I just can’t choose a breed

[Pumpkin5piced]

I’m so excited that I’m finally ready to get a puppy but I just can’t choose a breed. I’m so scared of making the wrong choice.

A cavalier: I’ve read they’re pretty much perfect but have health issues. I’ve found a good breeder that health tests extensively but the pups are expensive and of course still run the risk of health problems. Plus cavaliers shed a lot I believe. No a major issue though.

Cavapoos: love the sound of them, have considered a poodle bit like the idea of the cav being in the mix. A struggle to find a good breeder.

Border terrier: I don’t know what it’s like to have a terrier and lots of things online say they’re not great for first time owners. I also need a dog that doesn’t bark a lot, I’m not sure if BT’s meet that? Some days I may only be able to do an hours walk.

The only other one id considered was shih tzu.

I would like a dog that can keep up with longer walks at weekends but that doesn’t need excessive exercise every day which is why I’ve ruled out cockers and poodles.

Get an older German shepherd from a shelter.

My Mum has a schnauzer and he's amazing! He's non-allergenic and doesn't moult at all. He doesn't chew and was dead easy to house train. So so well behaved and absolutely hilarious!

Dogs vary by breed but also line. An hour a day especially split into 2 or 3 walks generally isn't enough for any dog. Will you be out most of the time which is why no barking?

Our Cavapoo generally gets 1 to 1.5 hours walk most weekdays (usually split over two sometimes three walks), plus exercise with a ball or tug toys in the garden. We'll then have longer walks at the weekend. He's always up for a walk and is full of beans but also very content chilling at home or playing in the garden. He's currently snuggled on the sofa with me!

I'm a first time owner (well I was 6 years ago) and I have a border terrier.

Great dog. Good temperament. I walk him 1.5 each day but occasionally less if I'm pushed for time. He only barks at delivery men and birds. Most if the time he's pretty chilled and quiet.

Having been out walking everyday over the years I've met LOTS of dogs. I have also fallen in love with Jack Russell terriers (someone put me off getting one myself because they told me they were barky and snappy. Not true at all!)

I've also met quite a lot of whippets who are just soooo gorgeous. The sweetest dogs ever.

@Mantlemoose I could be wrong, but an hour is fine for shih tzus, frenchies and several toy breeds. But I don’t really want any of those. As I said, I think it would be more like 1.5 hours. So hard to visualise how it will all work.
No barking is because of neighbours. It’s part of my tenancy agreement.

Schnauzers apparently bark a lot otherwise would be great.

I’ve never heard a bad word about cavapoos I just wish I could find a good breeder.

Border terrier owners always highly recommend them, but I am a little apprehensive and I’m not even sure why.

Never really considered whippets. Will have a look.

Greyhound!

Maltese and Shih Tzu cross Malshi- they are brilliant little souls, no shedding they are small only needs about an hour of walking throughout the whole day

Parson Russell.

However fit you think you are, they’ll want more. Loyal to the end, protective of you and yours, intelligent, keen to learn and quick to train, longevous and just beautiful to behold..

In our experience, tolerant and very accepting of cats, Guinea pigs and rabbits too (within the family, couldn’t vouch for wild ones).

Really, a stalwart breed, look into them.

Even though I'm a solid terrier lover, if you were worried about barking I would definitely look into a whippet.

I love them. So gentle with eyes that always seems to ask "are you ok?" ❤️ I've never owned one myself but have met plenty now. My friend has owned three whippets and she says they're soft and mainly lazy. Just need a normal walk. Preferably off lead.

We have a shihtzu and she's wonderful.
She's quiet, chills out most the day, loves a cuddle, loves a walk but she's also not fussed if she doesn't get taken out for a few days if we are busy with work/life!

They do need grooming every 6/8weeks.

She hasn't really cost us anything in vet bills, she's been happy and healthy and almost 10years old.

And she's very good with the children.

@Pumpkin5piced

When I said an hour a day, that would be the exception not the rule. Usually more like 1.5. Sometimes 2. Yes split into 2-3 walks I’d imagine.

I don’t expect to get a dog that is happy with one hour most days and hours others, I know that’s not realistic. But it would be nice to have a dog that would be happy strolling around the park for a few hours or through the woods with the kids at the weekends.

A BT would be fine with an hour a day and then a wander with the kids through the woods. Mine is 12 now and although loves a nap would still throw himself up a hilly countryside ramble if I took him. When he was younger he'd be equally up for a sniff round the streets, a play on the field with his ball or a walk up a mountain (which he has done, though had to be enticed out from behind a rock at one point with a cheese butty 😂)

He does bark but only when he thinks someone or something is a threat to his house, the neighbours cockapoo does nothing but bark and mine just looks at me like "he's off again Mum 🙄"

He's great with kids, they throw balls for him and he brings them back and is extremely obedient with kids - more so than with adults!

You do need to be firm with them from the start though, or they will take a mile, but he is the best dog in the world and we wish he could live forever!

Our border terrier probably barks the least of the dogs we know. Hardly ever. Our neighbours dog barks all the time and she just ignores him.
I think if you're really concerned about barking a whippet might be good. My gran had one. Such a sweet and chilled out dog.

I would suggest a Boston terrier tbh. Hardly sheds and are happy with a short walk or a long walk. Obviously there is the risk of health issues with then being a brachycephalic breed but honestly we've never had any issues there.

Even at 10 years old, ours is happy to come along on a decent walk with us or just lounge around at home.

Dandies dont bark in general as it would give the game away whilst out hunting.
The don't shed
The are small but not aggressive they have been described as the Gentle man of the terrier world, I think we are on Dog Number 7 and this is the first Dandie she is the best we have had.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

I have a cavachon and 2 cavapoos.
Cavachon is a fab little dog and would tick all your boxes . Happy to snuggle but can do huge hikes at weekends.

Cavapoos are a bit more full on . The first year was a bit of a test! They are two now and have settled down but get bored easily.
All 3 have the most gorgeous personalities and adore people.

I have known several borders and they are fab dogs but all a bit unpredictable with other dogs.

Whereabouts are you bases Pumpkin? I might be able to help with a Cavapoo breeder. She's an amazing home breeder - all her dogs are health checked etc.

If you are a first time dog owner, think hard about how much time, money and effort you wish to put into grooming.
99% of poodle crosses need doing every 6-8 weeks. The other 1% are frm working stock and you don't want one in the same way you don't want a German pointer.
Boston terriers and whippets need never meet a groomer.
Learning to hand strip a border terrier is fairly easy.

@SingingGoldfinch south east

I ve a schnauzer. Of all the dogs I ve grown up with and owned she's my favourite.
She s almost human and so gentle but she barks.
V v easily trained and she's trained us easily too. A lot of grooming...scruffy after 5 weeks but zero hairs so a small price.
Course I adore her

Pumpkin - we're south east too. I'll PM you!

Be careful with the trendy cross breeds. Particularly the poodle ones. There is absolutely no reason to cross these breeds other than money and it’s against the registration rules of the KC and so ethical breeders simply don’t exist. It’s almost impossible to find one that has done the required health tests for both breeds (actual tests not just a my vet says they are healthy) and as there is no pedigree or registration there is no way to check the parents are not overbred, closely related or even the breed they claim to be.

@SingingGoldfinch can you please PM me the details too

Cavalier here. He is perfect in every way 😁.

Would love you to pm me with your breeder details as I’d love a 2nd dog eventually and mine was a one off from a good friend.