dh has agreed to a new addition... some help please?

[MommyUpNorth]

Hello. We've just decided to get a new puppy. I've read through some posts about 'The Perfect Puppy' book and will order... also posts about online puppy sales...

We've not really totally decided on which breed yet, and I don't think we're particularly fussed about a purebred or a mix. As a child (in the states) we had a Doberman, a rottweiler and then a Scottish terrier. With dh, we have had an Alsatian who sadly passed away almost 2 years ago.

I would really like something a bit smaller than the Alsation, but not too tiny? We have 4 children, and the youngest is now in nursery. As far as exercise goes, we tend to do a beach/forest walk most afternoons. I'd be happy to do another walk at some point in the day, and longer walks at the weekends. We also have a fenced off field for free running/fetching.

Obviously would like a breed that tends to be good around children (though they will all be in full time school next August), not too yappy (DH's requirement!) and will be able to fit in the car to get out on walks frequently!!

Now for the buying bit... we're very rural on the north coast of Scotland, and I'm quite prepared to travel to find a lovely new member for our family, but obviously won't be able to be meeting with the family weekly or so if they are some distance away. Does anyone know what the best way to go about finding a puppy? We don't get many for sale up here, and the rescue centre will not rehome to anyone with children at all.

Sorry this is so long, but really trying to avoid making too many mistakes!

Thanks! :)

We have a doberman and she is brilliant

I've never known such a placid, laid back, dozy one like ours (2 year old bitch) The kids adore her and she is so patient and submissive around them, they are 8 and 6.

She doesn't bark or whine, shes not over protective and has never caused us an problem. She is not dog/people aggressive and we wouldn't be without her.

Our only problem is that she wont walk properly on a lead. She is a walking advertisement for Halti lol.

She doesn't lose to many hairs, I sweep the wooden floor daily.

I would love a beagle or a bloodhound. I've seen the Fox and the Hound a few to many times I think

there are some rescues that do rehome further away than where they are based. and some do rehome to families with children. worth a try.

Unless you want a rescue, I would suggest looking at purebreeds. The reason for this is that very, very, very few breeders of crossbreeds are breeding for the right reason or really truly care about the puppies they breed.

Once you decide on which breed you want you need to start looking for a breeder. This is best done via the breed club. If you google you will find it for the breed you have chosen. They will be able to recommend reputable breeders. Speak to several and if you are unsure of breeds and speak to a few breeders of different breeds, they should be happy to see you so you can decide if that breed are right for you. They should be interested in showing or working and the parents should have been properly health tested appropriately for that breed. Be prepared to wait for the right puppy, most good breeders have waiting lists.

Very different to the breeds you have owned, but I can never recomend Golden Retrievers highly enough as family pets. They are a bit hairy and do love, love, love mud and water but they are the easiest dogs in the whole world! They love children and people and will walk for as long as you like. They need at least 1-2 hours exercise each day, but won't go mad if there is the very occasional day where they can't be walked due to children being ill, emegencies etc. IME, Goldens rarely bark. One of our girls has barked probably half a dozen times in her entire life and none bark as a rule. They are a quiet breed, but obviously you'll always get the odd exception.

With any breed you need to be aware that if you get a puppy, their exercise needs to be limited until they are a year old. It would also be advisable to be able to be with the puppy 24/7 for at least the first 12 weeks, but during that time you can get puppy used to short periods in another room. You would be able to continue your walks if you carried puppy or used a rucksack to carry it.

If you did decide on a Golden, I know an excellent breeder in Scotland, but the South West.

Wow, thank you all so much for taking the time to answer!

AaronsBoo, your doberman is lovely (looked at your pics). I have fond memories of our old doberman, but he was very overprotective and was very much used as a guard dog... but he was beautifully tempered with all the family and friends. He was trained easily and was very good with all commands!

booyhoo.. I think we've got our hearts set on a puppy, but I will certainly have a look around at some other rescue centres. Thanks for that.

midori, my gran had a golden who was just the loveliest dog on earth! I had a look at them recently, but it is the hair that puts me right off. With our Alsatian (white) she was constantly covered in mud/sand and it was such a nightmare keeping her clean as she'd just be a mess the next time we went out! :) We're really out in the country so it's going to happen no matter what! :o

I was very taken with the Italian Greyhound or Whippet, but they don't really like cold and wet... which is the climate up here! So that rules them out.

well if you want the temp of a golden but not the fur go for a lab - choc ones are fab

But Springer Spaniels are the most fun

You can also get puppies from rescue, they are available suprisngly often.

You couldn't get any more choice here could you! I'll have a look at a few more breeds this evening... dd has given me every single dog/puppy book she owns and has given me a very serious puppy readiness talk! :o

Those of you with the longer haired pups/dogs... is there a better (quicker!) technique to cleaning them up? We used to have our dog come in onto a big towel and then get her legs/paws cleaned up... then toweled her off... and then had to do all the brushing in the evening. It was quite a bit of work for every outing! Oh, and not forgetting to towel off her tail before she swished mud everywhere!! :o

never had to do any of that with my lab - but need a dyson to hoover his fur where he lies most

Chcuk em in the river before returning home. Or I hose my springer down before he comes in the house (but I am not house proud, or car proud).