What has your dog added to your life?

[SunsetBoulevard3]

I have wanted a dog for years. Had a failed attempt to rehome a rescue dog a while ago which put us off.
A border collie has come up. Adult, failed farm dog who sounds ideal for us . I am fearful of making a mistake but also excited that maybe this is the right dog for us. We are meeting her in a few days.
Help me make the right decision!

[Tumbleweed101]

Our lurcher is fine with our cat. Not so sure how a rescue dog would be but raising a puppy with a cat means you’re unlikely to have a problem whatever the breed.

I’ve also got a cavalier King Charles spaniel. He’s bigger than his breed is meant to be and people often think he may have something mixed in but he is very active and a proper dog in a small body. He swims, runs, digs and very active but he’s small enough to snuggle with on the sofa too. Makes me laugh and make me exasperated in equal measure but he’s still young.

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

Sunset his mum was a standard size yorkie, dad was a JRT. He has never bothered our cat, she was pretty disgusted with him when we bought him home but just ignores him now 😁 He was also fine with my mums cat over Christmas.

For me it's been worth the first couple of months of having a puppy which is full on but means we've been able to socialise him really well.

[SunsetBoulevard3]

@Girliefriendlikespuppies
What a gorgeous puppy!! What mix is he? I’m only worried about our cat. I like terriers.

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

We got a terrier mix puppy last summer and he's added so much to our lives, the love I have for him is in line with close family members!! He gets me out every day walking, he is a faithful companion and loves us unconditionally.

Best decision I made in a long time was getting him.

Personally for a first dog I think a puppy is sensible, I went for the quietest pup in the litter and I met puppy and mum every week from 4 weeks. The mum dog was exactly the sort of dog we wanted.

I know you said you weren't keen on terriers but for me they are just the best breed, energetic but not neurotic, great with people and kids, loves company but happy to be left for a couple of hours, loves to play and easy to train. Our puppy is fine cats.

[ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal]

What about a flat coated retriever?

[Bobstergirl]

It is very American. It suggested that I get a Beauceron I am happy with that

[SunsetBoulevard3]

I just did that selector and all but one of the dogs selected I have never heard of in my life.

[IdiotInDisguise]

I got a Doberman (maybe ready after training a troublesome yorkie! )

[Ihavethefinalsleigh]

I did it and it suggested a collie! I’m much more of a Labrador person.

[Chihaha]

I've got a wee chihuahua, shes my first dog so dont know if shes typical of the breed but shes an absolute dream. Curls up on my lap to watch TV and isnt yappy at all.

[IdiotInDisguise]

Actually, I take that back, that breed selector was very comprehensive in the past but now only has three questions before it throws random breedS at you!

[IdiotInDisguise]

For a bit of guidance, breed selector (considers your wants, likes and lifestyle )

www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector/

[SexlessBoulderBelly]

A lot of chewed up zips and boots.

Also a hell of a lot of love.

[Ihavethefinalsleigh]

Labradors probably moult more than a Golden Retrievers. I speak from experience.

Every breed has its drawbacks. Generally the larger breeds are more laid back. Spaniels have a tendency to bark and can be hyper. Poodles can be neurotic.

[Bythebeach]

OMG what has my dog added to my life!
She is the best thing that has happened to our family - a magnet, point of focus, common interest for us all. A huge comfort for all 3 of my kids when sad or ill. An easy reason the teen will happily join the rest of the family - for a dog walk in the forest and a pub lunch - really noticeable when friends with teens struggle to get them out on family days out etc. And the one thing all three of them are happy to be responsible for remembering to feed/water/walk.
She’s a lab - she’s been slow to mature but just so happy - every morning she is just ecstatic it’s a new day and all her favourite people are here and her joy is infectious. And we’ve made lovely dog-walking friends - way better than NCT - and have crazy group dog walks with dogs and kids. It’s brilliant. Yes she moults a bit and blows her coat twice a year, yes our tiles are often sandy or muddy, yes we do have to watch where we leave any food - but who cares!

[MustardScreams]

Big dogs in a compact body. Christmas booze talking there!

[MustardScreams]

@SunsetBoulevard3 Borders are lovely. Compact dogs in a big body. I’ve never owned terriers myself but my parents have only had Border/Norwich terriers.

They’re fab with my dd, easy to train. Quite shouty st times, but they’ve taught them to ‘talk’(bark) and then as soon as they bark say quiet! and eventually with training you can say the quiet command and they stop barking immediately. Does take commitment though.

They may work for your family set up.

[SunsetBoulevard3]

Actually I do like border terriers and airedales, and spaniels. Also thought about a Vizla but they are quite neurotic too. Love golden retrievers but I know they moult really badly and take a long time to mature. I suppose short coated dogs are the most maintenance free .

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Breed suggestions? If you like collies I'm assuming that you want an intelligent and active breed, but perhaps not quite as manic as some collies can be.

Aside from your collie-love, what size dogs do you generally like? What sort of coat? How much training do you want to do (some of the working gundogs make wonderful pets if they get enough mental stimulation)? Would you want to get involved in agility, or have a running companion?

You can have so much fun with a clever, biddable dog, but the same dog in different hands could be a house-trashing nightmare.

[MustardScreams]

@SunsetBoulevard3 a spaniel or poodle! You’re clearly an active family that would work really well with that type of breed.

Spaniels and poodles are intelligent, so reasonably easy to train, but not to the point that if you have a lazy day with them they are bonkers from lack of stimulation.

No drool, they can be food driven, but also not. Both come in a range of sizes so you can find one that suits.

I have 2 spaniels and they are hard work in that they want to be near me, they need lots of walking, scent work and I like to do retrieving with mine (they both also work, one on the peg and one beats) but they are glorious animals.

[Ihavethefinalsleigh]

We adopted a collie. We had her for a week but it didn't work out. I was heartbroken. I love the breed, I've always had a soft spot for intelligent dogs but honestly collies can run rings around you, literally.

Personally I would go for a labrador.

[tashakg89]

@Selene28
Poor dog, that is so sad. I bet there'd be some one out there who your dog would mean the world to them.

[tashakg89]

My dog is like my guardian angle. there's something about dogs that is almost magical. it's like our souls are connected as crazy as that sounds haha. if you've got the time and love for a dog go for it. They can change your life.

[SunsetBoulevard3]

What breed do people think would be best? I don't like greedy or stupid dogs, or small dogs like Yorkshire terriers. Don't like slobber either!

[Danni12]

Dogs are the best, they are company, they get you out in the fresh air and moving and they love you unconditionally.

But getting the right breed and temperament is essential. I would not start with a collie if I'm honest