#beauces i think can make great family dogs but they have their quirks

[bas-rouge]

If you make a list of breeds you would recommend most to your average household, what would you include? Any best-kept secrets? Any breeds that are popular as pets that you absolutely would not include?

Ohhh man. Hm.

Collies are an easy one - they are best-kept secrets in that not many families have them, but they're almost invariably incredible family dogs when well-bred. I've met one (1) Collie that didn't go "OMG YAY A CHILD" and get all gooey. They're friendly, they tend to be easy to train and live with, and (depending on line) they are often not demanding when it comes to exercise. I know people often say that Smooths have higher energy levels but I haven't seen this myself, just certain breeders who produce dogs (rough or smooth) with higher energy levels... a lot of "sporty" breeders just so happen to breed mostly Smooths ime.

I think most of the small companion breeds are fabulous, too. I've loved the temperaments of the well-bred Frenchies I've met - so sweet and funny. Obviously not a secret since they're so popular. Labs and Goldens (obviously), but I have known people who got a field line Lab as a family pet and ended up with a neurotic, understimulated nightmare. So, yk.

On the bigger end I find Berners to be incredible family dogs, and in my experience well-bred Mastiffs are, too (again be careful re:lines, I know some people who breed for more intense Mastiffs). Saints and Newfs are also great but a lot of maintenance.

Rat Terriers ime are great companions, they are so fun, so clever, and so portable. I've met very few that wouldn't make good family pets.

I wouldn't include Sibes (they don't seem as popular now as they were 10 years ago, but still), pits ( @pitbolshevik correct me if you'd like, I think AmStaffs/APBTs can make great family dogs but I do think prospective owners need to understand a bit about the breed and its history beforehand), GSDs (the well-bred ones I've met have been lovely, but even AmSL (the only ones I interact with) have been very suspicious of strangers... I imagine poor socialisation could still mess them up pretty bad), BCs, and. Sorry. Doodles

I'm not going to bother with Doodle discourse but I DO think that a lot of families buy a Doodle (Aussiedoodle, Bernadoodle, Sheepadoodle, what ever) because they think it's going to be like the Goldendoodle/Labradoodle/Cockapoo they met. "Doodle" has become such an ambiguous thing that I feel like pet owners don't really understand what they're getting when they get an "Aussiedoodle". I've never met two Goldendoodles with the same temperament, but ymmv I haven't interacted with many on account of the dog show thing

On a similar note, I know Mals are constantly touted by some as a "stay away stay away stay away" breed, but I have found show line Mals to be pretty great little dogs. 🤷‍♂️