What breed for our first family pup?

[tishpish]

Hello basically as the title says we are wanting to add a furry addition to the family now our youngest child is almost 5 we are pretty clueless about what breed suits us best so hoping someone could help me here , abit about us we our quite active an enjoy walks but not hobby walkers or anything but we like being outdoors, we could offer 2 good walks a day. I'm a stay at home mum currently with no plans to return to work for at least a year so I have all the time in the world to train we don't want anything to bouncy that could knock our youngest child down. Can anyone with experience give me some directions to go for a nice family dog breed please , thanks in advance

Absolutely gobsmacked at the ad upthread (wont let me quote for some reason).

I reported a gumtree add the other. They actually took the ad down surprisingly. It was a litter of French Bulldogs that were 5 weeks old and the ad said sale ASAP as really need them gone.

Another ad was taken down pretty sharpish aswell when I sent a message to the advertiser questioning why they weren't getting the litter of pups vaccinated and microchipped but were selling them for £1000. I pointed out that in was illegal and they deleted the add within a few minutes. It makes me so angry.

@FawkesThePhoenix

Absolutely gobsmacked at the ad upthread (wont let me quote for some reason).

I reported a gumtree add the other. They actually took the ad down surprisingly. It was a litter of French Bulldogs that were 5 weeks old and the ad said sale ASAP as really need them gone.

Another ad was taken down pretty sharpish aswell when I sent a message to the advertiser questioning why they weren't getting the litter of pups vaccinated and microchipped but were selling them for £1000. I pointed out that in was illegal and they deleted the add within a few minutes. It makes me so angry.

There are so many greedy breeders out there. I think some are also struggling to sell at the massively inflated prices they are charging. Only recently I've seen some puppies for sale at £2500 but now asking for offers.

@Tanfastic

My partner went though a phase of really wanting a French bulldog or a pug and I point blank refused to consider it due to their health problems and over breeding. I'm so glad I did as the people he knows who have got one either have huge vet Bill's or behavioural problems. I think it's the only time he has ever admitted that I was right!

Theres some weird crosses about aswell such as staffy cross cockerspaniel and staffy cross dalmatian. Definitely not breeding for temperament are they

[quote FawkesThePhoenix]@Tanfastic

My partner went though a phase of really wanting a French bulldog or a pug and I point blank refused to consider it due to their health problems and over breeding. I'm so glad I did as the people he knows who have got one either have huge vet Bill's or behavioural problems. I think it's the only time he has ever admitted that I was right!

Theres some weird crosses about aswell such as staffy cross cockerspaniel and staffy cross dalmatian. Definitely not breeding for temperament are they [/quote]
I wouldn't have one either.

See people always say 'mn doesn't like cross breeds or poodle crosses'

And that's not the case. The problem is that the vast majority of these breeders are shit. They are breeding purely for money and don't care about the dogs health at all. Then charge ridiculous amounts for them.

Many don't even care for the parents properly. They don't check out the potential purchaser, often lie, don't make sure they know how to look after them. And have bred dogs that have are likely to have a huge amount of health issues.

It was in the papers the other week. A little of 4 double merle cockerpoos. All died within a week in their new homes due to parvo. Costing thousands of pounds. One of the owners was posting when she brought her dog home, in a group I am in. Before it was in the papers. She had no clue the health implications and risks of double merle, wasn't even sure of the cocker mother was a merle or where the double merle came from.

She then spent a fortune on vets bills after spending a fortune on the dog to try and overcome parvo. It's a common example of what we see in dogs groups and through a rescue I work with. People posting for advice and help because the dig they got was not what they were expecting.

People complaining their cavapoo does shed. People complaining their cockapoo is too lively. People complaining their French x pug has breathing problems.

And it does happen with breeders of pedigree dogs. But it's so much harder to find a decent breeder of cross breeds. And some of these cross breeds shouldn't even be happening at all.

And yes, people purchasing are to blame in part. But the breeders hold more responsibility.

Sorry forgot the last bit. Most of these breeders are breeding these dogs for pure profit. They are often profiting from animal cruelty.

If people didn’t buy the breeders would go out of business.
And YES there are also pedigree puppy farmers and commercial breeders.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Beautiful dogs, lovely temperament generally, like walks, great with kids and other animals.

Or a Jack Russell, as long as you don't have small animals.

@Overdueanamechange

Labs and Staffies are nice and sensible, easy to train. Watch with introducing a pup to a young child, as many go through the baby shark phase, plus send small children flying like skittles.

Labrador puppies can easily knock over a child and I own a St Bernard!🤣

OP Chihuahuas or poodle might be an option?

@Chocolateandamaretto

Just here to lol at the idea of lab puppies being sensible!

Same🙊

It's all very much dependent on the individual dog, we have a Labrador puppy and she is very sensible and easy to train. Growing up we had a Border Collie who had a lovely temperament, yet my Grandma bought one and she was nurtured and trained but grew up to be a vicious dog.

Cavaliers are lovely. We have one but it is important to get one with well tested parents and that have been brought up in a home environment. There are a lot of puppy farms for cavaliers and cavapoos so if decide on one please be very careful.

They do decent off lead walks for a toy breed. They also love them! However, they don’t ‘need’ long walks. I do a couple to three 40 min a day.

I have one - he is gorgeous and so loving. Yes many have health problems but not all of them.

They aren’t the brightest but once they learn they are pretty obedient.

Mine doesn’t have separation anxiety but as a toy dog they like companionship.

I’d have a house full if I could!

They love children too!!

Can you tell I’m slightly biased?!?

@Lifeisaminestrone my understanding was that no health tests could prevent the issue of the brain not fitting in the skull.

Looking for a dog
Hi I've been searching for a dog, we want to rehome one rather than buy a puppy. I'm not rich but we have a loving home and have wanted a dog for many years. Now everything has fallen into place and we are ready to be able to have a dog. I have 15 guineas (also rescued) and 3 budgies so I need a dog with a low prey drive like a golden retriever. If anyone knows of anyone who needs to rehome please consider us. I'm a single parent with 2 teenage girls, and a lot of love to give. Thank you

@Daiz contact rescues. There are breed specific ones too. Good luck!

@Wolfiefan

Here you go. Yes, appreciate not perfect but breeders should be following this advice:
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/cmsm-screening-scheme/

Btw I’m not a genetic expert / breeder but hopefully helps.

Thanks @Lifeisaminestrone. It seems things can be done to reduce the risk. But they can’t prevent it entirely. I did chat to one breeder but she decided against the screening. Can’t remember why. It’s awful the breed has so many health problems. Never met a cav that wasn’t sweet and lovely.

I suggest that you go to a good dog rescue center (RSPCA, Dogs trust) with your family, even if you are not considering a rescue, just to see in real life what different breeds and sizes and ages of dogs are like. At a good centre, the staff should be very knowledgeable and have good advice on what type of dog might suit your particular family's needs. I did loads of research online, but found it invaluable to actually see and interact with the dogs at a rescue centre - even though i didnt end up getting my dog from there. I initially thought i wanted a pup, but after spending 10 mins with one, i realised i would be exhausted, and am very happy that i got a 2 year old, already toilet trained and already past the shark/teething stage lurcher. Not all dogs at rescue centre have been badly treated btw (this is what i believed), some have been well loved and are there just because their family got divorced and couldnt look after them any more, or because their owner passed away. If you do decide to buy a puppy, do go with a reputable breeder. It is a false economy to spend a few hundred pounds less for a puppy initially, then have all the hassle, heartbreak and vet bills of dealing with a genetic disorder like bad hips, not being able to breathe properly, skin problems etc. Good luck

OP whatever breed you decide on, do not be fooled by someone saying they’re easy to train. Some dogs may be easier to train than others but all pups take a lot of time and effort and can leave you feeling exhausted snd possibly wondering if you made the right decision to get one. Do not underestimate this. That said, once you’ve undergone the hard work (often enjoyable too) of bringing up a puppy, they’ll likely be your best friend for life! I have a bouncy goldador and at 14 months he’s only just showing signs of calming down. He’s fun but definitely not for everyone.

@MissJeanBrodiesprime I so agree with the "easy to train" bit. We used to have a white/light apricot poodle who are apparently incredibly easy to train to the point of being used a circus dogs a lot (at least in Russia). Anyway, ours was terribly behaved and only knew one command (sit!). Completely down to us being completely inept at training. We adored him, but he was definitely not a circus dog.

Whereas now we have a pug puppy who are meant to be a lot more stubborn and less smart than poodles. But he knows lots of tricks and picks them up really quickly! It's because we now know how to teach them better this time around.

@Mayaspecialist what issues can/does double Merle cause?

@SemperIdem double merle bred dogs have a much higher chance of health problems. Blindness, deafness, higher chances of skin cancer etc

Single merle do too. But its much higher in double merle.

Some breeds already have merle in them. But its being bred into breeds that do not have merle already. The only advantage is that they look unusual, so bring a higher price.

But the disadvantages to the health of dogs and breed are many. Which is why, repurtable breeders don't do it. So not only is the problem the merle gene, but also the problems associated with bad breeders.

@Mayaspecialist

Thanks. I’ve noticed merle puppies for sale and thought them unusual - makes sense why they are after your explanation

How exciting! I've got a 4 year old and a 6 year old and two dogs. It can be tricky at times but soooo worth the effort.

I've got a 6 month old puppy and with school hols looming our usual days our feel like they're going to be a bit of an issue. We'll have to book a petsitter to break up the day for pup which is horrendously expensive!

Anyway, just some food for thought in terms of timing as might be better to wait til after school hols.

This is a great article which explores some good breeds for families. I think my personal choice if I did it again would be a King Charles Spaniel as they're both easy going and active. Quite adaptable little dogs but they do like being with their people a lot!

Hope this helps and congrats on your impending addition to the family!

www.yourfamilydogtrainer.com/blog/10-breeds-family-dogs

We got a female dog as I find erections in male dogs extremely off putting. I didn't realise it got worse....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/4295849-Does-anyone-elses-dog-leave-semen-around-the-house

Don't let the male dog Willy thing put you off, we've never seen our dogs 'lipstick' - the vet reassured us this isn't unusual