Thinking of getting a dog

[harajukubabe]

Hello, I have never had a dog. I think it would be great for the DCs to grow up with one. What is the best dog breed. Our lifestyle allows for a dog. My pet hate (excuse the pun) is hair everywhere. But I don't like the hairless look.

I think something like a toy poodle or a labradoodle may work for us. Any other suggestions?

I am looking for a companion dog for the DCs

[IzzyIsBusy]

Do your reasearch and if you buy from a breeder ensure they are reputable.

A dog is a huge responsibility so you need to be really sure. Its not just being at home for most of the day that matters.

You need pet insurance, puppy training and dedication amongst other things. My dog takes more effort than my children sometimes.

[harajukubabe]

Yes. Doing my research, hence the question here. I don't want to make a quick decision. Thanks

[Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016]

Lurchers make lovely pets. And not very hairy!!

[GoldenWorld]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They're great with kids, very docile, eager to please, don't need too much walking, aren't overly yappy like some breeds are, they don't need constant entertaining so won't tear your house apart when you go out....I've had 3, the first 2 did malt but the third one doesn't. Not sure why but it's a different colour.

They're affectionate little critters but my third one can be terrible sometimes. She's like velcro, constantly wants to sit in your lap. Actually, it's not that bad but she is a bit needy in that sense. But it's cute and there are far worse things a dog can be! Your kids would probably love it.

[tabulahrasa]

If you don't want hair everywhere don't get a labradoodle, some don't shed, some shed like a lab (lots and lots) but with longer fluffier hair...

[EasyToEatTiger]

DH and I started planning to get a dog about 20 years ago. My mum had terriers terrierists who I adored. I thought we would get a gun doggy dog, and we did a lot of research on the Hungarian Vizla and made our way onto the second-hand Vizla queue. That was the plan. In the event, we spent a day at Battersea Dogs' Home and came back with a border collie. The following year we came back with another one. Then we got the call from the second hand Vizla people. We couldn't cope with 3 dogs at the time when we had a dog with severe emotional problems. So... We have collies.
If you are looking at breeders, please be aware of the difference between dogs that are bred to work and dogs that are bred to show. It can make a difference in training and attitude. We currently keep 3 working dogs as pet dogs. Never in a fit of blue did I imagine this!
Also, dogs have been bred for millenia to suit our needs, including water bottle dogs, lap dogs, companion dogs, chasers, killers, biters, barkers, life-savers....

[magicboy79]

We have a mini schnauzer, don't shed at all, very good temperament and good with children, we have a 2yr old and 10 month old. They are small enough to be a house dog but a bit spotty too, and not need massive amounts of walks and exercise.

My sis in law has a tibettian terroir, lovely dog , her son has allergies so it doesn't cast either

[magicboy79]

Obviously I meant the dog is sporty not spotty!!!

[takesnoprisoners]

Do please read about the realities of owning a dog. I recommend the petforum website. As far as the breed is concerned, Labradoodles are a good call.

[2kids2dogsnosense]

Personally, I wouldn't get a toy poodle - nothing wrong with them as far as I am aware but they are very small. Tiny dogs (and I have had one) are very easy to stand on, trip over, sit on - and they tend to bark a lot and have a very high-pitched shrill little yap that can drive you over the edge! Our tiny yorkshire terrorist terrier was the sweetest little thing, but cost us ore in vet's bills than our other five dogs and three cats put together - she was always ill with tummy troubles, colitis etc - we may just have been unlucky but I would never get another tiny dog. Tiny dogs are also very easily damaged by children because they are very fragile - their bones relive needles and break very easily. When we got her yorkie she already had broken ribs from the (inadvertent) rough handling by the 6 yo in the family we got her from.

Miniature poodles are a nice size and much more hardy. They don't shed and are highly intelligent.

Another non-shedding breed is the bedlington terrier (actually, a lot of terriers don't shed particularly e.g. yorkies. westies, cairns - they have a double coat that holds moulted hair). You need to bear in mind though, that a dog which doesn't shed needs careful and regular grooming, and has to be stripped or clipped. For rough coated terriers this needs to be done 3/4 times a year, and poodles need clipping every six weeks. It can become expensive - I bought a set of clippers and learned to do my own. Terriers are usually very hardy and great with kids as long as the children aren't allowed to abuse them. (I don't mean that nastily - many children can hurt animals without meaning to.)

Many people think short-haired dogs are less trouble re: hair, but whereas long-haired breeds moult a LOT twice a year, short-haired ones moult constantly, and the hair gets into fibres in carpets, fabrics, clothes etc, like hedgehog bristles.

I'm pleased that tabula has mentioned that labradoodles aren''t necessarily non-shedders - they aren't necessarily hypoallergenic either, though almost all breeders ten to think that if they stick a poodle in with anything, they can claim both of these as facts.

Whippets, for all they are short-haired, don't particularly shed much and are a lovely gentle dog (though young ones can be energetic) - their coat is like sating - very short and sleek.

Working types of any breed (Spaniels, terriers, labs etc) are MUCH more energetic than the show types of that breed. This translates into wanton destructiveness if they aren't exercised. I speak as someone who has two working spaniels - DH and I virtually walk them in shifts all day. they get at least 2 hours free running/chasing a ball and an hour's lead work each day (to teach them some manners). Don't go for this type unless you know you can commit to the time they need.

There are lots of lovely dogs out there - I'm sure you'll find one to suit.

[harajukubabe]

Thank you all for the replies. They are very helpful. I agree, that I don't want a large 'rat' sized dog. DH also wants a 'biggish' dog.

So how to tell if a labradoodle is going to shed or not?

I also liked the schnauzers and kc spaniels.

I agree, a dog that does not need a lot of exercising is also good. Although we are prepared to take it out every day, twice a day for hrs may be too much.

What do you do when you go on holidays?

[Archduke]

OP we have a beagle, who has been wonderful with our 2 dcs. Yesterday we bought home a schnauzer puppy to add to the family. The beagle is now 9 and a lovely dog, but MAN the puppy is hard work. We went for schnauzer as our second dog as they have a great rep for intelligence and nice nature and at 9 weeks he is already much brighter and more responsive than our lovely, but thick, beagle.

We put the dog in kennels if we go somewhere he can't come, but to be honest we tend to organise holidays around places that the dog can join us.

[tabulahrasa]

"So how to tell if a labradoodle is going to shed or not? "

Get an adult one.

It's really the only way of knowing, though a not F1 labradoodle back crossed with poodle is more likely to not shed I suppose, but then it's mostly just a poodle...and you could just get a poodle.

[Jaimx86]

We take our dog out 5 times a day. She is wonderful but bloody hard work!!
Not sure I'd have another...

[phillipp]

I have had a show cocker who was happy with about 45mins-an hour work a day.

I now have a sprocker (working cocker crossed with a working springer) who will probably need twice that. She is still a pup, so not walking loads. Also Dd and I really want to get into dog agility, we have a large garden so planning on joining an agility club and setting equipment up on the garden next summer. So she will be exercised with that too. So she suits us.

I don't think there is an answer to which is the best family dog. I grew up with chihuahuas. All were lovely, not yappy. However I wanted something we could walk and was bigger. Mum still has chihuahuas and he is great with my kids, just not for me. Every family is different so what suits is different.

My sil has Tibetan terriers which suit her, again they aren't for me. Hers are very high maintenance dogs. Not sure if that's a breed thing or just hers. They are lovely dogs, but not for me.

[takesnoprisoners]

Mine is a lab and need 2 hours a day. about 90 minutes in the morning and 30 plus in the evening. :) I maybe able to get away with 90 minutes on a few days but then some days he will chew up the house for lack of exercise.

[SleepForTheWeak]

We have a lurcher, she doesn't shed much and is the most docile and friendly dog you'll meet. They don't need an awful amount of exercise and are famous for being couch potatoes. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her, she's so low maintenance, doesn't bark and absolutely amazing with my 2 year old. Greyhounds have the same temperament.

Rescues are bursting at the seems with this type of dog, they are often overlooked as they aren't small and fluffy or designer, but honestly they make excellent pets.

Picture included of our lazy hound

[SleepForTheWeak]

We have a lurcher, she doesn't shed much and is the most docile and friendly dog you'll meet. They don't need an awful amount of exercise and are famous for being couch potatoes. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her, she's so low maintenance, doesn't bark and absolutely amazing with my 2 year old. Greyhounds have the same temperament.

Rescues are bursting at the seems with this type of dog, they are often overlooked as they aren't small and fluffy or designer, but honestly they make excellent pets.

Picture included of our lazy hound

[harajukubabe]

That greyhound is gorgeous. Okay, greyhound is now on my list... I had a fried who had one. Very docile and lovely.

[harajukubabe]

Friend !!!

[harajukubabe]

So another couple of silly questions.

1. Would you get a puppy or an older dog?

1. The country I currently live in has very strict regulations on dogs and they are very expensive too. So I have option to buy a dog from a pet store, or go to a rescue. I do not think these is an option to go to a breeder as they are regulated and sell directly to a pet store

[magicboy79]

As great as the idea of a rescue do is, if you have younger children id maybe go for a puppy this time as you will have he dog from the start and know the nature, you don't know what awful treatment some rescue dogs have had in the past. Depends on the situation

[2kids2dogsnosense]

hara What do you do when you go on holidays?

We take them with us - are blessed with a tiny caravan (think "Father Ted", and use it as a place to sleep whilst spending most days just walking.

[BagelGoesWalking]

I don't know where you live but rescues may have some of their dogs in foster homes, so it's possible to get a good assessment of how they behave in that environment.

If you decide to go for a puppy (bloody hard work!) then rescues also get puppies from time to time. They are usually very well socialised, sometimes better than at a breeder where they don't see much beyond the walls of a pen.

If you're getting a dog because you think the DCs will like it ... consider that after the initial happiness, the dog will become "part of the furniture" and your DCs will lose a lot of interest. It will be down to you to feed, visit vet, train, walk in rain or shine. Depends if you're willing to do this for about 15 years of your life! Also makes life less spontaneous as you have to consider the dog's needs if you want a day out, trip away from home, what to do if your DC are ill, etc etc