It might be time for a new dog .... come and help me choose ...

[GeoHound]

I think we might be at the stage of getting a new dog. How on earth do you choose? If I tell you my criteria, can you suggest some breeds to look a?

NOT:
tiny and yappy
a collie requiring hours and hours of exercise every day
a giant breed (Newfoundland etc)
a terrier (we have hens and rabbits, caged but don't want to risk it)

MUST BE:
fine with children (9yrs)

WOULD IDEALLY BE:
happy to participate in dog agility
sociable with humans and animals
large enough to give a decent 'woof' when people come to the door, but compact enough for easy travelling

We have a large garden. I work part time and both myself and husband work within a mile of home so the maximum 'alone' time will probably be 3 hours for 3 days of the week.

We will probably be looking to rehome from a breed rescue once we have worked out what to look for.

[topbannana]

Ha! I got here first on a new dog choosing thread :o
I always suggest working cockers as they are "our" breed. Fulfills all your criteria, although the big bark is maybe not big enough to frighten away the baddies
Labradors?
Staffies?

[ender]

Why get a particular breed when there are lovely Heinz 57 variety dogs in rescue?
We got the perfect dog four weeks ago. Fits all your criteria but you're not having him .
No idea what breed but think there's a bit of GSD in him. He's 8 months old and came from Ireland when a puppy, was rehomed with a littermate but was returned to rescue 4 months later as "too dominant" with other dog.
He was in foster care so I was able to see how he was with their cat and the other dogs there, took him out for a walk etc.
He's better behaved than our lab and learns amazingly quickly, already got perfect recall. Was a bit barky at first but now only barks for a reason ie someone standing at front door, bin men outside, and stops as soon as I tell him its OK.

[Greyhorses]

I love the german shepherd. A well trained GSD is the perfect family dog, mine are very well behaved and sleep most of the day except at walk times. They shed a lot th

[Greyhorses]

I love the german shepherd. A well trained GSD is the perfect family dog, mine are very well behaved and sleep most of the day except at walk times. They shed a lot though**

Sorry posted too soon!! Or what about a Labrador/retriever/springer??

[ender]

Another labrador was our first thought when we were looking for a 2nd dog, but we changed our minds after visiting a few rescues. None had any info about parent's hip/elbow scores, also they could have been over exercised when younger.
Friend has two rescue labs, both needed ops for joint problems within 12 months of getting them. She thinks one might have had had symptoms before rehoming but previous owners covered it up. Her pet insurance costs are huge.

[toboldlygo]

A poodle - probably miniature but a bottom-end-of-height standard can be surprisingly compact. Regularly beaten by them in agility, usually moderate needs in all ways (exercise, temperament, behaviour, sociability), the trade off for not shedding is the regular clipping though.

[PeanutPatty]

I'd love a poodle. If we had a bigger garden I'd love a standard.

[mistlethrush]

Lurcher. Get the right one and it will fold into the smallest gap (or take up the whole sofa if its available) run like the wind, and jump with ease. Ours doesn't do much in the way of any noise at all - probably her background. Sleeps when we're out - or if we're busy doing something in the house or the garden, plays whenever we suggest it, and is a fantastic dog with DS (8)

[froubylou]

Whippet. Or a lurcher.

Lovely dogs and meet all your criteria.

I have one and a 9yo dd. Couldn't ask for a better family dog.

[PeanutPatty]

I'd also love a whippet.

[onemoredayplease]

I'm with topbannana. working cockers everytime. beautiful dogs, clever, good with kids, happy to be busy or quiet. love mine she has a dog door so can mooch around the garden when I'm not there but she tends to sleep instead. she has been trained and enjoyed this, she's sociable too.

[Karbea]

I grew up with gsds so agree with that suggestion, very hard work at first but angels if you put the work in and go to a good breeder, not sure I'd personally get a rescue one, but that's me.

I've got an American cocker spaniel and he is amazing! Very intelligent, loving, great with cats, compact. Can't fault him!

[GeoHound]

Ooh, I knew I was right to ask for suggestions on here. I had never considered a poodle. Intelligent, good at bouncing through hoops, definitely dog sizedrather than rat sized, energetic to play with but not crazy and none shedding. So ... what are the down sides to a poodle? They sound perfect.

Is there much difference between a cocker / springer Spaniel other than their looks obviously?

A GSD is unfortunately not possible as our dog sitters will not have one.

[somelightattheendofthetunnel]

Ibizan Hound.... amazing dogs

[GeoHound]

Fantastic, even more suggestions. I am gradually looking them all up.

I don't think an Ibizan hound would suit us. The kennel club site says 'aloof with strangers', I think I want a sociable, loves everyone type of dog. She will be expected to be around a lot of children, so needs to like attention.

[PeanutPatty]

Check out Poodles In Need

[GeoHound]

Labradors, although wonderful, I am discounting. Our past three dogs were labs and I would like a bit of a change.

Staffies, I know are lovely dogs, but I'm just not that into them.

[topbannana]

We have had both cockers and springers, both working types.
While a lot is down to individual dogs in general our cockers are more adaptable and suitable as pets than the springers. They are happy little dogs, happy to play, sleep or work. Our springers wanted to work, work and work some more. They were both biddable and easy to train though I would say that the cockers are happier to be children's playmates.
We will always have cockers now given a choice of the two but again that is purely a personal choice :)

[VivaLeBeaver]

Poodles I believe can get separation anxiety but it doesn't sound like yours would be left a lot.

I'd have to suggest a Podengo as I'm so in love with mine.

[GeoHound]

Ender Your dog looks absolutely beautiful . Very interesting to hear what you say about rescue labs and their hip scores not being known. I hadn't considered that they possibly will not have been hip scored. Definitely an important consideration as I recently walked away from a lab puppy due to the owner not knowing the father's hip scores (well, and a few other reasons, but that was a red flag to me).