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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Want to get a dog - narrowing down poss breeds

34 replies

basildonbond · 09/03/2013 07:39

We are in the process of researching getting a puppy and would like to canvass opinion on different breeds.

I've not had a dog since my gorgeous but very dim cocker spaniel died when the children were very small. We have been dogless for several years but now dd's 'I want a dog' campaign is gaining momentum!

We live in a suburby bit of London, ten minutes walk away from a big common and with lots of other places for walks an easy drive away. We have a reasonably big house with a small/medium garden. The dc are 10, 13 and 16 so no longer small and dd especially (the 10 year old) is v responsible. We have a much-loved and not particularly confident cat.

We had Labradors and a rescued collie cross when I was a child and I adopted a rescue cocker spaniel at 6 months when I was a student. My parents' border collie died two years ago and is still much missed by the children.

We would like a medium to large but not enormous dog, which likes exercise but doesn't go completely doollaly if it's not being worked all day (I grew up with a strict regimen of two dog walks a day whatever the weather!). As far as temperament goes we would like a kind, affectionate, intelligent breed which is not going to torture the cat. I know we should really get a rescue dog but I know a lot of rescue dogs have 'issues' and are older and I would love dd to have the experience of having a puppy and being able to train it right from the start.

So far we've thought of Labrador and or related crosses, but they might be a bit too big and are a devil to keep slim once they get older (our first lab was so lovely but obsessed with food and was constantly running off scavenging), we know border collies but they can be a bit manic, we know spaniels but they're not always the brightest of dogs, my parents have suggested a poodle and dh is keen on the idea of a rough collie

Any ideas/feedback on any of those breeds would be great plus any others we've not thought of yet to throw into the mix

OP posts:

butterfliesinmytummy · 09/03/2013 07:48

Have a look at Airedale terriers - kind, super intelligent and love long walks but don't go crazy if they have a day with a trot round the block. There are rescue Airedales around too www.planetairedale.com/

happygardening · 09/03/2013 08:26

We've had a wide variety of breeds over the years but last year I achieved a long held and secret ambition and got a miniture poodle (the middle sized ones). I can quite honestly say he is the best dog we've ever owned and we've had some pretty good ones. These are fundamentally cheerful dogs who are intelligent and very keen to please mine gets on with the cat although the feeling is not mutual as he doesn't like being kissed, they don't yap shed hair all over the place or it appears from talking to other chew badly they don't run off when you walk them but do enjoy a walk and are not prissy about mud etc mine also never pulls and it's not because I'm a fab dog trainer! The only negative is that they do need to be clipped every 6/8 weeks but it's not the end world. There is a miniture poodle club uk and Jackie Kitchener is the person to speak to about the breed and puppies. There are lots on other websites but I believe mist are BYB and puppy farms go through Jackie she literally lives sleeps eats the breed but because of the popularity of poodle crosses selling at ridiculous prices be prepared to be extensively questioned about your motivation for wanting one.

Branleuse · 09/03/2013 08:34

a rescue cross breed?
a staffie?

CMOTDibbler · 09/03/2013 08:39

I think any kind of collie would be wrong for you - they need huge amounts of exercise to keep them sane.

There are plenty of young rescue dogs out there, so please don't write that off as an idea. We have a lurcher (smooth coated), and he came into breed rescue at 6 months so we've had all the training fun, but without the initial house training. He only needs a short walk, but is happy to run around for hours when thats offered. But generally snores on the sofa most of the day. We have three cats, and the only issue is that he tries to eat their food.

Sighthound rehoming often have older puppies in as if they are bred for racing and don't have enough prey drive they'll be got rid of - which makes them generally cat friendly

MountainOrMolehill · 09/03/2013 08:42

King Charles spaniel.

Quite lazy by nature ime but will enjoy walking and bit go bonkers without a walk.

Cockers are my fave dogs but need more exercise than kc

MountainOrMolehill · 09/03/2013 08:45

NOT go bonkers that should read

toastedteacake · 09/03/2013 08:48

Rough collies are beautiful, but can take a lot of grooming (twice daily brushing for the gorgeous tri-colour dog I grew up with). They do have lovely temperaments and are not bothered about long walks so seem like a good fit for your family. Males can be quite large though.

idirdog · 09/03/2013 08:50

Most Rescue dogs do not have issues - usually dumped by numpty owners who can't be arsed. Even if they do have an issue it will be easier to deal with than an 8 week old puppy and require less training.

Do not write off rescues. You could get an 8 week old puppy that will spend two months mouthing youd dc's, jumping up on them, chewing their toys and needong to be taken out every hour for toilet training, That they can not walk on a lead until it is over 18 months old because it pulls and is too strong for them by which time they have lost interest.

you could choose a ready made young rescue that spends the first night lying with their head on you DC's lap, chasing a ball in the garden all weekend and loves the DC's to holds its lead.

I know where I would look first

AgathaF · 09/03/2013 08:51

I second a poodle, for all the reasons already given by happygardening. We have a standard and he is just the best dog - our children grew up with him and I really believe we couldn't have had a better or more family-fitting breed. The non-shed aspect is a bonus too

SignoraStronza · 09/03/2013 08:53

German Shepherd. They are really intelligent and bond well with a family. Love this breed (we're getting a puppy next week).

Dirtymistress · 09/03/2013 08:58

I wouldn't get a collie. I have two and they are insane. Eldest just calming down a little but he is nearing 8. I adore them but they need to run. If I ever get another dog it would be a greyhound or greyhound mix. Generally really calm. Like exercise but equally happy to lounge and usually have lovely temperament. Plus, short hair and long legs means easier to clean and less mess in house.

Callisto · 09/03/2013 09:01

There are loads of unwanted puppies in rescues. Please have a look at these before you pay £££ to a breeder.

Zookiemay · 09/03/2013 09:03

We have an English setter. Lots of walking needed but wonderfully intelligent and affectionate dogs

tabulahrasa · 09/03/2013 09:05

Rescues have puppies - not just older puppies, but tiny ones too.

Tbh I'd go for an older one past the biting and chewing stage but if you want an 8 week old puppy you get plenty of them in rescues.

Original poster

basildonbond · 09/03/2013 09:08

Thanks for suggestions - would just like to clarify re the exercise - whatever dog we get will be having at least 2 long walks a day - it's just that I know some border collies for example would really be happier being working dogs, running around all day rather than living in a house and going out at set times

we will have a look at rescue dogs - my cocker had been starved and shut up in a shed for six months and by the time I got him had a lot of 'issues' - according to the vet his cognitive function had been permanently impaired by malnutrition at a crucial stage of development - I loved him to bits but wouldn't want to deal with a dog like him again!

OP posts:

MrsJohnDeere · 09/03/2013 09:09

Not a collie unless you can do lots of walking and playing everyday. Lively dogs but can get very destructive and noisy if under stimulated one.

What about a rescue whippet?

MrsJohnDeere · 09/03/2013 09:09

Sorry many typos - on phone

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 09/03/2013 09:09

We recently got a one year old chocolate lab from rescue, he is lovely, no issues at all. The reason he was being regimes is because the man who had him died and none of his family wanted to take him on. Their loss, our gain. He does think he's a lap dog though!

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 09/03/2013 09:11

Being rehomed!

Original poster

basildonbond · 09/03/2013 09:11

any recommendations for rescue places in London (other than Battersea of course?)

OP posts:

binger · 09/03/2013 09:20

Another cocker? We have a show type and she is the best dog in the world. So calm, lovable and so easy to train, in fact she gets really excited when the clicker comes out. I couldn't go for any other type now and would love another but one dog is enough with 2 youngsters.

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 09/03/2013 09:22

The Mayhew! They are near Kensal Rise and they are absolutely fab. They had a pug/ king Charles cross on their website the other day. I thought he was really cute, no-one else agreed but I do have a thing for ugly dogs!

glitch · 09/03/2013 09:22

Quite a number of rescue places rehome across the country. Have a look on dog pages.
Can I suggest a golden retriever. Yes, they are hairy, and seem to enjoy getting muddy but they are just so placid and friendly. Mine loves my DS and is terrified of the cat, she doesnt even bark when the doorbell goes. Our girl came from a rescue centre.

highwindows · 09/03/2013 09:34

There are plenty of rescue places not too far from London who would rehome outside of area (although I think some are a bit stricter about keeping puppies in the same county). This site is good: www.dogsblog.com , just looking on the first page how about Raven or Rufus who are in East Sussex?

Follyfoot · 09/03/2013 09:39

This is a Lab rescue for the south east. We only have rescue dogs and it has been such a rewarding experience.

Looks over at Follydog and struggles to think of any issues.....

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