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!

[pingster]

Dog not dig!

[florentina1]

My terrier loves to run. She is lively and likes to play, but never mithers .

[namechangedforanon]

Mini schnauzer 💗😍

[CMOTDibbler]

My new foster pup is 11 weeks old and a collie/greyhound/saluki mix. Absolutely cracking puppy who was handed in through no fault of her own at all, and is bright as a button. So they are def out there

[nevernotstruggling]

You want a pointer or a lab. There's a reason labs are so popular. Please don't buy a poodle cross whatever. Buy a hardy breed suited to the uk so a gun dog essentially.

Ps I was very anti coat until the mud was everywhere then I bought mine an equafleece

[snackarella]

We have a Hungarian vizsla which fits the criteria. Lovely dogs

[WaitrosePigeon]

Don’t get a Yorkshire Terrier. Mine is barky, hates children. Hates everyone really. Not affectionate or cuddly.

Only positive is he doesn’t shed.

[bluebluezoo]

Don’t get a Yorkshire Terrier. Mine is barky, hates children. Hates everyone really. Not affectionate or cuddly

Mines the exact opposite :). Loves being carried, loves children, known as the “stealth dog” as he makes no sound. Had to teach him to bark at the door. Loves cats too.

Depends on the dog.

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

Lab all day long 😍

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

Another pointer fan here. Very loving dogs, goofy yet intelligent and great with children - will fit in with your active lifestyle. We don’t run with ours, just lovely long walks.

[Grandadwasthatyou]

Labradors and retrievers although the shedding wouldn't suit you.
Would think the Hungarian Visla would fit the bill as others have suggested.

[wheelwarrior]

Not a lab as they like couple of good walknowledge. We often do 15/20 miles over the day .plus does obedience classes to work his brain as well. .Should add before someone adesign why Did I get a lab then.I was aware and he suits my current lifestyle (next one be a lurcher

Saw you said if not been able to get out in day then DH of evening

How often is it that maybe the case ?..I would lean towards Lurches my mum had 2 .One that needed coato in winter when walked the other did not

They was happy long walk or quick 20 mins then slept rest

[LKRJM]

I think if you have the patience you could find a rescue dog to suit, young dogs from rescues would be fine with your children, as would most older dogs but I can always understand that with children some people are not 100% comfortable with this - as is to be expected!

From your breed criteria my honest opinions would be Doberman, pointer, Rottweiler or boxer.

Rottweiler - sheds more and large

Boxer - drools and again most are large

Pointers and Doberman’s are not massive shedders, love exercise and zonk our afterwards, not too large, I’ve had Doberman’s that are smaller than labradors, females particularly don’t grow large and you can normally tell from a puppy the size as they will vary in size in the litter.

They both have generally good health as they’re not popular so not ‘overbred’ which I’d worry about with some of the breeds mentioned, nothing against some of those breeds but I feel that they would have to be further investigated health test wise before I considered adopting/buying one.

Most of all Doberman’s are considered one of the best family dogs around, I’ve owned two and will again when I have the space for one. They are loyal, friendly, obedient and trainable. I also find they settle in at the bottom of the pack very easily but that is my personal experience with them.

Pointers I have never owned so only know from research and friends owning them that theirs are chilled and good with their kids, my friends also have a Labrador with theirs and say it’s as lazy as their lab but less greedy!

Good luck on your search!

[BettysMom]

We have a German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) - ask me anything! She's very easy to train but will only do something if she wants to, quite stubborn with very selective hearing! Massive prey drive but fairly easy to train out of this. Very very loving (never had a dog like it!), totally goofy, bonkers, very funny & vocal (groans like a human) and will run forever. I'd say she'd be a challenging first dog unless she is properly trained, and not just puppy classes - proper adult obedience classes and preferably HPR training (hunt, point, retrieve) to manage the prey drive!