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The doghouse

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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?

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needastrongone · 13/12/2013 16:56

I am not sure that I have 'supported private breeding', or at least not in the way that you mean bran Smile.

We are getting a working Cocker in January. The breeder works his dogs, he has 6 in total. He breeds when he wants another working dog, the bitch he has mated he feels is one of the best workers he has ever had and he was keen to have a pup from her lines. So, he's keeping a dog, three were pre booked to working homes.Her previous litter was small, so he didn't advertise the 'spare' pups until birth.

I have been interviewed by telephone, then invited to be vetted and meet the parents. I saw all relevant paperwork. Then I was offered a puppy. Any money he makes from breeding pays for his dogs for the year, and to work them.

Am I giving money to the breeding industry? Yes, of course I am. Could I have got a dog to suit the intelligence and energy needs of our current Springer? Probably. But I can't help but feel that there are good, honest, decent folk out there that breed for the right reasons too.

And a lot of dodgy ones on Pre-Loved too Smile

I guess it's personal choice isn't it?

And I also can't argue with your points above Lady Smile

LadyTurmoil · 13/12/2013 17:01

Definitely personal choice and everyone has their (usually valid) reasons.

I meant to say that it's a bit different if you're looking for a working dog, rather than "just" a pet. Then there are specific needs, traits that an owner would be looking to match up with a breeder, as you have done, need.

I just wish the govt / Kennel Club etc would get their finger out about legislation against puppy farming and backyard breeders, the KC registered crap and really crack down on dodgy breeding.

needastrongone · 13/12/2013 17:13

Agree, I was looking at the KC breeders list while researching the puppy. It has a facility to show if they have visited the Assured Breeder, not the registered breeders mind, just the Assured. The amount visited is pitiful.

As I said, a short google or flick on preloved just shows how many dogs are being 'bred', and probably not for the right reasons either.

Mind you, met a guy today who had taken on a privately rehomed Springer, who was absolutely lovely (the dog). He had paid £100 for her, from a family that lived in the city centre, whose husband was away all week and she worked full time, so the dog got one hours walk a week, on a weekend. A Springer!! I know private rehoming's are not generally recommended, but I know where that dog is happier.

There's some shit owners out there too Smile

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 13/12/2013 17:54

I'm pretty certain the lady we are visiting next week has bred her litter for the right reasons - she asked me a lot of questions on the phone and was insistent that we visit. You never know though, do you.

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HorizontalRunningOnly · 13/12/2013 18:31

Very exciting but slightly unsure that they are allowing u to take a pup home a week before christmas - not usually best time for breeders to release pups. Maybe they just want to reserve pup for u to collect a bit later.

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 13/12/2013 18:36

Well I did tell her that as we are getting the Christmas tree this weekend I wanted all that sorted first, so that things would be calmer at home.

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HorizontalRunningOnly · 13/12/2013 18:39

Just usually breeders don't like to give out pups this close as it become more of a puppy for a Christmas pressure sort of thing. Exiting tho

needastrongone · 16/12/2013 12:52

Nigella - I was just thinking it through, if the pups are older than 8 weeks, given that you are restricted for 21 days until your dog is fully vaccinated, just make sure you are extra vigilant with the socialisation process. Smile

hellymelly · 16/12/2013 13:03

If you have cats, and have never owned a dog before, I honestly would not start with a working terrier breed. They are active intelligent dogs, but not for the inexperienced IMO. Many end up in rescue at 18 m because they get get chosen for their cute looks, and not their feisty personalities. I love terriers, but Bedlingtons can be possessive and stroppy with other dogs, like most terrier breeds. A breed association website will give a much more balanced view of a breed than the kennel club website. Terriers in general are very active and boisterous, if you want a calmer breed then think of something other than a terrier!

GiveItYourBestStockings · 17/12/2013 21:28

A late reply to needa - my rescue boy has come from overseas, the culture there is to kill dogs very quickly. Perhaps wrongly, I felt that I was doing a good thing by taking a dog into my home and freeing up his no-kill space where he was living for another dog at risk.

mistlethrush · 17/12/2013 21:33

Giveit - its good to rescue dogs - but there are loads of dogs being pts in the UK - and often (but not always) there is better support from uk rescue groups. Some countries seem to be setting up puppy farms to provide cute fluffy puppies specifically for the UK 'rescue' market which hardly seems a satisfactory situation. So you need to choose any overseas rescue set up with care.

GiveItYourBestStockings · 17/12/2013 22:23

I hadn't heard of puppies being bred for "rescue", what a terrible thing!

GiveItYourBestStockings · 17/12/2013 22:24

PS ItDog is not fluffy or a puppy, if that helps!

mistlethrush · 17/12/2013 22:33

Giveit - I was not suggesting that what you did was wrong or anything - its just that puppy farmers have seen the situation and are breeding to order - they don't get much money but as they've not put anything 'in' to the puppies apart from a bit of food for their mothers, they're not getting a bad deal.

And it makes me sad that there are dogs no doubt being kept in horrid situations to produce the puppies - then some of the puppies will have problems as they've not had any socialisation etc... and dogs in the UK are being passed over because a fluffy puppy is being 'rescued' from abroad.... Its wrong on so many levels.

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 17/12/2013 22:42

needa don't worry - will be full on socialising! I will take him out in my arms, plus lots of visitors with dogs coming over christmas period. I've got a crate in the utility room now - just off the kitchen so close to all the action but still tucked away for a bit of peace and quiet. I've been in contact with, and received a reply from, what seems like a nice place for puppy classes as soon as vaccinations completed. They also can visit us at home for support before vaccinations are completed and I might do that too. I really want to train him carefully.

I think the pup gets lots of socialising where he lives as well.

Going to see him tomorrow!
BTW he's a cocker spaniel, helly, not a terrier... Smile

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Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 17/12/2013 22:43

just thought - perhaps friends' dogs shouldn't visit until our pup has had vaccinations?

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hellymelly · 17/12/2013 23:29

I hadn't read through the whole thread when I posted, as was distracted by a small child! I was going to suggest a cocker, strangely, as my last dog had two cocker chums, and they were both lovely dogs, and fitted your brief well. Good luck with your puppy!

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 18/12/2013 07:19

thank you Helly! today is the big day...

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needastrongone · 18/12/2013 07:31

Nigella - as long at the visiting dogs are fully up to date with their vaccinations, it's perfectly acceptable, and a good idea in fact!

Keep us posted Smile

No criticism from me either Giveit, I was just trying to understand the motivation re rescuing from abroad Smile

hellymelly · 18/12/2013 17:28

We need puppy pics to coo over.

needastrongone · 19/12/2013 11:53

Nigella - did you pick up your puppy? Hope all goes well Smile

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 19/12/2013 13:57

Yes we picked him up and he is LOVELY!
He did very well last night - cried a little in his crate but Radio 5Live settled him nicely. He travelled in the car for 2 hours without a peep.
He is friendly and happy, but scared of our cat!
I will upload a pic soon...
Grin

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Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 19/12/2013 20:35

no clue how to upload a photo into a post, but I've put some on my profile..... Smile

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LadyTurmoil · 19/12/2013 21:16

i think you need to change privacy settings on your profile and then we'll be able to see pics

Original poster
NigellasTinsellyGuest · 19/12/2013 21:29

oops!
can you see the photos now?

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