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Original poster

What kind of dog would be best?

22 replies

nugget05 · 10/03/2015 16:10

I have a 9mo ds and a sahm for the next couple years so I have the time to train, walk and care for a dog. I'm wondering what kind of dog would be best for our little family, I'm looking to adopt an older dog but happy to take a puppy as well. We need a fairly energetic breed that will be ok with going on long walks every day. I was just wondering which breeds have the best temperament and would be the best fit tia

OP posts:
holmessweetholmes · 10/03/2015 16:19

We have a nearly 6 month old German Shorthaired Pointer. He is beautiful and has a lovely temperament and is very energetic (and though he also sleeps quite a lot as he's still a baby really).

We love him to bits, but I must say I think you'd be pretty brave to take on a puppy when your dc is only 9 months old! It is like having another, more mobile toddler in the house. Sleepless nights, cleaning up wee, trying to train the puppy not to jump up and nip your child etc.

If you like the look of German Shorthaired Pointers though, there seem to be lots of rescue ones, particularly from Cyprus for some reason.

What kind of dog would be best?
holmessweetholmes · 10/03/2015 16:22

Oh and I'm sure you know this, but obviously if you get a puppy it will be quite a long time before you can take them on long walks. The usual advice is walks of only 5 mins per month of their life until they are at least a year old, otherwise you risk serious joint damage.

Choccywoccydodah · 10/03/2015 16:31

Springer spaniel here! Ours is the softest thing ever! So kind natured, we've already said we'd struggle to ever replace her.
We had her from 8 weeks and is 6 months older than ds so we did all the puppy stuff before he arrived.
He's now 3.7 and they are the best of friends and love each other so much. We had one before (a dog) and he was lovely too, but massive! So I'd recommend a smaller one (and a bitch). They love being outside but don't worry about having to walk them miles and miles every day (even though they would!). Ours gets half hour morning, same evening and outside throughout the day (we're at home most days), and she comes with us everywhere in the car.
Re the above about walking, initially we trained her as a gun dog from 5 months and she was out most of the day training in the garden and field at the back with my dh so maybe that's only a comment for some breeds of dog. He was advised to get her out as soon as.

Original poster
nugget05 · 10/03/2015 17:34

I would prefer an older dog between the ages of 2 and 8 would probably suit us best as temperament and attitude towards children will be known. I've been looking at getting a beagle but honestly I'm happy giving any dog a home, does anyone know any dog shelters in se London?

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Choccywoccydodah · 10/03/2015 17:48

Sorry I'm Midlands based so I'm unsure. The only one i know of in London is battersea :)
Good luck!

Falconwolf101 · 16/03/2015 16:12

3 top dogs for me would be:
Retired racing greyhound, despite all the hype about them, my cousin has 2 and they're the most well behaved yet energetic dogs I know.
Springer spaniels, chirpy, enthusiastic and cute
Mini Schnauzer, actually very amiable and bouncy

fattymcfatfat · 16/03/2015 16:17

I grew up with two rottweilers. I now have a german shepherd who was around both of my DCs as babies. its not the breed so much its how you are with them that counts

Mrsderekshepard · 18/03/2015 20:44

Beagles are very hard work to train.

sugarplumfairy28 · 23/03/2015 19:21

Labs are fantastic all round dogs, boxers are surprisingly good family dogs, I have a Westie who is wonderful with the children. I grew up with mongrels, which tend to live longer and not be plagued by breed specific ailments.

SmileAndNod · 23/03/2015 19:28

I love the look of beagles too but have heard they are notoriously difficult to train. There are lots available for re homing, or puppies that have been bought and then the owners looking to sell a month or so later. It has made me wonder why and they still look gorgeous
They are apparently good with children though...

Arkkorox · 23/03/2015 19:31

I would avoid beagles as a first dog!

Arkkorox · 23/03/2015 19:31

What about a working cocker spaniel? Energetic, happy little souls!

financialwizard · 23/03/2015 19:33

holmessweetholmes The GSP's are used as hunting dogs in Cyprus and treated appallingly by the owners, especially when they are no longer useful (think tied to the back of a car and literally dragged down the road at 50 mph). That's why. Cyprus has no animal welfare, it is sickening.

LittleRedDinosaur · 23/03/2015 19:39

Beagles are lovely but bark quite a lot I think? (Don't quote me on that!) we've got a cocker spaniel. We got her as a puppy when DD was 6 months old. Hard work! But she is lovely and so gentle with DD and baby DS. She loves a cuddle, she's small so doesn't knock DD over.

Catswiththumbs · 23/03/2015 19:39

I was going to say pointer too (English though)

Love ours, infact going to get another puppy this weekend, our boys 9months old now.
Loves his walks, but is laid back and enjoys his creature comforts. Like all dogs, they thrive on mental stimulation and need training- recall especially. If they pick a scent or flush a bird/rabbit etc they will be off Grin
But they aren't greedy like Labradors, or smelly like spaniels or frankly vicious terriers Blush
(And I've had all of those breeds over the years in various combinations)

Original poster
nugget05 · 25/03/2015 12:52

Little update, a friend of a friend heard I was thinking about getting a dog and kindly Hmm dumped their 7 year old staff on me. When I tried to tell them I was just researching and was probably a long way from actually getting a dog they responded with well now you've got 1 and left leaving the poor girls lead on my door handle ?? she's lovely and really energetic, loving towards my son but then that's part of the problem she's too loving. This happened Monday and I went out bought all the things she needs but if I'm honest she needs a home with older children. I registered at battersea and they agreed we could me the dogs a couple times before taking them home just to be sure we were the right family and if the old owners had bothered to wait 10 minutes I could've told them we weren't a good match. I'm just feeling very overwhelmed and kinda scared, even though so far she's been good with my son I don't want the worry of the risk. I don't know what to do she's so good and lovely but I just can't keep her

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MissMartin1992 · 27/03/2015 07:25

border collies are very rewarding dogs they are so intelligent .. but need to be kept active as they can become depressed if they don't get walked, that's why usually they are used as farm dogs as they love running around and think is is fun. They also love attention! borders are the only dogs i have ever had... one of my dogs managed to climb over a 8ft garden fence though. ... you have to keep ya eye on them hehe also cocker spaniels are cute little dogs and are also very active Grin

SunnyL · 27/03/2015 08:41

sorry what? They've left their 7 yr old dog with you? Are they coming back?

Original poster
nugget05 · 27/03/2015 09:27

No they have no intention of coming back, I've spoke to a few dog rescue places and because of the amount of staffs they have even with her breeding and having all her paperwork they can't guarantee her finding a home Sad

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SunnyL · 27/03/2015 13:32

Gosh I've no advice - perhaps call the dog warden? It's unusual for rescue centres to approve older dogs to live with children under 8 because of the stress small children can cause for dogs who are not used to living with small children.

Perhaps someone wiser will be along in a minute?

Anomaly · 29/03/2015 23:39

I would get back in touch with the friend asap. I would call the dog warden and consider calling 101. You need to get the dog out before its your problem, I'm amazed you kept her at all. Rehoming a staffy is so hard as there are so many of them and they are loads of work.

I would however take note of why she's not suitable. She sounds boisterous typical of staffs (and why she's been dumped on you) but also of a lot of the breeds being suggested to you. A lot of dogs are very lively a lot of the time, particularly active breeds like boxers or springer spaniels. They need hours of exercise and I think you need to be totally realistic about what you can manage. You say you're a SAHM now but for how long? You also need to consider if you are thinking of working at some point in the future how much time you'll have for walking then. I seem to have less free time now my kids are at school than when they just went to nursery. What with activities, homework, tea, its so busy.

123RuthieP · 16/04/2015 18:26

Hello to everyone in the thread. Can you help me?

My son and daughter desperately want a dog but I am fearful that they just won't look after it without me nagging and I will end up having to look after it, clean and walk it etc.

Does anyone else relate to this? Have you had other issues that I need to be aware of? Can you suggest any solutions? Thanks

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