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

Original poster

Can you please advise on suitable breeds for a family?

76 replies

NigellasTinsellyGuest · 08/12/2013 18:37

I would like a smallish, non-smelly dog for a family home. If it could sort of be my oldest DC's dog that would be nice but I don't know how easily a dog can be told who it belongs to!

I am home a LOT during the day so it wouldn't be left.
We have 2 cats.
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 09/12/2013 12:31

A large number of poodle combos are like poodles only really happy with their people - mine sleeps on my bed. When he is home alone he is fine, but today when I have had to leave him in my office alone while I go and do some other work he has cried. I really wanted a dog that was totallly mine and totally bonded to me so I like these features of his character, but know they are not for everyone.
Next time I will have a standard poodle.

scurryfunge · 09/12/2013 12:32

We have a show cocker. Very friendly, loyal but quite possessive of me. She is good with the 2 cats. I would be concerned about having any terrier if you have cats. She does shed but we keep her hair short to minimise it. They do need a good walk and she often goes for a run with DH.

EmpressOfThe7WillowsandTaras · 09/12/2013 12:44

Thanks, Sally and Nigella. They are pretty gorgeous Grin.

Ours both sleep downstairs and are fine when we go out as long as they've got kongs when we go, but that was partly why we got two. Maggi was in our room until we got Milo and I think if he hadn't come she'd still be there.

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 09/12/2013 15:48

Would someone please tell me at how many weeks old do breeders let the puppy go to a new home?
Does it depend on the breed?
How old would a show cocker spaniel need to be because I would quite like a blue roan one

OP posts:
needastrongone · 09/12/2013 15:56

Usually 8 weeks. Some will allow their pups to go at 7 weeks, but it is important that they don't go earlier than that, they learn so much from their mother.

Our first breeder let us have Ddog at 7.5 weeks and because it was the weekend. I also think she was heartily sick of the litter by then, 13 pups and two adult dogs would drive me a bit loopy too Smile.

The socialisation window is small too, from 8-16 weeks you need to expose the puppy to as many different people and situations/noises/other dogs as you possibly can, before fear sets in. If you bare in mind that your are restricted to where you can take the puppy while it is having it's vaccinations, then it doesn't leave you all that long.

We carried our puppy everywhere we could and took him everywhere that was safe, and let him play with as many fully vaccinated dogs as we were able.

Good luck, I like show cockers too, we have chosen a working one as we have a Springer already, so needed something to keep up!

clam · 11/12/2013 18:41

Cockapoo, cockapoo, cockapoo!

LadyTurmoil · 11/12/2013 20:56

What about this little girl? Aba

Hmmkay · 12/12/2013 09:00

We've got a cavapoo - similar to a cockapoo but a bit smaller. Very good with the kids and cats and she sleeps downstairs too.

LadyTurmoil · 12/12/2013 10:11

Cockapoo and cavapoo - yes, lovely, but bloody expensive and hard to find reputable breeders. Why not go for a mutt?

What about Sabina?

kitsmummy · 12/12/2013 12:59

Bloody hell lady turmoil, seeing them with a death date written next to them brings tears to my eyes, so sad

needastrongone · 12/12/2013 16:53

Agree Kitsmummy, it really does get the heartstrings doesn't it?

Honest question here, I am not having a dig at anyone. Why do folk adopt dogs from Eastern European countries when there are so many in rescue here in the UK, and you can gain the back up and support here, if the rescue is reputable.

I am not criticising any choices here, anybody adopting a rescue dog deserves praise but it would worry me I guess, if it was my personal decision and it's good to understand the reasoning behind rescuing from abroad. Smile

LadyTurmoil · 12/12/2013 17:54

I was about to foster from a UK rescue but had my heartstrings pulled by the dog that was on death row in Croatia so I fostered her for 7 weeks. I know other people have had variable experiences with rescue dogs from abroad, but Action Aid for Animals gave me v good backup and support.

Just have a soft spot for them as they're living really horrible lives in Eastern Europe for the most part - poisoned, run over deliberately by cars, kept on chains for all their lives. I would foster ex-breeding dogs from the UK but they nearly always need an existing dog at home to copy and learn from, which I don't have. Also, nearly always arrive already spayed, all vaccines done, pet passport which costs a hell of a lot to do here so £200ish adoption fee is very good value.

I know they're euthanised here in large numbers too but there are lots of breeds in rescue here that I just don't want - staffies, labs, retrievers, lurchers, greyhounds. All lovely dogs but not my kind of dog (apologies to all those dog owners shouting at me now!).

I just love the mixed mutt kind and I reckon if they've survived the streets and the shelters they're pretty damn hardy dogs who would hopefully not be needing to see the vet a lot in their lifetimes!

As well as Sabina, there are about six or 7 dogs on Death Row who would make fab family dogs, I reckon. www.helpforcroatianstrays.com/#/death-row-dogs/4577578072

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 12/12/2013 18:34

Update - going to look at a couple of cocker spaniel pups next Tuesday. We could come home with one!

I've ordered a crate which should come any minute now (according to parcelforce website) and some nylon bones for teething as recommended by the breeder/owner.

I'm excited but a bit nervous..... have started enquiring re. training classes - I do want to train him very well!

OP posts:
Noodles123 · 12/12/2013 20:39

Sounds like a good call, showing strain cocker. Anything with 'poo' in the 'breed name' is actually a mongrel, nothing AT ALL wrong with that, but just be aware that it wouldn't be guaranteed in any way that the resultant puppy was non - shedding etc. I've got a Portuguese Wate Dog, labradoodles look like them and he's fab but possibly too high energy for your needs.
I was going to suggest cocker, or possibly Norfolk/Border terrier, or if you like the 'look', something like a Boston terrier?

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 12/12/2013 21:44

good suggestions Noodles!
and your Portuguese Water Dog sounds like fun... but I'm sold on the idea of a cocker now.

OP posts:
LadyTurmoil · 12/12/2013 22:24

What about Harriet?

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 12/12/2013 22:42

Oh stop it LadyTurmoil I am now worrying about all these rescue dogs and whether they will find good homes.... she looks so sweet!

OP posts:
LadyTurmoil · 12/12/2013 23:33

Yes, NTG all those ikkle, bikkle puppies with their big, sad eyes in rescue centres ALL over the country and abroad! And at Christmas too, ooh how could you? Grin Feel better now?

mistlethrush · 12/12/2013 23:37

Or a bedlington cross lurcher cross of course..

Someone I know has lurchers and a bedlington and the bedlington always trails along at the back and would be quite happy to stay at home in the warm... Grin

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 13/12/2013 09:28

Happy Christmas LadyT Sad Sad Sad

OP posts:
LadyTurmoil · 13/12/2013 11:27

Only kidding! Have a wonderful Christmas and 2014. Xmas Grin

If you do go for a puppy, I'd wait until about March/April. You'll be doing a lot of popping outside and hanging around while the puppy pees/poos. Much nicer to do that when it's a bit warmer, not in the Arctic cold and winds of deepest winter

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 13/12/2013 11:34

aaghh - a bit late for that!
we are visiting a pup next week, and may well bring him home!!
[dog with santa hat smiley]

OP posts:
needastrongone · 13/12/2013 11:38

Then hop over to the new puppy thread and join us there!

Will the breeder let you come home with him? Any names?

Our new puppy is going to be called Hector Smile

Love the persistence Lady Smile

Branleuse · 13/12/2013 11:43

what about a rescue puppy? Rescue centres get lots of puppies too.

I wouldnt support private dog breeding

LadyTurmoil · 13/12/2013 13:26

Persistent (annoying?!) but unsuccessful need Sad

Personally, I just couldn't justify paying about £500-800 for a puppy when there are so many dogs in rescues. I also prefer slightly older dogs anyway - have great respect for those who invest such a lot of time into the very intensive puppy months - I know I just couldn't handle it.

I know there are obvious drawbacks - you can't do all the health checks etc when it's a rescue, can't see them with mum and dad etc, but it's a fact that perfectly good dogs are mistreated, left to die or put to sleep in this country and others because of over-breeding and lack of neutering.