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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

Please help me narrow down a breed choice for a family dog.......!

85 replies

muffinchops · 17/02/2014 13:59

I have always adored dogs and have never had one. I have 3 children (10, 6 and 4) and am a sahm. We are lucky to have a relatively large house and garden. I am putting in a lot of effort into researching the various breeds but am now becoming overwhelmed by all the pros and cons.

I was always intent on getting a Weimaraner, but I think they may be a bit too flighty and not so good as a first time owner. So, currently I have narrowed it down to labrador, vizsla, cocker spaniel, whippet/greyhound ( quite a varied shortlist, I appreciate). I had also looked at cockerpoo, but am a bit wary of the whole cross breeding issue.

I would HUGELY appreciate any wisdom from you lucky dog owners. I am prepared to take plenty of time to ensure we get the right dog for our family where it will be totally love bombed!

Please help, feel my head is going to explode. Have even started dreaming dogs!

OP posts:

Auriga · 17/02/2014 23:30

Pickles184, what a brilliant description of a Lab! Have you met Aurigadog?

I would just add - they're the worst guard dogs in the world. They love visitors, including burglars

Pufflemum · 18/02/2014 08:13

Hi Muffin. I was in exactly your position a few months ago. We now have a 12 week old cocker, she's been with us four weeks and is amazing. The children, 8 and 6, adore her as does everyone we have met. She has slept through the night, clean, in a crate after night two. Is 90% house trained, has excellent off lead recall despite having only been out and about for a week.
Admittedly this may all change but to date no regrets at all.

She is hugely energetic so we are taking her out twice a day for lead and off lead walks and spend a lot of time rummaging in the garden in between. She does smell a bit doggy though, luckily I have had a cold for two of the four weeks so hadn't actually noticed this.

She is also a dog that seems to be admired by everyone. In 10 years of living in our house I have not talked to as many neighbours and locals as I have in the last week. Theres a picture on my profile (proud puppy owner that I now am). Good luck in your search.

CMOTDibbler · 18/02/2014 09:18

I have a lurcher (from EGLR who Scuttle and Mistlethrush have both met), and he came to us at 6 months old. He's not huge and hairy, but will run 15km with me happily or spend 5 hours racing up and down the Malverns off lead. And on working days, spends the vast majority of the day asleep on the sofa.

Not much shedding, very affectionate, mine plays ball endlessly given a chance, and easy to keep clean. Not nervy either.

mistlethrush · 18/02/2014 09:34

How about Dexter? He's going to be bigger than a whippet but not as big as a greyhound - looks delightful!

Original poster

muffinchops · 18/02/2014 09:43

Dexter looks absolutely gorgeous. I'm more in the planning stages right now to make sure I invest the time in making sure everything is right, but reading about him just makes me want to go and get him right this instant!

I continue to be amazed by how helpful and forthcoming everyone is on this thread. Thank you!

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 18/02/2014 09:51

It helps that you didn't start your post 'I don't want to spend any time or money on a dog but was thinking of...' and that you have clearly already done some sensible background research

outtolunchagain · 18/02/2014 09:55

Puffle are you on cockersonline ,i am Pip1965 on there ,lots of lovely cocker tips and pics and a wealth of advice on everything cocker.My other vice apart from mumsnetting

Our cocker is also very much admired and seems to assume that everyone will want to admire him ,he is definitely a bit vain ,although this doesn't stop him getting as muddy as possible on walks

rugbymum143 · 18/02/2014 10:01

My hubby is 6 foot 4 & we have cats so we wanted a big family dog (3 boys) that was good with children and other animals. We went for a red setter. We have never regretted it. He didn't really chew as a pup & was house trained within a week.They are excitable but easy to train. Our vet said they're like teenagers. He is 5 now and much calmer. He is just beautiful & so good natured. We walk him daily & as long as he has some free running for at least half an hour he's fine.

rugbymum143 · 18/02/2014 10:05

rugbymum143 · 18/02/2014 10:06

Sorry pressed post twice!

notanotherusername1 · 18/02/2014 11:38

We have a Cocker Spaniel but I am going to go with the King Charles suggestions. Beautiful dog, we had one many years ago and he was just great. A wonderful first dog for small children.

I love our Cocker but his water instinct and desire to bring me a Mallard/Pheasant/rabbit has been a little testing over time. He is extremely scent driven so I had to have serious control with him using a whistle. I have no regrets but glad I never had him when I had very small dc who had to come with me on dog walks. It would have been hell. A King Charles would be a lot easier.

Good luck.

mrslaughan · 18/02/2014 20:16

Well I have a greater Swiss mountain dog, and he is absolutely amazing.....however he is huge, and you have to get used to people's bias against large dogs

If I could persuade DH to get another dog, (to keep huge dog company) - and i didn't get another GSMD, I would get either a whippet or lab. I think with labs though you need to be careful about breeders and health screens .
I walk regularly with both a lab and whippet, only downside to the lab is keeping a close eye on him and his "indescriminate eating" , the whippet is a rescue, and they think he was used for hunting, so you gave to be careful about him taking himself off.....

Burma · 18/02/2014 20:18

Awww Red Setters, that's a breed that you don't often see - beautiful

exexpat · 18/02/2014 20:24

I did lots of research on what would make a good family dog - good natured, low maintenance, energetic when needed but not needing hours and hours of walking every day - and ended up with a border terrier.

He is perfect: loves walks, will happily play tug of war and fetch when anyone else is in the mood, but otherwise can spend much of the day asleep on the sofa. Extremely friendly to everyone, very long-suffering with children, good with other dogs (just not keen on cats going past the window). Easy to train, only went through a very brief chewing phase, and they are a very healthy breed.

I got mine before they were so fashionable.

adriennemole · 18/02/2014 22:16

We are in a similar situation to you and have a gorgeous 6 month old flat coated retriever. We chose this breed mostly because of their excellent temperament, a dog we can both take out running (when older) and the fact she's a little more unusual. I have to say so far she has been brilliant, mad as a box of frogs but responding to training well, is good in the house and above all excellent with our three children. We love her to bits and now can't imagine life without a Flattie

mistlethrush · 18/02/2014 22:36

adriene - my dog walker had a flat coat that went walking regularly with mine... he used to submerge to pick up sticks in the deep bit of the stream... and also could spot a picnic at about 600 yds and would go and introduce himself, preferably from the other side of the stream, bringing as much mud and water from the stream as possible, to the unsuspecting family trying to have a picnic.... He was lovely but he was a real liability in terms of picnics!!! (Mine, now, is too - but tends not to be quite so wet and muddy and if we're thinking we can catch her before she has pinpointed the picnic and walk her past without allowing her to introduce herself!)

Whilst I have a lurcher, I do have a very fond leaning towards border terriers, although they are quite strong willed little dogs...

Martorana · 18/02/2014 22:39

Oh do get a Border!

Martorana · 18/02/2014 22:42

I have never met a dog that actively cuddles until we got our Border. She is just gorgeous. So sweet and cuddly, but up for anything as well. Loves long walks, but can manage without. Hardly ever barks, not snappy like Jack Russells........

Moults like a bugger, though.......

SuitedandBooted · 18/02/2014 23:06

I grew up with a lot of dogs in my family over the years (over 30, covering working collies, various gun dogs, terriers and corgis) and I would say that one of the best is my current dog, a 2 year old Eurasier, that we got as a pup when our children were 4 and 7.

Good points:
VERY tolerant, and hard to provoke - so perfect with children - even the ones who pull her tail!.
Playful & active without being manic.
Very bright and easy to train.
Never chewed ANYTHING except things that we give her.
Never jumps up at people.
Very little (if any) puppy mouthing.
Limited barking - only when doorbell rings, and stops quickly.
Great with other dogs.
Very little "doggy" smell, even when wet.
Beautiful, and admired wherever she goes- I know it's not important, but is is nice!

Bad points:
I don't really consider this a bad point, but she is a bit aloof with strange adults, and steps (calmly) away if they swoop on her for a pat & cuddle. She's not fearful, and never barks or show any aggression towards them. She like to sniff quietly around them, and then moves in when she's ready. I'm always being told she's unfriendly - err, yes, sorry my dog doesn't jump up and slobber all over you!
Needs brushing, but not nearly as much as appearances suggest ( she cleans herself like a cat!). When we come in from a muddy walk I towel her off and leave her to dry - then give her a quick brush. She sheds properly twice a year, which is manageable.

We had a Lab before her, and although he was sweet, he was a dustbin on legs, chewed a lot, covered the house with hair constantly, and smelt a fair bit. I know a they are a popular choice, but I wouldn't have another now.

I hope you find the dog for you - it's such a personal choice, we took quite a while to get there!

adriennemole · 18/02/2014 23:07

Mistlethrush- love the Flattie story our girl won't go anywhere near water at the moment she's only just started walking through puddles but I'm sure that will change! although I can well imagine the picnic scenario. She does love her food!

Original poster

muffinchops · 18/02/2014 23:56

suitedandbooted, thank you for introducing me to a breed i had never heard of, although i recognise it's appearance. I googled them and they look like lovely dogs. I thought i had narrowed it down to a lab or whippet/lurcher, but you've got me interested in another possible breed.

OP posts:

Original poster

muffinchops · 18/02/2014 23:59

PS suitedandbooted, there were about 3 breeders mentioned on the general website i looked at. Out of interest, can you recommend where you got your Eurasier pup from?

OP posts:

WimbledonDogs · 19/02/2014 03:37

Some thoughts.

Firstly, well done for taking time to research the breed thoroughly. You should also speak to your vet, your dog trainer and your groomer once you've short listed the breed.

Labs are popular for a reason - mostly they make great family dogs, can cope with almost everything, are biddable and predictable. If you get the genes and breeder right, you can't go far wrong.

Vizsla's are suffering from the popularity band wagon. There are a lot that are fearful (anecdotal).

Cockers are also on the popularity band wagon. A large proportion arrive at their new homes with handling issues and are prone to possessive aggression (anecdotal). They aren't a good choice for homes with young kids as the children want to pick them up and can't carry the weight.

Be sure to understand the difference in working and conformation stock.

Glad you've ruled out a Weimaraner!

Once you get down to picking a breeder, be prepared to join a waiting list with a good one. Make sure the dog is raised in the body of the house. Try and find a home that replicates yours - kids your age in an environment similar to your own. Find a breeder who is selecting for calmness, as well good physical and behavioural health.

SuitedandBooted · 19/02/2014 13:58

Hi Muffinchops - glad I have interested you in Eurasiers! We got our lovely girl from www.willowfalls-eurasiers.co.uk
HTH

Fannydabbydozey · 19/02/2014 22:47

Mrsbennet - hounds on the run are something else aren't they. A year on I still watch my Lurcher run and marvel at his speed and elegance. Because he sure isn't elegant at any other time!

He comes up for a cuddle before sleep every night - sneaks onto the bed and worms his head up until it's next to mine. He is the soppiest dog I've ever known. I grew up with collies. But this mad pointy lump has stolen my heart (along with all my socks)

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