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The doghouse

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Original poster

Ignorant. Help me make a good breed decision please MN

115 replies

SnotandBothered · 27/01/2015 14:28

I confess to knowing little. I have always liked dogs but we always had cats when I was growing up and my only experience of dogs is via friends and family.

DH loves dogs. He grew up with dogs and they always had at least two Rescues in the home.

DC are now 9 and 7 (as keen as DH IN THEORY) and I feel that I have the time and stamina to devote to a puppy and have agreed that now is as good a time as any.

We can't seem to agree on a breed. I have looked at books / on line / and scrutinise all the dogs in the park but am not sure.

Factors are: Our House: 4 bed Victorian semi / 50 foot garden
Location: London suburb but very leafy with lots of open space (Richmond Park is a 5 minute walk)
My time: I work freelance and often from home so would be around a lot and am happy to walk for around 1/1.5 hours a day. Longer than that would be hard.
Training: Happy to put in whatever training / puppy socialisation would b best.

The only dog I really LOVE is a Beagle. I love the look, size, temperament - everything, but I have read so many horror stories and DH think it would be a nightmare.

DH has only ever had mutts (all rescue) and he insists that these are the best dogs but we want a puppy and I don't think such a thing as an ethically sourced mutt puppy exists???

IF I am brutally honest, I want a dog that drools too much and nothing too big. But equally don't want a handbag/toy dog. Beagle sized is ideal :)

Given our criteria, can anyone recommend some breeds that I should look into?

OP posts:
LoveVintage · 29/01/2015 19:15

We have a beagle. She is now six. We are used to dogs but when she was young she nearly broke us. They are not easy dogs, they are stubborn, food driven, prone to weight gain, chew everything in sight. They say is you see a dog owner with a lead and no dog, it's a beagle owner.

Don't even consider a beagles without loads of research and real commitment. We love ours but have worked really hard to get to where we are now.

Original poster
SnotandBothered · 29/01/2015 19:27

Thanks for the link moose. I wonder if I'd be able to keep a Brittany amused/occupied as much as it needs?

That was a bit different description to the others I'd read, but I think I will bow to the wisdom of the Brittany Kennel Club Grin

And Binglet, I like Border Terriers but DH would have to be won over. He is dog MAD and loves dogs more than anyone I know, but he once got nipped by a Jack Russell and blames all Terriers from the beginning of time onwards for that one mishap...

OP posts:
Lovelydiscusfish · 29/01/2015 19:36

I'd love a Brittany! Went to stay in a farmhouse in France where the owners had them - absolutely faultless dogs! We currently have a working cocker - she is lovely, but I' not sure the amount of walking you suggest would be quite enough, really.
I would say a staff, actually, given your requirements - unless you've already said you don't like them - apologies if I've missed that.

NimpyWWindowmash · 29/01/2015 20:24

Go and meet some dogs. On your own.

The first dog you will go and see with the kids is the dog you (they) will want.Grin

We wanted a lab or golden retriever, but fell utterly in love with a reject lurcher. She has the sweetest nature, which is probably so much more important than looks. (Though I think pointy hounds do have pretty faces and soulful eyes!)

Also, as we are in a semi, the non-barking is good.

Go and meet some dogs, keep an open mind and you will find a sweet one. So many dogs out there! Just go and see them.

AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons · 29/01/2015 20:52

I can highly recommend a cocker spaniel/poodle cross. We have an f1 cockerpoo. She's very sweet natured but also bouncy and great fun (at appropriate times). We feel we really hit the jackpot with her. Our youngest two children are 7 and 9.

Letsgoforawalk · 29/01/2015 21:06

Sorry nothing to add that's helpful. But I am puzzled, nature plantar how can a Staffordshire terrier be American? Surely America doesn't have "shire"s???
There is so much more to this dog thing than I thought .....

MuttonCadet · 29/01/2015 21:15

Why not a greyhound? They are the most gorgeous elegant (and lazy) hounds.

Don't smell "doggy" either (but can be a bit farty).

mistlethrush · 29/01/2015 21:23

My lurcher's got a lot of greyhound in her... a bit of something heavier like Moose's older dog. She's got a fluffy coat on top so doesn't need to wear a fleece indoors in the winter - and hasn't been wearing her coat much either because she's running around a lot. Nice short hair on her legs though so she doesn't bring too much mud in. She's very happily snoring next to me.

Original poster
SnotandBothered · 29/01/2015 21:28

Oh dear.

I am on the Many Tears website.

There are so many :(

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 29/01/2015 21:40

There are so many different rescues for different types or any types...

mistlethrush · 29/01/2015 21:49

eg EGLR
LL
woodgreen
battersea

Adarajames · 29/01/2015 23:13

For various reasons, Id reccomend avoiding Many Tears

BagelwithButter · 30/01/2015 00:26

Dante at Enfield Dog Rescue? He looks cute and is fostered at the moment. Big bigger than you want, I suppose, but he is a gorgeous mutt!

Larry at Pro Dogs Direct looks lovely

Timmy is a lovely scruff

Daisy is fostered in Gloucestershire. She looks gorgeous and about the size you're looking for.

Sweep the poodle. Non-shedding, great size, sounds great. A long trip to Wales but you'd only do it the once and could incorporate it with a half-term break!

NimpyWWindowmash · 30/01/2015 07:35

Adarajames, why?

Adarajames · 30/01/2015 10:50

Bumpy - without it sounding like a cop out, concerned not to say too much as they've been known to threaten legal action if people are negative towards them! But there are questions over their non charity position / status; about their selling rescue dogs for profit rather than donations to continue running the rescue and over some rather shady property deals and their profiting from the supposed rescue. Used to be few sites / articles with more info but they got shut down. And on a more personal level, I was told that as I was disabled and didn't work, then I didn't deserve to have a dog! Disability discrimination really fucks me off, so that's really coloured my view of them too!

Sorry for thread hijack OP!

HedgehogsDontBite · 30/01/2015 10:57

For various reasons, Id reccomend avoiding Many Tears

Why? I've had dogs from there and they've been great.

Adarajames · 30/01/2015 10:58

Sorry Nimpy phone autocorrected

HedgehogsDontBite · 30/01/2015 11:02

I'm disabled and don't work but I still got my dogs from there. They delivered a dog to my friend in London because her disability meant she couldn't travel to Wales. She doesn't work either.

Original poster
SnotandBothered · 30/01/2015 12:31

All the dogs on your list are lovely Bagel. I especially love Daisy the dachshund/JRT but I'd have to lie to DH and tell him there was absolutely no Terrier in her Grin

I am going to visit a few of the rescue centres next week. I will have to be steely.... I'll keep you all posted but seriously happy for any more thoughts/suggestions.

OP posts:
AmantesSuntAmentes · 30/01/2015 12:57

Why 'no' to terrierists?! ConfusedGrin

I adore them (working breeds) but to be fair, they aren't for everyone and aren't usually best for first time owners.

With the daxie x jrt you like, just keep in mind that daxies are a feisty working hound (believe it or not!) and can actually be more obstinate and argumentativedifficult to handle than the average patterdale or jrt, etc.

You might get the best of both breeds, you could just as easily have the worst of both, so when looking at crosses in rescue, go as much on the feel of the dog (character, attitude, temperament, energy), than the look Smile

BagelwithButter · 30/01/2015 13:44

You might get the best of both breeds, you could just as easily have the worst of both, so when looking at crosses in rescue, go as much on the feel of the dog (character, attitude, temperament, energy), than the look

Absolutely Amante

Nearasdammit · 30/01/2015 13:57

I know someone who had a dog from a well known rescue that turned out to be very ill but the rescue didn't want to know. They ended up spending hundreds (and shedding many tears) at the vet before they'd even had it a week.

marmaladegranny · 30/01/2015 14:05

A vote for a cardigan corgi! My boy is very loyal, not too big but big enough to be interesting. He has a wonderful burglar-scaring bark that, when he uses it, sounds as though it's coming from an enormous dog. He will walk for miles or just around the block - ideal town dog! They do have a reputation for being inclined to nip but mine never has.

moosemama · 30/01/2015 14:27

Nearasdammit - do I know you? I have shed very similar tears. Wink The illness was only the start of problems in our case.

LaBelleDameSansPatience · 30/01/2015 14:28

I second cocker/poodle cross ... got one after much research and she is lovely. Enjoys a good walk but is equally happy lying on the sofa/on top of one of DH's prize plants in the sun, watching the world go by. Likes to get her toys out of her toy box independently and have a good chew when there is nothing else to do ... I am just going to have to teach her to put them away again ...
Drawbacks:1) People are inclined to judge because it is a 'designer cross'. 2) In this wet muddy weather walking is like dragging a sponge on the string through the puddles; I could wring her out when we get home
Could be solved by: 1) Making up a good 'breed name' ... I like to call her a 'curly-coated puddle hound'.
2) Living in London which I imagine is less muddy.