We have a gorgeous female Springer Spaniel who is now 18 months old. We are considering getting a second dog (I have read the "considering getting a friend" thread but don't want to hijack) and I'm wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom about breeds. Although I know we should really do the rescue dog thing, we had a very bad experience a few years back so will probably go for another puppy. Our springer is, rather unusually I think, not particularly hyper. She is lively and enjoys her walks and our very large garden, but I don't take her to "off leash areas" (we're in Oz) as I know too many people who have been attacked, or had their dogs attacked, there. She socializes with our friends' dogs but having spent a lot of time lately with families with 2-3 dogs we think it would be nice for all of us to "increase our family".
We are thinking another female, and probably smaller (same size max). I have a real soft spot for spaniels so was thinking of a cocker, I love beagles (have I got a thing about big ears....) but I know they are REALLY lively. Has anyone got any ideas about small-medium breeds who are reasonably calm and good with kids. Our kids range from 8 up so not small, but the dog we have is so child friendly I would hate one who wasn't. Oh, and everything here seems to be crossed with a poodle to stop them shedding but I am not keen on "-oddles".
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Help me choose the breed of our second puppy please.
sunnydelight · 21/06/2011 04:33
...and WRT to non-working spaniels, it definitely helps to be creative with games!
Mine will seek out any of my four children by name, if asked. He now helps with the recycling (I give him an item from the basket in the kitchen and he'll take it to a named child to deposit it in the right container outside) ...and yesterday, he alerted me to the fact one of the kittens was injured, of his own volition 
We have a sheltie who would tick your boxes (not him personally, but a sheltie puppy!). He's very calm and has been utterly fantastic with the children. DD2 was only 2 when we got him and he has been wonderful - would put up with anything. I had a sheltie when I was a child who was just as patient and tolerant - we used to dress him in dolls clothes and push him in the pram 
.
For a sheepdog breed, he rather likes a quiet life! They tend to moult in clumps so although they are long haired, you don't get much of a hair problem (I realised how little hair problem once we got our JRT/ spaniel cross and suddenly there is white hair everywhere ). Only downside is he does quite like the sound of his own voice, but only when disturbed eg if the postman puts something through the letterbox. So other people can think he barks a lot, whereas he's very quiet with us. Pic on profile :)
Jenny, I struck upon the idea when he appeared to make the connotation himself, between my eldest child's name and her.
Since then, we've taught him the others by me saying 'find ', while the child named called him to them. Over time, the child can drop from calling to just praise/treat when he arrives.
We're now teaching him to retrieve the various children. He goes to them, speaks, and they know to follow him to me 
...that one's a work in progress but much fun and potentially very useful!
It's generally not too difficult for gundogs to learn find and retrieve games and he seems to be enjoying his array of tasks.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.