A good Vicarage dog, please

[marmiteandhoney]

I'm after some advice if that's ok.

Basically, we're moving into a vicarage this summer. We're thinking of getting a dog once we're settled, partly because our older son could really do with a friend to run around and play chase with, and partly because the diocese recommend that you get a dog if you can for security reasons.

My husband and I had a dog yonks ago before we had children. We rehomed her for a friend of my mum. She was a lovely old mongrel lady, and lasted two years before we had to have her PTS.

No idea what kind of dog we should be looking for. Am more than happy to rehome a dog from a rescue place as long as it was definitely suitable (and as long as we were suitable for it, too).

Here's a Doggy List to help you advise me:

1. We have four children who will be aged 9, 7, 5 and 3. They're pretty calm, good kids, but would want a dog who'd be happy to play with them, and not nippy.
2. We have a cat. I don't want it eaten.
3. We have chickens. I don't want them eaten, either.
4. Someone would be at home all the time. At the moment I work p/t, but will stop for a bit to settle us in when we move. And my husband works from home a lot of the time, and the dog would be able to go with him when he was out and about, most of the time.
5. The dog would not need to go to kennels when we're on holiday, as we are not able to leave a vicarage empty- we have to get in housesitters.
6. Lots of people call at the door. Dog needs to be ok with strangers.
7. Sometimes dodgy people call at the door. Dog needs to lurk as necessary.
8. I'd rather it didn't shed too much or be too smelly, so I don't have to spend my whole life hoovering before meetings.

Does such a dog exist? What would you recommend?

Am more than happy to commit to training a puppy, if that makes the not-eating-cats-and-chickens thing easier. Will be at home, after all. And the cat was a (very young rescue) kitten last year, so we're not completely out of practice.
Will there be problems with rescue centres as the children are still relatively young?
Should I leave contacting them until we're at a point when we can realistically home a dog/puppy, or should I contact them earlier so they know us and our needs in good time?
What rescues would you recommend? (We're in NE London)

Thanks!

Have a look at Tibetan terriers. Good door bell dogs. Don't need too much exercise. Good family dog. Can be clipped short and non moulting. Training is key I think.

Also look at cocker spaniel poodle cross. Called cockerpoo!

Ooh, OP just saw you're in NE London. So are we! (Sunny Hackney sur les Marshes!) LOTS of lovely greyhound places to choose from round us.

I recommend a long walk on the marshes, down by the Lea and you will see lots and lots of different breeds, usually accompanied by owners who very much enjoy talking about their dogs. Some field research a picnic should go down well with the family, no?

miacis our chap is evilly farting tonight, having stolen most of a block of mature cheddar off the dinner table while I put a DVD on for the small Trotwoods and their friend. He nicked a carrot earlier too. I am so going to wriggle out of the walk tomorrow morning. DH's turn, definitely.

our vicar has 4 cavalier King Charles Spaniels :)

I think we might leave field research until it's a bit warmer...

I'll save going out in the cold until I get a dog and have to.

Irish setter: gorgeous, love people, great with children, lovely dogs

Don't blame you.

He does indeed coffeeinbed, and as you say if it's good enough for him

Hi, another Many Tears fan here. We had a Cocker from them and she was lovely, if a little scatty!! She would never have hurt ANYTHING and was a perfect family dog.

She was pts in August 10 and now we just have our other rescue Cocker, for the time being, as we are abroad for a year.

Please do look at the Many Tears website

GERMAN SHEPHERD! cannot stress enough how versatile this breed is. loving, loyal and completely protective over their family so aswell as having a great family dog, youll rest easier at night knowing that dog wouldnt let any intruders in. theyre great with all different types of animals aslong as raised with them. so best thing to do is go to a breeder and get a pup. there is nothing a german shepherd will not do to please its family. best choice x

I would recommend a rescue dog - they just love you that teensy bit more because they'll never forget what you rescued them from!

Many Tears will assess you and assess the dog and match you up together. I would recommend a lab / German Shepherd cross if you happen to be looking - lovely, wonderful dogs with the best traits of both breeds.

(I'm most definitely NOT advocating 'designer' breeding by the way, it's just that where I am there's a lot of these mixes and I think they're great.)

I'm very reluctant to criticise other rescues, but I cannot recommend Many Tears. They are NOT a no kill rescue, and they have now started charging £20 for adopters who want behavioural support after adoption. This advice is not provided by a qualified behaviourist. This is unlike most other reputable rescues who provide free, lifelong backup, advice and support for adopters. I'd be happy to recommend a number of other all breed rescues in Wales if anyone has need of one.

I've been looking through Many Tears, Dogsblog and Dog Pages. It's been really interesting learning about different kinds of dogs, and getting a little bit of a feel for their temperaments. Sad, too, reading the stories.

My nearly-seven-year-old has been very happily looking, too. He wants all of them. I think it's going to have to be a very large vicarage :o