Border Terrier? Labradoodle? Other bright ideas? Help!

[TheMarschallin]

Hello there

We have taken the plunge and decided to get a dog. Well,, we are doing our due diligence to make sure we are ready and if we are, what breed.

We have spoken to a few people and done some internet research and so far we think that we may get on with a border terrier, a soft coated wheaten terrier or a labradoodle.

Does anyone have any views on these breeds?

Our situation is that we have a relatively small garden, but can exercise the dog for at least 2 hours a day. I work from home so we would not plan to have to leave the dog for prolonged periods on a daily basis.
Happy to groom a few times a week. I am a little bit allergic.
Both my DH and I had dogs as children but this would be our first time owners as adults. We have two DCs who are pretty gentle and responsible, and very active!

I realise that this is a big decision, so does anyone out there who knows about dogs have any thoughts? Or suggestions?

My DH would ideally like a lab, but I think that our house and garden is too small.

Thanks!

[millstonegrit]

A border!

[pigsDOfly]

Can I ask what the reasons are for your choices OP?

[Bookworm4]

A labradoodle is a big dog usually bigger than a lab. I’m owned by rescue staffies, amazing family dogs, very smart, active and loyal, nice smooth coats.

[Bookworm4]

@millstonegrit
Your dog needs a bow tie 😉🐶

[TheMarschallin]

Hello - thank you for your replies.
@millstonegrit what a lovely dog! You make a good case...

@pigsDOfly we liked a border because we spent time with one and our DS 1 fell in love with it! It would not be my first choice, but I feel that I should research it.

On the others; we looked for family friendly, intelligent, not needing a huge garden. Three of four of us are keen runners so would we looking for a dog we could take out around the countryside for a good run. I am a bit worried about a terrier bolting though. We would ideally like a dog that we could train with a good recall response!

Also not keen on yappy dogs, or drool.

@Bookworm4 I thought that it depended on the parents of a labradoodle how big they get? I may have mixed that up with a cockapoo (which I also like although they can look like teddy bears )

[MustardScreams]

You definitely need a big garden with a big dog. Even if they can go for walks they still need to be able to run around when they’re outside for a wee/poo.

Labradoodles//cockerpoo breeds are very often bred in puppy farms. They are a massive money spinner and you can go view puppies in a house, but they’re moved there on the day of the viewing to make people think they’ve been brought up there. Unless you know the breeder very well ie your friend/family and you know exactly how they’ve been bred and why I wouldn’t.

Terriers can be yappy, that is just the nature of the breed. However with good training you can teach them the ‘quiet’ command to prevent that.

A spaniel might be a good option, they’re lovely family pets and whilst they do need lots of exercise and mental stimulation they don’t tend to be destructive or yappy. Their recall is generally good if you train with a whistle, and are consistent with them from puppy-hood.

I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old working cocker. Once the cocker was past her difficult teenage years she has been a dream. So a little bit biased!

[AgathaF]

I am a little bit allergic - in that case, and given that your allergy may increase once you actually live with a dog, you should go for a non-shedding breed. I don't know about the terriers, but a labradoodle may or may not shed so isn't a good option, quite apart from the puppy farming/backyard breeder issues associated with doodle types.

[squee123]

the problem with all the crosses like labradoodles is you really don't know which breed they'll take after. A lot of stuff you read assumes you'll get the best of both breeds, but actually you are just as likely to get the worst of each. Much like shedding, at least half of labradoodles shed like crazy. As mentioned upthread they are also often bred on puppy farms or by irresponsible breeders putting profit over health.

Personally I think you can have a big dog without a big garden provided you're prepared to walk them enough which it sounds like you are. I have two labs and a tiny city garden but they have more than enough exercise so they don't care that they're not having their wee on a football pitch. By the time they've had two big walks a day they're happy to just chill the rest of the time once they are past the crazy puppy and adolescent stage.

[Phuquocdreams]

Poodle? I don’t have any experience, just research into non-shedding dogs, but they’re meant to be intelligent and easy to train. Someone else might comment if they’re easy to train? Worried I couldn’t avoid puppy farmed if we were to get an oodle, cute as they are.

[Phuquocdreams]

Sorry I meant to say, someone else might comment as to whether poodles are famil friendly?

[BelindasGleeTeam]

Borders are ace. Will run all day, trainable but their issue is less intelligence than obstinacy but I love them as a breed.

[MustardScreams]

Poodles are lovely. Very clever so easy to train, but need lots of stimulation to stop them being bored.

My aunt breeds chocolate standards and currently has 4 adults at home (!) and they are so lovely with my dd, very gentle and know not to be bouncy or bonkers round her.

Hers have a high food drive, so will snaffle food off sides if they can get it, but it also means they’ll learn anything for a bit of cheese or chicken.

[KittyMcKitty]

We have a border - they are brilliant little dogs. Very intelligent although that doesn’t mean they do what you want!

[Borderterrierpuppy]

I would say cocker or cockapoo
Very easy to train, great family dogs, would be happy to run with you.
Do be mindful of avoiding puppy farms, read up loads about how to find a healthy pup and good breeder before you go and see any, and if it feels wrong in any way walk away.
Be prepared that the first 6 months are great fun but very full on, a lot like having a new baby that can run, poo and wee everywhere.

[NotwhereIshouldbe]

Labradoodles are big dogs depending on which type of poodle is used and size of lab. Be aware that first generation doodles still moult and it’s only third generation that usually have the non moulting coat.

Border terriers are lovely dogs but they need to go to the groomers to have their coats stripped so that will be an added cost. As terriers they can be yappy and will have some prey drive (that is what they’re bred for!) but it is easier having a smaller dog in the home.

[pazwaz70]

Most definitely a Border Terrier. It's the only dogs we've had. They are the most gorgeous,loving little dogs. So full of character.

[TheMarschallin]

Thank you all!

Since we are novices at this we were planning to go through breeders listed by the Kennel Club, or in the case of cross breeds, the relevant breed association. I hoped that this would ensure they are not puppy farms. Is that right?

@squee123 it’s very interesting about getting the best or worst of both breeds. Again, it’s something that I had not considered.

@MustardScreams a working cocker sounds interesting. Do they like a lot of exercise? And do they moult.
I always think they look very good natured!

[Teacakeandalatte]

I meet a labradoodle out walking sometimes, it's massive and a bit loopy but hilarious. The look it gave us as it ran off with our ball 😂. A real character, but I wouldn't want to have to train him.
Garden size, I would have said its not a problem with my last dog who was a labrador, as we always exercised her on walks, but my current dog loves to play in the garden and its a bit small for her.

[LittleFairywren]

If you are allergic then your allergies could get worse if you're living with a dog full-time in which case I would avoid any crosses with a high shedding breeds such as a labradoodle. Friends of mine have a border terrier and it sheds like mad and really aggravates my very mild allergy. There are some awesome breeds out there that don't shed such as the soft coated wheaten terrier, Airedale terrier, poodles and bichon frise. I was suggesting shortlisting some breeds and then going somewhere where you can meet them such as crufts or discover dogs (if that still happens) where you can talk to the owners who live and train with these dogs and also make some connections with breeders. at both of those events they have a large village set up with space for every registered dog breed to have some dogs you can meet and owners you can talk to along with facts and information about each breed.

the breeds you mention are all very different so I think that you need to sit down with your family and make a list in order of importance of what you want from a dog and what you can offer one.

[sandyfoot]

Another vote for Border terriers. We have one and she is completely brilliant. Very chilled, not yappy and very well behaved. She is utterly reliable with our DC. We are a family of mountain bikers and she comes out with us and just runs along behind the bikes not getting in the way at all so can imagine running off road would be same. She does chase cats and wouldn't trust her with small pets though. My DH allergic to dogs slightly and no issues with our BT. There size is great because small and no hassle but not at all pathetic, they act like big dogs. They are clever and well behaved if properly trained.

[sandyfoot]

*their size.

I've met some poodle crosses that are totally loopy, wouldn't be for me...

[TheMarschallin]

It sounds like a labradoodle is not for us. Thank you so much for at least getting that off our list.

There is a lot of border terrier love out there!

I am really interested in spaniels now. We would be looking for a working one I think. Any other recommendations other than a working cocker? Or should I look no further?

[TheMarschallin]

@LittleFairywren I think there is a discover dogs coming up in October so that may be our best bet

[KittyMcKitty]

Regarding Borders and small pets ours lives with a cat (cat older then dog) and is absolutely fine with her. We also have Guinea Pigs and whilst I wouldn’t have her in a room with the GPS out of their cage she doesn’t harass them ( visiting dogs sometimes do).

[user1494670108]

I've a friend with a border terrier who is very reactive to other dogs. The worst behaved dogs I meet on walks for that are often border terriers. It's fear based as she has been attacked and is small but it can make a walk quite hard work.
Other than that she's lovely.
Much as I dislike the fluffypoo trend I know many cockerpoos and labradoodles and they all seem to be very lovely although they do collect mud and water on their coats.
I have a lurcher, his recall is fab, he doesn't smell, he's very affectionate, he's low maintenance at home - sleeps a lot, although he is quite a big dog he folds up small we all adore him and I chose the type for placid nature so do consider rescues - take a look at Evesham Greyhound and lurcher rescue