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Original poster

DH has finally given in and agreed to getting a dog!! But which to get?

23 replies

mum2seb · 19/04/2009 20:44

OK, it's taken me months of 'gentle' persuasion, but I've done it!! I'm a SAHM, so will be in for much of the day - just the odd toddler group in the week. Dh really like Boxers (I don't mind them, tbh), and I have a bit of a thing for Cocker Spaniels and Miniature or Standard Schnauzers!! But which to get?
I've been reading loads of stuff on the internet about them all, and my brain is hurting! I'd really like to hear from those of you who have lived with any of these breeds, please!
Ds's are 2 1/2 and 5, and ds1 is disabled (has some mobility issues, but CAN walk.) I think both boys would get so much out of having a dog (both dh and I grew up with dogs - labrador and Golden retrievers - and for some reason, we feel the need for a different breed!!).

Thanks for any advice!

OP posts:
twinsetandpearls · 19/04/2009 20:45

We have a springer spaniel and he is the ideal pet as long as you are at home in the early days as he will wreck your house and you have a few hours a day to walk them.

hatwoman · 19/04/2009 20:48

take a look at petplanet.co.uk - it has excellent breed profiles - you can also fill in a questionnaire on things like how much walking you'd like to do, how often you'd like to leave them alone, whether you're prepared to groom them etc. we had lots of fun fawning over all manner of breeds for months once we'd decided to have one - dd and I are now experts and love dog-spotting. but...we get no prizes for originality and ended up with a lab. totally fantastic he is too - it's no accident that they're popular. good luck with it all - having a dog has been the best decision we made.

DisasterEggs · 19/04/2009 20:51

Sausage. Am evangelical about them. love them passionately. Everyone should have at leas one if not two or three.

hatwoman · 19/04/2009 21:04

btw - we had a cocker when I was young - he was fantastic - the most human dog I;ve ever come across - but now I'm an adult with my own home etc I'm not sure I could handle one now - they are a complete bundle of energy, whereas my lab is full of bounce on walks but then lazes around the house the rest of the time

Original poster
mum2seb · 20/04/2009 13:41

Thankyou for your comments - does anyone else have any ideas? I'm flummoxed!!

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pigsinmud · 20/04/2009 14:27

A mutt. We have a mutt and she's great. 4 months old now and is greatly admired for her beauty by many! Mother is a springer and father a bit of lab, collie and staffie. Met a 4 month old lab the other day and couldn't believe how slow and chunky he was compared to our bouncy mutt!

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 20/04/2009 14:35

Love my cocker spaniel. Great with kids (will literally let ds2 do anything to her), easily trained, loves playing games like sniffing out hidden toys(or hidden children, she once found a whole troop of venture-scouts who had been told to hide in scrubland she leaped happily from one hiding place to the next ), not as bouncy as a springer but plenty of life and they don't get too big.

Couldn't have hoped for a better dog.

On the downside she is a fur ball and does need an occasional brush - but nothing too taxing.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 22/04/2009 13:16

How about a cockerpoo? They look gorgeous and are meant to have slightly less energy than a cocker spaniel so may not need quite as much walking.

hatwoman · 22/04/2009 13:21

but do you have to keep a straight face when telling people what kind they are?

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 22/04/2009 13:29

I think the name is an added bonus.

mistlethrush · 22/04/2009 13:50

The two minature schnautzers next door are yappy, yappy dogs. Out of your list, spaniel sounds best to me, but I personal like my mut!

BigusBumus · 22/04/2009 14:06

I love cocker spaniels, especially the working type which are less "frilly" about the ears. They can be a bit neurotic though... I know 4 people with them.

Schnauzers are lovely, but like someone said, Yappy and a bit stinky round the face...

I definately think you should get a small breed dog though,less mess (can pick them up when muddy) and less walking. Have you thought about a poodle? The miniture black ones are sweet.

We have a working Jack Russell (she goes ferreting and shooting with DH). Love her to bits and can't fault the breed, but you have to choose the parents carefully to get a lovely temperament. Ours comes from a long line of working farm dogs who are all soft as butter and don't bark much.

Border Terriers are lovely and strong little things, but again pick the parents carefully.

My fave though, if i were to get another is a whippet. They are so soft and loyal and gorgeous. Especially the blue ones.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 22/04/2009 14:59

I like BigusBumus's suggestion.

I have a greyhound and love her to bits but too be honest there are disadvantages (to me anyway) of such a big dog. But I love her temprement. Whippets are meant to have a very similar temperement but smaller dogs.

mistlethrush · 22/04/2009 19:47

When we eventyrally have to replace our lovely mut, we will probably aim for a lurcher - although ds will be a bit older by then - so we envisage that a lurcher would be great for gambling on walks, but happy to lounge round the house when a game is not available...

janmoomoo · 23/04/2009 22:38

Go to the local dog rescue and see what you fall in love with, they will be able to tell you about temperament and if they are suitable with children etc. Give a poor unwanted hound a home, rather than lining the pocket of a breeder.

ingles2 · 23/04/2009 22:40

Got to be a cocker...don't know how many times I've said that here, but it's a few
I have a lovely, soppy, friendly cocker who has been the best family pet you could have. She's on my profile.

ingles2 · 23/04/2009 22:42

btw my cocker is sooo lazy. she will only walk for 20 mins a day, then sit in the field until you turn around and walk home.

hatwoman · 24/04/2009 10:55

getting a rescue dog is fine - (although it has its downsides, as does getting a puppy)but I disgagree - quite strongly - with seeing which one you fall in love with (same goes for chosing a breed ahead of getting a pup from a breeder). you need to do a list of your requirements and the commitment you're prepared to give - whilst not looking at cute pictures or, perish the thought, at actual dogs. Then you need to find a dog that matches them. you need to be disciplined - and ignore the pleading eyes of the one that needs 2 hours walking a day when you only have time for 30 minutes, or the wagging tail of the one that has a bad reputation for getting on with children. you have to recognise that the surge of "oh it'll be ok...he's so adorable...I won't mind the extra 90 minutes" isn't rational and it's not fair on the dog to act on it. (and you could even fall out of love as a result)

hatwoman · 24/04/2009 10:56

hat goes off to remind herself how gorgeous ingle's cocker is...

ingles2 · 24/04/2009 10:58

How are you Hatwoman? Enjoying the country?

hatwoman · 24/04/2009 11:15

[hi-jack alert] yes thanks, we've settled in fine. A loves it - just posted on the s-e thread - hope things pick up for you. [hi-jack over]

ingles2 · 24/04/2009 11:40
Original poster
mum2seb · 25/04/2009 15:57

Well, we're going to look at some Lakeland Terriers tomorrow - the only breed we could agree on!! I've done my research, and it says they're good with children, but escape artists!! So here's hoping! I'm very excited! A bit different to the breeds we were initially thinking of, but they do look like nice dogs (I hope!!).

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