Total beginner in dog ownership: advice please

[stilllovingmysleep]

Hi all

DH and I are starting to research about getting a dog. We have a DS aged 7. We want to do proper research before starting the actual process of looking for a dog. So far I've asked a few people who seem to have all sorts of different views so I'm confused! By the way, I've never owned a dog but DH always had dogs while growing up.

Both DH and I work but I am about to finish (in 3 months) a demanding job and will move to a more flexible job where I aim to be working long hours 3 days a week & the rest more flexibly. DH has lots of flexibility too.

Instead of asking specific questions, can I just throw this at you so that you can advise me about what to consider as first issues?

Don't get a cavalier, they have so many health problems - I know people who have had several, all have had heart problems, joint problems, skin, ear and eye problems. You'll never be away from the vet and they may only live a few years. The younger I knew to die was only 2, they mostly lived to 6-8, only one lived to 10. They are usually lovely dogs, but unfortunately they are not usually healthy dogs

As for trendy mixed breeds expensive mongrels you don't know what part of the 'cocka' and which part of the 'poo' you're going to get

I agree with a PP who says its a lot to do with the kind of puppy you end up with. We've had our French bulldog puppy for nearly 7 weeks now and he's the best thing ever. We researched a lot on breeds and settled on this one because they are small and don't require hours of walking. Yes they are expensive to buy and insure but we got ours from a great breeder with good bloodlines so fingers crossed we don't have any major health issues.
It is seriously hard work the first few weeks with a puppy but also very rewarding when they pick things up. He's now nearly 4 months and is trained to ring a bell on the back door when he needs to go out, this works 98% of the time so we still have the odd accident where he just gets too overexcited and forgets not to pee in the house! He sleeps in his crate at night no problem (with door open in kitchen) and spends pretty much his whole day asleep, only really wakes up to play with some toys and eat his food! We've only left him for 3 hours so far and he was fine, long walk before to ensure he'd done his business and was tired. We have a puppy cam in the kitchen where he stays when we are out so I can keep an eye on him and he just sleeps the whole time. Chewing wise I think we've been lucky so far, the only thing of ours he's chewed is a slipper but I did give it to him (rookie mistake!) don't get me wrong he does try to chew other stuff but as long as we keep him in sight we can direct him to a toy instead. We are on week 3 now of puppy classes and he's doing great, it's amazing how quickly they learn things and we feel more confident too. We had tried reading books but the techniques we've been taught at class are much more effective. We did spend about £100 initially kitting him out with beds, toys etc but now it's just a nominal amount each month for food and new toys. We buy his food in huge bags and as he's a small dog he doesn't eat loads so it lasts. I am lucky enough to work at home most of the time and if I have to go out its only for a few hours, on the rare occasion I have to be in the office all day (6 hours max anyway) we will arrange for either DH to work at home or get a dog walker in halfway through for a walk and play. I do realise we are lucky we can be flexible.
Don't get me wrong as PPs have said it is hard work so you need to be committed and have patience as they are just babies at the end of the day but it is very rewarding when they do start to learn and behave in the way you want them to!
We also considered a cockapoo but I've met a few now and they've all been a bit mad for me but it's personal preference, everyone prefers different breeds
Good luck OP! Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Yolandi I would be scared of a staffie I think: remember I would be a first time dog owner!

Costacoffee: thanks for the info about the cavalier. As for the 'trendiness' of cockapoos or the 'cocka' or 'poo' parts I really have no idea what you mean! I have no clue about which types are 'trendy' I've just heard friends having cockapoos and being happy with them as a family dog.

Question: I just checked online at battersea shelter and a couple others and it seems (at least online) massively hard to get a dog plus they don't seem to have a big selection. If someone wants a particular type but not a puppy where's the place to go?

Hope I haven't been too gloom! They are a lot of work but so worth it

With rescues you would have to keep looking and visiting a lot until you find the right pooch as the cute ones come and go quickly. If you had decided on a specific breed you can look for ex show dogs or rescue centres that rehome that breed. It can take a while to find the right dog.

Personally I couldn't cope with a lab. I love them and their energy but they are too much for me. Have a look at what dogs you find cute and then research in to their temperament, any health problems that come with them. You'll soon have yourself a shortlist of breeds you like.

A cockapoo is not a breed, it's a mixture of cocker and poodle, labradoodle - Labrador and poodle, cavachon - cavalier and bichon

Why on earth would you be scared of a staffy

If you decide on a particular breed then contact the breed rescue, if you don't have a breed in mind, look for local rescue centres or ask a local vet to advise

I have a 7.5 month old show cocker, and to be quite honest he is clever enough that I would be rather scared of having a cockerpoo! (Poodles are v.clever generally as a breed).

On the other hand he is totally a Velcro (clingy) dog and I think most cockers and their derivatives are. He hates being left in the house on his own at all, so he comes everywhere with me - luckily he doesn't mind waiting in the car! - and isn't too destructive if you don't count his love of my bras which get removed from laundry baskets and taken to his bed to be sucked

We are on a list for a cavalier in the autumn - they are bred to be "lapdogs" but this means that they too love their humans and get distressed if they don't see much of you.,

I had Labradors growing up and as the first dogs for our family - I got them when I was 3 months pg with my first DC. They are wonderfully natured but are still puppy like until they are 2 or 3. And a 30kg 'puppy' having a mad half hour is something to behold.

No one has mentioned health testing yet as far as I can see, and for the breeds I love (spaniels, labs, gr) it is absolutely paramount.

Labs and Golden Retrievers are susceptible to hip dysplasia - a genetic hip problem which can, in the worst cases, render them unable to walk. The parents should be 'hip scored' and preferably under 10 in total (you'll see the scores like 5,3 for example.) you also want the scores to be roughly the same each side so 9,2 isn't as good.

They can also get elbow dysplasia, again should be tested for, but can also be as a result of excessive exercising when they are young.

Cockers Spaniels should be FN and PRA-prcd genetic tested. Cavaliers should be tested for Syringomyelia , eyes should be cataract tested and MRD tested and they can have heart problems too - MVD testing is important.

Now I have written an essay - sorry! Having dogs in my life makes me ridiculously happy but I do put them above myself in the pecking order of needs (ie if I need a wee and they do too - I let them out first). My v.elderly lab is quite capable of deciding that she needs a wee at 4am and I always get up if she needs me.

Wouldn't swap them though!

Why on earth would you be scared of a Staffie? They are great first time dogs. Very biddable and easy to train, low maintenance, wonderful with children, don't moult too much and at the lower end of the scale for energy and needing long/frequent walks

What about a beagle or a golden retriever?

I don't have any experience of beagles. Golden Retrievers can be lovely, but need grooming and shed a lot. They can be very slow to mature, and stay very puppyish well into adulthood - this has its pros and cons. We had one about 20 years ago, we nicknamed him helium dog, they're also quite big and strong

What about a whippet?

Sparechange I appreciate what you say about staffies. There are actually many dogs I'd be scared of. Sadly I grew up with parents who were super negative towards animals. Also this was in a country with many stray dogs everywhere who would go around in packs and were quite dangerous - aggressive. My DH had a bulldog growing up and is comfortable with all dogs but I'm not (for now). One of the reasons for getting a dog would be for me to gradually become more comfortable with all dogs but I think for my first dog it would have to be one I'm not scared of. (Sounds embarrassing but gives you a truthful picture).

Not a Beagle for a first time dog (or ever, unless you love baying and may have a lot of work to do on recall)

Any puppy will need more than one month of training before they can be left for any period of time unless you don't mind you house being weed and pooed in and having a stressed unsocialised puppy.

There is a reason you will find it hard to get a rescue dog and that is because of your work hours

What does grooming involve Costa? When you say golden retrievers remain puppy like do you mean very energetic? Does it make a difference if male / female --neutered or not?

Also may be relevant to say: my DS is a 7 year old very active and quite strong will boy so a good natured and playful dog would be ideal for him (rather than a nervous dog).

Mine is half beagle but has a lot of beagle in him, he's lovely. Very stubborn but also clever, he likes to be mentally stimulated. I have a real soft spot for beagles

They do bark a lot though and as cheerful says their recall is hard work. If you don't mind putting the time in to training then it shouldn't be too bad.

Cheerfulmary do you mean beagles are super emergetic?

Surely people who work have dogs if they're prepared to make good arrangements for when they're not around! Do only people who don't work or work from home get rescue dogs then?!

Either making time to brush regularly (very regularly) yourself or taking the dog to be groomed. The retriever coat can be very thick and get matted under the top coat, especially around the back legs - some dogs love it, but others protest and it can b hard work. Ours used to love getting brushed and even when we'd done him and were on to the next dog he'd keep pushing in to get his turn again. We had another small wire haired podengo cross recently, who absolutely hated being groomed, we had to muzzle her and just cut all her skirts with scissors as she point blank refused to be brushed, it was a complete nightmare

I'm afraid your reasons for not considering a staffy are precisely why there are so many of these lovely dogs pining away in kennels - it's so sad

I live in a country with lots of strays, my last five dogs were literally picked up off the streets as pups or adults

Staying puppy like means yes, playful and energetic, but also naughty and stubborn and tricky

Costa: sounds like my DS then who at 7 is puppy like

Costa do you then think I should get a dog I'm scared of and not comfortable with because of the wider (very sad) problem of staffies pining away in kennels? Which I didn't know and is distressing to think about.... But I don't want to be a hero, just a dog owner.

But will he still be like it at 25?

You mean my son? Who knows!!!

I think you should realise that there's no logical, rational reason to be scared of them.

They are one of the softest, most affectionate breeds who love people and cuddles, and it's very sad that so many people reject them out of hand, knowing absolutely nothing about them

Fear is not rational though Costa.

I do agree with costa but on the other hand I think it's a very sensible decision to get a dog you feel confident with. Your first dog is a big deal.