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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:
ingles2 · 18/01/2008 12:14

one last thing 100, whichever spaniel you get, don't get a solid colour, get a roan. I have a solid gold and have been lucky but found out after I got her that solids are more likely to have behavioural problems, especially the golds (also applies to labrador, etc)

ahundredtimes · 18/01/2008 12:17

Oh okay. Thank you. From my perusing 'puppies for sale' they seem to offer liver and white, or black and white. Haven't come across any solids yet. Top tip.

DoodleToYou · 18/01/2008 12:26

Message withdrawn

DontCallMeHun · 18/01/2008 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chequers · 18/01/2008 14:47

Message withdrawn

lululemonrefuser · 18/01/2008 17:54

That's funny ... I'm Welsh and have a Brittany - the same kind of issues as a springer - pulling and not always coming back.

But they can be taught stuff - my lovely boy is one and a bit now, and already calming down somewhat, despite the fact that he isn't neutered. And he is lovely with people, and good with other dogs too.

ahundredtimes, when you are talking to breeders, make sure that you go for someone who primarily breeds companion dogs rather than show or field trial dogs. My breeder mostly breeds companions, so although her dogs do have titles, she is looking primarily at temperament when she breeds them. If you have a breeder obsessed with titles above all else, you might well end up with a very beautiful but difficult dog, or in the case of spaniels bred to work, a dog which will really be unhappy unless he has a job to do.

Hope that helps. I'd reiterate what others have said; it took me a year to decide to get a puppy, and the breed and breeder. It's a huge decision needing tons of research.

MuffinMclay · 18/01/2008 19:40

I have a non-swimming springer.

ahundredtimes · 18/01/2008 23:10

erm.

erm.

Ingles and all.

erm.

I appear to have bought a puppy. A cocker spaniel puppy. He is here. In my house.

MrsSpoon · 19/01/2008 19:02

Wow congratulations ahundredtimes! Hope it is all working out well.

I don't know you do I? You don't have three boys, two School age and one younger and you are an ex-teacher?

ingles2 · 19/01/2008 19:03

OMG 100 .....
Welcome to my cocker club!!!!!! (membership erm..me)
well,...come on, tell all.....

MrsSpoon · 19/01/2008 19:08

Hmmm, just been doing some research and don't think I know you afterall.

ingles2 · 20/01/2008 21:59

100 ....where are you? Come and tell me about your CS!

lululemonrefuser · 21/01/2008 00:43

oh my goodness - that is soo exciting! Tell us all about it!

ahundredtimes · 21/01/2008 09:02

Right sorry.

He is 10 weeks now, a blue roan boy. Very nice and a bit wobbly and he runs after balls and wees everywhere and everyone is delighted with him. The dcs run along and he runs with them and then they all fall over and roll on the ground and he licks them.

He is very popular. He came from a woman who had eleven cockers in her house and a house covered in cocker spaniel pictures.He has never had so much attention.

We met his mother and not his father. It was all a bit overwhelming and we probably didn't do it properly. There is probably something wrong with him and when we go to the vets this morning, I will find this out.

His name is Johnny Jet, he has funny ears and cocks his head to one side. He is sitting here with me now, chewing a sock stuck on the end of a stick.

ahundredtimes · 21/01/2008 09:06

If you say that message out loud in one sentence without pausing for breath - that is sort of how it is.

Also we bought him a little, erm, impusively on friday night and he has a bed, but really he needs a cardboard box, as he wants sides. However we have made a tipi for him out of the clothes dryer, beside the sofa and the Aga. He seems very pleased with this den, goodness knows what will happen when I have to dry some clothes.

That's it. We think he is probably a genius because he has started weeing outside and he chases balls. We are VERY easily pleased.

MrsSpoon · 21/01/2008 11:36

ROFL @ ahundredtimes, sounds a bit like our dog purchase, impulsive, we also didn't meet Dad, although we could have he was there, as we were completely overwhelmed by the whole experience. I was then in a panic convinced there would be something wrong with her but she was given a glowing bill of health from the vet and I'm sure it will be the same for you Johnny Jet (love the name)! Have you got some pics?

ingles2 · 21/01/2008 18:04

Aaah 100 he sounds gorgeous! Have you fallen in love yet? Never mind about the impulse buy, I'm sure he'll be a much loved addition to your family. and I know I'm biased but cockers are such gorgeous dogs, particularly when they are pups and not a squashed nose in sight!
Ok, so my next advice is
1/ get dog insurance! pippa my cs, got meningitis, cost me about £2K!
2/ enroll for puppy classes quick smart...start showing him who's boss NOW!
3/ don't let him do things you won't like when he's grown, eg sleeping on beds, jumping up etc etc
anyway, congratulations again, ... (I want one .. walks away sulking!)

Surr3ymummy · 21/01/2008 18:20

Just had a quick scan of the thread and no-one's suggested a Setter. We have a Gordon Setter (black and tan) and an Irish Setter (Red/amber colour). They need no less than an hour of exercise a day - but are great with kids. Our DS was born when our Gordon Setter was 9 months old, and our Irish Setter is currently 4 months old and DS is now 16months. Have 2 older DDs too who love having the dogs.

Both dogs are really good with him, although the puppy is still learning of course. They, like Labradors, are gun dogs, and don't have the killing instincts of some breeds, and are particularly suitable for families with children. In fact our Cat is TopDog..

lululemonrefuser · 21/01/2008 18:21

He sounds lovely, and it wasn't that impulsive really - you'd done lots of thinking about it, clearly. And you sound as if you're on the right track! There is nothing so gorgeous as seeing children and puppies playing together.

I second everything ingles2 says, esp. about pet insurance. And if you find out how to stop a spaniel jumping up, do let me know!

ahundredtimes · 21/01/2008 18:39

Ah yes, good advice. We have six months free I think? I shall check and then extend.

Oh am being v.good about him, and he is rather submissive I think actually. He's very good and sits down when he sees me and wags his tail. He is only in the kitchen and the back room at the moment. We are going to puppy classes in three weeks or so.

That's it I think. He got the all clear from the vet today, and had his first jabs. He plays very intensely then he mooches and then he falls asleep. He does seem to sleep a lot.

Oh I do have questions about food if anyone is about?

lululemonrefuser · 21/01/2008 19:17

Yup - I'm here! What are you feeding him now?

ingles2 · 21/01/2008 23:16

I'm here ask away.....

ahundredtimes · 22/01/2008 09:50

Oh thank you both. But somewhat miraculously over the last 24 hours it seems to have worked out.

He came back with a rather involved diet list from the breeder, scrambled eggs and tripe and meat and gravy and small biscuit mixer, and on and on. I want to put him on the dry stuff, which he won't like as much but there we go, it will be easier for everyone.

Anyway, he wasn't eating it - I was mixing it in with the tripe and meat, and he was eating the nice stuff and leaving the rest. But this morning, I just gave him the dry with some cheese on top () and he ate it all up. So that's fine.

He is really extremely nice you know. I am excessively fond. And he makes quick dashes out into the hall and collects a shoe and then runs into the back and wags his tail. We are all in love.

Enid · 22/01/2008 09:58

wow congrats!

i do admire your spontaniety

we have to discuss everything until we atre totally sick of it

what is he called?

Enid · 22/01/2008 09:59

cant you feed tehm real food?

like Puppy Led Weaning?