If you're looking for a dog that's a little bit different, a professional dog trainer has named three “rare” breeds that he believes would be great additions to a family
We're a nation of dog lovers, and with the vast array of breeds available, picking the right one for your home can be a challenge. It's crucial to consider which breeds you can care for within your means and budget.
For many, a “family dog” is essential, especially if children are involved. That's why the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever are such popular choices due to their friendly nature around kids.
However, if you're looking to diverge from the common picks, dog trainer Will Atherton points out there are some “rare” breeds that are less commonly owned yet still make fantastic family pets. Regardless of whether a breed is known as a ‘family dog', all dogs require proper training, and it's important to remember that not every dog is suitable for first-time owners.
READ MORE: Everyone with a bank account sent £219 April warning
Before making any commitments, thorough research is key to ensure you're ready for the responsibility. If you've done your homework and are prepared for a new addition to the family, here are three dog breeds that Atherton suggests for those wanting to stand out: Leonberger.
Will first suggested the Leonberger, praising it as an “incredibly gentle, placid, relaxed dog”. He mentioned that this breed can be a great addition to a family home but stressed that prospective owners should possess the “skill and experience to handle a larger breed”, reports the Express.
Will elaborated that Leonbergers need dedicated training to ensure “excellent level of leadership, manners, and socialisation”.
Leonbergers are a colossal breed standing at 25-32 inches tall and weighing as much as 170 pounds. Their impressive size, however, means they have a shorter average lifespan—just seven years—which is an essential factor for families looking for a pet to grow with their children.
PetMD also notes that Leonbergers can become “gentle giants” if given proper socialisation and training. They are known to be “loyal to their family” and “gentle with children”, but deep research into the breed's requirements is crucial before making a commitment.
Focusing on the Komondor, sometimes known as the “mop dog” or Hungarian sheepdog, Will described it as a “genuinely nice, sweet dog”. He observed that the Komondor is “incredibly rare” in the UK, revealing that during his career as a trainer, he's only worked with one Komondor to date.
However, anyone considering bringing a Komondor into their family should be aware of the high grooming demands, as the Kennel Club advises that they require grooming more than once a week to keep their coats in check. Furthermore, the Kennel Club recommends that Komondor owners have a spacious home with a large garden to ensure their dog's happiness, and notes that this breed is often better suited to a rural setting rather than an urban one.
Komondors are known for being “excellent guards” who are “faithful and devoted”, but they can be “wary of strangers” and “strongly territorial”, which may make them less suitable for households with other pets and necessitates proper training. Flat-Coated Retriever Will expressed his fondness for Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, believing them to be the “best family pets”.
However, for those seeking a similar breed that is less common, he suggested considering the Flat-Coated Retriever. According to Will, this breed offers “a lot of the benefits” of other Retriever breeds, with the added appeal of being less common.
Hill's Pet Nutrition describes the Flat-Coated Retriever as a “wonderful family dog” that is “loving toward children” and extremely sociable. Nevertheless, they caution that this breed is “quite slow to mature” and may retain puppy-like characteristics for over three years, making them less suitable for households that cannot accommodate their high energy levels or provide adequate training.
Regardless of the dog breed you're considering, it's crucial to conduct thorough research to ensure that the breed is a good fit for you and vice versa. Adequate training is essential for all breeds, and some dogs may not be suitable for first-time owners.
It might also be worth considering adopting a dog rather than buying one.