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Original poster

Tell me about your dog

149 replies

KenAdams · 16/04/2020 16:59

DH is likely to work from home for good after this so we could finally get a dog.

We're after something that's not too big - we have a medium sized garden and an 8 year old DD so will need to be ok with those. We live semi rural so lots of open space around.

We looked at a beagle but thought its tendency to run off might be too strong so currently thinking of a cross breed, maybe a beaglier.

DH isn't keen on cavapoos or cockapoos which I quite liked.

Ideally it won't shed too much either.

If you have a dog that might suit our lifestyle please tell me about him/her.

OP posts:
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Original poster
KenAdams · 16/04/2020 19:12

Haven't caught up yet just reading through.

To those talking about rescue, I'm not having much luck as we have a child under 10. They mostly want people with children over 10 or no children at all. I've only looked at the RSPCA though.

OP posts:
sonjadog · 16/04/2020 19:12

I have an Australian Shepherd. They are great dogs and a lot of fun, but they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. I wouldn't recommend them as family pets unless the family is particularly active and interested in dog training.

Wilberforce1 · 16/04/2020 19:16

Apologies for jumping on your post!

We have also been thinking about getting a dog and would love to get a rescue one as puppies drive me crazy (we had two King Charles Cavaliers). I've looked at a couple of rescues and they all want so much! I have two children 6 & 11 but they have said the youngest needs to be at least 8 and so many of them want us to already have a dog so the rescue won't be alone. I don't work so am at home all day and although our garden isn't huge it's ok and we live near so many big parks etc.. Does anyone know any rescues in the Kent area or even further afield that would consider us?

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Dogs
MrsJackRackham · 16/04/2020 19:17

Rescue a Whippet. They're the most affectionate, gentle, lazy dogs. Like a greyhound as long as they get about an hour's exercise a day they'll sleep and cuddle in the rest of the time. My wee guy is so patient and tolerant with my friends' children. They don't smell and barely cast. There's loads of whippet charities who'd allow you to adopt if you've children. Be prepared to give up your sofa though Grin

bloodywhitecat · 16/04/2020 19:22

We have an Alf, he is half Springer Spaniel, half Kerry-Blue terrier full shitbag, he came from Spaniel Assist Rescue and Rehome when he was 10 weeks old, he's now 7 months. He's been quick to learn but bloody hell can he bark! He'll bark at a lark's fart. He's full of energy but crashes out at this time of night and we don't hear from him until we get up.

Tell me about your dog
Tell me about your dog
bloodywhitecat · 16/04/2020 19:25

Oh and we have a 5 month old foster baby and a 3 year old foster toddler, he's fitted in nicely with the children so much so that foster toddler wants Alf to go to her new mummy and daddy when she does!

Original poster
KenAdams · 16/04/2020 19:32

@horrayforharoldlloyd is your dog truffle trained?! :o

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Original poster
KenAdams · 16/04/2020 19:34

@fairplay I should have specified photos as a pre-requisite.

I've lost a lot of days looking at pictures of dogs during my research 🙈

OP posts:
Original poster
KenAdams · 16/04/2020 19:36

@RIPWalter it really is.

DH is being entirely unhelpful though with criteria such as "I don't want a tail that sticks up so I don't have to look at its arsehole all day" 🙄

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DeadButDelicious · 16/04/2020 19:42

I have a pug. She's a rescue, I adore her.

She is a stinky little food hoover. Sleeps 18 hours a day and snores like a train.

midnightstar66 · 16/04/2020 19:43

You definitely have to rule out a beagle if he doesn't want a visible bum hole 😆

DeadButDelicious · 16/04/2020 19:45

Sorry! Photo! As you can see, sleeping. Smile

Tell me about your dog
fairydustandpixies · 16/04/2020 19:49

A rescue staffie. Because they're soft, daft, loyal, cuddly, look tough but aren't, have the best smiles, low maintenance and just bloody adorable!

champagneandfromage50 · 16/04/2020 19:57

i never understand why folk suggest rescues from abroad. There are plenty of rescues here and usually folks go abroad as they havent met the criteria here.

I am assuming your first dog owners then do not get a rescue. research the breed and find a reputable breeder....

Flynn999 · 16/04/2020 20:07

We've had 2 dogs over the years one was a rescue from dogs trust, we got him when he was 8, he was quite possibly the best dog we could have asked for. Lovely dog. He sadly died when he was 13, happy to be left for a few house, great with kids etc.

Second dog was from a different rescue (well known and reputable) but we were told dog would be okay with ds etc. Dog hated it, ended up going back. We were told he was happy to walk with other dogs etc, we found he constantly lunged at other dogs/people etc, he couldn't be left for any length of time, but also couldn't take him anywhere because he just couldn't behave. Sadly ended up returning him about 6 weeks later when he snapped as ds. When I took him back I explained that he didn't like being left and they said oh we will put him down as okay for an hour Hmm

Make sure you spend lots of time with the dog and make sure you take whatever the previous owners said with a pinch of salt. If you go for a pup make sure you go for a reputable dealer and see pup with its mum.

Pieceofpurplesky · 16/04/2020 20:08

@DeadButDelicious snap. Head on cushion asleep.

dalmatianmad · 16/04/2020 20:10

Try and get s rescue dog. So many staffies need new homes and they make the best family pets x

thequeenbeyondthewall · 16/04/2020 20:12

I have a chihuahua.

I love him. He's so lively. Best friends with my daughter 6.

Small poos to pick up. I cannot stress this enough. Small poos.

Hard to toilet train but we are there now.

He's so loving and he loves our cats too, although they tolerate him. As he gets older and less lively they are tolerating him more.

We also have a small to medium garden.

Bluejuicyapple · 16/04/2020 20:16

I have a Cavapoo. They are universally hated on MN but he’s amazing. Easy to look after, good natured, great with kids, happy with short walks but also up for long ones, cuddly. Such a perfect pet for a family.

JKScot4 · 16/04/2020 20:16

I work in rescue and always recommend smaller foster based rescues, the dogs have been living in a home and their likes/dislikes are known.
Also, these rescues allow more meet ups and tend to assess you individually rather than the blanket rules RSPCA and DT have.
Personally, I have bull breeds, collie x and pug x jrt all adopted.
Staffies are phenomenal family dogs, great with kids, very loyal, very fit, clever dogs, I would never be without one or dozens of them 🤣🐶

JKScot4 · 16/04/2020 20:19

Pic of the best girl 💗🐶

Tell me about your dog
aprilshowers2015 · 16/04/2020 20:25

Our pup was born in a Foster home and we had no idea what we were getting, other than mum being a shitzu cross. One of the other litter had a DNA test and the pups turned out to be 1/2 Cocker, 1/4 Springer and 1/4 Shitzu. We absolutely have the best of both worlds, she is super smart and loves to learn/be praised like a working dog but isn't on the go all day. She's the most sweet natured little thing and I wouldn't have got through the last year without her!

I second a previous PP comment to go for a smaller rescue/foster centre if possible, we were rejected by DT despite me WFH, garden, nice walks etc as we mentioned we wanted to start a family in the future. We wanted a puppy (up to one year) and do appreciate we got very lucky!

This is Ripley (who is looking forward to becoming a big sister any time now!)

Tell me about your dog
Warmhandscoldheart · 16/04/2020 20:28

Zaphodsotherhead I've got a Patterdale/Cocker spaniel cross, what was I thinking?!!! Lovely picture Smile
bloodywhitecat
I want your dog Smile
Border terrier or greyhound are my thoughts.

Fedupandpoor · 16/04/2020 20:29

@Ellmau That's him! It says they are hunting dogs though, my one only hunts bees 🤔

Zaphodsotherhead · 16/04/2020 20:32

Warmhandscoldheart you have my deepest sympathy...