Help me choose a breed

[T00much]

Have been thinking of getting a dog for a couple of years and now seriously considering it so want to do more research on what breed is right for us.

1. size - small to medium (our house isn't massive)
   
2. exercise - we have a small garden but live round the corner to a big park. We would enjoy taking dog for walks so don't want anything that wouldn't cope with a longish walk (3-5 miles at weekends)
   
3. We have kids so needs to be good with children (8&12)
   
4. shedding - as little shedding as possible
   
5. grooming - nothing that needs to be brushed every day
   
6. no droolers
   
7. temperament - friendly, playful but not too crazy and bouncy. One that can be trained to sit/fetch ball
   
8. Appearance - quite like a natural/scruffy looking dog. I like miniature shnauzers but have read that they can be barky and dislike strangers and a bit moody, unpredictable temperament and prone to blindness.
   Also like wirehaired datchunds but they are prone to back problems I believe.
   
   
   Any ideas? I know a lovely cockapoo who ticks all the boxes but I'm worried about dodgy puppy farms

[Cockmagic]

We have a staffy cross lab.

Lovely with my shy, autistic daughter.

[ificouldwritealettertome]

Thank you spider! She did quote "designer breeds" though which was from my post so perhaps it was to both of us?

[lastnamefirstfirstnamelast]

Jeeeese i only put it on there as people were talking about Cockapoo's

[User467]

I'm not sure I see the point of that article? Intelligent high energy dogs cause damage to owners houses......hardly unique to poodle crosses.

Also not sure why the thread has turned into another Mumsnet doodle bashing

[lastnamefirstfirstnamelast]

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5636131/Cockapoo-carnage-Britains-fallen-adorable-crossbreed.html#comments

Saw this on the DM before (yes Sorry, I know its the DM)

[keely79]

Please consider a rescue mongrel - you aren't supporting puppy farmers or unhealthy breeding selection to promote so called "ideal" breed characteristics. We got our lovely lad from a local rescue when he was only 11 months old. The charity rescued dogs from Serbia and then fostered dogs in UK first so that they could be seen in a home environment and he has been great with our 8 and 6 year old. We found the charity on //www.dogsblog.co.uk and then contacted them to see whether they had any suitable dogs.

[Cowsopinion]

We also have a poodle cross. Not had any issues whatsoever. The only thing she has is that she's a bit wary of cats. She won't chase them she will just stare as if to say what is that

I'm on quite a large group for the particular cross I've got and there aren't too many negative posts about behaviour.

Grooming is a PITA though. If I miss a brush or two she will get knotty.

Behaviour issues aren't exclusive to crosses.

I don't care for the words mongrel, designer breed, pedigree.. to me a dog is a dog. I pay little attention to it's "status"

[SpiderCid]

ificouldwritealettertome I think bridgetjones1 grooming comment was aimed at angryburd "I'm a dog groomer and the word "cockerpoo" makes my blood run cold."

Just to speak from my own experiences I own a poodle cross, She does take a lot of grooming. I own 4 different types of brushes, as well a scissors and a mat splitter. The wet winter has been awful as shes like cotton wool and will soak up any water she walks through. But as far as behaviour problems I cant really say Ive experienced any. She can be a bit nervous around new people but thats more my own fault for not introducing her to more people when she was younger. Shes not aggressive to anyone just likes to keep her distance till she knows you, although shes more likely to talk to a person if theyve got a dog with them.

[Ickyockycocky]

Just to add, it’s puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders that need stamping out. They are at the root of the problem with our dogs and this also applies to KC recognised breeds. There are many problems with recognised breeds, who over the years, have been bred to have specific traits. This has come from inbreeding and has resulted in some awful afflictions for dogs.

Anyone planning to get a puppy needs to be very clued up about where to get their dog.

[Ickyockycocky]

In my experience, which is just as valid as anyone else’s, doodles are not riddled with behavioural problems. I accept that like others, what I am saying is purely anecdotal.

Unless someone can supply hard evidence, backed up with references etc., I shall continue to believe what I have seen myself rather than taking notice of random posters on here.

I’m just a dog owner, others claim to be dog experts but we cannot be sure they are. Anyone can say anything on the Internet, as we know.

[CocoaGin]

I've got a 5 yr old cocker spaniel and he's the perfect dog to me. I absolutely adore him, he's my best friend. He's a great size, low maintenance with his coat (i trim it a few times a year with ease) and he's not barky at all. He adores the grandkids and has been around them since birth without issue. He's hugely loyal and affectionate. The downside is that he's insanely mad out of the house..... runs like a lunatic, has selective hearing, was born to chase birds, loves ponds and stagnant water, gets grass seeds in his ears/feet throughout summer costing a fortune at the vets and he's permanently covered in thorns from darting through hedges. Every walk involves a bath after at the moment .
He's our 3rd family dog, we had a Tibetan Terrier we rescued who was amazing and a breed I'd thoroughly recommend IF you are prepared to put the hours in with training.... they can be quite stubborn. Our 2nd dog was a labrador and she was a dream. Never had to be put on a lead, she just walked with us. Never got wet or dirty, hated water. And was very very easy to train as she was totally food motivated. She was a rescue too, but sadly came from a puppy farm and had chronic arthritis from 8 onwards. If you do consider a labrador, you have to pay good money from a reliable breeder (same for all puppies really).
But having a dog is the best thing in the world. Great for kids to grow up with them, teaching them to care and respect animals and great for making you get outside on days when you wouldn't!! And there is always someone at home waiting for you with a waggy tail.

[Justwaitingforaline]

We have a cockapoo! She’s very loving, cuddly, no behavioural issues at all and wonderful with my three year old!

[Thisisanewbeginning]

goo.gl/images/mE1jRw
Link to Lakeland terriers

[Thisisanewbeginning]

Lakeland terrier lovely dogs. Mid size, scruffy, brilliant family pets.

[ificouldwritealettertome]

bridgetjones1 in response to your message to angry - behaviourists train from puppies as well- so likely see dogs with no behaviour issues. So your doctor analogy doesn't make sense.

Also- you didn't respond to my post- I'm not a dog groomer! Read what people have said before launching into a long winded post that makes no sense! I had to read it twice and then realised you hadn't paid attention

[BiteyShark]

All breeds and therefore cross breeds have good and bad points. It really depends as an owner on whether the bad points are an issue or not. For example cockers typically hunt with their noses so this tends to be a negative as once they get a scent they are off. However, for some people that isn't an actual issue whilst for others it would be.

I can't understand how any trainer or behaviourist could say dogs of a certain breed 'all' have behavioural problems. Whilst breeds have traits which you have to work with they are as individual as we are and some of those 'negative' traits are actually positive if you understand and use them to your benefit.

[angryburd]

"Luckily with a Labradoodle there isn't a worst"

No, THIS is the most ridiculous statement on this thread.

I have met some lovely Labradoodles. I have also met some psychopaths.

[ICantCopeAnymore]

Nope, trainer too, so see all types of dog, both with and without issues.

[Wolfiefan]

There isn't a worst of a lab or a poodle? There's a worst of any breed.
It is a designer cross breed. Because it's popular. Bred by puppy farmers. A mongrel is a dog of unknown mix.

[123fushia]

We got our gorgeous working cocker spaniel 4 years ago from a family home. Met mum and dad. He has a walk twice a day, is loyal, loveable and very easy to care for. He is gentle, friendly, tolerant with children and strangers....has been no trouble to train, walks easily off lead and is a joy to have as part of our family. Perfect dog for us - highly recommended!

[Ickyockycocky]

Luckily with a Labradoodle there isn’t a worst. We saw our puppy with her mother and the rest of the puppies and everyone should do this, no matter which type of dog they want. A cross breed isn’t a designer breed it’s a mongrel.

[Wolfiefan]

I think too many people take on cross breeds hoping they will get the best of both. Sometimes you get the worst of both.
It's a huge unknown. I have recently met two collie x Rottweilers. Totally different dogs. Lovely but very different.
And designer cross breeds? From puppy farms. Not the best start.

[Ickyockycocky]

Well said Bridgetjones1 😭

[bridgetjones1]

But surlely as a behaviourist, the very definition of your job means that whatever breed of dog you see they will have some issue that needs to be addressed? Unless your client base is 100% doodles then you are massively biased against a cross breed. It’s like a doctor assuming that everyone in the world is ill as they only ever see poorly people 😂

[Ickyockycocky]

I stand by what I've said. I have a labradoodle and naturally I end up chatting to many other doodle owners. I've never met a doodle with behavioural issues.

The dogs with behaviour issues I meet are mostly collies, West Highland Terriers, Jack Russells, Yorkshire Terriers, oh and Cocker Spaniels.