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The doghouse

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

Original poster

I'll admit to being scared to post here..puppies.

141 replies

harryhausen · 13/02/2015 15:07

Hello. I've been lurking here for a long time.

In about 12 weeks we will hopefully be bringing home our new family puppy.its not even born yet! Both dh and I have had dogs in our family before but weren't the primary carers. I think I will need a fair bit of advice.

I have to admit that I'm scared of posting here. I'm certain I will be told that everything I've done/choose will be wrong and I'm not an 'experienced' dog owner so am irresponsible. Call me paranoidGrin. Please tell me it's okay to post for puppy advice?

In RL, I have much conflicting advice from dog owner friends. I've been told to get a puppy/not to get a puppy etc. I get conflicting advice on best breeds etc.

I've been researching for a long time. Over 2 years. We're on a waiting list for a breeder who specialises in labradoodles and 'poo' dogs. We're on a waiting list for a Yorkiepoo. This is because we want a smallish dog with less shedding as possible.

I work from home in a garden office so the dog will be with me all day. We have a large garden and a huge green area opposite our house. My dcs are 10 and 7. Ds and I have an animal hair allergy but it is eased with antihistamines. My dh will brush the dog regularly.

I have a lot to learn. I'm excited but apprehensive. Please tell me my decisions so far are okay and it's okay to come backGrin.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 13/02/2015 17:53

Puppies are adorable but they're a lot of work! Our first was a pup; the current one we got at 10 months from a (good, small) breeder - they'd kept him for show but he wasn't quite up to it. Result we got a dog who was house trained and very well socialised with other dogs, cats and people.

Wanting a dog that doesn't shed because you have allergies is entirely reasonable, and so is wanting a particular size of dog, or one that does/doesn't like long walks etc. I would imagine the only sort of thing anyone would think silly is if someone wanted a dog which would match their curtains or suchlike! Grin

mrsminiverscharlady · 13/02/2015 17:53

They have a 'reduced puppies' section Sad They're clearly breeding more dogs than they can find homes for. How can that be anything but irresponsible ?!

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:55

Awww, honey bager that ihasa is sooo cute. I like a little scruff ball. Would dream of putting any dog in a handbag Grin.

Gansalfshat, I did fall in love with a Cavalier Spaniel we met on a beach last summer. He was the most gorgeous friendly thing. They she'd a bit thought don't they? is a GR a golden retriever? Again, lovely dogs but a bit too large and sheddy for what I'd like.

OP posts:
needastrongone · 13/02/2015 17:57

Cocker spaniels are the way to go!! Mine is the calmest, most gentle little soul you could ever wish to meet.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:58

Ok mrsminivers, I'm a naive wannabe dog owner who got taken in. Thanks heavens I posted here and discovered it before we got the puppy.

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Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:59

Needsastringone, do they shed hair?

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monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 18:02

No no no! With respect, for a first time owner, a spaniel, a collie or a lab type dog is NOT the way to go Smile

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 18:04

Thank god you're here monkeyfaceGrin

OP posts:
needastrongone · 13/02/2015 18:09

First time owner here, working cocker and a springer, aged 2 and 1. They are extremely well trained and behaved, but have had a lot of work put into them. I am the one who has to take other peoples dogs back to their owners while mine happily recall. To some degree, a dog (from a well chosen breeder), given the right time and effort and socialisation, is what you put into it.

The Springer seems to shed more than the cocker. The Springer pushes his boundaries far more than the cocker. The cocker has been a dream from day 1.

Fair point though Smile

needastrongone · 13/02/2015 18:11

ps - we just took training seriously, and they get the stimulation they need. It sounds like you are prepared to do that OP Smile

Google clicker training, that's great fun!

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/02/2015 18:21

Right early on in the thread you said you like Norfolks I grew up 'in' the breed. There are loads of truly excellent Norfolk breeders who keep all their dogs in the home, rear pups in the home and produce super well socialise family dogs.
You will have to travel and you will have to wait as they only have small litters, but this is the breed you originally wanted.
It is going to Crufts on terrier day and walk through the Norfolk kennelling chat to people (they are friendly). Even within a breed there are stubtle differences and you see whose dogs you like. Take their contact details and wait it out for a pup. Pretty much everyone who is everyone in the Norfolk world will be there that day.

MrsDeVere · 13/02/2015 18:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ganeshamouse · 13/02/2015 18:27

I had a working cocker for my first dog, she was fairly easy to train and laid-back (though I am aware that an increasing number are turning up in rescue centres since idiots starting buying them because of William and Kate). However, they are certainly not a non-shedding breed!

ganeshamouse · 13/02/2015 18:28

Yes, Discover Dogs is an annual event - it's next on in October. Crufts is next month.

HicDraconis · 13/02/2015 18:31

monkeyface with respect, we were first time owners - ddog1 is a GR/poodle cross and DDog 2 is a labradoodle/spoodle cross. Much lab and spaniel in the mix! They are both fantastic, were hard work for the first year and just gorgeous family dogs. I wouldn't rule out any type of dog just because OP is a first time owner.

However they both had lots of training, socialising, exercise thrown at them from day1 - it's more work than having a newborn.

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/02/2015 18:31

Discover Dogs is once a year, it tends to have a few individuals from a breed. Crufts as said is next month anyone who is anyone in a breed will be there. Most people will have several dogs.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 18:42

Lonecat, I still very much like the look of a norfolk terrier. I met one on the beach (yes I meet a lot of dogs and dog owners on the beach!) and had a chat and a okay with him. He was lovely and the perfect size for us.

Can I ask how much they shed? They appear as low-shedders in some lists and not in others. Also, do they need miles and miles of exercise each day?

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Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 18:42

An okay? I meant a play!

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GandalfsOtherHat · 13/02/2015 18:44

Did a massive post and then my phone died on me!!

My allotment is right next to the field where the entire town seem to walk their dogs, so I have met a fair few of the popular breeds over time and got to 'know' the individual dogs quite well.

CKCS were top of my 'small dog list'. They are always friendly, if not a bit needy! They vary from loving to chase after a ball and play rough with my (young) boys to a gentle walk to not going out al all some days. They love their family and cannot be left, so if you work from home, it's ideal. The breed has significant health problems, do research this and grooming well. The responsible breeders seem to be very keen on gettng rid of the health problems, so if you find a reputable breeder with a few generations of tested dogs you should be ok. The breed website was very helpful. I found the names of a few breeders on there and phoned them up and talked about the dogs, they seemed happy to share the ups and downs of the breed. I am also always quite suprised at their size if they meet one, they are not always as small as you think. Note there is a difference between CavKCS and KCS, the former seems to have the least eye and skull problems between the two. On our 'small dog list' we also considered tibetan terrier and a miniature schnauzer (which I completely discounted after talking to a coulple of breeders and owners). Champdogs are handy for an idea of what's out there.

I won't bore you with our 'big dog list', but we're really excited to meet our GR puppy and bring him home.

I have been reading 'the puppy handbook' by pippa mattison which has been really informative, and forums such as these. I've only ever had adult rescues, so the puppy stage is completely new to me! DH has luckily has quite a few, so I'm hoping that will help! Hope to see you on a new puppy thread soon!

EasyToEatTiger · 13/02/2015 18:54

Look at that link, Harry!! www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-dog/non-shedding-breeds-of-dog/ There are masses of breeds in all shapes and sizes!

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 18:54

Gandalf, I have that book too! I've been working my way through it. X

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Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 18:57

Can I just say, considering I was so frightened of The Doghouse you've all been so helpful. Not even shouting at me for been fooled by a puppy farmSmile

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 13/02/2015 19:03

Harry, the thing is you came here because you knew you didn't know it all and you were genuinely looking for advice. The people who get shouted at are those who want bad decisions validating. Smile

needastrongone · 13/02/2015 19:09

See, I find the Springers hair around, but not the cockers. And both are hardly overwhelming. Labs - holey moses!!!

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/02/2015 19:11

Norfolks are low shedders as their coat is the type that needs to be stripped ( pulled out) so you get some hair, but not as much as the average dog. Border terriers have a similar coat.
Norfolks tend to have a very jolly personality loving people and adoring children. They like to walk and will go as far as you like, equally if on a particular day you only have time to whizz round the block they will be happy with that and pottling in the garden. Through my life my parents have had over 40 Norfolks ( they currently have 4) and they have all been super dogs.
They are very good companions my nephew who is autistic takes great comfort from the dogs and they seem to understand him in a way we don't. They are also very good with elderly people my grandpa had one that realised he could hear the door bell and would come to him when the doorbell went.