Family pooch suggestions

I agree with those who said pit bull. The breed fits the OP's desires. A Dalmatian might work or a large Rat Terrier.

Good with kids
Quiet-ish ("hello" when someone's at the door is ok)
Not too much grooming
Plays fetch with a frisbee and tennis ball
Good with mixed outdoor/indoor environment
Trainable but not smarter than me
Can let off the leash safely
Not going to kill the neighbor's cat Not going to bark all day at the neighbor's cat
Prefer fur that is soft, short(er), and consistent length
Ok with snow (Canadian winters)
Ok with sleeping by itself (indoors)
Low odor
Prefer consistent fur color
Don't want to have my clothes covered in fur after getting off the couch
Will go for a jog with me

It might fill a lot of the criteria but those in bold, I seriously question. A lot of the other things depend on a lot of things, like training and just how cold is it in winter? These dogs don't exactly have a malamute coat. Dog hair on clothes? Well, I don't know how much hair is too much hair. I do know that my short haired dogs still shed and the hairs do get on clothes. How much hair gets on clothes? That depends on the color. :rofl1:

Didnt i read some where he lives in Ontario? Pittys are banned here. unfourtenetly.

Yup, I thought an adult, thoroughly TT pit bull but he lives near Toronto so that's out.

Peter, what a great thread you have started! I am impressed by the thought you have put into analyzing a dog that will fit with your family and lifestyle.

That part is the hard work.

However, I think you have asked the wrong question. Your search is for the perfect addition to your family...not a breed.

If I were you I would start by finding someone who really knows dog temperment in your area. A trainer would be my first choice, because you will need their services anyway. (Any money spent on buying a purebred dog from a breeder would be MUCH better spent on a trainer for most folks looking for a family pet). I bet their are people on this board that could make some great recommendations.

Tell the trainer your needs, have them meet your family, and then work with them to search the local pounds or rescues for the perfect dog who will match your families lifestyle and energy levels.

The shelter selection process could be a wonderful learning experience for your family, not only in selecting dogs, but in teaching emotional benefits that come from rescuing a less fortunate dog who really needs a family.

You and your wife work enough that a new puppy may not be the best choice, but a trainer who knows dogs will be able to answer that.

Good luck on your search!

Wow - what a great thread, with a lot of good information! Love it!

I just wanted to respond, since I saw interest in the cocker spaniel. And naturally I had to respond to the "good breeders" vs "bad breeders" and cockers being girly dogs with pee problems
Cockers can be great family dogs. My suggestion would be to either find a good breeder (would take longer, take lots of research and talking to a breeder) or going through a breed specific rescue if you were seriously interested in the breed. The "problem" with the bad breeders (and really, this applies to any breed popularized by the media; labs, goldens, dalmations, chihuahuas, etc) is that they were so popular that everyone wanted one, and so anyone would get a male and a female and sell the puppies without any concerns with genetics or temperament. It was quantity over quality, and now breeders are doing just to opposite to help restore the breed.
The benefits of going to a rescue would be your best bet - everything on your list; barking, being good with cats, etc would be known about a dog in a good rescue. The one thing I noticed on your list is the grooming aspect. Cockers need groomed about every 6wks or so - depending on how long or short their hair is. There are also good grooming videos and forums you could go to if you wanted to learn to do it yourself. Me, personally, I find grooming very relaxing and therapeutic
If you go through a rescue, however, you may find one with a 'field coat' which is not as thick, and doesn't grow as long. My last foster, Reba, had a beautiful red field coat that required no trimming at all. My current foster has a full show coat that requires a bit of maintenance.
In my personal experience, cockers do not shed as bad as some. The cavaliers I've met definitely shed worse, as do labs, pugs, german shedders(shepherds) etc. The do require the brushing, though, some mat easier than others, and if that's not something your into I would pick another breed.

As for the peeing - submissive urinating, some of puppies from "bad breeders" have it, and most grow out of it. None of the dogs in the rescue currently submissively urinate, to the best of my knowledge. And we have quite a few dogs - more than which on currently on the website (still evaluating and getting into foster homes). It can be worsened from towering people, training with harsh methods and/or punishment. I've known quite a few labs who submissively urinate - and there bigger so it seems worse when they do
Again, if you go to a rescue (whatever the breed) they will be able to tell you if the dog submissively urinates or not.
With any breeds there will be variations - dogs are after all individuals and some do not like certain things, or have learned to react differently to different situations. If you don't see a dog you're interested in right now you could fill out an application and be approved so when I dog does come into the rescue that you're interested in you won't have to worry about being approved before someone else. I believe most rescues do this as well (but not 100% certain). Visiting shelters is a great start, just to see what you like, and what you don't like to narrow down you preferences. Don't be detered by a dogs age, either. Sometimes the dogs that are "older" 6+ are the best ones! And they still have a lot of life left in them
Our 3 that perminatly live here love to hike, would love to jog if I wasn't so lazy (lol we have done it in the past), are reliable offleash (with training), non-yappy, good with cats, kids, are very soft loves to play in the snow (sometimes have to watch for ice balls attaching to the fur if its kept longer), love to be inside or outside; really wherever you are. Very trainable, catch on to tricks quickly, espeicially if you use food and/or a clicker! I have only had my current foster 3wks today and the commands he's learned staggers me!

I encourage you to check out petfinder, rescues or shelters in your area, and also to check out the Cherished Cockers website; we have adopted to a family in Canada before. Transport is an issue, but the family came down through Michigan I believe and met transport up there to adopt the dogs. Sometimes we have mixes with poodle or cavalier. Oreo looks like he's possibly mixed with golden or something a little bit bigger. He's a big puppy. Actually if Wally wasn't adoption pending he sounds like a match for you - he LOVES kids

Cherished Cockers

There is a lot of good info on this thread! I wish everyone would take the time to research like you are! And this may be random, but if you were okay with not letting a dog offleash (fence is okay) beagles make great family pets. They're pretty food motivated when it comes to training

Sorry I'm getting so windy! But I wanted to add that THIS LINK is a forum that different cocker rescues network across the states - there is an international section, but its not very active. There is ways to set up transportation, though

Good luck on your search!

Dalmatians shed like crazy, from what I've heard. But otherwise they might fit the criteria pretty well (depending how much jogging he's talking--very active dogs!)

Thanks for all the replies. I can't respond to all of them but I'm reading them all.

The comment about looking for a family member rather than a breed was taken to heart. Thank you Groch.

Re: Sweater for dog in winter - once again my preconceptions played a role in my initial negative response. The pictures of the doggy-jackets were helpful and I'd have no problem putting this on my dog when we go outside.

I met a tibetan terrier yesterday. Very nice dog.

The idea of a boxer is a good one and I'll keep in mind. Will they fetch? Catch a frisbee? I play ultimate twice/week and would love to be able to tucker him/her out while practicing my long throws.

My son would LOVE a dalmation but I've also heard about the heavy shedding and I don't think that would work.

Since yu say fetch, and frisby, maybe a border collie or Australian Shepherd? They shed, but most dogs do. Aussies are minimal grooming maintainance also. They are both active and love family. As far as Dals go, I have heard a lot about deafness and biting. Just something to think about.