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The doghouse

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Original poster

Please tell me what type of dog to get.

72 replies

AngryBeaver · 21/04/2015 09:38

Originally wanted a GSD, still do. But, realistically it's not the right time for a dog that large.
We have 4 kids, 8, 6, 4, 11 months. So it has to be a breed that is familial.
Has to be intelligent and easy to train. (So I hear a pug is out!)
Small/ medium.
Preferably not a shedder.
Dh not keen on collies/golden retrievers.
Any ideas?

OP posts:
EsmetheWitch · 22/04/2015 07:27

When I was researching breeds my criteria were family dog, happy with children, moderate excercise needs, easy to train. Once I had a short list I then looked at things like size and coat. Looks didn't really come into it.

I would love a Springer but they wouldn't be a good fit at the moment. I looked at getting a standard poodle when I would never have considered one previously. They look less 'harsh' than you might think without the poodle haircut.

A Labrador could be a good fit for you.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 22/04/2015 07:45

What about a spaniel cross if you don't like spaniels themselves? I have my gorgeous cockapoo puppy asleep on my feet as I write - perfect family dog and meets all your criteria. Whilst doesn't have a squashed face actually many of them do have quite cute little button noses.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 22/04/2015 09:19

Yep, that's a no to the shar-pei. Too big anyway, I think.
I was thinking Boxer earlier on today. But we ruled that out too.
Funny you should mention a pug x but not with a beagle. Because guess what I've fallen in love with? Confused

OP posts:
AliceAnneB · 22/04/2015 09:32

If you want a dog with good recall you need to look at gun dogs (spaniels/labs) or working dogs (GSD/collie). They are bred to work closely with humans and to take direction. Anything bred to hunt on its own like a beagle or any of the buy breeds are "independent" and have tougher recalls.

To be honest the preoccupation with the look of the dog is a bit of a red flag for me. So many families buy a dog for how it looks only to discover it is completely inappropriate for their situation. I don't mean to offend - I've just spent a lot of time working with rescue dogs.

That said how about a French bulldog? The only box it won't tick is rock solid recall but if you train early and well it should be good enough. They tend to be more biddable than most Bulldogs. None of the bully breeds will be easy to train. My other suggestion is a Staffordshire terrier. They meet all your requirements. Just be very careful about the breeder/line of dog. They are fantastic with kids if raised with them.

If you were open at all to Terriers then a border terrier is an ideal family dog. They have great personalities.

Find some reputable breeders (ones that are active in the breed club/rescue) and take your kids round to meet the dogs. It will help you see how different breeds interact with kids.

Good luck!

tinymeteor · 22/04/2015 09:39

Beagles are amazing dogs and great with kids but NOT easy to train. Need endless, endless reinforcement because you have to be more stubborn than they are.

No dog is 'easy' to train though. Are you sure you want to put the work in with a puppy? If not, find an older rescue dog who has the foundations in place already, but still be prepared that training is a lifelong thing.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 22/04/2015 09:43

I got my GSDs when my youngest was 11 months and they have such a close bond.

However just to say that if you want a dog that doesn't shed much, then a GSD isn't the right choice, they shed all year round, and you will need to hoover 2/3 times a day. When they blow their coat it literally is handfuls at a time.

SirVixofVixHall · 22/04/2015 09:48

I am a terrier person, but I agree with Alice on the breeds to look at to fit your spec. I have had a lifetime of dogs bred to think for themselves and be independant (A beagle cross, followed by terriers, am on terrier number 3 now) and I have thus spent many hours trying to get the bloody dog back from chasing a fox/rootling through woodland/hightailing it after doggy friends. However the Border terriers I know seem rather more biddable! My main criteria looks wise, are that my dog is a sensible shape, with nothing that is creeping towards a deformity. Temperment is so much more important than appearance though, you may like the look of a dog, but it is the temperment that you live with. I would focus , as suggested by Alice, on the type of dog you want in terms of behaviour, ignoring looks, and narrow it down from there.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 22/04/2015 10:35

I understand it may sound odd that I keep going on about the appearance. I would take most dogs, tbh it's my husband who is fixated on the "look". He has never had a pet (mother scared of ALL animals!) so he's only got what it looks like to go on, I suppose.
I love frenchies. It might well end up being that,because there is not one Puggle in nz?!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 22/04/2015 11:01

Taking appearance into consideration isn't a bad thing in itself...but, it really should be bottom of your list as it's way way more important to pick a dog whose personality and care needs will suit.

The problem with crosses is that you can't tell which traits you'll get, so when people cross dogs as different as beagles and pugs you can end up with a nice mix of the beagle's health and fitness and the pug charm and appearance, but, you can also end up with a lively beagle personality trapped in a body with all the health problems of a pug.

I do understand what it's like to have a non-dog DP (mine is) but, you can't let that overrule common sense, which is what putting looks first does.

SirVixofVixHall · 22/04/2015 11:15

I worry about people choosing by looks, as I've had decades with fox terriers- a breed of dog that often ends up in rescue at about a year old, as its temperment is very much at odds with its appearance. Often chosen for the rather retro toy like charm, its personality is full on terrier, they also hate being left alone, and need lots of stimulation, or they get bored and miserable. They do not have an off button...Then they end up in rescue and as "one man" dogs get very distressed and traumatised. So I warn anyone against going by appearance. In fact a friend was about to pick up a puppy the same breed as mine, and decided against it when she found out what a terrier is actually like to live with.....

Stinkylinky · 22/04/2015 11:17

Have you ever thought of a setter? We had an English setter when I was growing up and he was the best dog, so well behaved, gentle and brilliant with kids. The also don't suffer with a lot of health problems

catnipkitty · 22/04/2015 11:23

We have a Cairn terrier, such a great family dog, brilliant with our 3 kids and all the others that come round. Also good with the cat! Small enough to fit in the car, not too expensive on dog food. As a breed there aren't any major health issues and she doesn't shed. We all absolutely adore her!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/04/2015 12:41

My mind is boggling at the logistics of mating a Pug and a Beagle. (Assuming the Beagle is the bitch, the dog would need a ladder) Confused

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/04/2015 12:42

Why not wait a few years and get the GSD you really want?
Why compromise now? You'll have a dog maybe 10+ years.

Tubbytimmy · 22/04/2015 12:46

German Shepherd? Good looking, intelligent dogs.

littlepeas · 22/04/2015 13:44

I have 3 dc similar ages to yours (6, 5 and 3) and we have a golden retriever - chosen mainly because they are patient with children. He is a lovely dog, very calm and intelligent and just a joy to be around. I find him very beautiful, but that's just a bonus tbh.

PetraStrorm · 22/04/2015 16:09

Re: looks - I was very anti-sighthounds when I first started looking for a dog. I thought whippets and greyhounds looked too skinny and shivery. I was after a terrier at first. As I found out more about temperaments I started thinking I'd get a sighthound 'despite' its looks.

Now, the more I look at my greyhound and see how she is absolutely built for purpose and can move so amazingly, I think that actually, I chose her for her temperament but she's also a completely beautiful animal.

From my experience, my advice would be that your aesthetic can change - don't let it be the deciding factor.

SignoraStronza · 22/04/2015 16:18

I'd just get a gsd if that's the dog you'd really like. But be warned - after that, all other dogs will seem a bit dim.Wink

DidgeDoolittle · 22/04/2015 16:25

I know you said no terriers but I have a Westie. I know loads of people with westies. They are all fantastic dogs. Lovely temperaments and fab with kids.

BirdyArms · 22/04/2015 16:56

I am another person who has come around to sighthounds after not having been very keen on the look of them. I initially wanted a lab but was put off by worry that they would need more exercise than we can provide. Also I very much liked the idea of getting a rescue dog but very few rescue labs around, especially for families with kids.

Now when I see labs in the park I think a most of them are hideously overweight and am really not attracted to them at all. I love the emerging long lean lines of my lurcher puppy and as PetraStorm said my aesthetic has completely changed.

Lots of out of control huskies round here as a result of people choosing based on looks without considering whether they can offer a suitable home for the breed.

KoalaDownUnder · 22/04/2015 17:15

Feeling a bit daft, but what is a GSD? Confused

tabulahrasa · 22/04/2015 17:19

German shepherd dog...

KoalaDownUnder · 22/04/2015 17:21

Oh, thanks! German shepherd was all I could think of, but then I thought the 'd' must stand for part of the name...Blush

tabulahrasa · 22/04/2015 17:24

Lol, no it's just got a dog in the breed name, in case anyone was trying to keep actual german shepherds?

Lancelottie · 22/04/2015 17:29

Non-shedding list here, if that helps?

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