So we are thinking about getting a dog - suggestions needed

[squeaver]

Dd and I have finally persuaded dh that it might be a good idea.

My family always had dogs, so I'm not daunted by it at all but I want to be sure we get the right breed for us.

So here's our situation, what are your suggestions, oh wise ones?

• Dd is 5. No chance of any other dcs.

• We live in London, near parks but with a very small garden. Can't rely on the garden for outdoor space/exercise.

• Not a huge house. Do NOT want dog hairs everywhere.

• Dh and I both work from home, so exercising not a problem but it would be good if, at a push, daily exercise could be the school run (15 mins walk each way), but obviously I'd be looking to do longer walks than this.

• Don't want anything as big as e.g. a labrador nor a handbag-sized mite.

My parents had standard size poodles, then Kerry Blue Terriers (still do - dd adores their Kerry Blue), if that's any help.

My thoughts so far are: Welsh terrier? Mini schnauzer? Maybe we should just get a kerry blue, like my parents??

That's not always the case Lyra41. Some of the dogs that end up in rescue centres are there because of a family breakdown or because the family have moved into rented or smaller accomodation or the owner has died.

These dogs often come with lots of background details and have often lived happily with children/cats/hamsters ect.

We have recently acquired a rescue Springer Spaniel - a failed gundog from Ireland. Despite his difficult start in life He is amazing with our children. We are having a few issues with him at the moment re socialisation with other dogs, but the Rescue have been giving us huge amounts of support.

To be honest though, I don't have to put any more effort into socializing him than I would put into socializing a puppy AND I don't need to bother with toilet training, chewing etc. Choose a reputable Rescue and they will find you the right dog and give you ongoing support if you need it. We got our Springer from Many Tears. They are based in Wales, but have fosterers all over the country. You can view their dogs on their website. Please have a look!

I was going to suggest Many Tears. We have a 'labradoodlewoodle' but she wasn't overpriced (we live in the north so we don't do poncy prices). We are thinking about another dog and having had rescues in the past I regularly trawl the Many Tears website to look for a suitable candidate

lyra, no dog can be relied upon 100%

Op, my mum has 2 bigger dogs, a lab and a mutt. Both are fab and miles easier than our patterdale terrier was.

I would love a dachsund.

I agree about no dog being 100%. We had a bad experience with one of our rescues which is why we chose a pup this time. Now that the DC are older I have no hesitation going for the right rescue.

I know that you don't fancy lab size but on the Many Tears website there are two unsold lab pups who look great. Labs are popular for a reason. They are superb family pets. The shar pei girl also looks perfect

If you're in London you can't do better than go to Battersea. They will match you with a dog that has been fully and properly assessed by a qualified behaviourist. The most reliable dog I have ever owned wrt children came from there.

Please - please - can we just nail this fallacy once and for all that if you do not know a dog's full history it is not reliable with children??? Puppies brought at home at 8 weeks old are far more of an unknown quantity than a properly assessed adult dog.

Good luck

"I would counsel against getting a rescue dog, despite having one myself and I do adore her. I think if you have children, you really do need to know the dog's background and you just never do with a rescue dog. You have to be able to rely on them 100%."

SORRY BUT THAT'S BULLSHIT!

I am a rescuer and also a hands on volunteer for a respected independent rescue. Whilst some of "our" dogs, as I view them, come from pounds having been picked up as strays just as many are from family homes, ending up in rescue as a result of family breakdown, a move where dogs aren't allowed or some idiot refusing to keep the dog once they are pregnant.

ALL our dogs are assessed thoroughly before they go to new homes, as are any decent rescue's dogs. Assessment is an ongoing matter, something which is carried out throughout each day via observation as well as via specific actions.

We assess REGARDLESS of what the original owners tell us - because sadly a lot will lie.

For example, the boss of the rescue I volunteer at recently brought one of his residents to me for the day. He was considering asking me to foster her, knowing that I and my teenaged girls got on fine with her. However, that's not all there is to it, we live in a small village with children passing our door and a nearby school. A walk with the dog on lead gave the boss concern that she was not comfortable with small children as she pulled towards them as they passed and showed too great an interest in them. Who knows, she may have been doing so for a cuddle but we could hardly use other people's children as stoodges to find out!

As a result that dog will only be rehomed to an experienced adult family in a rural area. What's more, it was decided that she wouldn't be fostered here, partly because of a similar interest in my cats and partly because of the fact that although I'm a trusted, experienced fosterer and friend to the rescue, I live in a residential area with too many children around.

So, for goodness sake, please can we stop this fallacy that you shouldn't adopt a rescue dog because she comes with no background and "you never really know", because a decent rescue is pretty expert at this type of thing and they do know!

If your DH is not as keen as you, you do realise that when it's sunny it's 'our' dog, but when it's raining and the dog still needs walking it's 'your' dog. If it has an accident, it's your dog and the produce of that accident is left to fester until you come home from work at midnight desperate for your bed. If it does something cute it's 'his' dog but if eats the dc's favourite new toy, it's back to being 'your' dog and you'll never guess whose dog it is when you finally relent, admit you have been beaten by a fluffy white terrier and call in professional help for training? Yup, you got it your dog, your £55!

Other than that I agree with everything Val and Scuttle just said.

Very well said, Scuttle. Had clocked the 'less than keen dh' but was reluctant to launch into full soapbox mode. Not on a Monday anyway

But yes, a dog will bring stress into your life at some point. No matter how much you love them {the dog, not dh!) and no matter how fab the dog is, at some point something will go wrong. And you really don't want one partner mentioning that they didn't want Fido in the first place....

Well said, Scuttlebutter. Please don't get a dog until you are absolutely sure you are happy and willing to commit to all that it entails. Our trainer in London was very against people getting dogs because he was sick to the back teeth of helping with the problems associated with so many rescue dogs, bought on a whim from a pet shop or dodgy place. Our 2nd dog was a bit of a case in point, had no concentration at all, and kept falling over and crashing into things.

Unless you are having a love affair with your hoover and adore the smell of cleaning fluid, your house will probably never be the same again!! For me, life is too short to be forever cleaning the house!! Dogs need a lot of attention, but are easier and better pets than some parrots.

I missed the less than keen DH bit (got a stinking cold, even less with it than normal!) but now that I'm aware of it I must say I agree entirely with Scuttle.

This soapbox is getting a bit busy. I think I might make a nice quilt for it. and possibly a cushion?

Gosh, this took off a bit, didn't it?

Don't worry about dh - his nerves only come from him having never had a dog before. As I said, we always had dogs when I was growing up so I know exactly what is involved. He does too, having spent a lot of time with my family over the past 20 years. And we have loads of friends with dogs, all of whom he loves.

Also he - quite rightly in my view - doesn't want a big dog that needs a lot of exercise when we live in London and have a small garden. Now we both work from home, his concerns about exercise etc (whatever the size of dog) have been allayed.

If the Battersea service is as good as Bella says, then I think we'll probably give them a go. This is a medium term thing - too much going on at the moment in our house to do it justice - but thanks to you all for your thoughts.

Battersea are fab. You'll get heaps of advice, can return the dog if it's not right for you, and they have a helpline too for any queries after you've got the dog. Many good rescues - though personally I would steer away from Many Tears> - including ones Val knows of, but I'd definitely give Battersea a whirl

I don't disagree with Val and the others. It's simply that we had a bad experience with a rehomed dog. It wasn't the dog's fault, she was fabulous but had a few issues. I would say that if you are certain that the rehoming centre are expert at what they do(Battersea etc) then you are fine. Unfortunately, in our case I think the dog hadn't properly been assessed. We worked through the problems but it was tough. As such, when we looked for our next dog, with our children being so young, we went for a pup. It worked out fantastically well for us as we got a good 'un.

Don't think for a minute you're getting on this soapbox too, Joni - crowded enough as it is

But yes, vitally important you go to a good rescue, which assesses dogs properly.

Ouch! Thanks a bunch Bella!

:o

'Bruised bum'???

That's no way to talk about Scuttle, Val!!!

Rest easy, Scuttle - I'll report this highly personal attack

Let me oooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

I think I'll take the soapbox and do some carpentry (comedy sawing noises in background)- ta da! Now it's a bench, there's plenty of room for everyone, my nice quilt and cushion will keep us cosy and I might even bring a glass of wine.... It's getting like the kitchen at parties - full of interesting conversations.

Huh, brusied bum indeed - my bottom is very amply padded

Bella32 - Have you had a bad experience with Many Tears? Our Springer has had a few unexpected socialisation "issues", but they have been very helpful with advice, etc. Hmmmm- feeling concerned now!

Nice carpentry, Scuttle

I can't go into details, Woodrose, but sounds like you are doing fine with them

I hope so Bella! I am taking "asbo" dog to his first obedience class today. DD(5) seems to think he will be "put on the rainbow" at doggie school, but I fear he will find himself on the thundercloud....

lol @ asbo dog

fwiw, they're all nutters when you go to your first class - 'wow', thinks dogggie, 'it's a party !!!!' - so don't be disheartened.

Do come back and tell us all the embarrassing details though