Ignorant. Help me make a good breed decision please MN

[SnotandBothered]

I confess to knowing little. I have always liked dogs but we always had cats when I was growing up and my only experience of dogs is via friends and family.

DH loves dogs. He grew up with dogs and they always had at least two Rescues in the home.

DC are now 9 and 7 (as keen as DH IN THEORY) and I feel that I have the time and stamina to devote to a puppy and have agreed that now is as good a time as any.

We can't seem to agree on a breed. I have looked at books / on line / and scrutinise all the dogs in the park but am not sure.

Factors are: Our House: 4 bed Victorian semi / 50 foot garden
Location: London suburb but very leafy with lots of open space (Richmond Park is a 5 minute walk)
My time: I work freelance and often from home so would be around a lot and am happy to walk for around 1/1.5 hours a day. Longer than that would be hard.
Training: Happy to put in whatever training / puppy socialisation would b best.

The only dog I really LOVE is a Beagle. I love the look, size, temperament - everything, but I have read so many horror stories and DH think it would be a nightmare.

DH has only ever had mutts (all rescue) and he insists that these are the best dogs but we want a puppy and I don't think such a thing as an ethically sourced mutt puppy exists???

IF I am brutally honest, I want a dog that drools too much and nothing too big. But equally don't want a handbag/toy dog. Beagle sized is ideal :)

Given our criteria, can anyone recommend some breeds that I should look into?

[monkeyfacegrace]

Whippet, whippet, whippet, greyhound or lurcher

EGLR have just had 5 Saluki cross pups in that'll be ready for rehoming soon. As well as a few older ones.

Sighthounds sleep lots. Couple of half hour sprints per day (so hammer the recall training in the first few months), and then they just curl up.

They don't shed, smell, drool or bark.

And it'll be a rescue. Win win

[BirdintheWings]

Next door's whippety-thing is a hyperactive nightmare, even though they are very dog-wise people, so I guess there are no guarantees with any dog.

I'd imagine that if you get the dog you'd love, you are more likely to want to devote all the hours to it that it'll need.

[CMOTDibbler]

EGLR have puppies a lot - mine was born in foster with them and is possibly a whippet x doberman (note that a lurcher is any sort of sighthound crossed with something else, and may be lots of things). He's lovely.

My other one went into rescue at 6 months, and I have to say that the slightly older puppy experience with him was a lot easier.

Note however that although not smelly coated, mine is gaseously smelly. This may be his preferred snacks of chicken poo though

[youbethemummylion]

If you have no real desire over breed I would contact local rescues explain your circumstances and see what they have suitable you may not get a tiny puppy but they often have young dogs in.

[HedgehogsDontBite]

Beagles are bonkers. I used to dogsit one. You can't wear a beagle out. Ever. They're bred to spend the day running across the countryside, keeping up with horses. My friend 'walked' hers for 2 hours, twice a day. By 'walked' I mean she was on a bike. The dog never even broke a sweat.

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Speak to a local rescue centre or Batrersea as you are in London, if you discuss your family set up and home they may be able to recommend suitable pups to you, sometimes it's down to the animal temperament more than the actual breed.

[SnotandBothered]

Thank you so far :)

I note that I claimed to want a dog that 'drools too much'. Clearly, I meant 'doesn't drool too much'. But you all seem to have figured that out already.

Is EGLR the Eversham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue place? Forgive ignorance if I am wrong.

[HouseAtreides]

I would definitely keep an eye on the rescue centres for pups or young dogs. They must get an amount of mutt pups ending up in rescue (unwanted mating, can't be sold off for £££ as some sought after pugapoo/yorkiejack type cross)

[GrannyGoggles]

Please, please don't have a beagle. You're a novice dog owner, living in London, this would not be a good combination. They're gorgeous but crazy and extra high energy. Whippet, whippet x, or maybe a carefully selected spaniel? Spaniels can be high energy but more trainable than beagles.

[SnotandBothered]

I have sort of resigned myself to steering clear of Beagles. I realise I am a novice and Richmond Park/Deer/Beagle just feels like a nightmare combination...

It's really hard though because every time you google 'best dogs for children' or 'best dogs for families' - there they are at number 2 or 3 on the list.

Looking at me with their big brown eyes.

I am googling greyhounds and luchers now.

Not sure.

[tomandizzymum]

Not a beagle, not in London. I would suggest a pug, they're great with kids. A 50 ft garden is small by most working dog standards. Either that or contact battersea for puppy info. Mutts can be surprises. Go for a small dog unless you have a bike and are prepared to cycle the whole park daily.

[tomandizzymum]

if you do get an active dog, just don't call it Fenton!!

[monkeyfacegrace]

No no no DO NOT get a pug!

Smelly, expensive, moult like a bastard, prone to overeating, difficult to house train. The ONLY thing pugs have going for them is their nature with kids.

And I have owned 3 over the last decade. Never ever ever again.

[monkeyfacegrace]

My dcs and whippets.

Granted, they aren't the prettiest dogs ever (well to me they are, but I'm well aware of my biased feelings!), but honestly they cover all your essential list.

And yes, EGLR are Evesham greyhound.

[chickensaresafehere]

Another vote here for whippet/greyhound.
Lovely,calm dogs,great with kids,don't need a lot of walking,don't smell(apart from their wicked farts),don't yap & don't shed a lot of fur.

[celestialsquirrels]

Miniature poodle.

Reasons:
Good medium size
Clever and easily trainable
Happy with the exercise you have stated and then sleeps the rest of the day
No drooling no thievery and not much chewing
No shedding at all
Entertaining without being a pain. Very willing to please.
Fabulous with children.

Perfect dog. Your DH will moan about silly haircuts (ignore just clip shortish all over) and later concede it is the nicest dog he has ever had.

[TheHoundsBitch]

There are loads of mutt puppies in rescues, you just have to be determined and persistent to get one! Don't rely on the websites, phone regularly and ask to be put on mailing lists where they have them. Our pup wasn't ever on the rescue's website, we went to the centre and asked if they had any suitable puppies for us.

[celestialsquirrels]

Pug is the worst suggestion and anyone who does suggest one really knows and cares nothing about dogs. Sorry but it's true. A sadder more unhealthy less robust breed it is impossible to imagine. And one which will cost you thousands of pounds in vet bills and masses of heartache.
Most dog lovers would say the breed should be left to become extinct (or bred back to health which is probably not possible)

[BagelwithButter]

If you're in London, you could also look at All Dogs Matter, Pro Dogs Direct (who have most dogs in foster in Guildford/SE area).

Many Tears are in Wales but have dogs fostered all over the country and you can search according to your postcode.

There are also organisations like Balkan Underdogs or Action Aid for Animals who rescue dogs from horrible situations in E Europe. Many are fostered in UK. Look them up on Facebook and you'll find their groups.

There is absolutely no reason to pay £££s for a puppy. I think it's gross the amount that you see charged on some sites for puppies. I'm sure there are responsible breeders who can justify the prices they charge but certainly not all breeders. They're just cashing in on the trend for all kinds of crossbreeds.

Just to say that puppies are bloody hard work! You could also look at 1-2 year old who've been in a foster situation and thoroughly assessed with other dogs/cats/children etc. Your kids are keen now but their interest will wane, however cute and cuddly the puppy is, the puppy stage doesn't last long anyway, and there's a lot to be said for taking on a slightly older dog who's had basic training and assessment.

[Floralnomad]

If you are interested in a Battersea dog ,ring or ask on arrival what pups they have . The day we got our pup we had looked at all the dogs and we're just about to leave when we were advised to ask about pups at a different desk , they had 2 on offer that were not out for public viewing .

[youbethemummylion]

If I had to suggest a breed I would go for a Bichon Frise but with the caveat that they aren't great at being left and can take longer than average to house train. Their temperament with children and other animals is very good and they dont molt or drool.

[Owllady]

They've got some lovely pups in at wiccaweys
wiccaweys.co.uk/start.html
I know everyone is going to say don't get a collie but your husband is used to rescue dogs and ALOT of rescue dogs have collie in them anyway....
Black retriever x have pups in too
I'm sure there must be other rescues with pups in.

[SnotandBothered]

Cooking tea for DC and friends. As soon as I get rid of them I will be back to read all responses