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Original poster

What dog to get for DCs 9 and 5 yrs?

161 replies

Twinkie1 · 13/01/2008 13:33

Right am going to lots of research into this - we have 18 months before DS starts school - that is when we have promised the kids they can have a dog - may keep me company alone at home all day and will allow me to train it (yeah ha ha) without the help of the kids!

I would like something not too big - can't be a toy dog though - DH thinks he will look gay walking it - so no yorkies or ratty type dogs - something I can over power if it goes on the rampage - something that doesn't slobber too much and something that will need a reasonable amount of exercise but won't want to do a marathon each day!

Ideally also something that doesn;t chew, bark, shit or leave hair everywhere would be great but understand this isn't possible. Just somethin clean would be nice though!

Ideas greatly received - will then draw short list, investigate further and go and view selected breds to make sure thay will never clash with decor or outdoor wear! (Ha ha not really!)

Ta ladies!

OP posts:
Lauriefairycake · 17/01/2008 20:00

Have now decided my dog is cleverer than me

lululemonrefuser · 17/01/2008 20:12

Another spaniel type vote here - I have a Brittany which is not so common in the UK but lots here in US & Canada. He is super bouncy and my husband describes him as a normal spaniel but with the brain removed, but he always makes us all smile with his mad antics, and such a joy to see him outside doing his doggy stuff.

DontCallMeHun · 17/01/2008 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shimmy · 17/01/2008 20:22

I vote Cairn too. We researched v carefully and cairns make fantastic family dogs as will play for hours but are very kind sweet natured on the whole.

Our friends got a springer at the same time as we got our cairny - nearly drove them to divorce. She is absolutely manic, wild and also has become quite seriously aggressive with other dogs.

i'm not saying all Cairns lovely or all springers nasty but just saying be aware of the possible flaws in the plan.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:14

Is a Cairn a terrier?

DontCallMeHun · 17/01/2008 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pollyanna · 17/01/2008 22:23

I am also the subject of a campaign by ds. He has found after much research that a labradoodle, sussex terrier, tibetan terrier are all very child friendly and require a medium amount of walking. He also likes King Charles spaniels, but they may be too gay for your dh.

I don't know how much shitting or hair shedding the recommended dogs do.

On the other hand my dd1 wants a pug.

I am still a fair way to being persuaded and will get one when I think that ds will be responsible for the walking, shitting etc etc.

Reamhar · 17/01/2008 22:26

Ex Racing Greyhound they're soppy, lazy (mad 10 minutes then want to get back to the house)and love company. Will need to be house trained though, and we make sure that our's wears a muzzle when out for walks just incase he things any small dogs are rabbits. However, in 5 plus years of having him, he's never managed to catch anything small and furry yet!

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:28

Hi...so exciting...have to put in a vote for a cocker spaniel.
Great size, doesn't need that much exercise (compared to a springer) and ours has been the best family pet ever,...we got her when my ds's were 2 & 3, they've dressed her up, dragged her around, ridden her like a horse and she sits there smiling. She is completely loyal and faithful pet. (as well as gorgeous!) On the downside...she's a demon for rolling in fox s**t and she's hairy!

DoodleToYou · 17/01/2008 22:30

Message withdrawn

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:33

Oh god it's confusing.

Can you live in a city but next to a big park and have a springer spaniel or will it be sad? I mean the countryside is nearby and we do walk a lot and there are lots of hills about.

Mind you, those Cairns looks smaller. Does it have to wear a coat? i don't want a dog that has to wear a coat.

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:34

seriously 100, have a look at a cocker if you fancy a springer...or are they too gay looking?

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:36

I'm sure yours is divine Ingles and everything, but I've never liked their faces. They are a bit squidged somehow. Sorry.

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:39

Llol 100...I know what you mean and take great pleasure in squidging her

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:40

Oh hang on this one isn't so squidgy But there was another one with big eyes and well you know squidge. There seem to be different sorts.

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:43

LOL... Are you thinking of a king charles spaniel? The pic is the same as mine except she's gold. When they lie down their faces are squidged up

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:47

Oh god yes I might be mightn't I?

I take it back. Your dog has an excellent head and is not at all squidgy in a bad way. I don't mind squidgy paws, oh no, not a bit.

Right. So why is this one better than a Springer. I quite like the one in the picture.

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:49

They're smaller, not quite so mad from what I've been told and don't need so much exercise.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:49

Now this is the one I was thinking of. It is a horror

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 22:56

yep, that's a cavalier king charles....(shudders....)
no, cockers aren't like that. They just look like a smaller springer really. I live in the country so have a lot of space but my friend didn't get on with her cocker so well in Wandsworth. It was alone and inside most of the time and not happy. Spaniels like company generally, so same applies to Springers. Also my cocker can be left for a whole day if needs be, and just barks if someone comes up the drive and when playing. I did spend quite a lot of time at puppy classes though.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:59

Hmmm. Maybe we shouldn't get a spaniel then? Though dh and i both work at home so no worries on the company front, but really only two walks a day on offer in big parks, and a hill near here - but we do live in a city, but a rural city - and bounding at the weekend.

Will it be sad?

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 23:02

God no,....if you work at home that's perfect. My cocker is very lazy really, every time we try and take her for a walk she hides under the bed with her paws over her eyes.....

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:08

But won't mind being inside, if people about? We only have a small garden.

If we're going to do this, which it looks like we might, WE MIGHT as I keep saying to the dcs, I don't want to get one who will be sad.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:11

I mean obviously it is allowed to be sad if its lost its ball or something, but not because we aren't equipped to give it a happy life IYSWIM.

ingles2 · 17/01/2008 23:17

I don't think you've got a problem at all 100,..dogs are pack animals and like being part of group, you just have to teach them their place in the pack very early on (it's the bottom by the way ) as long as you walk every day that is plenty of exercise. The only downside of a small garden is that you'll need to clean up crap very regularly unless you create a sand dog loo at the bottom of the garden. If you register with the kennel club they used to have a program on the website where you filled in exactly what you wanted from a dog eg,.size, hair, exercise and they sent you back a list of suggestions. I don't know if they still do it, but I can remember they recommended a Hungarian Puli for us, which is the dougal dog, absolutely gorgeous, rarely available though

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