Hi
We are in the process of researching getting a puppy and would like to canvass opinion on different breeds.
I've not had a dog since my gorgeous but very dim cocker spaniel died when the children were very small. We have been dogless for several years but now dd's 'I want a dog' campaign is gaining momentum!
We live in a suburby bit of London, ten minutes walk away from a big common and with lots of other places for walks an easy drive away. We have a reasonably big house with a small/medium garden. The dc are 10, 13 and 16 so no longer small and dd especially (the 10 year old) is v responsible. We have a much-loved and not particularly confident cat.
We had Labradors and a rescued collie cross when I was a child and I adopted a rescue cocker spaniel at 6 months when I was a student. My parents' border collie died two years ago and is still much missed by the children.
We would like a medium to large but not enormous dog, which likes exercise but doesn't go completely doollaly if it's not being worked all day (I grew up with a strict regimen of two dog walks a day whatever the weather!). As far as temperament goes we would like a kind, affectionate, intelligent breed which is not going to torture the cat. I know we should really get a rescue dog but I know a lot of rescue dogs have 'issues' and are older and I would love dd to have the experience of having a puppy and being able to train it right from the start.
So far we've thought of Labrador and or related crosses, but they might be a bit too big and are a devil to keep slim once they get older (our first lab was so lovely but obsessed with food and was constantly running off scavenging), we know border collies but they can be a bit manic, we know spaniels but they're not always the brightest of dogs, my parents have suggested a poodle and dh is keen on the idea of a rough collie
Any ideas/feedback on any of those breeds would be great plus any others we've not thought of yet to throw into the mix
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The doghouse
Want to get a dog - narrowing down poss breeds
34 replies
basildonbond · 09/03/2013 07:39
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