Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

IF we were to get a dog (and its a big if) what would suit us?

45 replies

Jungfraujoch · 12/04/2015 21:12

So everyone in my family wants a dog but I'm yet to be won over- sorry to say more of a cat person Wink. Anyway - looking for advice on what breed for a family - DSs are 10 and 14. I don't want anything too big, DH who has always had dogs growing up doesn't want a small one. I don't want hairs everywhere either!! any suggestions please?

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 12/04/2015 21:17

Well a non shedding breed for starters :) So that rules out quite a few.

Note that not all labradoodles/cockerpoos etc will deffo be non shedding.

What about a shnauzer? Border terrier? Both small dogs with big personalities.

MisForMumNotMaid · 12/04/2015 21:20

We have a cavalier king charles spaniel. She's a lapdog, is good with the children, just squats outside in the garden if its really cold, windy or rainy. Will walk 10miles on a sunny day. DS's are 11 and 9, DD is 4.

She sheds hair if not brushed, she goes on the furniture (initially wasn't allowed but she's cute and everyone picks her up). She's a scavenger and gets in the bin given half a chance. She's a companion dog and likes a lot of human companionship.

MehsMum · 12/04/2015 21:28

Before you get any dog, decide if you can provide for it properly:

Are you (or the rest of the family) prepared to give it two walks a day, every day, whatever the weather?
Is there somebody at home most of the time? If everyone is out all day, that's not fair to the dog.
Can you afford the vet or the pet insurance? Check out the health stats for the various breeds. On average, crossbreds/mongrels are healthier (as is reflected in their insurance costs). Some breeds have a lot of health issues.
Are you prepare to put in the time to train a dog properly?

I don't meant to depress you, but dogs are a serious responsibility. However, if you get a dog which is a good fit for your family, you will have hours of fun and pleasure. I'd hate to be without a dog - mine drive me mad and make me laugh, force me to get some exercise, take me out in the countryside. One is lying at my feet as I type.

If you don't want hairs everywhere, you can get a dog with a very close coat. Staffordshire BTs have that sort of coat, as do German shorthaired pointer or and vizsla. However, the last two are working breeds: if you get a dog from working lines, it will need a LOT of exercise and mental stimulation (I don't know what the pet lines are like in those two breeds, but the workers are always ready for another five miles...)

Good luck whatever you decide.

Original poster
Jungfraujoch · 12/04/2015 21:38

Thanks all. DH has grown up with dogs so knows what they need in terms of exercise, care etc. although saying that don't think a really active dog would be a good idea!

DS2 wants a beagle!

OP posts:
MehsMum · 12/04/2015 22:02

Oh God! Beagles are active. Also notorious for bad recall. They are lovely though, and have a nice short coat...

Original poster
Jungfraujoch · 12/04/2015 22:13

Mehsmum - I did know a little about beagles and cute as they are maybe not for us!

Another question if I may - puppy from breeder or rescue?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jungfraujoch · 12/04/2015 22:54

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 12/04/2015 23:12

i have had both puppies and rescues.I would probably go for a rescue now as i can't be doing with toilet training and puppy biting. Saying that rescues can have a different set of needs.

insanityscatching · 13/04/2015 13:12

A poodle, intelligent, non shedding, happy to walk for miles when the opportunity arises but also happy with a couple of shorter walks every day. No need to have a fancy hair do if you don't like. Look here

MehsMum · 13/04/2015 19:29

Whippets? Not too big, very short coats, and spectacularly idle - they will do a longish walk, but will also keel over and sleep after a ten mad minutes.

Terrible, agile thieves though...

I suspect retired greyhounds fall into the same category.

There are various dog breed selectors online. I sometimes have a play on one to reassure myself that our next dog will need to be the sort of dog we still think we want...

Sorry I was a bit of a downer in my first post. It's just that I know a family who recently rehomed a dog they had got as a puppy who proved to be a lovely dog, but completely the wrong dog for them - far too active and intelligent for a quiet pet life. They tied themselves in knots worrying about it and still feel bad about it now, even though it was completely the right decision for the dog.

MagratGarlik · 13/04/2015 23:34

Rescue whippet/lurcher/small grey would probably fit the bill.

Happy with 2 x 30 min walks per day, but will be happy to walk longer if you want
Short haired (they do shed though, you do just have to learn to love the dog-hair covered look)
Medium sized (and fold up tiny)
Our whippy is very feline (we are convinced he is half-cat)

Both our dogs are from rescue, whippy from the RSPCA and lurcher-girl from Dogs Trust. We got whippy when ds2 was just 2yo and lurcher-girl when he was 3yo, so neither object to rehoming with children (though yours are older, anyway). We went to rescue and were completely honest about what we could offer. The first time, we hadn't even considered whippets and my first reaction was, "yikes!". However, their recommendation was a good one, but if you go down the rescue route, don't go with a certain breed in mind, just keep an open mind and go with the dog they recommend (if any). Bare in mind, you might have to keep going back in order to find your perfect pooch, because they might not have something suitable straight away. Personally though, I'd never go for a pup with all the work they require! Our two have been surprisingly easy.

Original poster
Jungfraujoch · 14/04/2015 13:02

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions - certainly given me plenty to think about!

OP posts:
frumpet · 14/04/2015 15:00

How about a rescue staffy , not too big and not too small , very short haired so not much shedding and thousands to choose from Smile

frumpet · 14/04/2015 15:03

Mehsmum is right about the german short haired pointer , although they do calm down at about 8 Wink

Toofat2BtheFly · 14/04/2015 15:14

I've got a staffy /whippet cross - super lively for 2 minutes then has to sleep it off for 5 hrs !!

If whenwe were going for a second pooch , whippets would be my choice .

Not very hairy , super chilled proper loving, great with the kids bin rustlers , kitchen counter surfers bed hoggers I love her much more now the bins are in a cupboard !Grin

NKfell · 14/04/2015 15:34

If you want small and if he wants a doggy dog (ikwim) then how about a border terrier or cocker spaniel?

My brother has a working cocker (who doesn't work) so he's not as 'fancy' as the show types but, he's lovely and great with kids whilst being bouncy and not girly looking. He doesn't leave hair all over and is small enough to be carried (handy for bathing!).

ditavonteesed · 14/04/2015 17:37

my border terrier sheds like crazy, I love her and shre is ace but high excercise needs and is dog aggresive. I wouldnt say an easy dog even though they are small. I also have a working cocker, he is fab, hyper and needs at least 2 hours a day excercise and would chase a ball every waking hour but very kind and gentle amd just wants to be with you all the time, again though he sheds a lot.
My next dog will be a whippet. you can buy them pj's you know.

CMOTDibbler · 14/04/2015 17:46

I'm biased as I have two, but lurchers are great. My older one is probably greyhound x saluki, and dpuppy is possibly whippet x dobermann (his mum is def whippety, he was born in rescue). They spend a great deal of time snoring on the sofa, but will equally go running with me, or run up and down the side of hills for hours. But on a day to day basis, running round for 15 minutes playing fetch will tire them out - and on a wet day they refuse to go out, being dragged out in their raincoats.

There are lots in rescue, including plenty of puppies born in foster care

NKfell · 14/04/2015 18:30

Dita - My brother's cocker doesn't really shed- he's white and black too so I'd have noticed when he's having a cuddle, maybe they vary?! He does get a lot of exercise though, I agree with you there.

I love whippets, greyhounds and lurchers of many crosses. I have a border collie and a rotty; both dog's I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone but too big and sheddy most likely ha

NKfell · 14/04/2015 18:31

I meant to say, I love the idea of PJs haha my dogs wear the occasional football/rugby shirt!

Walkingonsunshine00 · 14/04/2015 18:32

Maltese? Lab? Spaniel?

Carpaccio · 14/04/2015 18:44

We have a show cocker and she loves playing ball, running around and getting muddy. She's great fun and my DH who wanted a beagle is completely in love with the spaniels.
Our dog gets at least 20 minutes of exercise every single day, often more, but she is fine skipping a day or two as long as she gets her 3-4 daily walks (I don't let her in the garden, but take her out for a walk every time she needs to go out).

The spaniels generally are velcro dogs and want to be close to their owner/family all the time which can be a bit stressful because there'll be a little shadow following you around all the time and potentially whining if on the other side of a closed door.

I have trimmed our dog completely short because she gets too hot and her fur knots quickly when she's running around.

The show cocker is smaller than the working cocker and the show spaniel isn't bred to work all day so it doesn't need as much exercise. But it is still a very clever dog.

Didly · 14/04/2015 20:24

I agree with frumpet and mehsmum. I have a german shepherd and a german shorthaired pointer. The shepherd sheds like buggery and the GSP is quite mad and impossible to wear out. He's currently chasing the water from the hose at top speed round the garden.

My friend just got a cockapoo who is gorgeous, like others have said. Not guaranteed not to shed though.

Original poster
Jungfraujoch · 14/04/2015 20:39

Doggie pjs?! Really?!!! I do like the idea of a cockapoo as they are cute (shallow). No offence to whippets Wink will check out lurchers too, and Maltese and spaniels. But as I said its a big IF we get a dog Wink

OP posts:
babyfedleaning · 14/04/2015 20:55

I always had a notion that a Welsh Terrier was a nice, smallish, non shedding, dog but I'm sure there'll be someone along in a minute to tell me how dreadful they are.