To ask for your dog breed recommendations?

This is very outing but there have been a few comments on the doxiepoo breed.

It was a toy poodle who was the father!

There bark when someone comes to the door but not overly barky at other times.

And their cuteness makes up for it

Daschunds are some of the barkiest dogs around, I rarely come across a chilled one.

We have a Mini Dachshund, definitely wouldn't recommend. She's so territorial and hates anyone who comes into the house.
Our last dog was a Cavi KC Spaniel, she was the most delightful natured dog.

I don’t disagree it makes sense, but I’ve had a lurcher here for years. He is so bonded to our family that we don’t have issues - and I believe that is because we had him during the important early weeks.

Before that he lived in a flat with me - another living situation that would have precluded me from rescuing a pup from many rescues.

Again, I don’t disagree with rescues’ right to set their own rules.

@Greyexpectations yes some rescues, but not all. We didn't get ours from a sighthound specific rescue though so maybe different.

We did have to have a secure garden with high fences though (which we already had). That makes sense though - those dogs can jump fairly high and end up lost/hurt if they get out

Unfortunately it’s not just the kids thing. Some sighthounds rescues insist on dogs being kept on lead unless in secure fields; we don’t have high enough fences round part of our garden. I also don’t agree with blanket neutering of male dogs, and especially early in life - all of which is pretty unacceptable to rescues.

They have every right to decide the best possible home for their dogs, of course.

Also - a lot of people saying it's hard to adopt from rescues if you have children etc....

There are thousands of rescue centres across the UK, many who will rehome a dog with children (if the dog is suitable to live with children)

We have just got our second rescue, and we have two children. We drove 4 hours to pick him up, if you reach out to enough places you are bound to find the right dog from the right rescues.

Both of our rescue dogs are better behaved and well mannered than a lot of others dogs I know who were bought as puppies - just because you get a puppy doesn't mean you are able to shape their personality to what suits you.

Sorry, haven't RTWT and I'm sure this will have been suggested but...

Lurchers/greyhounds. They are so chilled, rarely bark, very goofy, unbelievably affectionate, love a blanket on a sofa, don't need too much exercise......and rescues are jam packed full of them.

We have two (both rescues). One is about 14 but we've had her 12 years, and the other is 2 who we have had since November. Both were strays but they are the best family pets.

Don't make good guard dogs though 🤣

@SquashedSquid

You keep laughing at my posts without adding anything to the discussion.

I've had 7 retired greyhounds (not all same time) and now a cocker x collie. All great dogs and varying personalities. I would absolutely recommend retired greyhound for you. They are very placid and loving, lazy and accommodating..they don't really bark. They shed like any other dogs but don't need much fur care / trimming. Great with children and other dogs too, but not good with cats or other small furry things! They love running for 5mins and then sleep the rest of the day! Not at all ball mad like my current boy. He is very different but lovely nevertheless... note retired does not mean old, many of them are only 2-3 years old when they retire racing. Good luck with your choice!

I am not talking about deliberately bred cross-breeds, though, am I? Breeders who force breed endless litters of the latest fashion in pups are as bad as the ones who parade their ‘pure bloods’ round rings with wires round their necks.

That internet article doesn’t counter the research papers I linked to - it concludes with ‘the jury is out’.

There’s so much snobbery around mongrels - it’s astounding when the KC has to quantify how inbred some lines of pure breeds are.

Agree with doing your homework on the breeder, but if you want a mutt, it’s much harder to avoid ads on gumtree - hence my question about where those of us who don’t want a purebred should start.

The well known rescues will(RSPCA,Dogs trust) etc.
Best thing to do is get in touch with your local rescue. They don't blanket ban children like the ones above. They'll take all your family into account. Fosters will do tests with the dogs to see if they get on well with children,cats,other dogs etc or if they'd prefer to be an only dog etc.

I would strongly recommend really researching breeds, not just a quick Google or Mumsnet, although they are good starting places. Read lots and lots, look at training programmes and how long that will take.

I have a Labrador cross, I thought I did enough research, I had a Labrador cross growing up and she was brilliant. I read up about the other breed but fairly briefly I realise now.

I also got a dog as I'd always wanted one and my job changed to WFH and thought I'd be able to deal with her at the same time. The puppy stage did go very well, she toilet trained very quickly and I taught her the basics of sit, stay etc easily. I also live somewhere with great access to long country walks so I'd assume long walks was the best thing. It's not the only thing, a lot of breeds need lots of mental stimulation too.

I have also since realised I should have taken a lot more time on time consuming dedicated training when she was a puppy particularly around recall and focus on me and reactivity around other dogs. I assumed a lot, that she was an intelligent breed who'd just get it all quickly, I should have taken time off work in the early days to spend lots of time with her. I should have read about dog psychology, I had no idea she was a 'nervous' dog, I just thought she was bonkers and energetic until I met a dog trainer who explained the psychology which all made total sense!

So basically, research research research, and be prepared for lots of dedicated time if you want a calm stable, family & visitor friendly dog. That's my advice. Oh and don't get a Labrador/Springer Spaniel cross, unless you like bonkers!😆

Deliberately bred mongrels (cockerpoos etc) are very often not from health tested parents which actually makes them more liable to have serious issues (dysplasia, PRA etc) which not only are life-limiting but are also expensive to manage or fix.

https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/07/30/are-crossbreeds-healthier-than-purebred-dogs/ There's an article that counteracts your article 😁A quick google will find multiple articles, from qualified vets, that come down on either side. It's not 'cut and dry' that mongrels are healthier than pedigrees.

Basically, people need to use common sense when buying a puppy: Only buy from an owner who has fully health tested the bitch and sire, only breeds a litter or less a year, doesn't have multiple breeding bitches, doesn't have only bitches under the age of five, breeds dogs with a low COI, breeds one type of breed (not these idiots who breed cavapoos, cockerpoos and any other form of doodle).

It's not hard to find a puppy from a breeder that does all the above - and if you do so you will almost certainly find yourself with a healthy pup. People are just lazy and go for the first puppy/breeder they find.

No it isn’t.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10362839/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258425409_Longevity_and_mortality_of_owned_dogs_in_England

Oh gosh, I'd hope the Dachshund is the father so that the pups aren't too big for mum

We have a cavapoo and he is absolutely wonderful. He loves cuddles and sitting with us on sofa, doesn't moult, is fantastic around our 3 young children (he loves their hugs!), loves any length of walk and he really doesn't mind if he doesn't get one! He's also fine to be left on his own. He's just the happiest, cuddliest little fluff ball!

Airedale obvs!

Being less prone to health problems is a complete myth.

Bichon or bichon cross.
Sunny happy little creatures - and no shedding.

Get a mongrel! You can’t beat an adult mongrel, they already have their character, they are much less prone to health problems and there’re loads in shelters needing a lovely home

totally agree with this. I have 3 whippets. Lovely loving cuddly dogs. They’re crazy and steal the sofa, bed, food, socks & shoes but I wouldn’t have any other breed now. They’re don’t shed or smell (apart from when they roll in fox 💩)
I had a black Labrador before I got them and they shed loads. Twice a year a big fur shed and in between always fur around so constantly hoovering.

A ‘touch’ of quirky?! Lol. More than a touch, I’d say…

But they really are lovely.

Does anyone have an Afghan? One day when I have plenty of land and time, I’d love a big hound. Wolfhound / Afghan long dog - is that a known mix?!

Another vote here for a greyhound/whippet/lurcher.

I have a spaniel, love her to bits but would seriously consider a rescue or retired greyhound, lurcher, whippet after knowing some owners. They are gentle lazy couch potatoes with just a touch of quirky to make you smile

Better something with hybrid vigour than an inbred monstrosity.