Here’s my lifestyle; what breeds should I consider?

[BaoWow]

I’m an experienced dog owner and, after the passing of our dog at a ripe old age a while ago, I’m beginning to start thinking about adding a new pooch to the family. Currently we have no dogs, for the first time in my life.

Our last dog was very clingy and didn’t like other dogs around and I don’t want to go through that again so the plan is to get a dog at some stage, and then add another after maybe a year. She wasn’t reactive, but just didn’t interact with other dogs at all and just wanted to be glued to us every time another dog was near her.

I’ve always had pedigree dogs and wouldn’t rule out a rescue at all, but would prefer a clear mix rather than a Heinz 57 so that I have some idea of what to expect. Realistically though, I think it’s likely we’ll look at a puppy from a breeder. I’ve bought from breeders before, know how to do my homework, and am prepared to wait for a puppy. That said, if there was a rescue that was quite young and a known cross, I’d very happily consider it.

My past dogs have been German Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Border Collies, Cocker Spaniels, and Cavalier King Charles. To be fair, I’ve been lucky with all of them and haven’t lost any to anything other than old age- one had cancer but surgery was successful. Bloat was always a risk with the OES but raised bowls and limiting drinks appropriately meant we didn’t have any issues.
The GS, Cocker, and Collie needed a lot of exercise but I’m not in a position to give a dog that must activity these days.

I would love a giant breed but don’t think I could face getting something like a Newfie or St. Bernard that has such a short life expectancy.

We live in a large house with a very large, secure garden. Our dogs have always lived indoors but there’s lots of outdoor space. We both work from home full time, but would need a breed that’s happy to be alone for up to four hours twice a week, once it’s past the puppy stage.

We don’t have any children in the house, but have a cat.

We live close to a primary school. There’s a high wall and electric gates at the front of the house that’s additionally secured with wire between the bars etc so I’m not concerned about a dog getting out, or little hands getting in, but I am concerned about the perception of certain breeds and drawing any trouble given that there’s a school so close.

Our lifestyle is pretty sedentary. Plenty of time for playing, grooming, and training, but exercise is likely to be 2 x gentle 30min walks each day, plus as many garden zoomies as they fancy.

Not bothered by drool.
Have the ability to manage high costs- food, insurance, vet care, grooming etc.
My husband and I are both very tall and sturdy so wouldn’t be concerned about a well-behaved large dog being too much for us to handle.

We tend to bring our dogs out and about with us a lot- village strolls, local cafe, occasional pub, weekend trips away. I don’t want to be in a position where I’m scaring people. Would also like something that’s happy to be in the car.

Breeds I’ve considers are-
Old English Sheepdog- again. I just love them. The last one absolutely broke my heart, though.
Bernese Mountain Dog, St. Bernard, Irish Wolfhound or Newfie- gorgeous but too short-lived
Leonberger- beautiful, but the only one I knew was horrendously stubborn.
Pyrenean Mastiff- have never met one but they sound interesting. But I am concerned about their guarding instinct so close to a school.

Outside of large/giant, a medium or small is also a consideration.
Thinking maybe a Corgi but have never met one, just like the look of the breed and what I’ve read about the temperament.
Australian Shepherd- don’t think I’d be able to offer it enough in terms of exercise.

So, if you were me, and wanted another great big ball of a fluffy couch-potato to love with the lifestyle above, what would you consider?

The giant breed dogs need very little exercise....they are usually fantastic companions. I have a St Bernard and enjoy not having a dog that is over energetic. She is happy to lounge around wherever I am.

We have a Lhasa apso, which is a smaller version of a Tibetan terrier.
I definitely think either of these breeds would be perfect

@Whitney168

Have to say that some of the breed suggestions for the lifestyle you describe realistically and practically really do show why so many people have unsuitable dogs that become problems.

Despite pushing my beloved Rough Collies, I do think if you hanker for a giant breed I would be investigating the Leonberger further though OP. Such a beautiful breed, would consider one myself at some point in the future.

I totally agree with the first half of your post.

Pointers and setters would absolutely not cope on 2x30 minute walks a day - to suggest otherwise is frankly bonkers, to be honest. All the pointers and setters I know need at least two hour of decent exercise per day while young.

I would also add poodles and labradors to the list of dogs who need more exercise than OP can commit to. Both are working breeds and shouldn't be expected to cope on such a small amount of exercise.

I know you're worried about perception but have you considered Staffies? We have 2 currently but throughout our lives we've had a total of 7 between us (DP and I) and every single one of them has been amazing.
You will always get opinions from people who don't actually know anything about the breed and decide to spout about them being dangerous without actually researching so that would be something you'd need to be prepared to ignore.

Ours are both happy with 2x 30min walks a day (although we do walk them off the lead in areas where they can get a really good run about and play - if it was 2 x 30min on lead walks, they definitely wouldn't find that enough). In between walks, they spend the majority of their time lying out in the garden of the weathers nice, or sleeping on the sofa if not.
They're very affectionate and just big softies. We have a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old niece and they're both brilliant with them too.

We live near a school aswell and the kids walking past in the morning all love stopping to clap them - luckily our boys are happy with that, if they weren't we would keep them in at school start/finish times.

They have quite long lifespans too, our older boy is 8 and is showing no signs of slowing down, never had any health problems.
Our last one got put down 2 years ago when she was 16, and my DP's one before that at 17.
My childhood staff was put down when she was 15.

If you're looking for a smaller dog, a Lhasa apso or shih tzu would perhaps fit well!

Borzoi? Friend has two and they have a gallop about in the morning, sleep all day then gallop about in the afternoon.

My rough collie is fairly chilled. 50 minute ish walk in the day plus a bumble round the road in the evening. Veryhappy occupying herself in our large garden. Everyone stops you though to comment and have a pat! Clumber spaniel may suit you. Tebetian Terriers are highish energy. One of my pupils has a couple and they are a handful at times. Airdales are beautiful dogs - very stately.

What about a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, similar size to a Bernese & apparently live to 10/12?

There is a beautiful one, which we see when out walking our girls. She is very friendly to our two dogs, and the owner says she lazy around the house and brilliant with the grandchildren.

My little whippet has tried a few times to entice her into a game of chase- but she just looks wearily at her.

"fluffy couch potato"

In that case... a setter? We've always had Irish Setters growing up, my cousins always had English Setters. We'd holiday together a lot and the dogs were kings of the couch! We have a photo somewhere of two setters sparked out on the sofa and five kids sitting on the floor beneath them.

Some greyhound (& lurcher) rescues are more proactive with cat testing their dogs than others. What rough area of country are you?

Golden retriever! They are so loyal and beautiful dogs very eager to please owners. I've had a couple and when you can't give them exercise because of illness or whichever reason they are quite happy to run around in the garden with a ball. Our girl loves a walk but there has been times we couldn't take her due to me feeling unwell or kids been poorly or even my pooch being poorly and shes either played around with her toys or happy to just lie and give cuddles. Very easy to train. They do take quite a bit of grooming but they love it and so do I ots very therapeutic.

@Clearlyunhinged

Very surprised to see King Charles Spaniels on the vulnerable list, I know they have a multitude of health problems but very surprised to see how few were registered over the last couple of years

The King Charles Spaniel is a different breed to the Cavalier King Charles, have never come across one I guess they fell out of favour when they separated into the 2 spaniel breeds.

I love the Newfoundland someone has in our town, makes me laugh as the owner has to cross the road if there is a cat because the dog is scared of them. Given that you haven't ruled out rescue it may be worth keeping an eye on rescue sites, Dogs Trust has had 2 St Bernards in the past couple of months, one was young so guessing it was a purchase that was not well thought out.

I'm sitting here now cuddled up to my 19 week old Bernese and say go for it!

The breed sounds an ideal fit for you. You are right about the lifespan, sadly so often too short (usually cancer). We went over and over this but kept coming back to this breed! Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking whenever it happen - whether you've had 6 or 16 years together. Those were my thoughts anyhow.

My Irish Setter is the best natured and lovely dog ever, and has never needed loads of exercise. Loves meeting people and children.

My JRT is super clingy and needy 😂

Nordstrom😍 beautiful dogs😊

I see someone upthread has already suggested a Bedlington Whippet, and I would second that wholeheartedly. We have a 7 month old pup who is an absolute joy, is happy with a good sprint around and will sleep for the rest of the day. She's extremely cuddly and loves nothing more than being with you on the sofa! The cross is known for having a high prey drive but she takes no notice of cats or other small furries and has yet to chase anything other than a tennis ball. They are a wonderful sized small lurcher, generally they don't shed (this comes from the Bedlington side) and are very low maintenance on the grooming front, just a quick brush is all that's needed. If you want to know more there is a wonderful Facebook group called Bedlington Whippet appreciation group which is very active and you can learn lots about them. Good luck in your search for the right dog 🐕

Borzoi? My Aunty has one and he is a gentle giant.

If I was in your shoes OP I’d get a Leonberger no question. I’d love one so much but I live in a small terrace in a city centre.

I just love giant breeds.

@JudyGemstone they spend most of their time asleep upside down so take up a lot less space than you think

[quote Leonberger]@JudyGemstone they spend most of their time asleep upside down so take up a lot less space than you think [/quote]
I agree with this! I think a lot of people (understandably) think “giant hairy dog = nightmare!”

In reality, they don’t tend to bark. They don’t need huge amounts of exercise. They tend to find their “sweet spot” for napping. They don’t run around like lunatics.

The two main things you need to take into account are:

Ornaments/drinks etc. Though they don’t crash around your place like loons, they can get a good tail wag on - so bear that in mind re things you don’t want swept off your coffee table.

Their nickname is “lean-on-burger’. They live to sit next to you and then they lean their body weight against you. It’s one of the loveliest cuddles you’ll ever get. But you need to be prepared for it - your knees can easily be knocked off-balance! Plus, you’ll get hair on you 😂

Oh Border Terrier any day of the week - they are small to medium sized dogs who think they are big dogs - 2 x 30 min walks and a big garden with one of those things you can use to chuck a tennis ball for them to chase I think they would be fine. Also - as long as they get enough exercise they will be happy to snooze for the rest of your sedentary life. They are hardy - touch wood they tend to be very healthy ( when we take ours to the vet he or she always says - lovely a Border - this won't be a problem ) and they are such affectionate dogs & they can get to a decent age - ( mine are 14 and 13 and still going strong)

Here www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/dogs/border-terriers-the-dogs-with-endless-energy-that-still-love-a-cuddle-on-the-sofa-229987

I rest my case

Ah whichever dog you choose I wish you well

Oh and just to say I would not get a cat after a Border Terrier but if you get a puppy & the cat was there first I reckon that would be fine - but do ask - I think they are more interested in squirrels / foxes than cats.

How about rescue's ? These two would fit into your lifestyle perfectly

www.dogsblog.com/olly-and-may/

@BaoWow just come across this thread, sorry for the resurrection!

I have an English Mastiff and have to say now so many friends and family have got dogs, I realise how easy she is compared to smaller breeds, in many ways. She was a very calm pup and can only really cope with small amounts of exercise compared to other dogs due to her size and potential issues with joints etc.

Downsides are all the things you have already addressed. She is also quite a nervous girl, as in, nervous of loud noises, small doorways, new things, all the funny things big dogs are nervy about. She has been easy to train and is not particularly intelligent so is very easy to contain, too.

She is 6 years old and going strong, her parents lived to ripe old ages, i.e. 11+. So it is not all doom and gloom with regards aging, with the right care and food.

My first thought was whippet

Basset Hound.

They might not be the biggest dogs but have huge personalities.
They don't need masses of exercise every day, couple of 30 min walks would be fine but are able to keep up for a decent walk if you like a bigger outing now and again.
Our boy is great to take out and about as being quite uncommon, people just love to see them! Plus they're generally pretty calm, great meeting new people and kids.
Id say the main downside you've already covered, a bit of drooling to deal with but overall well worth needing to scrub the skirting boards more often

We have a pug. He is the beat dog in the world and sooo easy compared to the miniature poodle we had before. He loves nothing more than a snooze on the couch after a few zoomies in the garden/a park. He is extremely kid-friendly and loves to be cuddled and fussed over. Loves to sleep on top of any human that's currently on the couch/bed, is not a morning person as all 😀, just sleeps on car rides and is just the most wonderful dog on the planet. He has also been a dream to train as he's very food-motived and eager to please. We have a black one and he barely sheds at all (not visibly). I think the lighter ones shed more though.