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The doghouse

Breed suggestion?

48 replies

Methenyouplus4 · 25/09/2017 07:02

I'm around 12/18 months we are looking to get a dog so I'm currently researching the best type for our family and thought people here might have suggestions.

In the past, we've always had lurcher from the rescue centre but (because of younger children now), I don't feel like we have the time for the hour or so walking we used to.

We are currently looking at Daschunds but our general criteria is:

  1. Happy with about 45 mins walk each day (15 morn, 30 min eve).
  2. Okay to go for longer walks at times (on weekends we walk for maybe 3 hours).
  3. Could fit on a car seat/knee/footwell for car journeys.
  4. Good with children.


Any recommendations?
OP posts:
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Nancy91 · 25/09/2017 07:16

Daschunds are bred to have tiny legs supporting a long back, which means they have all sorts of problems and are prone to lameness. I don't think they would do well on the days out at the weekend, especially as they get older. Vet bills could rack up!

I would go for an adult dog if during the week the walks will be short. A puppy would be going mad at home and chewing things as they don't tire easily / ever!

Size wise something like a Jack / Parson Russell terrier could be good - although those walks are a bit short, if the dog was off lead it could be alright. Plus they would love those long weekend walks.

Staffs are lovely and a nice size, but most aren't fans of other dogs. Depends if it will be your only pooch.

Perhaps go to a rescue centre and ask to see small to medium cross breeds?

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Greyhorses · 25/09/2017 07:21

I think realisitically for most dogs your looking at more like an hour of exercise daily if not more, depending on what space you have at home of course.

I wouldn't personally choose a dachsie with small children due to the fact some (most!)!of them are snappy and they are very breakable.

I would look at the bichon or toy poodle as a good all rounder family pet. Don't be put off by the silly hair- both breeds are generally happy playful dogs if raised and bred correctly.

I also really like border terriers although they perhaps need more excersise than your orignial requirement.

Last but not least everybody loves a whippet Grin

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poddige · 25/09/2017 07:29

Rescue greyhounds would be very happy with that level of exercise.

(Not if it's cold or raining though. They'd rather stay on the sofa)

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ChocolateCrunch · 25/09/2017 07:40

I have a long-haired standard Daxie. I'd say the standard size would fit your criteria well, maybe not so much the mini version.

Our Daxie is playful, but not boisterous, loyal and affectionate, loves his walks - just bear in mind they are scent hounds, so if they get a whiff of something furry... But they were bred as hunting dogs (badgers), so can walk for miles (don't let the short legs fool you).

They have a reputation for being one of the less obedient dogs, but ours has excellent recall, knows 'down', 'sit' and 'no'. He's more obedient than some other breeds we've had.

Re their backs. We treat him as any other dog, but I suppose we just watch out for him trying to jump on sofas, beds etc. Also, if he's picked up, we support his back/bum too. He's only ever been to the vet for his jabs, whereas as other dogs we've had (Cavaliers, Labs) have had all manner of chronic and expensive ailments.

Ask me any questions if you still want to go ahead with a Daxi. I'd definitely recommend one!

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Theworldisfullofidiots · 25/09/2017 08:01

We have a Cockerpoo (yes I know not a 'proper' dog). He's absolutely great with children and other dogs....
The issue you have is you can never quite tell with a rescue dog and puppies are hard work.
And you know this already dogs are v dependant on the work you put in. Ours has been to obedience every week since he was a puppy and he is now 3. There is a dachshund at the class he goes to and he is fab..... And I echo the issue re back problems (this one does). I also wouldn't recommend a miniature schnauzer unless you are prepared to put lots of effort into training.

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pleasestopsnoring · 25/09/2017 08:06

What will happen to the dog when it's not being walked, will it be on it's own during the day?

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CornflakeHomunculus · 25/09/2017 10:27

Dachshunds of both sizes are (or at least should be) very active little dogs. In fact, along with buying a puppy from a breeder who both utilises appropriate health screening schemes and breeds for more moderate conformation, keeping a dachshund as fit and active as possible is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of them suffering from IVDD.

Around 25% of all dachshunds will need veterinary treatment for IVDD, ranging from conservative management (strict rest and anti-inflammatories) to spinal surgery. You need to be extremely careful when looking at breeders (mini smooths in particular are a great favourite of puppy farmers and other less than ideal breeders) in order to minimise the chances of them being pre-disposed to back problems as well as following various lifestyle advice to further reduce the risk as much as possible.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 25/09/2017 11:36

I am not going to suggest a breed, but high light the dog travelling in the car.
The law now states that dogs must be restrained in the car now so seat belt on seat, crate or behind dog guard. Footwell or knee are no longer options. So do consider this to ensure that you can transport your family, luggage and dog in the car together.

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Soubriquet · 25/09/2017 11:41

Chihuahua if treated properly like a dog and not a handbag accessory

I have one. She loves going for walks and will walk for miles. She is also happy to just go for a short walk as long as she's with me

She likes her cuddles on my lap too and will easily fit in a footwell.

She's great with my children too. It's usually the children you have to watch not the dog with the children. Because chi's are so small, a child can hurt them

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Flippetydip · 25/09/2017 12:11

I second a rescue greyhound for every single on of your points, except travelling in a foot well.

I fought against a grey for ages as I "didn't like the look" and they were too big, but now we have one and she is amazing. She will walk for as long as you want or as short as you want. It's such a relief not to have to go out for an hour morning and afternoon. In the end we just bit the bullet and got a roof box.... (for luggage not dog obvs!).

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thedinosaur · 25/09/2017 12:18

Cockapoodle (I know it's not a "proper" breed) - never had a more rounded dog.

Nice mid size.
Gentle with kids, lovely temperament, ours doesn't have a 'bad bone in her body' so to speak, loves to play too. Loves walks and could walk for hours but is also happy with short walks, and adores cuddles in the evening time.

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MayorOfOz · 25/09/2017 12:22

Miniature schnauzer!

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Methenyouplus4 · 25/09/2017 17:05

Hi, thank you all for taking time to respond.

So to be clearer- I work 3 days as a teacher, so 4 days a week (and 3 months of the year when I'm off) I could easily do an hours worth of walks per day and realistically longer on Sat/Sun as we often out walking for hours on w/end. BUT on 3 days I work they would be alone from 7-3:30. I don't want to go down the dog walker route due to £ and also think it would be awkward as we live in a pretty rural area.

I love the look of greyhounds etc but would have to fit on single seat as there are 6 of us in a 7 seater car with a tiny boot (we already have roof box so this is not an issue). We can remove the 7th seat to leave a reasonable amount of space but not enough for anything bigger than a medium sized dog to be comfortable, especially on journeys of more than an hour (which happen fairly often). As mentioned above by Lone, it would have to be on a seat with a seat harness.

I've had rescue dogs before (as I mentioned) but we had them before children so, by the time we had our kids, we were very comfortable that we 'knew' our dogs.

Cockerpoos seem a great option but met a friend's the other day that was 3 and it was very hyper/bouncy. Our youngest was very dubious. Equally we saw a chuihuahua the other day with here owner who seemed absolutely petrified walking on the riverside. I understand that such small dogs can be nervy and where we live is very much forests /fields/rivers etc so probably not great! I understand you can probably train these things out of them but certainly don't want to be spending each weekend at obiedience classes (we have four kuds to run round after too).

OP posts:
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Fantasticmissfoxy · 25/09/2017 17:07

A lot of people are utterly convinced that they have huge health problems - but..... a French bulldog from health tested parents from a good breeder would meet all your requirements. We have 2 and nearly the same criteria as you and they are amazing

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missyB1 · 25/09/2017 17:09

I was going to suggest a mini schnauzer (we have one) as they meet your criteria, but they are very sociable and need company most of the day. I wouldn't recommend leaving any dog from 7-3.30 tbh.

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mydogisthebest · 25/09/2017 17:15

That's quite a long time to leave a dog even if only 3 days a week. Certainly it would not be good for a puppy.

My dog is not left for longer than 4 hours and then not very often. Any longer and he goes to doggy daycare/dog sitter or someone (neighbour or family) come and be with him/

Also that is not that much exercise. 15 minutes in the morning is not long and I don't know any dog that would be happy with that. I have quite a few friends who have greyhounds and of all my friends' dogs they need the least exercise but 15 minutes would not be enough.

Of course if the dog could be let off to run that would be better but not all dogs have good enough recall to be let off.

Without enough exercise a dog will be bored and more likely to be destructive

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Nancy91 · 25/09/2017 17:26

That's a long time to leave a dog. The dog won't be able to hold it and will go to the toilet all over the place. It will also be lonely and is likely to become destructive. Maybe a cat would make more sense in your circumstances? Some are so affectionate that they are almost dog like, but with more independence.

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BiteyShark · 25/09/2017 17:35

If you don’t want to use a dog walker for three days a week due to money have you worked out how much dogs cost. I use daycare for my dog and although it costs the vet bills, insurance and worming treatment adds up.

Only some older dogs are fine to be left alone for that long, because think about it, could you go without a pee for that long three days a week. If the dog isn’t one of those then they will toilet in the house and may bark and be destructive. I would really make sure you can afford a dog walker (along with all the other expenses) before you take on a dog.

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jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 25/09/2017 17:39

Westie, fab little dogs, full of character.
Mine is small, some I see now are more leggy. His size makes him perfect for us as me and him go up to London frequently when on the tube and trains I pick him up to go on the escalators and to get on and off cos of the gap.

He's getting on now so we take things more at his pace, he can still be going when younger dogs have stopped and other dog owners seem surprised when I say his age as they thought he was younger. He's walked up Pen-y-Fan and done heaps of mountain walks around here. Really he's happy to go all day with me or if its raining just as happy to chill out on the sofa.

Fabulous company too and mine has bee brilliant with my kids who were 10 and 7 when we got him. With other kids that visit he's just as good, for a terrier he's got a very gentle nature with children, amazing to see it.

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Thataintnoetchasketch · 25/09/2017 17:46

What about a whippet? We have a rescue lurcher and whippet who would be happy with a similar amount of walking although unlike the lurcher, the whippet could also go all day if needed. They can if needed be left for that amount of time (although due to our circumstances they don't really get left at all any more). Or would you consider an older rescue dog? When we got the whippet he was already cat & kid friendly and in the 8 years we've had him he's been amazing with our niece and now our own 18 month old DS.

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Oops4 · 25/09/2017 17:59

I'd say a border terrier, ours is a fab little addition to our family, but they would definitely struggle with that length of time being on their own. I think you might find the more family sociable a dog is i.e. what you want, the less likely they are to tolerate being on their own for that length of time. I think either an older dog that is used to spending time alone or rethink the plan for the days you work.

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CornflakeHomunculus · 25/09/2017 18:01

Eight and a half hours is too long to leave an adult dog without some kind of break, ideally a walk in the middle but at the very least a visit (or preferably visits) so they can at least get a bit of attention and nip outside for a wee. Daycare is also a good option but that can depend on the dog, as it doesn't suit them all, and also whether you have a well managed one (i.e. where they don't just let all the dogs run riot together every day) in your area.

If you could sort something for the days you're at work then a whippet could be a good option but they are very gregarious little things and mine certainly wouldn't be happy being left for so long regularly with no contact. They can also be highly prey driven which means you can be limited in where you can let them off lead as you need to be away from livestock or any wildlife they could put themselves in danger chasing. They do really need the opportunity to properly stretch their legs as well so on lead only exercising isn't really an option for them.

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fikel · 25/09/2017 18:33

Hi a miniature poodle. Loving, intelligent, hypo allergenic and easy to house train. If you have their hair cut in the teddy bear style everyone mistakes them for cockerpoos anyway. Great level of stamina and loves cuddles

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hometownunicorn · 25/09/2017 18:34

I have a standard dachshund too, and he's lovely so I'd definitely recommend them.

But, I'm not sure if they're quite right for you. I think they would need more exercise than you are able to give during the week. Mine enjoys walks and brain games. He needs a fair amount of stimulation every day otherwise he's bored and demanding. Usually he gets at least an hour's walk a day, and a shorter evening walk or long play/training session too plus some play during the day (partner works from home). They are quite vocal dogs, and love being around (their) people but aren't necessarily great with strangers.

Mine can be left but no more than 4 hours and we did build up to that. We also have a walker for when we can't be around which I think you'd definitely need to think about if you do need to leave them for a long time.

As with chocolatecrunch my dog is reasonably obedient, and picks up training very easily. We've got him doing some fun tricks as well as useful commands, as he enjoys learning new things. I think the short haireds tend to be more stubborn and perhaps harder to train.

A standard would also be too big for the footwell on a car journey. In which case a mini might suit better, but I would be a bit worried about them around small children (depends how small yours are)

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fikel · 25/09/2017 18:38

Just re read your post about length of time you have to be at work. Not fair to leave a dog this length of time, especially a puppy. They need a lot of interaction, would definitely suggest a dog walker to break up the day. Dogs can't hold that length of time without needing the toilet either so you would have that to contend with too

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