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Original poster

Breed advice pleaese - Springer, Schnauzer or Bichon

41 replies

angelinterceptor · 30/04/2013 11:41

This might seem like a weird request - we are finally, after many years of waiting and putting it off, getting our first dog.

DH favours a springer spaniel - and they seem like a medium sized dog - or am I wrong do they get really big?

DC like smaller dogs like the schnauzer, bichon etc - I suspect because these are the dogs their friends have.

We will be getting a puppy, and it will be coming to work with me eventually, so need a chilled breed. Access to exercise and training not a problem.

want a good family pet, happy to chill, and also happy to do walks to forest, beach etc.
would be doing longer walks in evening - say 30-60mins

please please can anyone help

we would consider rescue - but there is not much around here - and I don't know if we would be approved.

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 30/04/2013 11:49

I'm no expert but I'm not sure I'd call springers a chilled breed. I know quite a few people with them and they all seem a bit bonkers, but happy if they get quite a lot of exercise. My best friends springer needs an hour plus in the morning or won't settle in the day.

My neighbours had a springer which they rehomed after a few weeks. They were out at work, did a short walk in the morning. Dog ate their sofas, curtains, carpet and a kitchen cabinet.

Original poster
angelinterceptor · 30/04/2013 11:52

OMG really? I don't know anyone with a springer - just seen them in the park etc.

thanks

OP posts:
topbannana · 30/04/2013 11:55

A springer does seem slightly more work than you are planning on (though mine have all been working type, not really had much to do with show type)

VivaLeBeaver · 30/04/2013 11:56

If you have time to take them for a good walk in the morning they may well be fine. Especially if you're about during the day, but I don't think they're a breed for you if you both work?

talkingnonsense · 30/04/2013 11:57

Springers are not chilled they are springy! Hence the name! But all spaniels tend to be very soft mouthed and child friendly. Schnouzers also friendly, bit more terrier like ( assume you mean miniature ones not full size!), don't need as much exercise as spaniels but will chase chickens. Know nothing about bichons.

VivaLeBeaver · 30/04/2013 11:58

How about a podengo? I've just got one and he's lovely and would meet all your requirements. Mines a bit of an arse as he's an older, unsocialised dog. But a puppy would be fine.

Original poster
angelinterceptor · 30/04/2013 12:09

I have never heard of a podengo - will google that now.

Am in NI, and so less choice perhaps - think the springer will be too much of a handful, as we have fairly busy lives. Will narrow down to smaller breeds I think (sorry DH)

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 30/04/2013 12:14

I don't think you'd get a podengo in Northern Ireland. There's only a few breeders in the UK mainland.

One of my friends has a schanuzer and it does seem a lovely dog, that would have been my choice after a podengo and your requirements seem similar to ours.

I also had shi-tzus as a child and they were nice dogs. Either regular clipping or frequent grooming though.

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 30/04/2013 12:14

I have a Springer, he is a working line springer.
He is up for anything, I take him to working trials every now and then
However he is also quite content to chill for a few hours after his morning walk
He is not a particularly demanding dog, but is ball obsessed and quite clumsy and is always ready for a walk or a game, he will keep going all day if required. Just be careful if you decide on a Springer as they can be very lively and do like a lot of exercise.

I also have a small fluffy breed Grin (Shih Tzu Cross) puppy who thinks he is a springer who is happy to go on the same length walk as the other dogs, and is also happy pottering about the garden. He is quite clever though and will chew if he is bored.

I don't know much about Schnauzers, I do have a friend who has 2 and says she wont be getting another because of all the grooming and clipping they need to keep their coats and beards from getting manky.

So go fro a Spaniel if you don't mind bouncy chaos and endless games of fetch

a Schnauzer if you like grooming and er....beards

or a Bichon if you want something sociable, that likes company but needs a lot of grooming and can be territorial

Actually having just read a bit more about Bichons on the internet, they sound ideal for you, if you dont mind brushing the fluff every day!

LadyTurmoil · 30/04/2013 13:43

I wouldn't go for a hunting/gun dog type, like a Podenco or springer spaniel, personally. I think their energy levels are more than what you're looking for. Schnauzers are gorgeous but they do have more terrier-like tendencies, perhaps more feisty with other dogs etc.

My brother has a Bichon/poodle cross which he chose specifically as they are good natured, don't shed much and came out high on all the online questionnaire type things you can find for family dogs. She's very sweet, enjoys a good hour-hour and a half run about in the woods, but is also very easy if she gets shorter walks. They look like lap dogs but they have plenty of energy but not too much! Also small enough that you don't have to get a bigger car! They do need grooming every 6 wks so you'd have to factor that cost into ongoing expense of keeping a dog.

If you're looking for a puppy, don't forget to look at rescues as well. They often have puppies/young dogs from unwanted litters, or from family situations which mean dog has to be rehomed. It's not only older dogs/ones with issues that find their way to rescues sadly.

In truth, I think you'd be better with a 3-5 year old dog, a good rescue should be able to match you well, you may be able to foster/take it for a trial period. Puppies are really hard work (look at other threads here!) and if you are working, then rescues are more likely to match you with an older dog anyway. Good luck Smile

MmeLindor · 30/04/2013 13:49

We have a Bichon and she is the dog for you!

Actually, we have a Cross Bichon Maltese, which are called Maltese Terrier in English, but seem to be very similar in temperament to Bichon Frise - just straight haired instead of curly.

She is Maltese x Cavalier, and is happy with an hour or so walk a day, and is the chillest dog I have ever met.

I think I have a pic on my profile.

Definitely not a Springer - my parents had one and she was nutty. Adorable but nuts. We would take her out for a walk in the hills all day, come home and she'd be 'Walk? DID YOU SAY WALK?! YESSS, lets go for a WALK!!'

Floralnomad · 30/04/2013 14:51

What about a cocker spaniel or a King Charles spaniel ? Nice family dogs and less springy than a springer .

codswallopandchips · 30/04/2013 14:55

One benefit of the Bichon is that they don't shed (so good if someone is allergic or you don't like hoovering all the time) and they don't get that 'wet dog' smell very easily! Not masses of grooming required if they're kept trimmed, and nice wee companion dogs that can do long walks or long sleeps depending on what's happening.

codswallopandchips · 30/04/2013 14:57

Oh! MmeLindor your dog is gorgeous! So adorably sweet

Moomoomee · 30/04/2013 14:59

I had a Bichon. BEST. DOG. EVER. Bit mental though and can't really be left alone so ok if you stay at home. But they are lovely and friendly and hilarious, great with kids and the memories of my Bichon are some of the best of my life :)

yonithebrave · 30/04/2013 15:06

I have a springer and he is C.R.A.Z.Y. Apparently they grow out of it when they are about 7.

He's very bouncy and needs a lot of walking, twice a week the lovely boy from over the road comes to give him his extra walk as well as the one he gets every day.

He is a lovely dog, but as a PP said very very clumsy and you can't keep him out of the water.

Very intelligent but not what you are looking for I don't think- luckily I'm at home all day, but if I left him on his own for more than a few ours he'd destroy the place.

Original poster
angelinterceptor · 30/04/2013 15:13

Bichon or bichon cross it is then - I would do rescue, but my DC are desperate for a puppy this time round (dreading it emotion).

thanks for advice - very helpful as always

OP posts:
MmeLindor · 30/04/2013 15:14

Codswallop
I know. She is ridiculously cute, and knows it. I agree with MooMooMee though - Bichons are real companion dogs. I could leave her alone without her destroying the place but don't do it often or for long as she really prefers to be with people.

I am lucky that my parents live nearby, so they have her when we go out for the day.

needastrongone · 30/04/2013 15:53

We have a Springer and this is our first dog. He's 6 months. He gets an hours exercise in the morning off lead and 90 minutes in the afternoon. Bit of garden play and an extra walk if DH fancies it later.

He's gentle, friendly, loving and loyal. Been so easy to train, passed his mock Bronze KC good citizen award with ease last week. Excellent recall. Not interested in toys or balls and will happily doze at my feet all day.

He's left in the house in the kitchen with a radio wire dangling over his bed and the shoe rack next to him. He's never chewed this or anything else. He waits outside the dining room while we eat tea. Doesn't complain or try to follow if we leave the room, just settles down and dozes.

He's been a dream. Only downside is he's a touch accident prone!

Scuttlebutter · 30/04/2013 16:30

OP, just to let you know that if you go for a Bichon, they are one of the most widely bred dogs in puppy farms. If you really must go for a pup, please, please, please be very careful when finding a breeder, and avoid the big internet sites like Epupz etc.

This excellent site discusses the genetic and health issues for the breed and gives you a starting point to find out about what diseases the breed is prone to, and what tests the breeder should have done. It also gives masses of other info on health and breeding issues, and includes links to info on the Puppy Contract.

tabulahrasa · 30/04/2013 19:04

If it's coming to work with you eventually, what is happening with it before that?

Ripley13 · 30/04/2013 19:24

Mini schnauzers are amazing wee dogs, I would say that though as I have two of them. They are intelligent, trainable, friendly and loyal,and good for people with allergies as they do not cast. Yes you need to groom them but this doesn't take long if you keep on top of it. Best of all, for me, is that they are brilliant with children and babies, which is the main reason I chose this breed. So far they have been no trouble with my sister's kids or my friend's kids and I am due my first child a week today by C section and have no worries that they'll be excellent with my son.

zonedout · 30/04/2013 19:59

Please be aware though that there is a massive difference between miniature schnauzers and the medium sized (standard) schnauzer in terms of trainability, exercise needs and temperament. I have many years experience of both and I definitely don't think a standard schnauzer (or a giant for that matter) would suit your needs. Someone up thread mentioned about bichons and puppy farms. The same applies to miniature schnauzers. Please, if you do go for a mini, be very very careful with your breeder. Sadly the miniature has fallen prey to unscrupulous breeders and puppy farms which has, devastatingly, led to all manner of health and temperament problems with this beautiful breed. The standard remains a mostly healthy, robust dog as very few are bred a year but they are not for novice owners as can be extremely strong willed and challenging. But I love 'em Grin

Ripley13 · 30/04/2013 20:16

Yeah I agree, minis are far different to standards and giants. And always do your research to make sure you're buying from a reputable breeder. :)

mrslaughan · 30/04/2013 20:35

The springers I know are lively family dogs - but 30-60min in the evening for most would not be enough exercise. The are really a working breed so need exercise and mental stimulation.

I have my neighbor who has a couple of schnauzers - they had always been on my list, and although I like her dogs, I would not consider one now as they bark a lot.

I don't know any bishon's.

The thing that struck me about you post - do you think you have enough time? Obedience is a constant thing- that you continue working on, but also socialization is really important for all breeds........

I would think you need to be able to commit an hour a day for walking, to have a happy and well socialized dog.