only dislike I have is excessive drool and Jen is not keen on thinner built dogs like greyhounds or flat faced dogs.

We mainly struggle with dogs who are friendly with other people and who seek out attention or get a lot of attention from the public as Jen is uncomfortable around strangers , were not looking for 0 attention as we know all dogs will get attention but one who gets less attention from people and one who doesn't seek attention

A quick question, do you have any other pets that would need to be taken into consideration?

Yes a cat who is ok with dogs and he's a Very very lazy cat so there's no fast moving movements ect.

He plays ok with next doors dog , he's an indoor cat but he's allowed in the gardens it's cat proof can't get out and not cats can get in.

While I was waiting for reply I did contact a charity that trains autistic dogs and Jens not eligible ( won't go into personal detail) but she recommended a lab to us as she said they would be perfect and are best with autism. She said the ones who fail the blacks always get overlooked and are the hardest to re-home so you get less attention with blacks so she advised us to go for a black lab.

But I was going to wait until we've had more replys here first

Labs would probably fit your description, as would retrievers. However they might be more friendly with people than you want (although that isn't hard to control). What about a rottweiler?

We have looked into the Rottweiler a friend owns them and we have looked into the German shepherd as there in the family but both were a no , on a Rottweiler forum we were told that Rotties would chase the cat and are not to be trusted around him and we were told they would not be right for us as well as not being first dogs.

Jen also told me she was glad we were told not to get one as she's scared of them due to the reputation they have.

The shepherd we were told will be to vocal for us.

I think a lot of 'what you are looking for' is down to individual personality of an individual dog AND the training you are prepared to do to achieve what you want, so not 'breed' specific.
Dogs are living, thinking beings and 'breeds' do not come with a label attached to their side like a mass produced product....so although you have been told 'rotties' chase cats reality is most dogs 'will' chase cats as most cats run and so dogs react to that and many dog owners allow or encourage their dog to chase cats, some because they think it is 'what dogs do', some because they themselves don't like cats however cats and dogs ( any breed) can be taught to accept each other, even love each other and live together happily.
At this point in time I am looking after a 'cat hating dog' (owners words) he has been here for 3 days he is happily sleeping in a bed right now and my cat is wandering around and 'telling me' he is no threat and he has not even looked like he has an issue with her... all that is more to do with my cat, she is afraid of nothing, doesn't run so won't get chased and he is copying the behaviour of my own dogs who don't bother her..... so bringing a dog into your home, cat accepting ( and dog accepting) is going to take training of any breed.

You know what you don't want/like you don't want a excessive drooler, you don't want a bully breed, you don't want a Sighthound, no giant breeds nor a long coated dog...

There is a reason Guide Dogs for the Blind do not take their Labrador Retrievers for real training until they are 14 months old that is because Labs have not started to settle down until them, so they are fostered into guide dog foster homes to do basic household training/obedience up to that age they then spend a few weeks in kennels doing their work training and those that do not pass are offered to other disabled charities to do more training or pet homes, same with retired Guide Dogs for the Blind, when they retire there is a waiting list for any... might be worth contacting your local centre to see if there is any possibility of being accepted for a non passed youngster( around 18 months old) or retired ( around 8-9 yrs) they are already well trained and calm.

Personally I would never advise a GSD for a first time dog owner, they are fantasic dogs but you need to be an experienced handler, same with Rotties, again fantasic breed but not for a novice

I am assuming you have already spoken to Dogs for Autism? If not do https://dogsforautism.org.uk/

Thank you inka yes that's the charity I have spoken with who advised a lab.

Across from me is a puppy raiser for guide dogs and managed to speak to her today and she said the lab would be the best bet for us and she said since your prepared to put the time and effort into training and are getting help from the start a lab will be a great choice. She said she's raised 5 guide dog puppy's 4 labs 1 Golden and she said all the labs were easier than the Golden and 2 were blacks and they did get less attention than the others.

She said there not hyper or hard it's more people who expect labs are well behaved from birth and don't think they have to do any training but they do and I often get stopped and asked by other lab owners how have you got him/her so well behaved like that and so calm and the answer is simple firstly there well bred and then I have put blood sweat and tears into training and socializing (proper socilazion to have a confident dog in many different environments) and then make sure they are trained impulse control and give plenty of physical and mental stimulation and make sure they have an off switch to have down time.

She said it's hard work but do the hard work and there worth it. We got to meet her current black lab who was a fail guide dog who came back to her and she had to say yes. He was lovely and had a calming effect on Jen she almost came more confident to talk to her and was happier Jen really liked him and he did react differently with her to me as if he knew she was uncomfortable at the beginning and he calmed her right down it was the first time I saw her smile in public around someone she didn't know very well.

After then talking to Jen we have decided on the Labrador and we really like blacks.

You should really read the threads by Goldens4ever. That person was looking for a lab or a golden retriever and there I've no doubt you will find a lot of information on their threads interesting.

I'll take a look now

JAB said:

Thank you inka yes that's the charity I have spoken with who advised a lab.

Across from me is a puppy raiser for guide dogs and managed to speak to her today and she said the lab would be the best bet for us and she said since your prepared to put the time and effort into training and are getting help from the start a lab will be a great choice. She said she's raised 5 guide dog puppy's 4 labs 1 Golden and she said all the labs were easier than the Golden and 2 were blacks and they did get less attention than the others.

She said there not hyper or hard it's more people who expect labs are well behaved from birth and don't think they have to do any training but they do and I often get stopped and asked by other lab owners how have you got him/her so well behaved like that and so calm and the answer is simple firstly there well bred and then I have put blood sweat and tears into training and socializing (proper socilazion to have a confident dog in many different environments) and then make sure they are trained impulse control and give plenty of physical and mental stimulation and make sure they have an off switch to have down time.

She said it's hard work but do the hard work and there worth it. We got to meet her current black lab who was a fail guide dog who came back to her and she had to say yes. He was lovely and had a calming effect on Jen she almost came more confident to talk to her and was happier Jen really liked him and he did react differently with her to me as if he knew she was uncomfortable at the beginning and he calmed her right down it was the first time I saw her smile in public around someone she didn't know very well.

After then talking to Jen we have decided on the Labrador and we really like blacks.

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Great! It sounds like you have someone who could potentially help you near by. So it is about getting the right Lab from the right breeder if that is what you have decided upon. Guide Dogs have their own breeders and breeding programme so know exactly what temperaments the pups are more likely going to become....then an average 14 months in a family home to get basic obedience/socialisation before they do formal training, then matched with their new owner around 18 months old....the formal training/matching is what I used to do.

My grandson has ADHD and my grandaughter has autism. ..they had a rescue Staffy she was an amazing dog who was so in tune with them both .....they had her 10 years ....she was sadly PTS last year due to her back legs giving up ...my grandchildren were devastated and still are ... both want another rescue staff....
If you go to a good rescue. ..staffys are amazing dogs for children /people. ....