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The doghouse

Which dog???

73 replies

jetlaggedmummy · 27/10/2019 23:55

I'm going round in circles and would appreciate some advice......

We're a family of 4, kids are 10 and 13. Both work shifts, opposites most of the time, so usually someone is home. We have decided to get a dog, but here's where I'm going round in circles:

We would prefer something small and non shedding, however, most breeds that fall into this category seem to have problems being house trained and/or eat their own poo. I know I couldn't deal with this (I'm aware that a puppy needs to be trained, and happy to do this, as long as we get there sooner rather than later!)

So, I started looking at Cavaliers, seemed perfect (despite shedding), but they seem to have sooooo many health problems Confused

So I've been looking at rescues, yet they're nearly all 'adult only' (and I find myself drawn to beautiful Border Collies which, realistically, are extremely hard work) Those that aren't seem to be of the Lurcher type, which I'm not really keen on.

I think we do need something small, so does anyone have any experience with any of the toy breeds that they'd be willing to share? Especially along the lines of house training issues.

Many thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
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AutumnColours9 · 28/10/2019 00:26

We have a bichon. She is house trained now but took about 9 months.. she doesn't shed and is a friendly breed, loves children. She never eats her own poo. Just be prepared for hard work. It really is like having a toddler!!! That bites!! But I love it.

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fallfallfall · 28/10/2019 00:39

i have a Tibetan Spaniel. excellent with kids, not too small, very good walker/plays well BUT sheds.

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fallfallfall · 28/10/2019 00:42

in my many years its more about how you raise them than the breed. our Airedale is lovely and although will dig in the yard if bored, comes when called, well socialized, excellent with others and doesn't go after wildlife generally.

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Runkle · 28/10/2019 00:47

Poodle, border terrier, cairn terrier, miniature schnauzer, lakeland terrier, Welsh terrier.

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jetlaggedmummy · 28/10/2019 01:25

Autumn 9 months??? Ouch, that does put me off to be honest. Is she reliable now though? Thanks for your honesty, really appreciate it.

I'm just reading through the other replies and will work my way through suggestions tomorrow. Thanks all...... I'll be back!

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Motorina · 28/10/2019 05:00

I have beagles (not a breed I would suggest for you) so won’t talk breed specifics, but wanted to flag up that it’s not unusual for house training to slip a bit in adolescence (say 9-18 months depending on breed). It would be an unusual dog that doesn’t have the odd accident in that period.

Given a number of common dog issues (shedding, poo-eating, taking months to housetrain) are deal-breakers then I wonder if a dog is right for you now. All puppies are extremely hard word, and basically generate chaos and mess.

Is there any way you could borrow a friend’s dog for a few days to try it out a bit and see if dog life is right for you before committing?

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MeOnScreen · 28/10/2019 05:26

My friend has a cockapoo that is small and does not a shed at all. She was also very easy to house train and doesn't eat her own poop. Only issues they seemed to have with her was barking during the night when she was new however you can get that with ANY breed.
I Foster labs, golden retrievers, German Shepard's and all they mixes as well! They are all wonderful breeds, I've had labs that don't eat poop and Goldadors that do. One things for certain with those breeds - they shed!
I think the pop eating and the house training can not only be specific to the breed but also the pup to

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FiveMoreMinutesPlease · 28/10/2019 05:51

We have a cockerpoo. Doesn't shed, toilet trained mostly at 20 weeks, very intelligent and easy to train, sleeps a lot, very playful when awake and absolutely gorgeous.

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BiteyShark · 28/10/2019 06:00

The poo eating can happen with any dog. Is it just poo eating you are concerned with because dogs are gross, they eat sick, dead rotten things and all other manner of stuff you have to just get on with.

The house training is sometimes associated more with a breed but tbh mine wasn't totally trained for several months and a lot of puppies aren't. You only have to read the puppy survival threads on here to see that it is common across all of them.

Small dogs don't necessarily mean easy to train. The only benefit of small is the amount of room they take up on the sofa and that you can pick them up.

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BiteyShark · 28/10/2019 06:01

We have a cockerpoo. Doesn't shed

The problem with genetics is that cockerpoos could inherit the cocker coat and you may not know how much until you have bought them and they are older. Genetics have a funny thing of throwing stuff like that into the mix. My cocker sheds but we minimise it as his coat is clipped short.

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holycrumpets · 28/10/2019 06:07

Cavapoo here. Gorgeous, great fun, non shedding but was one yesterday and had about six indoor wee accidents. This is unusual for her though and I'm putting it down to her just coming home after a week in kennels. She was hard to house train and still has an accident every other day or so. But I love her!

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missbattenburg · 28/10/2019 06:39

All breeds have characteristics that are typically not wanted in pets. The trick is to find one with 'bad' bits you can live with yet understand that all dogs are individuals so what you want and what you get may be two different things.

Poo eating can happen with any breed and I've not actually come across anything that says some breeds are more likely than others. Many, many dogs go through a phase of this in their puppy months. It's how you handle it that counts.

Toilet training takes time and like op said, whilst some breeds are 'known' to be stubborn I sometimes wonder about the fact that they are more likely to be in homes that don't really understand dogs very much. For eg whilst there are lots of lovely and knowledgeable pug owners, this breed also attracts people who really want a toy rather than a dog. Unfortunately for them. However, with all breeds the amount of pee you will have in your house is directly linked to the amount of quality supervision available. A dachsie puppy who is taken outside regularly and watched like a hawk inside is going to have less inside accidents than a lab whose left to her own devices because the family is all distracted with other things.

Health concerns ARE a concern. Some breeds have been tragically ruined through poor and excessive breeding. The heartbreak of a sick puppy or dog is, well, heartbreaking. This is why choosing a good breeder is so important. Which comes to the obligatory warning about cross breeds. They are very popular and where dog types become very popular then shit breeders and puppy farmers follow. Finding a decent cross breeder will be like finding a needle in a haystack. If you choose a cross then please spend even more time trying to find the right breeder and make sure you have researched extensively on the warning signs. These people are cruel but clever and can fool almost anyone into thinking they are just producing a one-off litter than is family bred. Choosing a pedigree doesn't negate that risk so fare needs to be taken there also but there are, at least, people who can help such as the breed club.

Above all remember that a dog is an animal with its own personality, challenges and ability to make its own decisions. This is their beauty but means it's less like ordering a car with guarantees about what you'll get and more like adopting a child. Only take on a dog if you are prepared for it to be different to how you imagined and to spend time training or to accept the dog you get.

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Namechangeforthiscancershit · 28/10/2019 06:41

Mine is a cavapoo (75:25) and house training was very easy. Arrived mostly done and just a few days of occasional accidents.

I haven't noticed him eating his own poo but I know no dogs in the world who won't go for cow pats, horse poo, goose poo etc. Pretty gross!

I do monthly grooming and no shedding issues, but of his litter of 5, two look just like little curly poodles so I'm an sure it's all lottery.

My breeder did and does loads of health checks but you never do know what you're personally getting.

His temperament and love couldn't be better for me. Of course the looks and size are perfect too but I am more than a bit biased there

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missbattenburg · 28/10/2019 06:42

Ps and don't chose for looks. All dogs are beautiful and once you love a dog you will love however it looks. The most objectively beautiful breeds are the most hard work!

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Hairyfairy01 · 28/10/2019 06:48

Have you considered a cocker spaniel? We have a show cocker. She's a hairy beast but you can take them to the groomers regularly. Never eaten it's own poo (but as others have said that luck rather than breed), was easy to house train (although again as with any breed that can vary hugely) and is a very easy going, loving dog who has been great with our kids. However any dog is going to add a lot of mess and smells to your house, take up a lot of your time each day and is basically an extra 'child' to consider. Maybe consider doing 'borrow my doggy' before commiting to one of your own?

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Namechangeforthiscancershit · 28/10/2019 06:54

Ps and don't chose for looks. All dogs are beautiful and once you love a dog you will love however it looks.

Agreed 100%. You'll fall in love pretty much immediately whatever!

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Booboostwo · 28/10/2019 07:21

Why not get a poodle? They come in many different sizes.

All dogs eat poo, it has nothing to do with breed. They eat all kinds of poo, fox poo, duck poo, rabbit poo, their own poo, etc. They also vomit all kinds of disgusting things they have previously eaten. If you are really put off by this, maybe dog ownership is not for you.

Toilet training is a matter of luck. Some get it within a few days, some take months, most are somewhere in between. Even well trained adults can have accidents though, e.g, when sick with diarrhea, so again something to think seriously about.

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OrchidInTheSun · 28/10/2019 07:33

My dog doesn't eat poo or disgusting things. But I don't think it's a breed thing

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insanepizza · 28/10/2019 07:35

We have a Bichon cross jack Russell. She is perfect! Very easy to house train and the most wonderful charter. Stinky breath though, clean teeth from a puppy...

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Hydrogenbeatsoxygen · 28/10/2019 07:39

Any size of dog is trouble. The larger breeds tend to be calmer, easier to train, more intelligent and definitely bark/yap less. All dogs poo and wee and vomit! They all need exercise they all need grooming, they all need training. I honestly can’t see how a small dog is less trouble.

Don’t go near a collie. They are mental!

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Hydrogenbeatsoxygen · 28/10/2019 07:41

Cocker spaniels need tons of exercise and they can be very hyper and they do bark a lot.

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FlyingSquid · 28/10/2019 07:42

I actually think you need a whippet (and I say this as the keeper of a hairy cheerful mutt). Our near neighbours have a whippet cross and she is the primmest dog ever, definitely wouldn’t eat poo (‘My dear! The thought!’), needs one good belt around a day and then curls up on the sofa, and has such short hair that she is essentially wipe-clean.

She also has meltingly beautiful eyes.

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FlyingSquid · 28/10/2019 07:50

Oh god, when I said a belt around, I meat she needs to run around, not be beaten savagely.

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sandycloud · 28/10/2019 08:08

Don't rule out cavaliers. We lost our dog at the start of the year. She was almost 11 and had cancer. We now have another. Came from a local family who do lots of health checks on the parents. Any puppy is hard work though.

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GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 28/10/2019 09:00

Re comments on Cockers, there are two distinct types: show and working. They look different and they act differently. The working strain ones are lovely, but hyperactive and prey-driven, and need mental stimulation and plenty of training to nail that recall as they bound through the brambles towards the rabbit warren. The show-type ones I have seen are much more chilled.

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