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.

LOL at Cockerdoodle

OP
Are you any closer to making a decision?

Lotser
Your dog has so much personality, I would not be at all surprised if he talked. We looked at Border Terriers before we got Daphne.

At the end of the day, after so much research and suggestions on a thread similar to this one, we ended up with a puppy from the village.

MmeLindt- I often ponder what his accent would be...

Daphne is a bit scrumptious isn't she! How ladylike to use the bidet, Alfie would drink from it..

I love my wicked little Jack Russell. He's not allowed to be a very yappy little sod because yapping is something up with which we do not put. But I wouldn't recommend them as family dogs even though mine loves children. They are very "one-person" and mine has a quiet but determined resentment of dp! They are also absolute sods off lead if they decide conditions are perfect for hunting and it doesn't matter how much training you've done when the selective hunting hearing clicks in.

Of other breeds, I'd generally say that working breeds should be avoided if you can't replicate something resembling the activity that they were bred for or at least keep them very busy indeed. Which is why collies, lurchers and some breeds of terrier may not always be the best choice. Most border terriers we meet are lovely but lively and a surprising number of them are not good with other dogs.

Also be aware that if you buy a "designer" cross-breed, you have no idea what it will turn out like both in terms of size, appearance and more importantly, behaviour. Regardless of the ludicrous price of these Poo Dogs!

But much as I find JRTs irresistible, the second dog that I'm currently campaigning for will be a whippet. I'd recommend them very highly!

we're leaning towards a cocker / cockerpoo / springoodle. It'll depend on what's about when we get one, which will be in the spring. I love spaniels but am just a bit worried about their bouncy mania, but i get the impression that cockers are less mad than springers (my parents dog is very bouncy and not the brightest).

will have a look at rescue centres as well, but depends on whether they will let us have one.

Cockers can be delightful but they aren't necessarily good with children. They suffer appallingly from ear infections and can be biters.

i think any dogs can be good/bad with chilcdren/cats/other dogs. some more obviously so than other.

ah yes - though any dog with long hair on the ears can be particularly prone to ear infections (more so than open-eared short haired dogs), good ear hygeine can help avoid them as can clipping the air around the ear (and all the other basics of good doggy health, diet, exercise, etc).

Just popped back to catch up on the posts. Lots of dog fans out there! OP FWIW I vote for the cockerpoo from your shortlist. Looking forward to hearing back from you with your final decision- have lots of fun choosing and take your time.
I've put a picture of my lovely labradoodle on my page too.

"My cocker has never had an ear infection and never bit anyone/thing, she's six, bit of a sweeping statement pikelet that really."

I realise that, for brevity, one does tend to make somewhat "global" statements. However, my comments come from my (and friends) experience of having cockers and my vet's certainty that of all the breeds he treated, cockers were amongst the very worst for biting.

I realise that your dog will be lovely. In precisely the same way that my Jack Russell is a paragon of virtue.

Also be aware that if you buy a "designer" cross-breed, you have no idea what it will turn out like both in terms of size, appearance and more importantly, behaviour. Regardless of the ludicrous price of these Poo Dogs!

no harm in taking an adult one from rescue though..as what you see is what you get.

But much as I find JRTs irresistible, the second dog that I'm currently campaigning for will be a whippet. I'd recommend them very highly

whippet/greyhound gets my vote particularly because of large numbers in rescue, as well as being lovely

JRT - i bet butter doesn't melt in his little mouth.. though sausages do

If you've got lots of energy and patience, then I'd recommend a Patterdale terrier. We've got one, and she's lovely. (Completely unreliable off-lead, but brilliant with kids.)

Disclaimer: if you've not owned a terrier before, ignore my comment.

All breeds of dog will have their less than ideal points as well as their undeniable virtues - there's no harm in pointing them out, and there's no point anyone getting defensive or over-sensitive about it just because somone mentioned something slightly negative about their breed. Surely being able to chip in with points for and against any breed based on our experiences is the whole point of the thread!
Of course 'sweeping statements' will be made, because without knowing every dog in the country personally it's impossible to make any other sort. But just because your pug can breath fine, your Cav King Charles has no heart defect, your collie is the most sociable creature on the planet, your terrier is a pacifist/coward, your Clumber Spaniel has never had an eye infection, your Weimaraner doesn't insist you call him Sir, your Afghan Hound is registered with Mensa, or your Japanese Akita/Rottweiler/Pit-Bull or Bullmastiff has never ripped someone's face off, doesn't change the fact that all those breeds are largely, anecdotally (and often statistically) acknowledged to be somewhat different.

Of course these are generalisations and stereotypes, but when choosing a dog is always an unknown quantity, stereotype and generalision is all we have to go on.

ive got a cocker spaniel shes 10 now had her from puppy when my kids were toddlers now have 4 kids and shes never bitten anyone and shes great with other dogs she was really easy to train and eager to please she dont bark at all i would recommend one for sure she hasnt had any ear infection not once but i keep her clipped short so she dont malt much and dont get matted fur. ive also just had two staffy pups and they are proving brilliantly easy to train and great fun for the kids and everyone i know who has em has nice gentle ones well worth a look good luck

Greyhound or a couple of them! great with everybody including kids, other dogs, need only 30-40 mins exersize a day, short haired and shed very little, no genetic diseases so a very healthy breed.

oh and definetly steer clear of "designer" hybrids!! if you want a mongrel, go and get one from a rescue rather than paying out hundreds...