Cocker Spaniel, Cockapoo, Beagle? Maybe a Basset Hound?

[3monkeys3]

Morning! I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has any of these breeds. We are thinking of getting a puppy next year and I really want to make the right decision with regards to breed. We want something smallish/medium sized that is also very good with small children - our dc are currently 4, almost 3 and 12 months, but you can probably add another year to that by the time we'd realistically get the dog. We don't have a particularly big house, with just 2 (biggish) rooms downstairs and an ok sized garden and this isn't likely to change anytime soon other than the possibility of a conservatory at some point. We live in a rural area though, so plenty of opportunities for long walks and runs for us all. I'd like something with a decent energy level (hence the maybe with the Basset) that we can take on long walks, but that also isn't TOO crazy and constantly bounding and won't tear my house apart if I don't manage to get out on a walk on the odd occasion (definitely plan to walk twice a day, but with 3dc you never know what may come up). I also really would like the dog to properly be part of the family and come out with us as much as possible, including UK and French holidays (will do pet passport), but will also need to leave it alone for a couple of hours sometimes. I am sahm and will be for the foreseeable future, so it will only ever be a couple of hours at a time. I also will also need to train it and be able to expect a certain level of obedience (I've heard that Beagles are hard to train - is this so?). Getting on with cats would be useful, as we'd potentially like a cat in the future too. I grew up with dogs, so am confident and happy with them, my dh hasn't really been around dogs (though he likes them and is up for this), so I do want something he will love and warm to easily, which I suppose means a breed that will cause as little destruction, etc, as possible!

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

I was going to say spaniel, until the not too crazy part

[3monkeys3]

Chickens - that is why I am looking at cockapoos, I was wondering whether the dose of poodle may be slightly calming........or is that wishful thinking? One of the dogs I had as a child was an English cocker and he was lovely, and absolutely adored by my parents (we were a bit little to remember him properly), but crazy! That said, my dh really likes spaniels - he likes cocker spaniels and beagles, the cockapoo and basset are my ideas of how to get a similar dog with less nuttiness .

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Looking at mobile mop fondly. What I have come to realise is that if you cross a needy ground dog (cocker) with a needy water dog (poodle). What you get is a hugely needy dog that has a nose down tearing through the undergrowth before plonking himself in the nearest patch of water. His need to be with people is enormous he does not destroy anything (sylvanians don't count), but he whines if not with people.

[3monkeys3]

Interesting Lonecat - I think I can deal with all the doggy muckiness - we're a fun and muck sort of household, not a pristine one - and neediness should largely be ok as I can be with the dog virtually all day long (walks, hanging out at home, generally coming out and about with us, I'd leave it with family if we went away somewhere it couldn't come - my parents and sister are dog lovers and would be happy to help out, no problem with it sleeping at the foot of our bed, etc). How does your dog cope if you have to pop out for a few hours somewhere you can't take him? I'm thinking of things like shopping, which would be impossible with a dog in tow. I think I am erring towards cockatoo, so need a true picture of what they are like to own (and mobile mop just makes me want one even more!).

[3monkeys3]

• cockapoo! I hate autocorrect!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

He is fine at home no destruction, though he will always find a way to sleep on a human bed. I use him for agility that helps to burn the relentless energy.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

I should say we leave our dog for up to four hours at a time with no problem. He isn't destructive, and we tend to time walks with leaving him so he sleeps when we're out. He also needs to be with people. Spaniels don't seem to like being on their own much

[goshandspecs]

Aww how exciting. I would say adopt don't shop. There are breed rescues. Whatever you decide, do your research thoroughly. So many pups, even those bred by 'accredited breeders' come from puppy farms. I came across a site called 'puppy love campaigns' recently and it is quite shocking how some dogs are forced to suffer. A real eye opener. On their website they have a list of bad breeders to avoid, breeders who have been prosecuted for cruelty and neglect etc. They also have a facebook page. Do research thoroughly to prevent a lot of heartache and expensive vet fees. Don't fall into the puppy farm trap. Copy and paste the following link:- www.puppylovecampaigns.org/

[Naysa]

Cockerpoo isn't a breed so if you're willing to get a mutt anyway why don't you go to a rescue?

[3monkeys3]

I realise that it would be far more worthy of me to adopt, but as my dc are so small I think a puppy, whose background I am completely sure about, would be more appropriate.

[3monkeys3]

And I do realise that cockapoo is not a proper breed as well, but I am a responsible parent and potential dog owner and am doing my research into appropriate breeds/cross breeds - I don't really care all that much about how the dog looks, etc, as long as it will suit our set up. I'm actually quite embarrassed that I like a 'trendy' dog.

[StopEatingThatMud]

We have a two year old Bassett Fauve de Bretagne and she's fab.

Our house is small-ish, 2 rooms downstairs like yours. And we have a 16mo DD who she is brilliant with.

Admittedly she was pretty crazy for the first 18 months or so and we haven't been able to invest the time and energy into properly recall training her as she is all nose and no brain and would be a mile away before she realised off lead (a theory we've tested several times and she has had some training as a puppy) so we rely on a long flexi for walking. But if you can get past that she's the perfect dog for us.

[3monkeys3]

Thank you for the links gosh. I am aware of puppy farms and will be doing thorough research into breeders. I think I have found a cockapoo breeder I like the look of. It's shocking that such appalling treatment of animals still goes on isn't it? We are a family of animal lovers and are concerned with welfare in general, so it is definitely something I will be on the lookout for during this process.

[mistlethrush]

I had friends with a beagle and he regularly got wanderlust and disappeared.

[3monkeys3]

Thank you stopeatingthatmud. I really love Bassets, but am a bit put off by tales of laziness? I really want to be able to go on long dog walks! Your basset sounds quite active though? Do you think it will last, or will she become lazier as she gets older?

[mum47]

We have a four year old beagle. She is fantastic, and I wouldn't be without her, but they are not easy dogs. They are very strong willed, very food driven, and scavange all the time (not just food - socks, shoes, anything else left lying about). They need a decent amount of exercise and stimulation as they can be quite naughty if bored. It is not recommended that you let them off the lead as if they catch a scent, they will be off! We are very lucky that we can let ours off and she does come back (eventually). Her recall is rubbish though because if she gets distracted by a scent nothing else matters. You would need a completely secure garden as they are escape artists. They are also prone to putting on weight due to their greed. Despite all that (!) they are absolute beauties, ours is so loving and cuddly and such a personality she constantly makes me smile :) and I would have a beagle again. She is good at being left alone for periods of up to four hours - I think that is the longest you should leave any dog on their own. I think she enjoys the peace compared to our usual high octane household! And (hangs head in shame) she likes nothing better than to sleep in our bed with us - usually right in between us, so on the plus side, good for birth control! Not one to consider without researching thoroughly though - in fact that applies to all dogs - they are as much of a culture shock to your life as having a new baby in the house! Good luck - let us know what you end up with!

[wildfig]

Bassets aren't lazy - they'll walk all day if you want! Like most hounds, they have an off switch, so when they're not required for food supervision/games/etc, they're happy to nap, and won't pester you to chuck balls or tug ropes. They're laid back, great with children, and very affectionate creatures. BUT, they're not 'small to medium' dogs; you have to think of them as being a low-slung labrador. Both my dogs are at the bigger end of the scale, though they're in no way fat, and they weigh about 32kg, which is lovely when they're snuggled into your side on the sofa, less lovely if you have to carry them anywhere. Fauves and PBGVs (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens) are smaller and equally adorable, and slightly higher-energy.

If you're thinking about getting a basset (and they're addictive; I wouldn't have any other), do go and meet a breeder so you can see what the adult version's like to live with. It's worth taking some time to research a breeder you can trust - there are a lot of puppy farmers churning them out, because the puppies are so cute. And because the puppies are very different from the adult dogs, many of them end up dumped in rescue.

[TheGOLDCunnyFunt]

How about a whippet? They are small-medium, love to play, they love their excercise, with lots of training and tasty treats they'll come back to you :o they're generally grossed out by mud too! My friend has one and she always says that the dog should've gone to a family with children as she loves them! They make lovely lap dogs too :) I actually have a greyhound, which make brilliant pets! I was going to suggest one but then saw you wanted a small-medium dog.

I hate to burst your bubble but there aren't any good 'breeders' of poodle mixes. Yes the breeder may do it carefully but proper reputable breeders generally only breed to improve that particular breed. As poodle mixes aren't recognised breeds it's impossible to actually improve that breed.

[TheGOLDCunnyFunt]

Wow that was a lot of breeds in that post

[ChinUpChestOut]

I have a 3 year old Beagle, and I endorse everything mum47 said about them. Any food in the vicinity requires my Beagle's immediate and total attention. You can't leave school bags on the floor that might have or have had a sandwich in them, as he'll rifle through them looking for it. Or indeed, chew through the pocket of a Barbour to get at the stray doggy treat left in there by mistake.

But so loving, and soppy as soppy can be when he's on the sofa next to me, flat on his back, paws in the air. They're very intelligent (I think, or very stupid), and training is hard work, but they have such personality. Lots of exercise, don't let them get bored, and don't leave alone longer than 4 hours. Your Beagle will be delighted to be part of your pack.

[Naysa]

Getting a puppy isn't a guarantee. A rescue dog has grown up and will have been assessed so you sort of know what you're getting, more so if the dog has been surrendered by the previous owner. If your children are that young how can you make sure you have the time, energy and space to teach the dog manners and basic obedience?
As I said a puppy isn't a guarantee so it would be worth visiting rescues too...

[3monkeys3]

I will look into whippets, but I have a feeling they may be a bit delicate for kids or have I made that up? I may be thinking of Italian greyhounds. I suppose what I mean by a good breeder is one who is responsible and kind when it comes to their dogs and the puppies - I haven't really thought about other aspects of it that much, I certainly don't care about having a show dog, but I realise that improving the breed is about trying to reduce health problems too.

[3monkeys3]

Naysa - my time will be freed up quite a bit more from next year, which is the main reason we are waiting. I have every intention of being a responsible dog owner, I have grown up with dogs and am more than aware of the level of work and time involved. I would say that this is made pretty clear in my original and subsequent posts? I want my children to grow up with pets - I feel that this is important for many reasons. I realise of course that there is no guarantee with any animal, but if I do my research, choose the right breed, find a reputable breeder and raise the dog with kindness around my children, surely I am giving the dog the best chance? So much of the above is an unknown with a rescue dog. If we had no children I would feel more open to it.

[Missmuffet28]

I have a cocker spaniel a working type one, yes she has endless amounts of energy.... When we are out!! But at home she is the laziest pooch iv ever known and is led warming my feet as I type!
She's never been destructive in any way but I put that down to hard traing socialising and a crap load of her own toys :)
She's fab with kids again if you socialise a pup properly you should have no problems I took mine up to school EVERYday and let her mingle with the hundreds of kids. I have ds 10 and dsd 5
Cockers are fun happy dogs and have those adorable spaniel eyes and ears, I'd recommend them to most people who's set up sounds similar to yours it sounds perfect :)

[TheGOLDCunnyFunt]

My MIL has a working type cocker who does not stop moving ALL DAY. Literally the only time he stops is at bedtime. He just runs around the garden constantly. But he is only just 2yo. How old is yours Miss?

Monkeys whippets are a bit delicate. But yes, iggys (italian greyhounds) are probably what you are thinking of, they are very petite (smaller than a whippet) and delicate, matchstick legs that look like they could snap at any second and teeny weeny paws.