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Original poster

Things i am looking for in a dog??? Tall order???

31 replies

overdraft · 04/06/2006 22:19

Never owned a dog before but here is what I want

A medium sized dog that the children could help walk
Won't need huge amounts of excersise
won't atack the kids ( o.k to attack mother in law though)
Which breed should I be looking for?

OP posts:

magnolia1 · 04/06/2006 22:24

I have staffie crosses but I would say from your description Cavalier King Charles Spaniels sound perfect for you. My mum used to breed them and still has 4 at home, they are very easy to walk, not too big or too tiny, they obviously need excercise but when she comes with me they wont run wild like my too

Very gentle too

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:24

I would go for a heinz 57 variety that has been tried and tested at a rehoming centre. (I have a staffy by the way - fab with kids/people but not an easy breed and should never be allowed out with children on the end of their leads)

magnolia1 · 04/06/2006 22:24

My two, not too

LadyCodofCOdford · 04/06/2006 22:25

i ofudn a dog today

magnolia1 · 04/06/2006 22:25

Lol squarer, my kids would stand no chance of walking my staffies either

Beauregard · 04/06/2006 22:25

sounds like my dp free to a good home!

SecurMummy · 04/06/2006 22:27

Need more info!

What size house and garden do you have?
How much excercise is not too much? (1 hr day, 3 x 20 mins...)
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want a puppy?
What is your daily routine (in out etc)?
How much do you expect your dog to join in (ie with your for walks etc but to "be quiet" whilst you play with the kids/go to the park)?

Will think of more soon!

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:34

try \link{http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm\this}

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:35

\link{http://www.purinaone.com/dogcare_breed_selector.asp\this}

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:36

\link{http://selectsmart.com/DOG\and this}

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:37

would be interesting to see what they come out with actually!

Original poster

overdraft · 04/06/2006 22:37

We have an average sized garden.Have time for maybe 2 20 minute walks a day on week days.Longer walks at weekends.Would like dog to be part of the family and spend time walking it Parks e.c.t. Need it to be a size that my children can walk ( they are looking forward to it).We are members on a caravan site and dogs have to remain on leads. There is a woman with a lab there and he is far to lively and hates it.The dog would get more walking down there.We do have two cats.I don't work but am busy so I am in and out all day.

OP posts:

SecurMummy · 04/06/2006 22:44

Squarer, when I last used that it came up with a breed I really like - guess how many KC registered breeders there are in the UK for my dog.... none, not one useless machine!

O.D. well, in that case I am kind of with the King Charles idea, you need a dog who can fit in with you rather than be too demanding IYSWIM so a more "lap" type breed would be suitable (like you say a lab type dog could turn out too much).

IME they are lovely dogs, very active and fun without being too needy. The only thing I would think is that you will need to be very good about training it properly to cope with being on it's own for short times (this is usually more stressful for them if a only dog).

Original poster

overdraft · 04/06/2006 22:47

it came out with a labradoddle small

OP posts:

squarer · 04/06/2006 22:49

Hey Secur.... I just did the pet food sponsored one. Kind of strange in one way as it recommended an American Pit Bull Terrier for me. Odd, as that is a breed I would consider shooting on sight
But also odd as it is close in its name as I have a staffordshire bull terrier, which it didn't recommend at all!

Media led fools!!

SecurMummy · 04/06/2006 22:57

well for me it recommended the dog I had (and have had before more than once) and this other dog - which is very very similar (looks and everything else) but is not breed in the UK - perhaps I should look into brreding!

O.D. I don't really know much about labradoodles as I am "old school" with my breeds!

I know petplanet has a big section giving details on verious breeds which I found interesting reading.

WishICouldGiveUpWork · 05/06/2006 18:53

Well I would reccomend a whippet!

Medium sized-gorgeous temperament-mine loves our three cats and DD (13mts).
Need relatively little exercise
Curl up very small-love a lap.
Don't shed loads of hair.
Beautiful to see running.
Easily trained to use a dog flap if you are out for more than a couple of hours.

Only drawback is the do chase things that move-in my experience more to play with than anything else.
I have a blue one and he has been the nicest nature of any dogs we have had-even the lab.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Lainey6 · 06/06/2006 00:44

I know you have mentioned a lab, but hear me out. We got Simba 2 years ago and yes Labs are very lively but they do calm down and they are highly intelligent dogs, therefore very easy to train. If your 'caravan neighbour's' dog does not like being on a lead, then that is down to the owner, in training. Dont let that put you off. Simba is fantastic with our 12 week old baby and is slowly adjusting to a new routine. My husband works 6 days and I 3 days a week. Simba is out twice a day, to a nearby field where we through a ball which runs her wee hind legs off and a longer walk at the weekend. In between times she is quite happy trotting around the garden. Labs are brilliant with children and very sociable dogs. Dont rule it out.

Alipiggie · 06/06/2006 03:26

Why don't you rescue one!!!! We got ours from a animal rescue center aged one (ish) she's a black lab/something else (your guess as good as mine) cross. She's the most beautiful sweet-natured old girl and was amazing with both the boys when they were babies and now too. She's well-travelled Holland to Scotland to USA. I would recommend you look at an eight month or plus - saves on the "potty" training. You won't regret having a dog - they're wonderful company.

geekgrrl · 06/06/2006 06:47

Can I just throw in that a puppy is huge amounts of work (she says having just spent 15 minutes cleaning up pee) and they're not actually very 'child-friendly', not in the way an older dog is. They haven't yet learnt not to nip and their claws are very sharp - my children are covered in bites and scratches at the moment (but the puppy is finally getting a lot better).
One option that has always appealed to me is giving a retiring guide dog a home. There is a waiting list for them usually and as they're around 7 years old they won't be with you for more than 6 or 7 years, but at least it will be very well-behaved.
I do agree though that Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would be a good choice as a breed - they're so sweet and friendly. Most of the individual breed clubs also do rescue, so you might be able to get an older one if you like and avoid the perils of puppyhood.

squarer · 06/06/2006 08:11

Like the whippet idea! \link{http://www.kennels.co.uk/Hound/Whippet.html\whippet info}
Tells you how to go about rehoming one further down the page if they sound like your cup of tea/flat cap

squarer · 06/06/2006 08:16

The site that the whippet info came from is great. Have a look at their \link{http://www.kennels.co.uk/Breeds/Breeds.html\home page}.

geekgrrl · 06/06/2006 09:17

mmmh - aren't whippets really nervous? There's one in our puppy class and he's a nervous wreck - always cowering behind his owner's legs and shaking with fear, he's now on anti-anxiety meds. Is that not usual for the breed then?
Apparently they also need to wear coats in colder weather.

Original poster

overdraft · 06/06/2006 10:47

both my cats are from rehoming centres.The worry I have is will they be honest with me and tell me if they have to be reholmed because they are agressive? Maybe reholming might be the way to go as our cats are old and perhaps wouldn't cope with a puppy.Don't know about the whippet.Yours sounds lovely ,but we also have two rats that would drive it crazy as they do the cats.We also have a tortise that roams around the garden.Perhaps dog with a small mouth should be on my wish list

OP posts:

geekgrrl · 06/06/2006 10:57

A reputable dogs' home, e.g. one run by the Dogs' Trust (used to be called NCDL) or the RSPCA will always be completely honest about suitability with children and other pets. :)
However, I looked into this too and found that none of the ones local to us had dogs suitable for families with young children - but I know other people who have got adult, child-friendly dogs from shelters (and the dogs really are lovely ones).

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