help me with choosing a dog any and all advice apprieciated

[mothersmilkandherchickenseggs]

I am intending on getting a pup september 2013 a long way off i know but as it will be with us for the next 15 or so yoears it is as big a commitment as having another child in my eyes and requires much research and prep time yes anal i know) anyway as a child i had experiance with jacks boxers and labs but thats it. We are a very active family there are five of us dh and i plus dd6 ds4 dss12 we already have two dog friendly cats (they snuggle with my neighbours dog) and six chickens the garden is secure but not huge big enough for its buisness but not exercise this is not an issue as opposite the house is a green and beyond that a large playing field along with lots of country side woodland and shoreline. House is also a good size but not huge there is a perfectquite corner were i would intend to put its bed out of the way of family activity we also have a utility room for food and water. So would really like a dog that is niether massive nor tiny one with good stamina that would keep up with us on long rambles, loyal and would enjoy being trained and would stay trained iykwim? although i do apprieciate that trainingis an ongoing afair are some dogs more inclined to be better at it? Anyway any advice from you knowing ladies would be fab,
Thanks

Other things to consider are moulting/shedding (some breeds are worse than others), time you can commit to grooming, and general smelliness. Lots of working breeds like spaniels that have been bred to work outside are really quite oily and do stink a bit. Actually all dogs stink a bit . Some stink a lot!

I have border collies and I always steer families away from these, as most are hyper active, prone to herding anything that moves and come with their own special collie issues. In the right home they are unbeatable though (biassed)

All the families near me have black labs which suggests they make good family pets. They are huge, drool a lot, and definitely stink though!

meant to also say i am sahm dh also works from home so lots of time to give, thanks noinspiration i love black labs but they seem to get sooo many problems and are a bit bigger than i had in mind

also male or female? is thera difference? other than the obvious

English Springer Spaniel? I've never come across one that stinks at all (apart from a nightmare occasion involving a gigantic fox poo, but that's another story)

They are not too big or small, have oodles of stamina, very friendly, love playing and have big personalities. Mine keeps me entertained for hours. Very loyal and loving. Doesn't moult much and only drools when he's spying on the squirrels stealing nuts from my bird feeders. As long as you keep them well exercised, they are lovely dogs.

Forgot to add two things:

1. Very easy to train and stay trained (due to working dog genes I suppose)

1. But don't get one that is from recent working dog stock, or they might get bored no matter how much stimulation you can provide.

www.dogfamily.org/images/english-springer-spaniel-18.jpg

This one looks just like mine.

thanks diabolo have had a look into ess's they do look lovely.
Just wondered if anyone has had aany experiance with border terriers therespec looks pretty good in terms of what id like and i have known one but it was a full working gun dog

Have you considered a rescue mongrel at all?

We have one.

He has been easy to train, is quite placid, super with other dogs & fine with our cat, rabbit & guinea pigs!

Borders and chickens might be quite hard, I've no doubt you could train the dog to be OK with the chooks, but it will be hard work.

And did you mean you've seen a border as a working gundog? I'd love to see it work - I can't imagine it though.

A border would tick every other box though, they are lovely dogs.

There are an awful lot of dogs in rescue, from puppies onwards, who really need a new home. Most of them would tick your boxes too - it would be worth giving a rescue dog really serious thought.

my only worry with a rescue dog is its temprement i have always had rescue animals so it would be a first for me not to go down thatroute. would i be able to get a rescue puppy rather than a dog? may pop by my local blue cross and ask some questions. Yes she was a fab working dog and also a pet superb temprement and lovely and scruffy to look at think thats why she always stck in my mind

I have a rescue and bless him he's amazing! We got him at around 8 months, (he will be 7 years in Nov) and he is the friendliest, most patient dog I could ever ask for. We aren't sure what he is crossed with but he has got the dreaded Staffy breed (shock horror) in him but something slimmer and taller too. He looks whippetish? Odd looking thing - thats his only downfall! He's great with my girls, loves people, great with other dogs even after he was attacked last year and nearly didn't make it. (He's now even uglier, full of scars and he even has a 'gangster' limp as his front paw plays up if he runs after his ball for too long. Hardly sheds and rarely barks. Does have a weird obsession with stealing and sleeping with my teatowels though!
There are so many dogs in rescues and they are put through vigorous training and personality tests. People put them into dog homes for a number of reasons, new landlords not allowing pets is a common one, not being able to afford it or not having the time and unfortunatly a lot of dogs are taken off the owners to protect the dog. I know this as I have had to do it in my job countless times. I would say 95% of the time its not been the dogs fault. They wouldn't ever put a potentially dangerous or skittish dog with a family and they are also great with any advice you may need. The dog will also be upto date with its vet bills and have been 'done'!
Personally I have always had males but I would always advise people to get them neutered. I spent way to many afternoons chasing after my old Labrador across fields and apologising for his rampant hormones!

I have a working cocker. She's small, very clever and has been easy to train.
She gets on well with other dogs, leaves my chickens alone and is great with my kids.
She's beautiful and lively and is way ahead of the other dogs in our obedience classes. Hoping to do agility and/or flyball with her when she's a bit older too to use up some of her energy in a good way!

How about a bordER terrier. We have a 7 month old one, he would chase the chickens but two of his siblings who went to a home with chickens don't because they are used to them.

How about a bordER terrier. We have a 7 month old one, he would chase the chickens but two of his siblings who went to a home with chickens don't because they are used to them.

How about a bordER terrier. We have a 7 month old one, he would chase the chickens but two of his siblings who went to a home with chickens don't because they are used to them.

First of all, congratulations on not just rushing into it, you are obviously planning for it and realise just what a commitment it is.

I suppose first of all you could think whether to get a pup or an older dog. There are advantages to both. An older dog will usually come already spayed/neutered, housetrained and will have gone through all the puppy things like running off with your slippers!

A puppy needs to be trained how to do everything - where to wee, where to sleep, what it can/can't chew, what it can/can't bite, how to walk on the lead, sit, stay etc. Teaching your pup all of this can be a challenge but huge fun - it just depends on what would fit in best with your lifestyle.

Next thing to decide is whether you want to take a dog from rescue (and there are lots of them all round the country) or buy a dog from a specifc breeder. There are arguments for and against each, and often people get heated over it, but at the end of the day it is an individual decision for you to make.

As for which breed, cross etc to get, that is the hardest bit to decide probably :) I have had many dogs and now prefer dogs that are neither too big or too small.

I am the proud owner of a cockapoo, a cracking little dog, full of love and fun, great with kids, thinks everything on four legs is his playmate and every human a friend for life. I would recommend them wholeheartedly, but have also had other dogs, crosses and mongrels that were lovely as well.

If you are interested in a cockapoo, here is a little bit of info on them. Good luck with whatever decision you make :)

www.cockapoo-owners-club.org.uk/