Looking for the right breed for us

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Hi all,

I’m after some advice from you lot. We’ve gone round in circles for several years ref: getting a dog and the time is now right for one (New year onwards) We’re going for a pedigree this time, with the thought that subsequent dogs will be rescues....we have older cats so want a puppy and it’s the first dog our kids have had so want to choose the ideal one for us on the first occasion. We have a few favourite breeds but some seem to have breed traits which aren’t right for us I wondered if you could have a look at the list below and see if you come to the same conclusion as us (ridgeback)

We dont want (relatively)
Drooly
Smelly
Waxy coat
High shedder
Long haired
Tightly wound
Dog who hates being left for a short amount of time.
Small/medium sized

We can cope with
Stubborn to train (as long as trainable)
Needs lots of exercise

Dog needs to cope with
Holidays in kennels
A few hours alone on some days a week

We do want
Big dog
Loyal, loving and very friendly with family.
Big bark that will make burglars think twice.
Friendly enough with strangers but not overly affectionate.
Not aggressive.
Ok with 2 adult cats.

Can offer
Big house
Big enclosed garden
Loving adults and older kids/teens

Thoughts?

Obviously, all of this is dependent on getting a well bred dog and on training/putting in the work with them. We would on both counts.

Sorry, meant to say that I work 3 days a week but only around the corner. Would either be able to pop back or would organise some day care for at least part of those days.

Pointer or standard poodle. We had a Pinter growing up she was a gentle giant and I pine over them now.

My greyhound was a bit nervy but the cats bossed her. If your cats are adults they won't take any nonsense from the dog in their home.

Friends have a very gentle ddb but she does drool a bit.

Standard poodles are gentle and very intelligent.

I'd go pointer or lab but they both shed slightly.

My spaniel hardly shed but he's small and stupid

I work with dogs and as far as larger breeds go I don't think you can go wrong with pointers. Lovely natured breed and don't shed much. Please be careful of over exercising young dogs though, rule of thumb is no more than 5 mins of walking per month of age, 2 or 3 times a day until fully grown, and limit high impact activities.
www.dailydogdiscoveries.com/puppy-growth-plates/

Many thanks Queen and scrabble; good, useful info. X

We had a ridgeback as a family dog growing up and he was fantastic - have never heard of them as being 'aloof' before! I use to ride him like a horse around the kitchen (I was 4). But of course, as with ANY breed, never leave young children unattended with a dog.

Get a Ridgey! They are so loyal, so loving, and such much fun. I cried buckets when he died (when I was 16) - he was more than a dog, he was part of our family.

Are you anywhere near London, OP? It's the Discover Dogs show this weekend which is where every breed registered to the KC is there and you get a chance to talk to experts. V helpful for your exact question!

Maggie, sadly not but I may be able to sort a trip down there on Sunday.

Green fingers; he sounds lovely! Thanks. Xxx

"It’s interesting that recommendation for Dobermans but not Ridgebacks? I would have put them in the same ‘not easy to train’ and slightly aloof group?"

Dobermans are hugely trainable and handler focused... so no, not independent like ridgebacks, they often seem to be very much one person dogs though (I've never owned one to be fair) and the ones I've known adored their handler - I'm using handler over owner because they were living in families and were literally completely uninterested in the other adult and children, they were ok for dinner time but other than that irrelevant to them.

Rotties as you mentioned looking into them, fit most of your list, really trainable, energetic, very family friendly as long as your DC don't mind being stood on and walked into, not very barky but when they do bark you'd know about it, very low maintenance coats... they don't do big moults or huge amounts of shedding and just a quick brush every few weeks is fine. Oh and they're not slobbery, though they're often very keen on licking.

You'll struggle to find any that are naturally aloof with strangers though, show strain (as opposed to working) are prone to being attention whores.

They really are quite active though, not like some large breeds where once they're walked they'll sleep the rest of the day, they like to be doing whatever you're doing all day.

Many thanks Tabula......I’d rather like a licky rottie! X