Cocker Spaniel, Cockapoo, Beagle? Maybe a Basset Hound?

[3monkeys3]

Morning! I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has any of these breeds. We are thinking of getting a puppy next year and I really want to make the right decision with regards to breed. We want something smallish/medium sized that is also very good with small children - our dc are currently 4, almost 3 and 12 months, but you can probably add another year to that by the time we'd realistically get the dog. We don't have a particularly big house, with just 2 (biggish) rooms downstairs and an ok sized garden and this isn't likely to change anytime soon other than the possibility of a conservatory at some point. We live in a rural area though, so plenty of opportunities for long walks and runs for us all. I'd like something with a decent energy level (hence the maybe with the Basset) that we can take on long walks, but that also isn't TOO crazy and constantly bounding and won't tear my house apart if I don't manage to get out on a walk on the odd occasion (definitely plan to walk twice a day, but with 3dc you never know what may come up). I also really would like the dog to properly be part of the family and come out with us as much as possible, including UK and French holidays (will do pet passport), but will also need to leave it alone for a couple of hours sometimes. I am sahm and will be for the foreseeable future, so it will only ever be a couple of hours at a time. I also will also need to train it and be able to expect a certain level of obedience (I've heard that Beagles are hard to train - is this so?). Getting on with cats would be useful, as we'd potentially like a cat in the future too. I grew up with dogs, so am confident and happy with them, my dh hasn't really been around dogs (though he likes them and is up for this), so I do want something he will love and warm to easily, which I suppose means a breed that will cause as little destruction, etc, as possible!

3monkeys to come back to you, what wildfig said is pretty spot on in my opinion. Muddydog will walk for hours, given the opportunity. But the rest of the time she's generally happily curled up anywhere warm, cosy and generally where she shouldn't be, if she's not looking for something to eat or being made to play by DD! She's around 10kg to give you an idea, so not massive by any means, but she is on the smaller side of normal for her breed.

I grew up with a PBGV too and I nearly mentioned them earlier too as my experience is that they are lovely lovely dogs. I think this wiki link sums them up well http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit_Basset_Griffon_Vend%C3%A9en PBGVs are extroverted, friendly, and independent hounds. Sometimes called the "happy breed," PBGVs have tirelessly wagging tails and expressive, intelligent eyes. PBGVs are typically active and lively.

I just knew that link wouldn't work...sorry!

PBGVs are extroverted, friendly, and independent hounds. Sometimes called the "happy breed," PBGVs have tirelessly wagging tails and expressive, intelligent eyes. PBGVs are typically active and lively. here

My parents have a working cocker who is 2 years old, I regularly look after her if they have a night away etc and she is brilliant company. However please understand their intelligence means they need a lot of company and interaction. She trained very quickly as a pup (no chewing etc) but feel that was down to the sheer number of hours my dad put in with her as he had just retired so while settling into our family she was never really left alone so didn't fret etc. she is only left 4 hours max on her own and she very much likes to be included in everything, she has her nose pushed in wherever you are! Loads of energy and one of those dogs that whines like mad for her walks come rain or shine (no such thing as a quick walk with her even in a monsoon!) my dad walks her for miles over fields daily and her energy is never ending, also very strong retrieval instincts so we occasionally get "presents" left on the patio if she catches something while out in the garden.
They become very attached to humans and when she is tired at home after a day in the field she sits on your lap and falls asleep! She also retrieves my dads slippers when he comes in the door which is just fab!
They are a fabulous breed and I adore her and id love one but seeing how much time they require is the reason I don't have my own yet, it would be selfish of me when I work as they really do need to be around people. If you are going to be at home mostly then you will be fine I'm sure just wanted to share my experience!

Well I do like all of your choices but still believe in adopt don't shop. There are breed rescues, even cockapoo rescue. There is no guarantee that a puppy will have a sound temperament , especially if it is a puppy farm product. Their mums live in solitary confinement until their poor bodies can't produce no more and then they are disposed of. They never hear kind voices, just the voice of a hard puppy farmer. It is very sad but it's the truth - they produce nervous pups often with a wide range of health problems which you discover when it is too late and causes much heartache and costly vet bills. If you find a decent breeder then great but puppy farmers come in many different guises including BYB's who sell thru internet and newspapers ads (Back Yard Breeders). I would not trust a seller who is selling cockers and cockapoos because what tends to happen is the brood bitch (your puppy's mother) lives a terrible existence bred every season, one season cockers, next season cockapoos then back to cockers etc. It's not fair or ethical and cannot be regulated be KC because cockapoo is a mongrel/crossbreed after all. Cockapoo's are lovely, fluffy and pretty but to pay something in the region of £650 - £850 for a crossbreed is imo a bit ridiculous. Particularly if the mother of the pup is nothing more than a breeding machine. There are loads of cute fluffy crossbreeds , including puppies, in rescue that don't cost that much and who just need a loving home. A place like Battersea or Dogs Trust and other rescues ensure all their dogs are checked for temperament before rehoming and some dogs have behavioural therapy but not all require it. . They also check to see how suitable you are as an owner and match dogs accordingly. Puppies are babies too. They must not go to a home where young children don't understand. Often young children will tease puppies and the pup develops behavioural issues and then the poor puppy ends up in rescue or sold unspayed/unneutered to a puppy farmer.
It is great to read that you intend to be a responsible dog owner. I am sure you will research thoroughly. Enjoy your new addition whichever breed you decide.

We have a cockerpoo. He is fab, and absolutely part of the family. He gets one walk a day, two if lucky. If we miss a day it doesn't seem to make any difference. He stays on his own up to 7 hours sometimes and never cries or destroys anything. He is very affectionate and will come and lie next to me for a snuggle. He loves being petted and will let the DC carry him around like a baby (when I an not looking). He has never shed a single hair in our house! Bad points are that he does jump up when meeting new people and he likes to crunch plastic things (pens/Lego/ Tupperware) but he is 2 now and is not doing this so much. We have never had a dog before and we are so glad we got him.

Cockerpoos aren't always small. One plays with my boy sometimes and she's about the same size. (think small chunky lab)

Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm still pondering how to proceed. I may actually wait an additional year (so 2 years - sob - but I've been hankering after a dog for 10 years so it's not that much extra when you look at it like that), so I will then have 2dc in school and the littlest will be at pre-school and therefore more time to devote to puppy! They will just be that little bit older too - 6, 5 and 3 - so will understand better. That said, they are naturally very good and gentle with animals and I know that they will love growing up with a dog. I am erring towards a cockapoo, not because they are trendy but because they really do seem to suit us as a breed, but we'll see what happens over the next year or so. Thanks again - you've really all been so helpful - Mumsnet at its best!

I'm sure I've said it once or twice on here before, but I have a cockapoo and I cannot rate them highly enough.

He's got the most amazingly friendly temperament, is lots of bouncy fun, yet quite happy to loll around and slob too. We leave him for up to four hours at a time a couple of days a week and he's fine with that. His favourite thing is being with us, but he's OK with being on his own too. Everyone he meets is his best friend.
He's bigger than most cockapoos we've met (knee-height plus a bit) but that's a perfect size for us - not too big, not too rat-like. He doesn't shed much at all, which is useful as I'm allergic to some breeds. He's intelligent and picks up tricks quickly and I'm considering some agility classes for him to stimulate his brain. His walks vary from one long one a day to three shorter ones. He's thrilled with whatever he gets.

I get a bit about people banging on about "designer" cross breeds. Yes, they can be stupidly expensive, but I guess that's market forces for you. Be aware that you can't be totally sure exactly what you're going to end up with looks-wise, but that wasn't an issue for us. Take a look at my profile if you want to see how cute he is.

Clam - watch the link to see why some people 'bang on about desisgner cross breeds'.

For cockapoo advice and great tips, check out this helpful link:

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

Look at rescues! Sirius Dog Sanctuary www.siriusdogsanctuary.com/en/home . Sirius has some gorgeous lab/irish terrier pups. Rudozem Street Dog Rescue www.streetdogrescue.com/ also have some lovely dogs - puppies as well as more grown up. It costs about £250 to get dogs from those countries to the UK, you could offer to foster before adopting to make sure the dog is absolutely right. Good luck!

I just thought of something else - you have 3 children under 5 years old - think about a smaller size breed which won't overwhelm your small children. A friend has a lab retriever pup who is gorgeous but, even at 5 months old, she is quite big and chunky and the 10 year old daughter is forever getting her arm wrenched when the pup pulls too enthusiastically so mum has to take over all the time. Smaller breeds would be much more manageable for your children and then they can take a much bigger part in the dog's training, walks etc.

I have an 8 month old springer /miniature poodle, He is actually 3/4 poodle and an absolute delight.

Dc are 7 and 9, like you I'd been hankering after a dog for several years but wanted to wait till the children were older.

My Dh and dd have allergies which is why we settled for him, and he does not shed.

He isn't too big weighs 9kg and probably won't grow much more now. I did lots of research and he definitely did not come from a puppy farm, in fact I got heavily vetted before I could take him.

We have a three year old whippet cross. We adopted him from a rescue centre last summer.
He is the nicest, funniest, friendliest, most affectionate dog I have ever owned (as a family we have had a boxer and a cocker spaniel and as a child we had a german shephard cross and a lab cross)

He is certainly robust enough to play rough and tumble with the kids, he is LESS cat obsessed that the Cocker Spaniel was, he is calmer and cleaner in the house than any other dog has been.

He loves nothing more than to be out and about with all of us, be that a walk round the shops or a long romp through the woods.
He loves running off-lead and will whizz around us at full speed for 10 minutes or so before coming back to us with a gret grin on his face

He is now fine to be left home alone for up to 4 hours - it took a bit of training but that may be due to him having been a rescue.

As an aside, we had our cocker from a pup from a reputable breeder and whilst he was a calm pup he turned into a deranged, hyper, high maintenance adult. (and that is despite us being a dog savvy household, the dog being well trained and given more than adequate exercise)
Whilst our whippety boy was a rescue and the rescue were spot on when they told us he was gentle and calm.
Just goes to show that getting a dog from a puppy from a reputable source is no guarantee he will grow up to be exactly the type of animal you want...

gret grin? great grin!

I have a 20 month old male basset hound, who is actually more obedient on walks than my mothers trained Labrador. It's mainly because he loves us, and especially nearly 16 week DD (see my basset and baby thread!). I would warn you that as a pack hound they can struggle by themselves; hence why we're waiting for an appropriate rescue. I've grown up with bassets from the age of 5. I've also had grand basset griffon vendeen's and a basset bleu de gascogne. I'd never be without one.

As for energy, mine LOVES hiking! But he's equally as happy with smaller, sniffy walks. They weren't bred for speed but for stamina so can, and will, go long distances.

We have a 17 month old Cavachon, dad was a King Charles Cavalier and mum was a Bichon. Although he is very fluffy he does not cast and is very friendly. People constantly ask what breed he is as he is very cute.

Been thinking more about this and next year is probably too soon, so will probably wait until all my dc are at school - sob - which is 3 years! I really want to do the right thing for my dc and for the dog, so this seems right. I actually have done a bit of a turnaround and think we will probably consider getting a whippet - they sound lovely - and will definitely look at rescue first.