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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

Dog breed recommendation for 4 year old and 18 month old DC

38 replies

Emmylooagain · 10/11/2014 03:20

Hello, I have been wanting to get a dog now for the past 10 years but have always had to wait for one reason or another. Living overseas, living in small flat etc etc. I am now settled back in my home country and we own our own house with a yard so I think it's time we got a dog. We have two DC - a 4 year old and an 18 month old. Neither have had much to do with dogs before. 4 year old is a bit scared of them. 18 month old is fearless and seems to love them.

Couple of ideas for breeds are a english springer spaniel or a german shorthaired pointer. I love both breeds. We want a reasonably active dog although we live in a reasonably innercity area. We both work full time but there is someone at our house most days looking after my youngest. I am going to be working from home the one day someone isn't there as from next year. We spend all weekend in our backyard or at the park or beach with the kids.

Any other suggestions for breeds? And I am better getting an older puppy (say 6-10 months) than a new baby puppy, just to avoid the nipp, biting stage?

Thanks!

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 12/11/2014 10:13

Bedlington...not Bridlington, lol

mrslaughan · 12/11/2014 10:20

The cav's I know are quite energetic...originally they were working dogs (weren't they?), but yes great with kids, but yes also plagued with health issues, which is why I would not consider one.

Trollsworth · 12/11/2014 10:21

In your situation, I'd go for a whippet.

tabulahrasa · 12/11/2014 10:25

They've not been used as working dogs for centuries...they've mostly been bred as lap dogs.

I wouldn't get one because of the difficulty in finding healthy ones, it's a shame though because they are great wee dogs.

TropicalHorse · 12/11/2014 10:33

I've got a rescued adult Welsh Springer Spaniel. He's a totally different temperament to the English - very very laid back and super soft natured. Even though he's had a very horrible upbringing and no socialisation (puppy farm) he is wonderful with our toddler. He has a few fear issues but we're working on it!
Also less issues with grooming than I'd have expected (having only had short coated breeds before). I really only give him a comb through once or twice a week and trim between his toes every month or so.

Wolfiefan · 12/11/2014 10:39

Daft question! Does the hip score mean the dog could have issues in future?
I think you are really underestimating how much time a dog needs. It's great to have time at the weekend but dogs need time every day. You work full time. A couple of half hours a day isn't great.

tabulahrasa · 12/11/2014 10:55

A high hip score doesn't mean that dog will have problems - they're sort of separate but related things...a dog can have a pretty huge hip score and be fine, but you don't breed from it because the puppies might not be as lucky and actually have problems with their hips.

To breed you want lower than average hip scores...they might only be a couple of points above that, but if you're a decent breeder you rule them out of a breeding programme even though those couple of points make no practical difference to the dog because you're trying to breed healthier traits.

Wolfiefan · 12/11/2014 10:57

Thanks Tabula.
I know someone who got a dog from a breeder and it was a nightmare for various reasons! I have a nasty suspicious little mind!!!

tabulahrasa · 12/11/2014 11:03

Tbh I'd be wary of breeders with older dogs to rehome anyway...with the exception of ones they have taken back.

Because if they're rehoming them because they can't breed from them they're clearly viewing them as potential breeders rather than their dogs if you see what I mean.

If they haven't room/time to keep their dog if it's not useful it kind of suggests they have too many breeding dogs anyway and possibly aren't doing it for the right reasons.

I'm sure there are exceptions to that, but, that's my thoughts on it anyway.

NoBloodyMore · 12/11/2014 11:11

we have a lab, he's 7 now and is happy with 2 30 min walks a day and we have a huge garden he can play in. His temperament is fantastic the only off putting thing is his size, he regularly knocks the kids flying, they're used to it though as all have grown up with him.

My friend has cavs, both have a lot of health issues (both from different breeders) and one of them is very snappy and I won't let her near my kids, she's always been like that.

RudePepper · 13/11/2014 20:51

Emmylooagain can bassett hounds go off lead?

WeAllHaveWings · 13/11/2014 21:12

We have an 18 month old lab and he needs 2 x 1 hour off lead walks a day, if he doesn't get them we know all about it and need to entertain him with games to stop him pestering for a walk.

If you go for a lab, be aware they moult constantly. We have a light heather carpet and it seems to have thin layer of black hair on it all the time (except for up to 5 mins after vacuuming, then it reappears).

No one warned me about this, but wouldn't change him for the world!

SistersOfPercy · 13/11/2014 22:51

I've had two very soft very daft Scottie dogs so I'm kind of biased towards them as a breed. They are stubborn though and you'd need to factor in grooming but on the plus side they don't moult.
I've always found most Scotties I've met to have lovely temperaments and be quite laid back, though I suspect there are exceptions to this rule

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