What I can offer a dog and what I would like from a dog. What breed would suit us best?

[LovelyMuffins]

thanks to some wonderfully helpful posters on my last thread I have ended up here seeking advice on potential breeds that would suit our set up. I will be totally honest about what I can offer and my expectations including what I do not expect to deal with. I was ( still am) on the verge of committing myself to a golden doodle puppy from someone I deem to be a responsible and trustworthy breeder. However...........MN has made me think twice so here goes with my spec!
I do not work (no need ) so I have lots of time to devote to the puppy stage. I want a puppy, not an older rescue dog as I want my children to experience the entire 'journey' even though i know at times I will probablly want to tear my hair out and give the dog back! I have a medium sized home and garden. I live very near the sea so would like a dog that likes water. There are loads of parks and countrywalking routes nearby. A dog wil not be left for more than a couple of hours at a stretch. I don't want an oer large dog. It has to get on with chidlren (my children and visiting children). It has to be non threatening to cats. I don't want a barkie or yappie dog. I don't want a lap dog. I want an intelligent easily trainable dog as I would love teh whole training thing. Walking requirments: Would enjoy an hour walk then one or two smaller walks during the day. Want a dog that is happy to join us on family days out traveling by train, bus, car etc. Would LOVE a dog that can be used as a PATS dog when old enough. Not fussed about moulting too much as we have cats anyway. Not too keen on fussy, pretty dogs who need 'hairstyles'!
so..........what's the verdict?!
thank you

Just want to add that www.purina.co.uk/Home/All+About+Dogs/Choosing+a+Dog/Dog+Breed+Selector.htm is a fun and fairly accurate tool, most breed selectors are rubbish but this one works quite well. It might give you some ideas :)

Labrdor, Golden Retriever, Curly Coated Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or possibly a Pointer - either English or German.

Any of the above would enjoy your life, are reasonably easy to train and are easy to include in your life.

Thank you both for your input.

daisydotandgertie, Nova ScotaiDuck Trolling Retriever!!!????? I have to google that one!

multipoodles, how funny. I just did the survey and the top dog for me is a curly coated retriever :-D

How old are your dcs? Lab pups can be mouthy little buggers, but it is easily overcomeable and doesn't last long, but is a phase that can put some children off.

my mouthy little bugger is currently curled up with the two year old so not a major issue

Springer spaniel? Would love the water, not too big or too small, nice temperament. We got ours when I was three and she was a great family dog. I have a lab now but maybe think labs are a bit big (although are quite easy to train if you are consistent) they also love the water, have good temperaments but you have to check parents hip/eye scores to minimise the risk of a problem later.

Springer Spaniel.

You'll get a million people telling you to get a staffy and they may be right. The fact is there will be lots of dogs that would be suited to you. Personally, I like dogs that have good recall as I like to let my dog off the lead a lot. I also like a dog that is friendly with other dogs and people, children in particular. I have a doodle. There is nothing 'designer' about her. We didn't pay a King's ransom for her. She is a mongrel with all the benefits that brings. Everybody loves her (even non-dog lovers). She is a star. Good luck in your task of finding your latest family member

Don't want to say it but, told you so! .

Curlies rule!

Honeydragon, my children are 6 (nearly 7) and 14. Oh a Springer Spaniel? Aren't they a bit manic? What about Cockers?

Poodle :) why get a crossbreed when poodles are such fantastic dogs as they are? trainable, intelligent, love water, love exercise, good at most dog sports, variety of colours and sizes, dont shed, can keep them trimmed so you dont have to do so much grooming. I dont have one but friends of mine have a couple of miniatures. they just seem like good all round family dogs. Plus poodle pups seem to be cheaper than most "doodles" Ive seen!

Oooh good ages. Especially as you'll find it easier to train the dog than you will find training the dcs how to behave with the dog

Jumping. I agree about poodles but we love labs as well and wanted to take a chance to see if we got some lab traits as well. Couldn't have a lab before you ask as DP vvv allergic to them but has no problem with our dog. She is utterly gorgeous and usually mistaken for allsorts of different breeds.

It is great to do detailed research etc but......I wonder if your list is a bit unrealistic. You are getting a dog, it may like water it may not, it may be a PAT dog it may not be suitable. You are bringing a living animal into your home and expecting a hell of a lot of it. What if it does not like water, what if it does not like kids?

If you get a puppy you have no real idea of what the dog will turn into - an older dog you can see what you are getting.

You have to be prepared for the dog NOT to be everything on your list and consider your reaction.

I have a collie that is scared of sheep, I have a gundog who hated to retrieve the breed does not quarantee what you are asking

My Golden Retriever I had as a child was terrified of water. It was somewhat embarrassing

Although probably not as embarrassing as a collie that runs away from sheep.

Yeah labs do tend to shed a lot dont they - I am a bit allergic to labs and other heavy shedding breeds so personally I wouldnt be able to have a doodle for the risk they wouldnt be allergenic. i think thats mainly why i like poodles so much.

Im not sure what airedale terriers are like for swimming but they are lovely dogs, might be worth looking at?

i do realise that I wil not get a tailor made dog herberjane. I am not expecting a dog to fit that mould exactly. I am not inflicting unrealistic expectations on any dog we bring into our family but I am stating the kind of characteristics I would enjoy in a dog. I will not be the perfect dog owner any more than the dog will be perfect. But I would not entertain the idea of a husky for example as they have certain breed traits that would not suit our family. A Beagle would also be a no no for us. I have just listed some things that I would like and enjoy in a dog e.g. a dog that enjoys water as I live near the sea. It is not a requirement but it would be nice ;-)

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3376512166452&set=t.100003820730917&type=1&theater

These are the parents of the pups. You have to admit they do look a stunning pair......

not sure I have linked that properly by the way. Sorry.

Springer Spaniel.

lots of votes for Springer. I have a fear that they are too 'springy'!

JumpingJackSprat.
I haven't come across anybody who has been allergic to a doodle yet but I'm sure such people do exist.
Poodles are great dogs but personally I prefer mixed breeds. That's why we have a mongrel.

what is your mongrel x thebestisettocome?

She's a lab/poodle, commonly referred to as a labradoodle but a plain old mongrel in real terms