Help with breeds

[WalkingBlind]

I know it's the owner not the breed that makes the dog (my dog is pretty fab so I can't be that bad lol!) and personal preference comes into play. But I'm ready for another dog and mine would adore a companion.

I have a 2yr old mongrel, large breed (think husky size). I like everything from chihuahuas/Italian greyhounds/min pins to great danes/wolfhounds. We live rurally.

In fact the only breeds I'm not so keen on are spaniels and collies (have spent a lot of time around both just a bit bouncy for me).

I saw some wheaten terrier x saluki that seem great but a tad overpriced for a crossbreed (price range is actually up to £1000, but £500 for non-kc mongrel that are over 12 weeks seems off to me).

Checked all the local rescues and none suitable for children of my age or a house with cats/dogs already.

Looking for something very relaxed and low prey drive. What dogs do you have that you would recommend temperament wise? I've googled endlessly but would love some first hand insight

[tabulahrasa]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to go at you wanting relaxed and low prey drive and considering that cross puppy, lol.

Um...what do you mean by relaxed? Easygoing or likes to laze about?

How much exercise? Do you care how much grooming you have to do?

Does your dog have any preferences and how playful is he with other dogs?

[WalkingBlind]

*children the age that mine are I'm not a child haha

[WalkingBlind]

Sorry it was just my dog is part saluki/bull greyhound so I know the prey drive isn't too bad if they're raised with cats (which these ones were) but I do agree with what you're saying lol. Think prey drive was maybe a daft thing for me to put, was trying to say I have cats and rodents in a backhanded way

Yeah I meant more easygoing with attitude, like not jumpy wanting to be centre of everything (think bouncing yorky at a gate, hard to find examples sorry). Plenty of time for exercise as I'm SAHM

My dog needs a LOT of grooming (part malamute) so it would be great to have the second one be low-maintenance

He loves everyone and everything, he's neutered and likes both genders. He is playful and would stick to them like glue for cuddles

[CMOTDibbler]

if you wait a few weeks, the puppies will start appearing in rescues - I'm sure EGLR have some coming in, and when mine was born there they had several litters born there in May/June.

[WalkingBlind]

That would be great CMOT, hopefully we can rescue one, don't even mind if they are a puppy. That particular rescue is quite far from me so not practical for home checks but thank you for the advice

[tabulahrasa]

Another lurcher wouldn't be a bad choice, or a sighthound...yes you'll need one safe for cats and small animals, but maybe not one with a fairly fuk on terrier added in, lol.

Or a staffy?

The issue with those though really is you'd want rescue ones ideally as you'll struggle to find either of those as puppies ethically.

The jumping/bouncing thing, that really is training and boredom rather than a breed trait.

You still haven't really ruled enough breeds out TBH, lol.

Any you particularly do like?

[CMOTDibbler]

EGLR can homecheck anywhere in mainland UK, so don't discount them.

[WalkingBlind]

Oh CMOT I had no idea, that's great

[WalkingBlind]

You know tabulah I think that's actually my main problem... I like too many I do have an affinity for bigger dogs like rottweilers and mastiffs, when I got my fella he was advertised on a FB selling page due to an accidental litter by the sellers house pets. They weren't selling very well and I fell in love with his sister's photo but when I visited them at 6 weeks and held him, I just "knew" and he's been with me since 8 weeks.

I was considering golden retriever but the coat maintenance put me off. I'm not really keen on labradors or pugs. I did look at staff's in the rescues but they weren't suitable with kids apparently (due to issues and that's how they ended up in the rescue). I agree about not buying a staff/lurcher pup, always back yard breeders when I see them advertised and I'd hate to fund that

[tabulahrasa]

There's a couple of young rottie crosses on the many tears website, I'm sure they rehome anywhere?

Rotties aren't particularly laidback though, just to warn you, they're quite busy dogs, my current one is a rottie, great dogs, but they do like to be involved in pretty much everything you're doing, lol.

I like most dogs TBH, I usually just go and find a rescue that suits me rather than picking a breed.

[WalkingBlind]

Its such a shame as I visited 3-4 rescues and they all said they wouldn't rehome any dogs while a baby was in the house... I'm going to have to try different rescues, thank you

[Wyldfyre]

What puts you off Labradors, Blind? Before I saw that post TBH I thought they ticked all the boxes of what you are looking for - especially if you went for a working type

[CMOTDibbler]

OP, just seen that Hounds First will have a litter of puppies soon, mum looks very pretty. Details on their FB

[jonsnowssocks]

I don't think Retrievers take too much maintenance... I just brush mine for a couple of minutes every day and the look of sheer bliss on his face while I do it makes it two minutes very happily spent! And aside from that, he really is perfect - docile, good with kids, calm and really enjoys his walks. I kind of got him by mistake but I've never regretted it; my crazy chocolate labrador on the other hand, well that's a different story... :)

[powershowerforanhour]

Irish terriers need a fair bit of exercise but seem quite sensible and are properly shaped workmanlike dogs. Or a JRT from a nice quiet soft mannered bitch.

[powershowerforanhour]

Agree that £500 for a mongrel mistake (at least I hope it was a mistake..don't know what anyone would be trying to achieve by crossing a Saluki with a Wheaten) is, um, exploiting the gullible.

[justdontevenfuckingstart]

My Rotti is the most loving boy but they are well known for being velcro dogs. He needs a lot of attention and really doesn't like being on his own.

[tabulahrasa]

It's not so much the wanting to be with you that I warn people about...it's the level of enthusiasm which they add to everything they do, lol.

I find a lot of people expect them to be lazy because they're large, but I find it's more like having a toddler with you than anything else - that whole, I can do that!!! And just being a sort of wee whirlwind of activity.

I enjoy it, but I do appreciate that they might be more full on than some people want from a dog.

[WalkingBlind]

Thanks everyone! I'm looking into everything suggested and thinking more along the lines of retriever. Any labrador I've met has been barmy but that could just be considence lol

powershower the mating was on purpose, they said they were (and I quote) "designer dogs"