Thinking about getting a dog

[Namechange3007]

Ok please be gentle with me! My children are currently almost 9 and 12. We have been thinking for a very very long time about getting a dog. It wouldn't be until next year as we need to get a side gate fitted as we dont currently have one. Also we want to be prepared and not rush into this massive commitment. Neither I or my husband have grown up with dogs but I love dogs and I've always wanted one as do my kids. My husband is a lot keener in the idea than he used to be. He works at home which is great so dog wouldn't be alone. I am so think my kids are a really good age. I know its huge, I know it will be hard. I also have no idea what breed to get. I dont want a happy or ridiculously energetic dog or who one sheds loads. Or one who smells really bad! I'm probably asking for the impossible arent I. Ideally I would prefer an older dog but have heard of friends getting rescue dogs and it going horribly wrong. Any advice welcome!

Thank you.

[zombiepara]

@MissShapesMissStakes we used to have our standard quite short, other than head and ears, but would definitely be looking at a longer cut for this one - DP loves fluffy dogs!

Obviously I know this would need a lot of careful brushing and husbandry training, but willing to put the work into that

[MissShapesMissStakes]

@zombiepara great decision!

As for grooming - I think it depends on cut really. Mine is usually quite short all over. I usually need to run a brush through him a couple of times a week. He's never had any matts.

I know a few people who do clip their poodle themselves. But I like him to go to a groomer as he comes back smelling delicious and feeling much softer than I can get him. It costs me £30 around every 6 weeks. He is an apricot and I think they can tend to have looser curls than other poodle coats.

[AlCalavicci]

While you are considering which type of dog to get have you thought about helping out at a rescue centre or joining something like Borrow My Dog , this would give you first hand experience of not only he different breeds but the responsibly / time that is involved too.

I have never owned a poodle so I can no comment on them , my dogs were Alsatian x lurcher and lab x satffie ( both rescues )
I like boarder terriers there are a couple near me and they seem like great dogs .
Personally I would no go for any type of trendy X breed , as PP have said here is no way of knowing what traits it will pick up from it's sire and dam . I would go for a mutt type cross .

[Louise24902]

Also OP, not sure if many people have suggested them but Staffies are great dogs, I personally have 2, one is 7 and the other is 4 months. Mine don't shed at all, are very affectionate and low maintenance. They do love walks!
If you're rescuing they're a good breed to look in to, they can be very energetic as puppies but to be honest, nearly every breed are. They are however, very quick to learn, and are very good with children, I would highly recommend them as a breed, couldn't be without my two now!😁 x

[Louise24902]

OP seen you are quite keen on poodles from your updates - they can be great dogs when trained well but please do take in to account the grooming - they have very curly/coarse coats which are classed as high maintenance. I'm a dog groomer and we see more matted miniature poodles than anything because a lot of people get them without realising how often they need a good brush as they knot easily. Same goes for poodle crosses although some crosses may have softer curls or a more wiry coat they do still need brushing.
I would highly recommend getting a metal comb and brushing with this for a minimum of 15mins a day after your walk. Also going over with a slicker after.
Also please take in to account the cost of professional grooming, for miniature poodles this can range from anywhere between £35-£55 depending on your area. For standard poodles this can go up to £80/£90 from what I've seen. And most will need done on a 6-8 week schedule if they're regularly groomed at home so worth factoring the cost of that in too x

[Nettleweed]

OP, have you seen Waffle the Wonder Dog on CBBC/iPlayer? He is a miniature poodle with a non-poodle cut. Would give you a good idea of the size, appearance and demeanour of the breed (apart from the fact that he can talk, obviously!)

[zombiepara]

@MissShapesMissStakes I am sold!
They're such little characters, and yours sounds like a total delight! What a cutie...

[Giganticshark]

Poodles are amazing!

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

I have a working cocker spaniel but that’s because we wanted a medium-sized dog that would walk as far as we ever wanted up hills and go on runs with my marathon-running DH.
There’s a quiz for what dog you should get on the American Kennel Club website - try it and see what it suggests!

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

Miniature schnauzer? They’re medium size, need clipped regularly, very trainable. Not necessarily barky if trained properly. Our office dog is a miniature schnauzer and she’s very well behaved, so much so as to be able to come to a busy office most days. She barks at other dogs but not at the doorbell/general office noises.

[nymrgn]

I'm so glad you're not rushing into it and know it is a big commitment! Definitely think you'll be a great owner. I grew up with rescue dogs and never had a problem other then them taking some time to warm up to you. Shelters usually want to make sure you will be a good fit for your dog so they will help find you the perfect one for you and your family. X

[ShoesJerry]

Another vote here for a rescue greyhound. We got ours about a year ago when my DS was 10 and she's been a great addition to the household. They are brilliant with kids and, as others have said, fold up really small when they are sleeping (which is often). We frequently lose ours in the house which is only a regular sized semi, as she's curled up in a patch of sunlight having a snooze. Mine is a greyhound, but very petite and more the size of a lurcher. She's around 21kgs. Needs a brush in the garden every so often, but doesn't really shed or need extensive grooming.

[Namechange3007]

Oh not relying on my kids at all but just saying it wont just be me. But if it is I'm ok with that.

[vanillandhoney]

You can't know how your DC will be about dog walking before you get a dog, but it's not unreasonable to hope that at least one of them will be happy enough to help out at times.

Not unreasonable to hope at all, but don't rely on it.

It's always worth thinking to the future when the DC have jobs and are off to college/university - what will happen then?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

TBH a lot of dogs can be left for more than four hours if they have access to the outdoors. When mine are being left, they get a decent off-lead walk beforehand (c40 mins) and they get walked again as soon as I get home. But they do have each other, and neither has ever shown any sign of separation anxiety.

Two of my DC have been fairly keen and capable dog-walkers since the age of about 14. Even the one who is less keen understands that the dogs are a family responsibility and will take one of them out if necessary. You can't know how your DC will be about dog walking before you get a dog, but it's not unreasonable to hope that at least one of them will be happy enough to help out at times.

[rossKemp]

@Wolfiefan exactly

[Wolfiefan]

If some of the 4 are kids then don’t include them. If you want a dog then great. But don’t expect the kids to be around for the next 10 years and wanting to walk it in freezing February!

[Namechange3007]

rossKemp yes I'm happy with that and there are 4 of us here so it won't all fall on me. Thank you all for the help. Quite liking the idea of a miniature poodle.

[rossKemp]

Are you ready to never have more than a maximum of 4 hour blocks of time to yourself ever again? If not, don’t get a dog.

[MissShapesMissStakes]

@zombiepara - standards are beautiful but so big! It always surprised me how big they are!
Love the kids bedtime - my mini follows me round lying down next to me for stories etc. If I sit on the settee with anything on my knee (cushion, iPad) be pushed it off gently with his nose and sits as close to me as possible.

This is him right now

[MiniChoc]

I'm another one voting for a miniature poodle! Small, non shedding, happy little buggers :)

[zombiepara]

@MissShapesMissStakes
Thank you for that!
We used to have a standard when I was a kid, and I remember he was quite barky (although that was down to inconsistent training on our part... I had read online minis could be barky, but I'm glad to hear that isn't necessarily the case!

I loved our standard so much, but we just don't have enough room in our house for one at the moment, but could happily get away with a mini!

[Turquoisesea]

@getyoursocksoffhoney, thank you, will take a look

[Giganticshark]

What do you mean by a dog that requires little grooming? Ours gets a hair cut every 6 weeks, at a groomers. We don't do it ourselves. You're going to have to accept that dogs will need a regular hose down in the garden though haha 😂

[Giganticshark]

Cross breeds are worth a look. We have a sprocker, springer x cocker.
Maybe look at collie crosses or labrador crosses. Don't be swayed by the cockerpoo obsession so many have fallen into. I have met way too many aggressive ones. People get them thinking they'll be a doddle and don't train them or they come from atrocious puppy farms with health issues