What type of dog would you recommend to us?

[BoringSoupBeforeTheTurkeyFeast]

There is only me and dh, no children, and no other pets.

We’re in our 50s (not sure if that’s relevant), but we are reasonably fit and healthy and try to have a decent walk as often as we can. Obviously, this will be ramped up when we get a dog.

We’ve never had a dog before, (though my parents had a couple when we were children), so we would prefer one that’s easy to look after, with an even temperament, and now that we both work part time hours, either one of us can do our share of the walks, care etc.

Tbh I’ve been keen to have a dog for ages, but our full time hours (at the time) meant that the poor dog would be left in the house all day.

I think a dog would bring us some enrichment in our lives, and some focus. And exercise as mentioned before.

Some pics as well as advice would be welcome 🐕.

Could you visit Crufts to see Discover Dogs and learn about breeds? Or are you after a rescue?
Avoid poodle crosses and if you’re after a puppy you need to be really careful to avoid puppy farmers. Never shop online. Go via the breed club or society.
Think about what size you want. How much walking Do you want to do? Does excessive shedding bother you? What grooming are you prepared to do? Would you be happy with a dog that had to go to the groomers regularly?

I've only ever had one breed of dog: golden retriever. I've never wanted anything else.
They are beautiful, intelligent and gentle. They do shed, though!

Whatever you decide, as the pp above says do your research and buy carefully.

Have you thought about fostering? You could foster dogs for a rescue, which would give you the chance to experience living with different dogs and give you a better idea of what kind of dog would suit you. I imagine it wouldn't take long for you to fall in love with one of them and to become a failed fosterer ;) Though of course if you wanted you could continue to foster as well.

You would need to have a secure garden and someone there most of the time, so it would depend on how your part time hours work.

Fostering sounds perfect for you! The opportunity for more than 1 ddog to share your time and hearts!!

So much choice. Friends have various dogs. Mostly crosses.

Labradoodle, so affectionate and loving, rubbish guard dog.
Cockerpoo - again affectionate, but nothing between his ears.

Cocker spaniel - quite independent likes to be on his own
Springer spaniel - lots of energy very devoted
Black Labrador affectionate, energetic, matures very young unlike the spaniel.
Sprocker - very affectionate, energetic, matures quite late. Absolutely devoted.

The above dogs belong to friends who all have children of various ages.

Yes a rescue dog would be fine.

My mother had a poodle and it was a little bad tempered, though I appreciate it’s because my Mum spoilt it (and called it a ridiculous name, no wonder it was bad tempered 😀), so a poodle is out. (Although I know people who have nice tempered poodles. But not with ridiculous names....).
I’m not too bothered with grooming, it’s got to be done, so I’d be happy to do it, but would much prefer a dog with less grooming needs of possible.
Size wise, a medium dog.

Retired greyhound or lurcher would be very chilled, enjoy walks but equally love lazy sofa times too!

Rescue dog. Don't go in with a definite breed in mind, but look for a medium energy level dog with no serious behaviour issues, since you are first time owners and not super active. Most rescues are happy to advise you as they want their dogs to find a family that suits their needs. I think you sound like you could suit a lot of different breeds or cross breeds such as you often find in a rescue.

I adore cockapoos

Mmmm, fostering. That could be the best option!
Lovely descriptions there of various dogs @madmum5811, thank you 🙂
There are plenty of walks for gods round where we live, it’s a dog walkers paradise.

I work 30 hrs a week, dh works 20hrs.

These are very underrated imo.
*the Lurchers btw - def don't recommend a Husky!!

Trailhound! Have a look at the Trailhound Welfare website. Most are retired racers, some are failed racers! (eg. too slow, injured, won't follow a scent)

www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk

They have great recall as they are trained that way, and also are trained not to chase small furries.

Gentle and quiet but also love their walks and like to play. And very food-focussed

Walks for dogs, not gods.

@rabbitfoodadvocate, retired lurcher or greyhound could be for us.

@XmasPostmanBos, a rescue dog would be good, I love all the dogs leaving for their forever homes on the Battersea Dogs home/Paul O’Grady program.
We would love to be able to provide a forever home for a dog.

Oh @Santaissleepingoffmincepies, they are beautiful.
One of my colleagues had a huskie. It was as big as her...
I’ll have a look at the trailhounds website @JollyGiraffe, they sound wonderful.

Sounds like a rescue would be perfect - you have so few of the usual limitations. They enrich your lives but they are also a tie - a big tie, although when they get under your skin as they do - you don't mind so much.

One of ours is a rescue of sorts. Good recall and fine with our dcats!

I’d recommend a greyhound, beautiful creatures with lovely temperaments and are easy dogs for first time owners

If not a trailie then I vote lurcher or retired greyhound. If you are still working then a breed that likes to sleep is a good idea!

Those lurchers are stunning. I met a lot of whippets when walking Wolfie dog today. So sweet.

A rescue, I agree! 3 of my 4 are rescues and they are all so different and equally amazing. I wouldn’t get a puppy even if you work part time, puppies really need you there all the time for toilet training and helping them bond and feel secure.

Also is so much variance on each breed, with a rescue you can see their personality as it is! My jack Russell is really sweet and loving but hates other dogs, while my cocker is the cuddliest neediest dog in the world - totally unlike the independent dog a previous poster described! My others are mutts and I would highly recommend a good mutt .

@SmokeGetsInYourEye, we have (sort of) semi retired, and cannot afford now to be jetting off abroad, so this is I think a perfect time to have a dog. We’ll get past the big tie very quickly, I’m sure 😂.

I feel we have a lot to offer a dog, and can’t wait until the New Year when we start looking.

No, I don’t think a puppy would be good for us. We ruled it out straightaway.

My 30 hours are condensed, over three and a half days, but dh is at home on those long days, so it balances out well. He works some of the weekend when I’m at home. There is never a long day with us both out of the house, iyswim.

Dogs are great for the retired - it gets you out meeting new people, exercising and dogs make you laugh - that's the best thing, they add a sprinkle of magic to life.

Border Terriers are good solid all rounders. Excellent temperament, love lounging around by the fire as much as a long walk. Easy to train as they're very bright and reward driven. Not too big, not too small. Good with children, which I know you don't have, but it is a character trait which shows how patient and even tempered a dog is. (So one to look for when researching breeds) Very affectionate, love playing, being pampered, walks and sleeping. Love food a lot

Only negatives I can think of are they're not so small animal friendly as they're bred for ratting etc and grooming wise they need to be stripped once a year which is tricky but there are lots of professionally groomers who offer hand stripping. Some people just clip them but I think there's some debate on how healthy for the dog that is. I'm not sure but have a google about that.

Not owned one but my family have them and they're very popular in my area.

Exactly @SmokeGetsInYourEye, those are the reasons we want a dog.