Thinking of getting a dog / puppy

[coolmum123]

Hello all,
Hope everyone is well :)
I would like some advice / thoughts please. (Apologies in advance for long post)

We are at the beginning stages of thinking about getting a dog. I grew up with a German Shepherd and helped to walk, play and feed him but it was a very long time ago and he died of old age when I was about 15. So I consider myself to be a novice pet owner.
Kids are 22 and 16 but we do have visitors with children from aged 2 and over.
We are lucky that we do have a park round the corner and actually quite a few within a very short driving distance so variety isn't an issue for walks. Walks will be twice a day min 1 hour (split over twice a day) weekdays - longer walks at the weekend. I work from home part time currently but may have to go to the office in future and plan that the days I am out dog would go to a sitter
So basically I am looking for a dog that is suitable for new owners, easy to train, is welcoming and gentle of visitors and young children, likes a walk then chills at home, a calm temperament, not yappy or bitey, doesn't bark loads. Do you have any suggestions of breeds that would suit this so that I can research further and talk to breeders before committing? Are there other things we need to think about (apart from vet bills, food, training etc as these would all be considered anyway once we knew what breed we were looking at)
I spoke to a cockapoo breeder but after that conversation I'm not sure that a cockapoo has the right temperament for us.

Thanks in advance.

think about my dog that I had growing up and think about his traits and try and match up although I don't want to get a German Shepherd as he is irreplaceable
If not a German Shepherd maybe another herding breed would suit?

I thought they were dangerous or that you shouldn't have them around young children?
Golden retrievers?!
They have one of the strongest reputations as friendly family pets!

Though some of them, the show lines (cocker/springer spaniels aswell) especially can have severe resource guarding problems.
It’s usually evident from an early age and definately something to be aware of and watch out for as it’s obviously a potentially very dangerous problem.

I do find them (and labradors) generally very ‘want to be everyone’s friend’ and quite rambunctious and lively too so could potentially send a small child flying if not properly trained.

Oh, I see.
You were talking about Staffies.
All the staffies I have known have been very, very people friendly, I have known one who didn’t like children (but very sweet to everyone else) but then his owners had allowed children to climb all over him, smack him, pull ears/tail, generally torture him so can’t say I am surprised!

Another vote for whippet here. They seem to fit your description pretty much perfectly. They don't need as much exercise as you think (1hr a day is sufficient), they're pretty easy to train, and are generally pretty chilled and lazy.

I have a golden retriever, naturally they have a really loving, relaxed temperament. Great with children I have a 15 week old baby who he is so gentle with and also with young family members even when they're crawling all over him and pulling his ears! He was really easy to train and obviously gorgeous looking 😊 only issue is they shed quite a lot of hair so you have to keep on top of bathing and brushing them but not unmanageable.

Golden Retrievers look like a vets wet dream to me! When I see them lumbering around I just think of the mobility problems they will have when they are old.
I might be completely wrong, it's just the impression I get when I see them.

They are lovely gentle giants, I would imagine you need a fair sized house and lots of time for grooming/cleaning (lab owner here, so I know a bit about those activities myself!)

I despair at how threads asking for advice about dogs that are good with children always turn into “I have this breed of dog and I let children abuse it in these ways.” I very much doubt that any of the aforementioned dogs are happy being manhandled by children and they are probably communicating as best they can that they want it to stop. There’s a reason why most dog bites to children are inflicted by a familiar or family dog! These threads demonstrate it perfectly.

OP, it’s not enough to supervise your dog around visiting children, you need to be your dog’s advocate and prevent children (and adults) interacting inappropriately with it. If you haven’t already, I would advise that you read about dog stress signals, the canine ladder of aggression and dog development (the critical socialization period, fear periods etc.).

I would also consider crate training the puppy/dog and placing the crate in a room that won’t be used when children are visiting. That way they have somewhere safe to escape too if visitors become too much for them.

@coolmum123
I think you need to look at a dog that fits in with your lifestyle and home. People on here are obviously going to recommend the breed they have to you. You also need to consider whether you will walk the dogs twice a day regardless of the weather. For example the breed i have is a working breed and needs a good amount of excercise everyday. Im out 365 days a year twice a day. In the really bad weather I'm in my waterproof trousers and often see no other dog walkers. Hot weather I'm out 6am and midnight. My dogs love bad weather ! If its Gail force winds and rain they are eager to be out same as hail and snow. Shedding is not an issue if you buy the proper equipment. Two of mine are the heaviest shedders of any dogs -Malamutes. I have a blower similar to what groomers use. I use it everyday on them so my house is practically hair free. I blow their coats outdoors. It keeps the shedding to a minimal. You also have to think they are around a long time. My eldest dog is 13. If your a novice pet owner as you say I would look at the Kennel Club website they ofter do breed descriptions that may help you decide.

Another thing to consider is the RSPCA is anticipating (sorry can’t remember where I read it) lots of puppies as people go back to work and realise they still have a dog to looks after. There is such a rush on getting puppies now that I wouldn’t be surprised.

There could be some under 1s in need of a new and loving home.

I have a large Yorkie (10kg) and chavachon, both would meet your requirements- like their walks, like their snoozing, easy happy dogs.

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice given so far. It is very helpful. I am following up on suggestions given. :)
I should mention that we are in no rush and are happy to wait (even if it means waiting a year or so) as we understand that having a pet is a long term commitment (I grew up a dog but had no part in the responsibility or proper training which is why I consider myself a newbie :))
I am also keeping an eye on rescues near us too, we aren't fixated on having a newborn pup.

Our dog is a rescue but was only 4 months old when we got him, a lot of rescues will have puppies as they often rescue mums with pups. They don't always advertise them though (I know dogs trust doesn't) as they know everyone will just go for the pups and ignore the older dogs!

Consider a shih tzu.

We have maltese and shih tzu cross-Malshi dog she is the best thing happened to us. She is so sweet and playful and doesn't shed at all. My husband is allergic to so many things so we researched a lot before having a dog! Maybe we got lucky as well she has long fur but no shed no smell at all. I take her out twice sometimes three times a day for short journeys as she gets tired! She is a lovely companion

Dogs that are easily trained tend to be more working breeds such as gun dogs or racers because they are reward driven naturally and very intelligent. Its all about consistency though so it's more about how much effort you are willing to put in.

I personally have a rescue jack Russell (not the easiest to train as they quite frankly couldn't give a shit about pleasing their owners 😂) he's fantastic, he's been hard work but he's been worth every second. He hates other dogs but we got him at 3 and he was like that from the start. When it comes to people however he is the dream dog. Consider a rescue, they're great animals and breeders seem to be all money money Money these days which worries me. The right one will find you though, just keep an open mind.

Hello,
I am also looking to get a dog and have been researching breeds online. My criteria are similar - mid-size dog, calm and happy temperament, good around kids, shed very little. In addition I'm looking for a dog which can stay alone for long as I am working full time and I expect we all will be going back to office soon.
I've narrowed my list to labradoodles, cockapoos, bichon frise and lhasa apso. I hope this gives you some ideas.
I am really struggling to find trusted breeders for any of these breeds. I came across a few adds which ask for deposit and no contact with the puppy/mum which I don't feel comfortable with. Buying a puppy from a photo just doesn't sound right.
Can someone recommend any good, trusted breeders for any of the breed above?
Thanks

I am also looking to get a dog and have been researching breeds online. My criteria are similar - mid-size dog, calm and happy temperament, good around kids, shed very little
Going off this list your shortlisted dogs makes me a little nervous..

In addition I'm looking for a dog which can stay alone for long as I am working full time and I expect we all will be going back to office soon
No dogs are going to be happy with this, your best bet would be a much older rescue dog that naturally sleeps a lot of the day imo.

I've narrowed my list to labradoodles, cockapoos, bichon frise and lhasa apso
Labradoodles are generally enormous
Seriously, they are big dogs!
And without exception all of the labradoodles I’ve met have been wild, really big, rambunctious, bouncy dogs.
Not calm at all.

The majority of cockerpoos I’ve met have also been incredibly hyperactive and bouncy, as far from calm as you can get and a significant proportion of ones I’ve met have been (dog and child) aggressive to boot.

Bichons frise might be a nice fit though.

I don’t know enough about Lhasa’s to comment.

‘Calm’ tends to be more down to the parents temperament, calm parent dogs tend to make puppies that mature into calm dogs and training.

‘Good with children’ again is down to friendly parents combined with good training and positive experiences eg not letting children bounce on them, pull ears and tails etc.

I came across a few adds which ask for deposit and no contact with the puppy/mum which I don't feel comfortable with. Buying a puppy from a photo just doesn't sound right
And yes I agree, I wouldn’t hand over money before seeing both mum and puppies either.
Can someone recommend any good, trusted breeders for any of the breed above?
You will seriously struggle to find a good breeder of any of the popular cross breeds eg labradoodles, cockerpoos, cavachon etc as they nearly always are puppy farmed.

Your best bet imo would be a genuine family home bred puppy but it’ll be hard to find as a lot of puppy dealers pretend to be nice families who just bred their family pet.

The home isn’t actually their home and the ‘mum’ isn’t actually the pups mum.
The puppies have been bought in from elsewhere and put in a home with a pretend ‘mum’ as they know buyers are looking for pups with mum raised in family homes.

If you're planning on leaving a dog alone for the full working day then don't get a dog. And there are no good reputable breeders of labradoodles or cockerpoos.

OP don't get a terrier. I have a mini pinscher cross breed with a terrier and I've never met a more stubborn entitled dog. I should have got a golden retriever

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowledge about dogs. This is very insightful. Clearly I have a lot to learn. I've got a few replies for my messages from breeders today and I look forward to meet puppies and use your tips to judge what can and cannot work for us. Thank you very much again. This is an amazing forum.

Look on the Kennel Club website- as they have various guides in there going through breed characteristics and to help you choose a breed.we love going to crufts and their discover dogs section is great.hopefully it will be back on in March 2021!
I don’t think a German shepherd is a good dog for a first time owner.also a collie needs to be more than a pet. have a friend who said they wanted a dog. Never had any pets growing up. They got a collie. He gets 2?walks a day. He is neurotic- chases cars- couldn’t be trusted at all. Such a shame- he is bored out of his mind and potentially dangerous too.he has started growling at people for no apparent reason.

also a collie needs to be more than a pet
And you know this from your one friend?

have a friend who said they wanted a dog
Never had any pets growing up. They got a collie. He gets 2?walks a day. He is neurotic- chases cars- couldn’t be trusted at all. Such a shame- he is bored out of his mind and potentially dangerous too.he has started growling at people for no apparent reason
It’s too late to go on a full on rant but please don’t tar all the border collies out there based on this one dog with one inexperienced owner as the ‘norm’.

There are literally thousands of us with happy, stable, well trained border collies who live as pets never having done a days work in their life.

I don’t go spouting inaccurate information about other dog breeds that I have no experience with as ‘fact’ and neither should you.

We’ve got a cockerpoo, she’s only 7 months, but is the gentlest softest thing ever. Brilliant with kids, not excessively bouncy, loves a cuddle from anyone, not nervy. Easy to train.

I’d second staffies as well, wonderful dogs.

@Kriskad You should cross Lhasa Apso off of your list if you are thinking of leaving your dog for any great length of time. Lhasa Apso's are lapdogs, they want and need to be around people in order to be happy and settled. Bella, our Lhasa, prefers to be in touching distance at all times and whilst she is happy enough to be left for a couple of hours any longer than that and she is sent to stay with a family member

@Borderstotheleftofme
The collie ref was from a dog behaviourist I spoke to last year when I was talking about friends collie- our family also had a collie when I was about 5/6 and he was a nightmare- left me with dog phobia- I live rurally where it is common to see collie who are trained as mostly working dogs.unless you are an experienced owner and prepared to do more than just a couple of walks a day- is agility-fly all- etc giving the dog a really stimulating day I don’t think a collie is the right dog for you. I’m not criticising you.I equally don’t have time to go in full ‘rant’ about collies either,
I love my dogs- they are an amazing herding breed and are ideal family dogs and great with animals too and highly intelligent- I’m prepared to put in the work so they are happy calm and not frustrated dogs.I wouldn’t recommend them to first time owner simply because the amount of grooming is high and so maybe not ideal for busy family life and they are almost impossible to get hold of anyway.

unless you are an experienced owner and prepared to do more than just a couple of walks a day- is agility-fly all- etc giving the dog a really stimulating day I don’t think a collie is the right dog for you
Please stop.
You are still giving inaccurate information.
‘A really stimulating day’ filled with huge volumes of exercise, flyball etc is the last thing most collies need.
It really is.
It makes them hyper and stressed and then they end up in rescue when their owner can’t cope.

As a PP suggested, mini poodle. People hear poodle and imagine a primped and trimmed thing but a poodle cut into a "cute cut" or "puppy cut" is just a curly dog. And a very cute one at that (see Waffle the Wonderdog, he's a mini poodle). They're wonderful.
Lovely temperament, happy, friendly, cuddly, love to go out walking/chasing the ball etc but happy to snooze at home too, not too big to lift (into car/bath/ if hurt), zero shedding, everyone I meet loves him, trainable. Trip to the groomers every 5.5 weeks is optimum and not cheap BUT no shedding at all in the house. Highly recommend. In my experience any breed involving spaniel can be very high energy, and I seem to meet a lot of wonderful labs & retrievers, I also seem to meet a lot of very reactive chihuahuas, dachshunds & miniature schnauzers but I haven't owned one. People I meet with King Charles Cavalier Spaniels often seem to have had a lot of health issues with the poor things. Good luck with your search having a dog is absolutely wonderful and the positives definitely outweigh any negatives (main negative for me for what it's worth is the loss of freedom to just pop out but I have changed my routines accordingly).