really can't decide what kind of dog to get

[canislupis]

Having decided that now is the right time to get a dog, we are utterly bemused trying to work out what kind of dog to get and where from...

What we want in a dog - fairly active, we live in the country and DH runs, but with a good off switch so it isn't bouncing around the walls constantly like our friend's manic sprocker, medium to large in size, biddable, intelligent and friendly.

What we don't want - DH flatly refuses to have a dog that needs to wear clothes, so no greyhounds. (Do lurchers have to wear clothes in the winter too?) We would prefer a less barky dog, so no JRT etc (although I love their robust natures). We don't want something that sheds constantly, out of preference.

But what we are also struggling to decide is whether to choose a dog breed and get one from a breeder, or be much more open and try to rehome a puppy/young dog including mongrels. We are not sure about this path because we have young children and we worry about socialisation of the dog, unknown traumas etc. However, our last much loved dog was a mongrel who adopted us while we were living abroad, so I think we hanker after someone like him, but feel uncertain about going down the rescue route.

Advice on breeds, what to do etc appreciated!

Mini schnauzer. No shedding, likes a run, likes a walk, good with kids, cute, likes a snooze. Does bark a bit but not much. Bit naughty but aren't they all?

I should say, going running with a dog isn’t great for the dog at all. Dogs need to be out smelling things, scent marking, meeting and playing with other dogs. Runners tend to either not be watching their dogs properly if the dog is off lead, or the dog is forced to run alongside, as though on a treadmill. I particularly hate cyclists who do with this dogs. Dogs need mental exercise as much as actual running, and are not built to run non-stop to no purpose. It isn’t the same as chasing balls, or playing, or working sheep. Lurchers and other sight hounds are built for very brief bursts of speed, not long runs at all.
As to the rest, I think a crossbreed would suit you, something with a bit of terrier but not enough to have all the terrier issues. Although I know several labradoodles that fit your brief, and cockerpoos. They are trendy but genuinely nice crosses.

A good rescue will work with you to find what works for you.
We have a staffy/lab x we rescued as a pup. He’d meet most of your requirements

Staffie? Short haired,love exercise but sleep loads too,no clothes needed

I would also suggest a pointer. We had one when I was younger. He was very obedient, was very active outside but quiet in the house, never barked. We did have a coat for him when it was very cold but it was rare and only allowed us to put it on as he got older.
I now have a sprocker. He was pretty wild when younger, but again very obedient, he runs with me and is off lead most of the time when he is out a walk/run. He also has a coat for when it's very cold. Hard to tell which spaniels will be wired to the moon though.

Border collie.
A lot of the working line ones are short coated.
They aren’t as crackers as people would have you believe although that said the few flyball/agility line ones I’ve met have been very neurotic and flighty so i would avoid those and go for a nice steady farm bred worker.

You are describing a German Shepherd to the T! Active with an off-switch when exercised properly. Intelligent, loving and no silly coats:) medium to large sized and not barky unless needs to warn or protect. A fair bit of shedding though... but hey, noone's that perfect

I have an oversized toy poodle, absolutely no shedding whatsoever!! Very very loving, will become your shadow. Can walk for as long as you want him too. Extremely bright and eager to please

I have a rough collie. They meet all your requirements except for the long coat. You can get smooth collies with short coats.

She was the calmest puppy in the puppy class we went to, she's one now and just plods around the house. I'm training her to run with me, she's doing really well. She's very intelligent, she learns commands very easily, she knows her left and right better than I do.

She doesn't shed that much, much less than a golden retriever, but her coat requires a lot of brushing. I think short coated breeds shed more than long coated, because the hairs sort of get caught in long coats and need to be brushed out rather than just falling out.

Is have a Black female Labrador. We have one... she is amazing. Will walk forever but is so chilled out if she doesn't get a walk too.

She is amazing with our children and other dogs too.

I have a mini poodle. He’s a great size. No shedding. Really clever so easy to train (still managed to walk into a closed patio door though ) He’s amazing with my kids, happy to wander round with us at home/snooze. Also loves a good walk.
There are breed specific rescues if you want a rescue.
This is him after a muddy walk

Vizsla?

Saw you like dogs that are less hairy. The great thing about poodles is that you can have them cut any way you want. Mine is in need of a cut in this photo. He’s usually less hairy. You can just get a short cut all over.

Staffie? Short haired,love exercise but sleep loads too,no clothes needed

Depends on the staffie, my friends have one and it is NOT a runner.

A staffie sounds ideal for you

My lurcher is low shedding, sleeps a lot and sweet natured.

They are food thieves though and can be bony to cuddle with lol.

I think your list is long but vague enough you have quite a choice of breeds, and it’s going to be more about the individual dogs traits than breed traits.

I have a yorkie that fits much of your criteria. It is really good to run with, it’s not keen on going off and sniffing like pp says, it sees walks/runs as something to be done and get home again (much like me!). His “hunting” is done in the house and garden.

Non shedding etc.

Also agree with pp about gsd’s and possibly staffies. Poodles and other terriers too.

I’d start scouring rescues and see what you come up with.

Don’t get any sort of poodle cross from a “breeder”. Practically guaranteed to be a puppy farm or byb, even if it does appear a really nice family who just want puppies from their nice family dog...

When I was researching I went on a website- I think it was the Kennel Club- which had an online quiz based on your preferences which was really helpful.
We now have a border terrier- very game outside, cuddle pup inside!

@Sexnotgender fair enough

German pointer/ Vizsla/ Weimaraner might suit. Short coated, generally all-weather, good turn of speed, bags of energy. They are bright though and can have a lot of prey drive, so need mental stimulation and solid training.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone! I'm not sure it's narrowed down our search very much though :D

Just to confirm, is a GSD a German Shepherd Dog?

DH doesn't particularly want to run with the dog, actually I think I mentioned that because in my head I was thinking that if I hadn't managed to get out with the dog enough during the day he would be able to take it for a walk as he already has an evening exercise slot.

I'm still struggling about whether to buy a puppy or to seek a rescue dog. I know you can get puppies from rescue, but then I read so much about how important the socialisation of young puppies is and that makes me worry about e.g. getting a pointer puppy from Cyprus at earliest 15 weeks old - thoughts...?

@canislupis my friend has had 2 English pointers who have grown up with her children. They're incredibly gentle with them, she doesn't seem to shed much and she loves walks/running if that helps!

GSD- german Shepherd. There’s a reason they are one of the most popular breeds in the world

I wouldn’t import a puppy personally and I don’t agree with importing dogs either.

There are a lot of collie/lurcher/working dog cross puppies in UK rescue.

French bulldog 👍🏻

Airedale Terrier! We have an Airedale puppy he’s 9 months old now and is a fantastic dig. He’s really gentle natured, although quite big and clumsy, he very rarely barks and loves all other dogs (a bit too much sometimes as he won’t come back when there’s other dogs to play with). He loves having a good run around when he’s out for a walk but will happily spend most of the day asleep. He does have a mad hour or so in the evening but other than that he’s very chilled out.