go on then everyone ... what sort of dog is best?

[choufleur]

We're thinking about getting a dog (well puppy, want something DS (4 by the time we get a dog) can grow up with) in the spring/summer.

DH and I both work, although DH does shifts and when i'll be out all day dog will go to my parents (they have a springer spaniel).

I like spaniels, but they're a bit too bouncy for me and i'd rather a short hair dog. DH like collies, but they need far too much entertaining i think, so any suggestions for good breeds to get. We also have two cats and i don't want a little jappy dog.

MmeLindt - you are right. Lots of suggestions if small, long haired dogs on here, totally contrary to what the OP asked for. Someone'll be recommending a Maltese cross next!
Rasputin - I am not going to look at that pic. I can't. I am fully dogged up and still nurse a Springer sized hole in my heart...
Mitchy - tell dd lungeing works well, but don't try long reining

a springer would be lovely but i really don't want a longish haired dog. my parents dog usually comes back from walks with half the field in his tail and i just can't be bother to pick out bits from long fur.

I can't get over the stupid hairs cuts people give poodles. I did see a german pointer (i think) the other day and was chatting to the owner who seemed very nice.

well the owner was nice, but i meant that the dog seemed quite a nice breed

Cockers are often sniffer dogs. My favourite EVER walk was when our dog found a load of army cadets hiding on the moors She found all of them and was so happy!

We play sniffer games with her and she always wins (hiding various things in a wood). Cockers are as good as springers as long as you get a working-type. They're both working gun-dogs.

And mine doesn't bark or bounce (but then I'm a big believer in training dogs properly).

this is cute though

My Springer is fairly untrained and completely mad, all my fault, but I love him. One day I will train him up to gold standard.
He is the first dog I have had that has not needed much training to be a family pet. If I actually wanted him to do anything useful he'd need a fair few lessons
He's not really hairy either, whats all this about being long haired?
I am an lazy perfect owner.

in my defence I do have a collie who has her gold KC Good citizen award

I would disagree witht ehbitch thing thou. All ours have been a bit neurotic!

Suggestions of

Standard poodles fab - a gundog and excellent guard dog, believe it or not!

this is almost exactly my bitch

Bella
I think this is the right time to link to this website.

short haired pointers are LOVELY

but as with all HPR types you must be prepared to do a LOT to stop them going mad, it is not fair to expect them to be pets first and foremost, they need stuff to do

Cocker spaniel - a perfect, merry little dog.

HPR????

A neighbour has just got a cocker spaniel, she is soooo cute. Gets on really well with Daphne too.

hunt point retrieve

they are all fabulous dogs and among my absolute faves but have met some very very unhappy ones when they are deprived of the chance to work

brief guide to HPR breeds

MmeLindt

They fit into just one hand!!

Hungarian Vizsla, OP. Worth a look.

Short haired. Big. Non-bouncy (ish).

Mine looks alot like
this - except with a white body.

He loves everyone, and makes guests feel special by sitting next to them, and loving them up.

I love poodles too. I am a convert as my sis had one. He was the nicest dog - friendly and very smart

Everyone knows a poodle is the dog most genetically close to a wolf, right?!

ROFL!!! stuffing!!

I am going to take that as a compliment to my dog rasputin

It's true!

Can't remember why I know that, but am going to hunt for a link.

Are they good dogs to own then? I've always been put off by the pom-poms.

hee hee hee

The pom poms are optional. My sisters was a medium sized dog and was so affectionate. And they don't shed