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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

What dog should we get?

75 replies

Amielondon23 · 03/03/2021 13:14

Ok so I’m a fairly experienced dog owner. I need help deciding on a breed that will fit our lifestyle. I keep finding a breed I love them find something that puts me off - usually health wise.
We have a 6 year old and a cat.
We are always home (even pre lockdown)
If we pop out it’s only for a couple of hours.
We want a friendly happy dog that gets on with people, dogs and cats.
We have a large house but small garden.
We can walk 1 hour sometimes 2 hours a day.
I don’t want a barky dog.
I don’t want any dog with a flat face that can’t breathe!
Something fairly healthy (obvs I know all breeds have something health wise bad going on)

I love retrievers! But worried 1 hour walk a day won’t be enough
Also love all spaniels but again worried 1 hour walk isn’t enough .

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Easterbunnygettingready · 03/03/2021 15:30

Our dcat is 8. Ddog is 7 and newest is 11 yo. Never had any issues. Even our Husky loves the dcat. It can be done..

Floralnomad · 03/03/2021 15:31

Whippet puppy bought up with cats should be ok and fits the brief or my go to suggestion which is a clumber spaniel .

AlwaysLatte · 03/03/2021 15:33

Those lurchers are gorgeous! We looked after one for a weekend and the only problem was he went off after a neighbours cat quite unexpectedly (cat was quicker, phew!) and he also stole some food off the kitchen worktop! We have a cavalier and she's perfect, very healthy, loving and happy on either long or short walks. Also hates water which is convenient as we walk by the river a lot and we would be having to bathe her every day!

Lovemusic33 · 03/03/2021 15:37

I vote for a Staffie, people seem to forget them because of their bad press, they are great with kids, often great with cats (my old girl used to be best friends with the cat), they like long walks but can also cope with a shorter walk and a smaller garden. If your getting the dog as a pup then the cat shouldn’t be a huge issue as the cat will be bigger than the pup and will soon put it in its place, obviously some breeds are more likely to chase cats (lurchers). Cocker spaniels are also nice dogs, not too big and love long walks.

oldwhyno · 03/03/2021 15:56

For friendly happy, gets on with people, dogs and cats, it'd be hard to not consider a labrador for my money.

Original poster
Amielondon23 · 03/03/2021 17:12

Thanks everyone. My heart is definitely going towards a golden retriever.
I’ll def keep researching

OP posts:
cannotfathom · 03/03/2021 17:17

The most important thing for a retriever seems to be company and cuddles! There are plenty of days when we go out for 2-3 hour walks, or several walks a day. I was just making the point that mine doesn't drive me mad to take her out on odd days when she's only had half an hour. If she can rest her head on somebody and snooze, she's a very content girl ❤️

kylie122 · 03/03/2021 17:18

Please adopt

Original poster
Amielondon23 · 03/03/2021 17:51

I have adopted in the past- I’ve had 5 rescue dogs.
However I have a child and a cat. I have looked into adoption- but I Can never get ‘all the boxes ticked’
I’m not going to feel guilty if we do end up getting a puppy. Rescue centres make it sometimes impossible

OP posts:
Original poster
Amielondon23 · 03/03/2021 17:51

My cat is rescue

OP posts:
Boopear · 03/03/2021 18:02

I'm in your shoes (well, not literally, but..). As well as trying to find an ever elusive rescue, I'm also on the waiting list for a Eurasier. Have a look at the breed.. there aren't thousands of breeders, which makes getting one a bit of a wait, but they seem to be almost the perfect dog. They are also gorgeous! It's only the hair thing that is a bit of a con, but same problem with labs.

loubieloo4 · 03/03/2021 18:12

Cocker spaniel 💜

ThirdOne · 03/03/2021 18:49

@cannotfathom

The most important thing for a retriever seems to be company and cuddles! There are plenty of days when we go out for 2-3 hour walks, or several walks a day. I was just making the point that mine doesn't drive me mad to take her out on odd days when she's only had half an hour. If she can rest her head on somebody and snooze, she's a very content girl ❤️
^same with our retriever - content with both long, rambling walks or shorter walks just as long as he feels loved and interacted with every day.

We rehomed our last two dogs and our cat, but had young DC when we choose our retriever and rehoming proved difficult.

Juanbablo · 03/03/2021 19:01

We have a Jack Russell. He's extremely friendly, very clever, loving and sweet. They are a barky breed but ours isn't too bad at all. Plus they can be trained out of it. He sheds a lot but has low grooming needs. Would walk for as long as you want but doesn't need it as such. He's happy to sleep on the couch for hours too! He is fine to be left alone.

Juanbablo · 03/03/2021 19:02

We also have a cat and the dog is scared of him. JRTs are a hardy breed with few health issues .

blowinahoolie · 03/03/2021 19:04

Slightly biased, but we have a St Bernard. Great dogs around the home.

Volcanoexplorer · 03/03/2021 19:06

How about a Weimaraner? I know the write-up on them says they can be aloof, but we had one growing up and he was the most loving dog. They love being with you all the time.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 03/03/2021 19:14

@Volcanoexplorer

How about a Weimaraner? I know the write-up on them says they can be aloof, but we had one growing up and he was the most loving dog. They love being with you all the time.
I really don't think they're a good option in OP's situation.

Weimaraners are really not easy dogs. They need a LOT of exercise and training, are known to be highly-strung and do not cope with being left alone at all.

They're also not highly recommended with cats and can be extremely mouthy and bitey when young. I think they're gorgeous but I really wouldn't recommend one with young children or cats. They also need several hours of exercise per day as adults.

Thatsmycupoftea · 03/03/2021 19:18

My golden retriever is almost one. We didn't get her as a puppy. She does chase the cat. She has never caught her but I'm sure if she did she wouldn't know what to do. She thinks it's a game and the cat does try cause a chase but then gets annoyed when ddog does. But that's cats for you. My cat has always been stand offish with other animals and people. We don't allow ddog upstairs, maintain due to her joints but also to give the cat her own space.
Other than that she is the most amazing dog I have ever had. I have had a few breeds throughout my life.
Shes easily trained, eager to please, funny, bouncy but also calm when needed and adores my young dc. She is absolutely soft as anything. Love of my life. Iv never had a companion like it and I have had dogs my whole life. I'd never get another breed now.

Volcanoexplorer · 03/03/2021 19:18

It was just my experience of having one as a family pet. He really was the most loving, gentle dog. Not at all highly strung or bites. Maybe his personality wasn’t true to his breed though.

Letmeout21 · 03/03/2021 19:20

I’m at the research stage too.
I’ve been recommended and am looking into
Shih tzus (although I’m aware they’re flat faced so not what you’re after)
Bichon frise
Poodle
Or a westie or cairn terrier.
I’ve discounted cavaliers due to health and cockers due to other issues and mini schnauzers due to barking which is a shame as they sound great other wise.
I also don’t want a big dog though.

Thatsmycupoftea · 03/03/2021 19:21

Mainly due to joints even.

To add obviously at the moment we try stick to the recommendation of 5 minutes per month of life walks to look after her joints but I do intend to walk her more when she matures. They do like brain games too so you can do that to tire them out.

Original poster
Amielondon23 · 03/03/2021 19:25

Anyone with any experience with springier spaniels?

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 03/03/2021 19:27

We also have a sweet and loving Jack Russell who is very easy to look after. Will walk for miles but happy with short walks too. Anecdotally all the rough coated ones I've known have all been like this. They need a trim every now and again but don't shed much.

Dementedswan · 03/03/2021 19:33

We have a labrador, he's from working stock, happy with with whatever walks we give him, usually an hour to 2 a day.

Labs are happy go lucky, same as retrievers, both breeds are creatures of habit. So if you usually walk them at a certain time... they will clock watch Grin

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