First time dog owner

[MeSoTooSo]

What breed would you advise for a first time dog owner?

I would really like an adult dog (I've been reading how challenging a puppy can be) - but would I be naive to consider a rescue dog?

Thank you!

[Fucksandflowers]

Resource guarding is a fear based behaviour and it can often be treated, but it can also be a genetic, inherited tendency that is managed rather than cured.

You may be able to find them on here if you search for them but I know I have definitely seen on here threads demonstrating the type of 'inherited severe resource guarding' I am referring to in golden retrievers.

Puppies of just 9 or 10 weeks biting viciously enough to draw blood, guarding ridiculous items like blades of grass.

Spaniels also are known for it, and as a pp mentioned, cockerpoos are rapidly getting a reputation as guarders, from the spaniel side.

Personally, I have never ever understood the 'leave alone when sleeping/eating etc' mantra.

I think it is dangerous.

I think it is extremely important the dog understands that it can be moved by you or have food or toys taken at any time without getting aggressive.

I don't agree with aversive resource guarding prevention training by removing bowls, I think that makes aggression more likely but I definitely think dogs must be taught that people around precious resources = good things.

Some people don't seem to mind dogs that growl a little when disturbed or over food and things but it would be a deal breaker for me.

[ToasterCrumbs]

(I assume you meant my comment about spaniels btw)

[ToasterCrumbs]

@Fucksandflowers I agree a puppy should be well trained and socialised, and in an ideal world no dog would have guarding issues.

Sadly not all dogs have a good start to life, and I can understand an adult rescue dog having anxieties around food and toys. I understand aggression can be anxiety based rather than a 'bad trait'?

My point I suppose is that an adult rescue dog with those particular issues (possessive over food/toys) wouldn't totally put me off adopting them, as during my childhood it was taught to us not to disturb our dog.

I'm unable to have children though; I imagine it would be an issue if I had kids, or if the dog was likely to be around children.

[Fucksandflowers]

A lot seem to have guarding issues, is that a spaniel thing generally?

Yes it is.
Severe resource guarding is a known problem in some lines of spaniel and retriever.
Not just toys and food either, guarding people, rooms, blades of grass, random rocks...

Surprised to hear your not put off.
Resource guarding can be a pretty serious and dangerous problem.

I utterly totally disagree about never taking toys etc.
They should be taught from puppyhood that people around or taking food, toys etc is a pleasant experience that results in more and better food and toys.

You should be able to take anything from a dog without fear of being injured.

[Fucksandflowers]

Based on your posts I would say a working bred border collie might suit?

They really relish a calm quiet house, they will take as much exercise as you give them.
They don't need hours and hours of mental stimulation and training, it can cause them to get overstimulated and troublesome in fact.

The most important thing (as with any high energy breed) is teaching them how to settle down and relax.

Mine is very calm and placid in the house.
She rarely gets up off the sofa though she will take as much exercise as you can give her.
Lovely, gentle dog.

Good with kids as well.
As a working bred she has ample herding instinct and is very stimulated by movement but has no desire whatsoever to 'follow through' and hurt small animals, cats etc, she just likes to try and stalk and chase.

Very eager to please, easy to train, no separation anxiety she is happy to mooch about by herself.

[Iltavilli]

I’d really recommend a random crossbreed rescue, and as others have mentioned a young to middle-ages adult (between 18 months and 4).
There will be fewer health issues than many pedigrees and you can judge the dog on its personality (well established by 18mths) rather than breed type. Most dogs in this bracket will have basic training and you can discuss your needs with the rescue.
Ours is a lab sighthound cross, we think. Basically looks and acts like a small Labrador: sociable, mid-sized, and as energetic or lazy as you like (DP is a runner, I’m a sofa-with-treats slob. Dog loves both)

[Lovemusic33]

I would recommend a staffie, they have amazing characters, they don’t need loads of exercise but are happy to walk far if you want them too, they can be a bit stubborn and tend to have selective hearing at times but will be your best friend. I’m looking at a staffie tomorrow that’s in foster.

Spaniels are great if trained but are high energy and like long walks. I do love springer spaniels but if I was going to get one it would be a puppy so I could train it from the start.

Loads of mix breeds make good pets.

[Greyhound22]

Whippets are sighthounds so will naturally have a higher prey drive than other breeds - I know plenty that have great recall and can be let off safely to play etc. Can't say they won't ever nab a squirrel 🤷‍♀️ if the opportunity allows but they're just so quick. I know one that lives with 11 cats so they can for the most part be small fluffy safe.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

With staffies it's usually related to people breeding them for extra £££ and then discovering that supply outstrips demand, and they often being sold off cheaply to people who turn out not to be able to keep the dog for life. That, combined with staffies not being the most popular dogs to adopt means they hang around in rescue centres longer than a pug might, making it look like there are even more disproportionate numbers of staffies entering rescue.

Like every breed, there are some individuals that wouldn't be suitable for you, but there are also some cracking staffies out there in rescue.

[MeSoTooSo]

Thanks for the replies! What's a whippet's prey drive like? I assume as a sighthound it's high but I'll research more now.

I do love staffies, why are so many put up for adoption? Rescues seem full of staffies, huskies and collie crosses.

I believe in bad owners, not bad dogs, it's just some traits might be more difficult than others with some breeds?

@florentina1 she's gorgeous!

[Greyhound22]

Whippets are fabulous family pets. I'm a greyhound person (obvs) but recognise they're not for everyone. A whippet will generally do as much or as little as you like - they like to walk/play but are lazy too and like snuggling up.

[longtompot]

Whippets are lovely dogs. They only need a good run or two a day and spend the rest sleeping. You can get Italian Greyhounds which look like small whippets. I have a show cocker and love her, but she is challenging at times. Some friends have whippets and a lady I know from dog walks has an Italian greyhound who is the sweetest dog.

[stucknoue]

I was going to say consider a collie, super lazy dogs in my experience (mine couldn't care less if you open his month and remove his bone, totally unreactive)

[stucknoue]

So depends on you. A dog that's 3+ tends to be calmer but they can come with serious issues so it's hard to say that a rescue is always a good idea. Some breeds are better being left alone than others though, so your work pattern matters, some need more exercise but even the smallest dogs need an hour a day usually split into 2-3 walks, mine gets an hour - 90 mins weekdays and longer at weekends but loves his own company so leaving him is fine (he ignores me most the time at home)

[GRoe91]

Definitley have a chat to your local rescue centre(s) try Dogs Trust if you have one nearby. All dogs are assessed before they're made available for adoption and whilst they can't always know everything about a dog they do spend a lot of time with them and know their personalities, whether they're good around other dogs and any other needs they think they have. They're also always on the look out for foster carers for dogs that may not be coping with kennel life.

[MamamaMadness]

Each to their own. Never had any problems with either breed in my family.

[Purplecatshopaholic]

Defo consider a young adult rescue - mine is fab! A lot of work though as he took a lot of time to settle in - but he was a stray before and god knows what he had been through. Let us know how you get on.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Well bred Cavs are fine. Well bred pugs are fine
The disease burden in these two breeds is huge. Personally, I'm happier opting for a breed or cross where you have almost zero risk of mitral valve disease or syringomyelia (widespread in Cavaliers) or BOAS (common in pugs).

[MamamaMadness]

Well bred cavs are fine. Well bred pugs are fine - my BIL pugs do cani-x.

Wouldn't touch a designer doodle breed with a barge pole.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

With regards to PP - I wouldn't touch CKC spaniels due to the syringomelia prevalent in the breed, and a pug is never going to be able to keep up with someone who likes running

Re spaniels and guarding - not my specialist area but I've heard that cockapoos are increasingly having resource guarding issues and that it comes from the cocker side of the family. However, resource guarding issues around humans shouldn't be too difficult to manage and work on with no other pets and no DC, with some help from a behaviourist. You seem pretty sensible to me - like you, I'd be pissed off if someone kept taking my dinnerplate or phone away for no reason! Mine decided to start resource guarding sticks around other dogs As getting strange dogs to engage in a training programme for the benefit of my dog isn't going to happen, I've managed it by banning him from picking up sticks in the park, backed up by teaching a really strong 'leave it' command. The resource guarding is still there, but it's not a problem due to management if you see what I mean.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

If a dog had guarding issues, a reputable rescue/foster should certainly tell you.

If you go down the puppy route, check out any health issues to which the breed is prone (pugs for example can have a sorts of issues owing to their flat faces). And I'm not sure greyhound/lurcher types are really designed for canicross - the short sharp burst is more their style.

You also need to think how you're going to fit the dog's exercise needs into your daily routine. I get up at 6 on the days I work to get mine walked, and I'm out there at 6.20 even in the middle of winter.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

My ideal fantasy dog would be - no bigger than a spaniel, have great recall, happy to come along on walks every day and trot along off lead and be unreactive to other dogs/sheep/horses but happy to sleep lots when home. A loyal, laid back sort of personality!

Most of this sounds perfectly achievable, though I think the thing you'll struggle with most is the livestock as I don't know many rescues that specifically test around livestock. I'd avoid any breed with a significant prey drive if being good around livestock is a priority - as a terrier owner, there's not a chance I'd ever trust my dog around livestock! Is this a 'red line' or more of a nice to have sort of feature?

Recall can be taught fairly easily, but some rescue dogs won't have had the input beforehand. 6 weeks after first meeting DDog (c. 16 months old), I taught him recall from scratch in an afternoon and he has never got lost - he's always checking in with me and comes back when called (though weirdly his ears stop working when he's chasing a squirrel or rolling in something vile... You can't win them all!)

A staffy might fit the bill very nicely - and there are lots in rescue so there's a good range to choose from. Lovely dogs for the most part, despite what the tabloids like to suggest!

Have you come across the sport of canicross? It sounds like something you'd enjoy.

[florentina1]

This is her

[florentina1]

This is only general, from listening to other terrier owners, and I am happy to be corrected. They are generally bred for hunting and have a very strong prey drive. The rescue told me she could never be off lead as she would bolt. I do manage her off lead as we have a lot of open park land. She is extremely good for me but not anyone else, I have to put her on the lead if I see another dog as she goes nuts. She can be over protective and I have to be careful with her. My DH walks her but she will not come back to him so she stays on the lead with him. At home she is well behaved, very intelligent, but has a stubborn streak . From talking to others, she seems typical of the breed.

She is a PatterjackX

[MeSoTooSo]

@Morticiaismystyleicon my friend has a greyhound and he's lovely! Love it when he roaches, or leans against my leg. His smiles are so sweet, he's like a cross between a dog and a cat.

Sadly I'd have to rule out Greyhounds/lurchers types as recall is vital. They're just a little too big for me to handle, too.