What dog to get for DCs 9 and 5 yrs?

[Twinkie1]

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!

Also do I want a bred, bred dog? I don't much want papers or to pay a premium for some pedigree show dog do I? Does it work like that? Also the more bred they are the weirder/more high strung they seem to be.

you're looking for temprament (sp?) really. with a breeders dog, you are looking at their genetic history for any defects and their lineage, so you know there is no weird mix a few generations back. I don't think I'd get a dog for small dcs without knowing it's breed history.

and yes, if it's lively, bright eyes, good coat, good cooking skills

have you not thought of a little cross breed? we had a cavalier king charles spaniel when i was young great with kids. though bad health!

I am getting a wire haired fox terrier in 2010 when dd3 goes to school

am going to call her daisy and am already in love with her even though she doesnt technically exist

Do you ask to see their genetic history?

Oh god.

My father says as a rule they get canker ears and something else I can't remember.

Is the breeder likely to tell you that the puppies grandfather was a psychopath who ate his own tail?

Right. Now what book Ingles?

Ingle I love you, you need to know that.

my mate has just got a springer (lola)

she is gorge but quite mentalist

Oh you see Enid, you already know. I wish I knew.

Everyone wants a dog here, they are mad about it. And ds1 especially wants a dog, but he wants one that swims, and I don't want a dog which needs to wear a coat - I am very clear on this.

So a spaniel seems good.

I don't want mentalist.

I want bright and funny and diverting but not mental.

No not a King Charles, they are too squidgy and weird looking. I want a dog with a decent head. [snob]

cavalier king charles and king charles are different. he king has a squashed nose where as a cavalier does not!

look

they are so stylish too

Oh he is hilarious. I like him. He looks rather wry and good-humoured.

Oh god. Are all spaniels mental? Some people on here say 'yes' others say 'no'.

i think all dogs are mental

except labradors after the age of 3 when they are fat and stupid

Hey, you're going to get a film star dog. How cool is that.

I'm getting a nutter because I won't know how to ask whether its grandfather was altogether up top.

bethoo, I'm not convinced. They look a bit odd

dignity

you can see their family tree...and their hip and eye scores and stuff like that....anyway books...I've got the pet love cocker spaniel book which is quite good, they do one for welsh springers but not english I think...btw I'm blushing now....

Them Shitsoos things are cute they look like Ewoks

Oh don't blush, I am an incorrigible flirt with everyone.

Right. OK. I'll find a book, with any luck it will have a 'finding a dog' section at the beginning.

Thanks for your help.

Quite interested in the labraniel idea ,although have always theought that Springers need husge amounts of excercise or they are mad!!We were thinking of having a cocker spaniel,I had one as a child and he was gorgeous

actually 100 have you seen anyone with a springer in the park? If so, go and speak to them about their behavour,or pop into the vets and ask

Would a miniature poodle make a good family pet? Any negatives?

Asked earlier in the thread, but no reply. So, am asking again.....

sorry Earlybird..didn't mean to ignore you
no idea though...sorry

Okay, will do. I have seen one springer in the park - perhaps that's not a good sign?

Will find a book. I need one on cockers and springers really. Am going to Amazon.