What dog?

[underneaththeash]

So, I’ve finally given in to the rest of the family’s requests to get a dog. I’m not enormously keen on dogs - but I can see the benefits, especially for DS1 who is a little overweight, not happy at school and adores dogs..

I like to do things properly, so with a puppy, I think we need to be around (ie not away for holidays/weekends away for the first few months and not busy at work.) So I’m happy to wait for the right breed.

Requirements are:
Needs to get in with my cat
Short-haired
Not too small - DH is 6’5 and DS(13) is 6’ so will look daft with a small dog
Trainable - I don’t like dogs that jump up or lick or bark a lot.
Good with children although my youngest is 8yo, I’m not keen to have one that will be phased by visiting babies.
I’m also not keen on very needy dogs, I like my space.

I’m happy to go on long walks and don’t mind spending time training. Cost not important.

I remember meeting an old lady once who'd got a mini cavapoo - so a miniature poodle crossed with a cavalier King Charles - she wanted a nice small dog that wouldn't pull her down the street.

Unfortunately the miniature poodle had a rogue standard gene and she ended up with a cross the size of a standard poodle - and they are not small dogs

Sounds like you shouldn't get one to be honest

My experience of labradoodles is that they are very friendly, high energy, jumpy and licky (my timid dog hides if she sees one coming ). I’m sure you can train them out of it with enough work but I think it’s a poodle trait.

I'd recommend getting a rescue dog! If you go to a center, like the rspca in the UK, tell them what you're looking for and they'll find a dog needing a lot of love that is perfect for you, and you can look online at dogs if you're not too sure. Getting a rescue dog can also be good to help teach your kids about being more careful and understanding - it really helped my family a lot! But if you're set on a puppy, I'd recommend a crossbreed. They often have a more balanced nature than most dogs, and they usually have less health and training problems. My rescue is a belgian shephard X rhodesian ridge back, and we got him at 6 months from the rspca, his only health problems were caused by his rough start in life, and were easily fixed with the right diet and excersize, calm, loving and amazingly gentle with babies, other animals and kids. I hope your search goes well and you find the right dog for you! Xx

It sounds like you need a retired greyhound! They are giant couch potatoes and virtually always laid back and friendly. A good rescue would match you with the perfect dog for your situation!

Just read you have a cat...... most greyhound rescues can tell you which of their dogs have been "cat-tested"

What is it about the miniature labradoodle that you like? If this is just from walking the woods looking which you like the look of I'd be wary. You need to look into their characteristics.

I was originally thinking I liked the size of a cockerpoo. After MUCH research into them I realised that actually I was very much drawn by a poodle temperament. So I researched poodles more.

We now have a mini poodle. He's fantastic. Easy to train, loves our company (and we love his).

If you love the characteristics of a Labrador but want low shedding and slightly smaller - you have a 50/50 chance of that. And you won't know when you get the puppy. Puppy hair changes over time.

I would echo the recommendations to look at rescue dogs. And not an 8 week old puppy, an older dog so you don't have to deal with the nightmare that is puppyhood! You can get older rescue dogs who are cat tested and small furry friendly. Don't rely on websites, visits centres and talk to the staff - they often don't have time to put every single dog on the website and the best ones like kid and cat friendly ones will get reserved so quickly anyway.

An increasing number of the "doodle" crosses end up in rescue due to the unpredictable size, or unpredictable temperaments, or they ended up with a moulting coat of the non-poodle side of the family! I've seen a few "doodles" in listings because they've been so messed up they need an adult-only home up a mountain somewhere with zero visitors or other animals. Poor pups :(

I’m always a bit wary of ‘what dog should I get’ questions.

If someone is really serious about getting a dog they will research the topic thoroughly from expert sources. That takes time. Then perhaps have specific questions to ask dog owners.

The problem with asking what dog should I get on a forum like this is that you will probably get almost as many answers as there are people. Or dogs.