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Lab, whippet or daschund?

50 replies

800msprint · 06/01/2018 08:22

I love them all!! I'm thinking either whippet or sausage dog as they need slightly less exercise and not as smelly/shedding hair!
However we are a v active family and run a lot so maybe lab would be better?! How far can labs run for?
We live in 4 bed (though not huge) with big garden. We have an estate car. I work at home now/with kids 2x days so around in the day.
Two young children but got over the very intense stage.
Anything else to consider?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 06/01/2018 09:34

A smaller lurcher would suit you perfectly. Mine love to run with me (I do max 14km on lead because I get fed up of lead management at that point, on trails they will run for hours and hours - we even go mountain biking with then), are low shedding, will take as little or much exercise on a given day as you like, and aren't ones to be bothering you when you are working at home.
Loads in rescue alas, including puppies. There are a lot that come in at 4-6 months which takes out the really hard work stage

Wallywobbles · 06/01/2018 09:53

None of them. All have genetic issues which are likely to make them poor running partners and expensive vet dogs. Something like a Dalmatian is a carriage dog so bred to run long distances.

BertrandRussell · 06/01/2018 09:55

I thought Dalmatians were so inbred now that they all have heath problems? But yes, as I said, a lurched for hybrid vigor.

Wolfiefan · 06/01/2018 10:01

Definitely not a dachshund for a first family dog to run with.
Lurcher or working lab. But working labs have higher energy overall.
Be aware you can't run with a puppy. And you would need to build up very slowly as an adult dog. Not all walks should be runs either. Lots of wandering and sniffing.

ColonelJackONeil · 06/01/2018 10:09

Yes to not overexercising puppies, also if you do rescue a dog they may take a while to get used to walks depending on their history. Mine was nervous on walks for a while.

weekfour · 06/01/2018 12:27

We have a rescue mutt who has a bit of whippet/grey hound and maybe staffy. We ended up with her because she looked so sad at the dogs Home.

She’s AT LEAST 16 years old now and still gets excited about our 5k jogs but spends the rest of her days fast asleep. It’s a dogs life.

wheelwarrior · 06/01/2018 12:34

I have show style lab

Postives

Easy to train
Has off switch at 3 he is easy going rounf the house
Gentle and snuggly
Great recall

Downside

The hair it is everywhere especially as he has a thick double coat
Dirt magnet

Something to consider is mine is not a sprinter or run fast but can go for hours .We average around 15/20 miles a day most days
Plus do obediance training as well

Also they are strong .So need teach to walk on lead from young age (see a lot that people struggle to hold )

Walking wise they do not care on weather they want out for a walk eveb when chucking it down and howling a gail

wheelwarrior · 06/01/2018 12:35

Gale even

Figrollsnotfatrolls · 06/01/2018 12:37

May I suggest 1/2 of these??
(Lurchers not sloths honestly!!)

Aurea · 06/01/2018 12:55

This is my labradoodle. Perfect for me. Smile

Lab, whippet or daschund?
Queenofthedrivensnow · 06/01/2018 13:15

Wading in to say about the backissues with sausage dogs. This has put me off them as my spanner is so bomb proof and hardy.

I would have a whippet in a heartbeat

hometownunicorn · 06/01/2018 14:16

I have a standard dachshund and I'm not sure you could run with him. He's way too interested in smells and would need a lot of training to run smoothly, although off lead he stays with us and doesn't disappear so would be fine on an off road run. He's also the perfect height to trip you up if he darts in front, which he likes to do especially on lead.

I actually I wanted a lab but don't have the space or time for one. I had labs as a child and would absolutely have one again if it worked with my lifestyle. My standard dachshund is a good compromise because he's fine on 2 walks a day (around 1-1.5 hours in total) but can do lots more if we want to. He also responds well to training, and although he can be stubborn, and is very barky, he's a lot of fun. Not much of a cuddler though, and affection is all on his terms. The back problems are worth looking into, as you need to be careful about keeping them slim and avoiding stairs/jumping. As with any popular breed there are plenty of dodgy breeders out there so be careful if you do go for a dachshund. On balance though I think a lab might fit better for you, especially as they're so good with kids.

rightsaidfrederickII · 06/01/2018 15:05

Given the vastly different breeds you've mentioned, why not go and speak to a few local rescue organisations, say what you're looking for in a dog (e.g. good with kids, likes running) and see what they have? They might have a dog that's perfect for you, but of a breed / cross you hadn't considered.

FWIW PestDog came into my life quite by accident. He is a cross of two breeds I would never have considered for myself, but he's a great dog and I wouldn't change him for the world

Greenkit · 06/01/2018 16:39

I have three whippets and they do not need lots of exercise, they will fit in with whatever you do. Running or walking for miles if you like, or snoozing with a short walk, as they do most of their zooming in one spot.

They can jump on counters so leaving food out is a no no, they are opportunists. All three of mine have completing different personalities.

VivaLeBeaver · 06/01/2018 16:44

Some sort of wire haired terrier?
Portuguese podengo? I used to have one and they’re my all time favourite dog. Non shedding, fairly lazy but still happy to go for an all day hill hike.

Frouby · 06/01/2018 16:54

I would go whippet. They are lovely dogs. Lively and fun but equally happy snoozing. No inherent health problems either.

There are 2 types though which is true of many dogs. The show type and the working type. Mine is a show type and very dainty and petite. She is a bitch though and the dogs are a bit bigger.

Her recall is fantastic and she is very food orientated so easy to train. She is pretty sharp too and quick to learn.

She is an opportunistic thief though. And sneaky about it too. She is good with my dcs but not keen on other dcs and will remove herself pdq if we have small people visiting. She is good with other dogs as long as they respect her space but doesn't like black labs after being mugged and turned over by one a few years ago.

She did injure her carpal pad 2 years ago which then needed removing and I tend to avoid wooded areas until she has zoomed some energy off as they do have thin skins which can tear easily.

M0nstermunch · 06/01/2018 17:14

Definitely whippet, they are the most amazing dogs. We honestly couldn't get a better dog then our whippet girl.

800msprint · 06/01/2018 18:30

Oh amazing thank you all. Will reply more v soon. Just off out now x

OP posts:
Flamingoingmad · 06/01/2018 18:49

Another vote for Whippet.

Our girl is from working lines and is a little more sturdy and hardy than a show whippet.

I run with her (5k) and we do longer walks of around 10/12k though most days she gets 40 mins. She is not that nervy, but certainly a counter surfer & recall is a little hit and miss. She doesn't shed, is very clean & was easy to house train. Her paws smell of popcorn. We have been to training and she is bright and does a number of commands- we say she has taught us whippet rather than the other way round.

My sister had a Lab who was the kindest softest thing but she was smelly and shed, slobbery and they had a number of health problems with her.

Bumchin101 · 06/01/2018 19:22

We've had a long haired dachshund (she's 12 weeks old) for a week now. At first I really struggled ie toliet training and the jumping. But she's already getting better, she's so affectionate, loves having a cuddle and a fuss. She's good with my 4 year just keeps jumping up at his face but she is only a puppy and we are teaching her not too. They are known for their spinal problems but just get lifetime insurance which is costing us £36 a month but has a £7500 yearly limit on it as well as life time cover if she has any illnesses. So happy she is our first family pet even though she does drive me mad! Don't know what she's like yet with walks as she hasn't had her 2nd vaccinations yet.

Tatie3 · 06/01/2018 22:44

I think a whippet or greyhound would suit you, they'll walk for miles if you want them to but are equally happy with just 2 twenty minute walks per day. We've had our retired Greyhound for three weeks and he's just gorgeous, brilliant with the children and a great company for me.

bluetongue · 06/01/2018 22:48

The counter surfing in whippets seems pretty common. Mine will also nick remote controls if given a chance and destroy them.

Can’t advise on running with them as I’m not into running. Pretty sure my boy would be delighted with going for runs rather than walks. He often looks at me as if to say ‘why so slow human’ when I take him out Grin

Other whippet positives are that he’s fab with children, very cuddly, doesn’t bark in the house and doesn’t have any doggy smell. He is on the needy side though and has some issues with being left.

parklives · 06/01/2018 22:56

With that selection of dog, I would say you sound pretty open to any smooth-haired dogs.
I love a lab, but not the hoovering/smell that comes with them. I love the look of a dash, but I think they aren't great with kids, and the difficulty of finding a puppy/breeder who I could trust would put me off and the vet bills . I don't know much about whippets, they look beautiful, and there are a few near me, but I've never seen one off-lead.
I'm sorry, but you do sound like someone who should look at a rescue! Agree with other posts about running not being ideal for dogs, I am a crap runner, so am happy to stop for sniffs poos and generally pottering that dogs need. If you have a rescue you won't have to wait for a puppy to mature before you are allowed to run with them.

800msprint · 07/01/2018 21:17

Thanks again for all the feedback. I think we're erring towards greyhound/whippet/lurcher type - though heart still adores sausage dogs!

Running - we don't need the dog to be able to run with us, just more that we are a fairly active family so trying to take that into account when thinking about best dog for us. Quite happy to run solo and walk dog as well. We also do a lot of weekend trips into London and out to countryside so need to think about that too.
Choices, choices!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/01/2018 21:41

Could you make it to Discover Dogs at Crufts? Chance to see different breeds and talk to owners.

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