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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

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:

Lancelottie · 22/04/2015 17:30

The Tibetan Terrier on that list isn't actually a terrier, by the way -- but I don't know what they're like to train.

Original poster

AngryBeaver · 23/04/2015 02:31

If your mind boggles at the pug and the beagle, 70...last night I saw the SHUG a cross between a pug and a GSD!!!! I thought it was a joke!(it was lovely looking though)
There are absolutely no Puggles in nz. How can this be?!
We might ask friends of ours to bring one back from Australia when they come. I'm pretty set on that type of dog and just cross my fingers that it will be the right balance.
I am home all day and we live 2 mins from the beach and 30 seconds from bush.
I like to run, and hike, so it will get loads of exercise.
It's just getting it here that is the problem!

OP posts:

basildonbond · 23/04/2015 06:48

Maybe there are no pug/beagle crosses in NZ because the rest of the population is too sensible to fall for a stupid made up name and just 'cross their fingers' it would be the right balance

MuttonCadet · 23/04/2015 06:52

Totally agree with PetraStorm.

We went for temperament, but now all other dogs look fat and slow against our gorgeous greys.

chocolatelife · 23/04/2015 11:52

pointers are great for running. that is part of what they need.

SmartAlecMetalGit · 23/04/2015 12:51

If you want a dog capable of running and hiking with you then I wouldn't take a risk with a pug or pug cross. There are some healthier pugs who are more active but they're still highly brachycephalic which isn't really conducive to going running or doing long hikes, especially if the weather is warm.

I met a puggle a while back that had the pug head on a big beagle body with stumpy, bowed little pug legs. The poor thing could barely walk without wheezing and snorting.

nellieellie · 23/04/2015 13:40

Eurasiers are supposed to make very good family pets, gentle, friendly, sociable and eager to please.

Greyhorses · 23/04/2015 14:08

Another one here who would just go with the german shepherd you really want.

They are hard work however are the best dog breed I have ever owned and even the hoovering is worth it

KoalaDownUnder · 23/04/2015 15:34

My greyhound x rescue mongrel loves running and bush hiking more than any dog I've ever known.

I used to think whippets and greyhounds were pointy and unattractive too, but once u met a few, I fell in love with their temperaments.

Awesome dogs if you like a companion to zoom along the beach with.

Original poster

AngryBeaver · 25/04/2015 00:06

Hum. I really don't think we can get a GSD. I love them but it's not the right time for a big dog.
I have to admit, I had always done a bit of an eye roll at the people who were up in arms about cross breeding. However.
I googled something like cute cross breeds, and goodness, some of the mixes look so cruel.
A huge GSD head on a tiny body. They almost looked superimposed. Quite awful.

OP posts:

mrslaughan · 25/04/2015 10:09

Did you say somewhere unthread that you are in NZ?, I think you need to be very careful (this from a NZ'er) about what breed you look at - you also need to add to your list genetic diversity.
Lots of advise on this thread is from people in the UK, where the genetic diversity within breeds is not such an issue ( as long as the breeder is reputable), whereas in NZ'er the gene pool for a lot of breeds is tiny - and many of the breeds suggested on this thread just do not exist in significant enough numbers.

Also in NZ the concept of working dogs/ gun dogs does not exist to the same extent at all.....it is a completely different kettle of fish.

One breed that is mentioned unthread that I do have experience of in NZ, is Tibetan terriers....my aunt and uncle had two, lovely dogs, and we're healthy......but I am not sure how diverse the gene pool is.

Original poster

AngryBeaver · 25/04/2015 21:35

Yes we are in nz, on a little island in the Hauraki gulf
Ok, how do we feel about a pugalier? Pug x cavalier spaniel.

OP posts:

basildonbond · 25/04/2015 21:59

You must be doing this deliberately to wind us up .... pugs are prone to multiple health issues, so are cavaliers - the two together could be a potential health disaster ... there's no reason to cross a pug and a cavalier other than to come up with a stupid name and con people into thinking they're getting a 'designer' dog

A cross like that would also be completely unsuitable to hiking/running in the bush ...

SmartAlecMetalGit · 25/04/2015 22:06

Ok, how do we feel about a pugalier? Pug x cavalier spaniel.

I wouldn't touch one with someone else's barge pole and I would really question the motives of anyone breeding such a cross.

Both breeds (especially CKCSs) have the potential to be affected by a range of hereditary and conformation related health problems. Even taking into account extensive health testing (and it can be exceedingly difficult to find breeders of crosses who do all appropriate health testing) there is nothing about these two breeds that makes crossing them logical.

To give you an idea, you can see all the relevant health tests that should be done (plus lists of other health issues that can't currently be tested for) here for the CKCS and here for the pug.

There is absolutely no reason to breed such a cross other than to slap a silly portmanteau name on them and rake in the money from unsuspecting people.

Clareyfairy89 · 25/04/2015 23:01

Cockapoo
Spaniel X Poodle
very itelligent and non moulting. great around kids. really are a brilliant breed and as they are a cross they don't suffer with hereditary problems x

SmartAlecMetalGit · 25/04/2015 23:09

Crosses aren't guaranteed to be free of hereditary health problems, especially when both breeds used in the cross can potentially suffer from some of the same issues.

It's also no guarantee that any poodle cross will inherit the non-shedding poodle coat.

Original poster

AngryBeaver · 27/04/2015 01:41

But pure breeds have health problems, too.
A friend spent a fortune on a pedigree GSD, excellent blood lines, award winning parents. Even carried it up and down stairs until it was over one! Still got hip dysplasia.

OP posts:

SmartAlecMetalGit · 27/04/2015 01:51

I'm not suggesting they don't but it's simply not true to imply that a cross breed is guaranteed to be free of health issues simply by virtue of being a cross.

tabulahrasa · 27/04/2015 07:37

The point is that for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia it's tests like hip scoring that matter - not whether it's a pedigree or a cross.

Original poster

AngryBeaver · 28/04/2015 01:05

I suppose this discussion could go round and round!
I think I'd go for a dog that I feel in love with. And if that is a Pugalier, then I would take the risk. But, it's probably a pointless discussion anyway, I haven't been able to find any here in nz.

OP posts:

KatharineClifton · 28/04/2015 16:59

Sounds like you need a collie - not sure if you have border collies there though. Super intelligent and easy to train. Emotionally intense though, but as you are there all the time then ideal. Will exercise as much as you want them too. Have two here, they are 1/4 flat coat though so not purebreeds. One is more FCR and the other more BC - both super little dogs. Flatcoats would probably be too big for you, and pretty rare here so more likely there. Amazing dogs too, but the cancer incidence is high in the breed, and after losing my last girl too early I'd not go for another one.

Steer clear of pugs - it's mind boggling that they have been bred to suffer but this is the case and the more people avoid then the the more likely the breeding to suffer ethos will change.

ScorpioMermaid · 02/05/2015 15:00

a staffy :)

we have one with our 8 children and shes wonderful. Our eldest us 13, youngest is nearly 2. shes so protective of the youngest 2 especially, I'm sure she thinks they're the same species as her

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