Help us find the perfect dog breed

[sweetkitty]

We are planning to get a dog next year, very excited, I always had two dogs growing up, big lab/GSD cross types so know the work involved DH has never had a dog. We have had cats currently have one antisocial moggy.

We have 4 DC the youngest will be 3 next year hence the wait until he was a bit older. I don't work at present but will be looking for something part time and local or going back to college in the future. I would be around for at least the first year with the puppy all day.

DH runs Marathons and is looking for a running partner a big dog like a Dalmatian.

I would prefer a smaller Lhasa Apso type dog but don't mind a big one, my fab dog is a Newfoundland but prob impractical. I do quite like a gentle giant.

So we want a dog that's good with kids and can go running with DH oh and is lower maintenance.

Any ideas? I've heard Dalmatians not good with children?

Hi there,

I hope I could answer any questions you have about Dalmatians (or at least most of them) We have two, 6month old and a 4 1/2 year old, both female.

To be honest, I've met a lot of people who dont think Dalmatians are very good with children, I suspect this may be because they are very bouncy, excitable dogs, this lasts their whole lives not just as puppies.
They can easily knock over young children, not just toddlers but ours can knock our DD1 (5) flying!
In my own experience they are fantastic with children, loving, gentle (except when over excited) everything we want but they can also not respond to change well, can be very indifferent toward strangers and unknown dogs.
Male Dalmatians are known for being difficult with other male dogs - never seen this myself though.
If your DH runs marathons thats a start. Does he run every day? Our Adult Dally goes for a 5 - 6 mile run most days, she has been known to run in excess of 12 miles and not even be panting at the end of it.
She needs a minimum of 2 hours off lead walks a day but she usually gets more than this. They need a good long run at least a few times a week. Puppy obviously gets less than this as she is young but she still needs more than most puppies. I would honestly recommend an adult Dally should aim to have between 2 - 3 hours per day.
Ok, so if they dont get enough exercise/entertainment they a very keen on chewing and ripping up furniture for entertainment. They cannot be left on their own for long periods as they are very tactile 'people' dogs and get distressed if left alone. We can leave ours for a few hours to go shopping/see friends etc but would never leave them all day - they have a loud bark that they enjoy using if they are upset.
They constantly shed hair, I hoover our house 2 - 3 times a day, I have to clean the kitchen floor at least twice, they arent allowed on the sofas but you try telling their hair that as I have to hoover this at least once or twice a day and all of that effort doesnt come close to getting rid of it so if you are a clean freak or dont like the thought of dog hair all over your house, clothes, car, children, in your food, drink and fridge! Dont get one!
All that said, I love the looney things, they suit us as a family and I wouldnt change them for the world!

Also, they are total theives, will steal anything from anywhere, you will never be able to leave ANYTHING on the kitchen sides, never have a bin in your kitchen they will eat anything!

They are prone to sensative tummies, cannot be fed anything high in purines. You'll need to do some reseach on whats best.

If you consider a puppy do not use any breeder that doesnt BAER test all their puppies.

Dalmatian Welfare often have dogs that are good with young children so worth a try too if you were to decide on Dalmatians.

Anything else you want to know, just ask!

labrador or golden retriever. I researched for ages. They come up tops in every respect.

I know of two families with young children near us who have dogs that run with an adult. They have a Weimaraner and a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, respectively. Both gorgeous dogs and the Wheatie is an absolute doll (not sure how far she'd be able to go though).

How about a Springer Spaniel? Fab with kids and can run forever. I walk my dog most days on a beach which has loads of runners with dogs. Springers and Labs seem to be the dogs of choice. The springers seem to stick with their owners, the labs always seem to wander off in search of people with treats

I have a lurcher - greyhound, Saluki crossed with a collie and they have a great amount of speed AND stamina, lazy round the house (as in, not hectic, not that they don't bother with the washing up), great with kids, lovely natures, love their silly faces! You can also get quite big ones if you get something crossed with a deerhound. You also get the genetic benefits of better vigour from not being a pedigree. Lurchers are go!

I run with my lurcher a lot and he stays close, meant to say....

labs get fat too!

have you had a look at german shorthaired pointers. i have one with my 3 kids under 6. hungarian vizslas also worth a look too.

If your DH is a serious runner, running every day, I'd go for a German shorthaired pointer. Lots of those in the canicross world, they are superb running partners, a good run every day and an hour off lead every night would suit them down to the ground.

I love pointers too.

My lurcher and greyhound could not be used as running partners. They are cheeters- blast around like the clappers for 15minutes and then you have to carry them home.

Thanks for all your replies given me loads to think about.

Misery business - I think Dalmatians are lovely looking dogs, I'm used to the hair thing have had 3 cats at once and grew up with a black and white dog used to the shedding and the constant hoovering. We're a noisy busy family and would want a dog that could fit right in.

Will have a look at the other breeds mentioned too

Sweetkitty - Dalmatian's are lovely. I'm totally biased but they aren't for everyone. I think people, especially children get drawn in by their lovely spots but they are definitely not for everyone and I certainly wouldnt recommend them to anyone who hasnt ever been a dog owner themselves.

They have their own agenda in life and training can be trying. They dont respond at all to any kind of negative treatment.

It may seem like im trying to put you off, I'm really not. I love them but they really do need specific care and attention a lot of the time however, all dog are different. Some more chilled than others etc.

If there is anything else you'd want to ask I dont mind.

Also, no amount of cats and dogs can prepare you for Dalmatian hair, that may sound stupid but if you ever end up owning one you'll know what I mean.

A friend of ours has 2 GSP and they are great too!

Thanks misery business no this is what I need to know and am doing all the research I can before getting a puppy. I don't know we are a Dalmatian family, I don't know if we have the time for one.

Bear in mind springers are hunting dogs rather than straightforward runners. They are velcro dogs and will run with you, but have a prey drive as well :)

There is a well used saying - labradors are born half trained and springer spaniels die half trained...

They are also complete mud magnets - if there is a muddy river bed somewhere, they will find it... I have posted this picture before, but anyone who is considering a springer needs to look at this picture first!

Also, they need a good couple of hours off lead every day. You can't just walk them on a lead, they need to rummage through hedgerows and hunt.

Oh my springer spends sooo much time looking like that He is so loving though that I would forgive him anything. Thankfully for our bunny and guinea pig he reserves his prey drive for tennis balls.
He is honestly a fantastic family dog. He adores all children, especially ours

LOVE the springer picture

Luckily for me, I have a teflon-coated doggy that is scared of water!

I see loads of dogs running with their owners near where I live. Lots of Vizlas, a Springer or two, a Weimeraner, and Pointers. Especially German Shorthaired Pointers (they are great with kids, my brother has one - he has 3 kids, between 2 and 10, and the youngest was born when the dog was 2 years old: he is gentle with all of them, though a very bouncy dog!).

Me, I'd look at the rescue websites and find a dog that fit the bill - there is no 'perfect breed', but there are lots of perfect family-fitting doggies

Plus, fostered dogs are known quantities: both with kids, and with running.

Love that spaniel - just like mine. Arf at the 'springers die half trained' thing ....

I have a different spaniel-type - a Brittany. Fantastic family dog. Not too big, very loving, great with children and fine with our cats. Can walk/run all day. Mine has a bit of a tendency to run off but that is down to his mum being a working hunting dog and me being a crap novice owner with a broken arm when he was a pup so I have only myself to blame. They're not very common in the UK but really gorgeous dogs who might fit the bill.

My brother has a Springer and is always raving about them. Seem a bit bouncy to me maybe that's just his.

I would like a terrier like a Highland but DH says he would refuse to walk it, maybe I'll just get one as chances are I'll be doing the walking anyway.

I'm afraid the clue is in the title with Springers, mine is nearly 15 and still trying to jump up to grab things of the kitchen worktops, even though she usually ends up falling over.

She broke the lid off a peddle bin aged 14.5, we've given up hope of a well trained springer.

I had a border collie when DC's were small, I got her the day I started maternity leave with DD1. She was fab and would run for miles and was great with kids despite what people say but I was an experienced dog owner. I now have a 13 year old springer who has always been equally good with kids but is remarkably peaceful for a springer. She will still run/trot for a good hour or so each day though.

Brilliant advice on here. Just wanted to add my two pennarth - labs and retrievers, and maybe other breeds, shouldnt really be over exercised in their first year or so. I dont think they could be used as runnung partners at this age.

Also, dogs from a working breed/background tend to be much fitter and have more stamina. I love golden retriecers for example but cant imagine the bigger ones running very far :).

I have had to share that Springer photo on my Facebook as it is so brilliant

mine is due to go on some Gundog courses in the summer and needs to walk to heel. all well and good in the garden but I feel I may have to buy a top with HUGE pockets filled with tennis balls to achieve this elsewhere

Springers are best though. Mine always makes me laugh.

MY GSP (german shorthaired pointer) is now 4 months old. he has been super to train and is so calm (for his age!). My little ones cuddle him all the time and he loves it whilst out in the commons he just bounds around, so active and so interested. We will take him running/cycling but not for at least another year.