It might be time for a new dog .... come and help me choose ...

[GeoHound]

I think we might be at the stage of getting a new dog. How on earth do you choose? If I tell you my criteria, can you suggest some breeds to look a?

NOT:
tiny and yappy
a collie requiring hours and hours of exercise every day
a giant breed (Newfoundland etc)
a terrier (we have hens and rabbits, caged but don't want to risk it)

MUST BE:
fine with children (9yrs)

WOULD IDEALLY BE:
happy to participate in dog agility
sociable with humans and animals
large enough to give a decent 'woof' when people come to the door, but compact enough for easy travelling

We have a large garden. I work part time and both myself and husband work within a mile of home so the maximum 'alone' time will probably be 3 hours for 3 days of the week.

We will probably be looking to rehome from a breed rescue once we have worked out what to look for.

Podencos can have huge recall issues eg virtually none they are gorgeous with lovely ears.

Would a Spinone enjoy running/agility?

I don't think anyone has mentioned shiba inus yet, they're my dream dog, used to look after one that came in to kennels I volunteered at and it was an angel. Was sweet with everyone and other dogs, had masses of cheeky charm and looooved having a go over the jumps in the miniature pony's field! Great times. Can't wait until we own a house with a garden so we can add one to the family.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever! Compact medium-sized gundog, v playful and good with children, enjoys activities such as agility, busy but with an "off- switch"

All the ones we've met have been gorgeous and very easy-going

I'm with topbanana and onemoredayplease.

You cannot beat a cocker spaniel. Working, preferably.

I could have written your post onemore. I couldn't be without my boy.

Oh, the Italian Spinone is a BEAUTIFUL dog!

Lurchers and whippets seem to dislike the cold. That may be a problem in the deepest darkest Scottish winters high up in the snowy mountains. Will perhaps have to leave them off the list .

PeanutPatty Why did you make me do that? Now I have seen the Poodles in Need page I just want to give them all a home!

Poodles are wonderful. Very smart and mischevious so need a firm hand. Can be bouncy. And there is the grooming cost. But they are lovely lovely underrated dogs.

I KNOW!

I havent owned one myself but id love a miniature poodle. only ever heard good things about them

Tell me more about grooming. I've never had a dog that needed grooming before. The labs used to groom themselves by rolling around in fox poo, I then used to groom them by throwing them in the river .

I can do brushing of long hair such as you get on Irish Setters. If it is not going to be a show dog, could I learn how to trim a poodle or spaniel's hair?

I am good at cutting dh's hair, does that help .

You probably could learn. There are different styles. Most simple is the puppy one which is basically short all over.

I've got a Podengo not a Podenco.....I think they're different?

Mine has excellent recall, enjoys agility, good with kids, small, not yappy, cat and chicken friendly.

Only downside is that he savages dh at any opportunity. But he was totally unsocial used for the first six months of life, dog not dh.

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Potential breeds :
Cocker spaniel (working and non working)
Springer spaniel (but probably prefer the cocker)
Italian Spinone
Poodle
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (and I just LOVE the name!)

Probably not :
Lurcher and whippet (too sensitive to cold)
Podenco
Shiba Inu
American cocker spaniel (scared of the amount of hair!)
Ibizan hound
Staffies
GSD (unfortunately)

The Kennel Club site recommends these additional dogs may be suitable:
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Brittany
Irish Setter
English Setter
Flat coated retriever
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Tibetan Terrier

Ooh Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (can't do the flicky thing )
Now that would be a fun little dog :)

Pointer or vizla?

Whippets are brilliant and fit all your criteria. I have 2 and adore them.

The cold is easily dealt with if you have a good coat. They cannot sleep outside though - mine sleep in the garage.

Of your potentials and the kennel club recommended list the poodle is the very best for agility, they love people and if you get the right one good size.
I love poodles all of them and regularly salivate over poodles in need.

not sure why you want a change from labs. have you had a black lab? black labs are the smartest and the greatest (not at all biased).

if you want a small dog with a big bark the lhasa apso is your friend. i wouldn't trust mine with the chickens loose but she doesn't bother them in their enclosure. my lab would probably be fine with the chickens loose if i spent some time with her and them together.

so yes, biased but you won't get as good an option as a working breed black lab.

If you're going to look at rescues why not just visit loads & see who you fall in love with?!

Also love PBGV but have been put off by he recall problem.We are a cocker spaniel household,lovely article in Telegraph a few days about about a family cocker ,just google Telegraph cocker spaniel.

Mine is a show type , has big bark but smaller dog, always happy for cuddles and happy to walk for miles but also happy to mooch .His big disadvantage is that he moults terribly ,we have him trimmed about every six weeks to try to keep it under control!

My dog ticks all your boxes (but you can't have him, he's all mine). It will piss off all the poodle-lovers on here but he's a cockapoo. Nicest nature in the world, intelligent, boisterous on request and calm too.
Check out my profile. Don't wish to boast but a previous poster described him as "the George Clooney of dogs!"

Poodles are lovely dogs. I have a chocolate Lab Poodle x (flat coated) and she is very intelligent, affectionate, easy going. She also throws herself in any water and eats like a horse . She shaping up well for agility. Having dog sat for my sisters show cocker this week, I am thoroughly off the breed as she's really possessive and barky.