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Original poster

Does anyone regret the breed they chose?

104 replies

LostFrog · 21/12/2021 20:03

Asking for a friend Grin

We have a 13 week old springer. Considered beagle (scared off by tales of appalling recall and difficult to train), Labrador (2 horrid barky ones next door and decided too large for us), whippet (my first choice, but had heard horrors of accident proneness and high prey drive and we also have a cat), various others I can’t remember. Chose a springer in the end largely because dh grew up with one, but also because we wanted a dog that would enjoy a good couple of long walks a day, easy to train, not too big.

I keep wondering whether we made a mistake. Don’t get me wrong, we love him, no going back, I just worry that he is quite highly strung - our dog trainer looked at his pedigree and said because there were lots of field trial champions in there on one side we may find that he has a high drive and will be challenging and will need to be kept mentally occupied - so walks without a purpose incorporating lots of sniffy games will make him anxious because he needs to know what he’s doing it for. For some reason this has really worried me that even when we are past the puppy stage we will have a difficult dog. The breeder breeds for pets, not as working dogs, kennel club assured.

Is this just normal puppy blues? Did anyone else not regret getting a dog, just felt that they had picked the wrong type of dog?

OP posts:
Spinderellaella · 21/12/2021 21:21

@Random789

OP, I was struck by your trainer's worry that "walks without a purpose incorporating lots of sniffy games will make him anxious because he needs to know what he’s doing it for."

I find it hard to make sense of that. Surely any 'sniffy game' that is well designed to make him locate and retrieve an object is going to be rewarding for him? What would it mean for him to "know what he is doing it for"?

I just wonder if your trainer is over-complicating things.

I thought the same thing.
undercoverhero74 · 21/12/2021 21:30

We have a 10 week old springer and my god is he a handful!! Wouldn't change him for the world though.
I have no advice really, I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone 😊

whatisthisinhere · 21/12/2021 21:30

I know someone who breeds showline goldies, such lovely easy dogs. I might just get one at some point. Maybe.

Hoppinggreen · 21/12/2021 21:38

I have a Goldie, I have had 3 before and it was the only breed I considered.
He’s lovely, very chilled and we can take him anywhere , everyone loves him. I don’t even mind all the hair. BUT despite owning them previously as well as a Great Dane cross Ddog is quite big. I am not keen on small dogs and love giant breeds but I have friends with small dogs and it’s just so much easier.
If we go away in The UK we take 2 cars, I would happily have a smaller car but can’t and he’s not as portable as a small dog.
I wouldn’t change him for the world but he takes up quite a lot of room

Truffled · 21/12/2021 21:43

And me! An absolute joy at home.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 21/12/2021 21:44

Yeah springers are so high energy!

I got a yorkie. Unpopular at the minute but suits us down to the ground. Easy, portable, trainable, can walk all day, or will occupy themselves hunting with the cat.

Mermaidsh1t · 21/12/2021 21:44

Miniature dachshunds. I love them dearly but they're very noisy and needy. The separation anxiety seriously limits my activities and I won't get another dog once they're, ahem not with us anymore. I do love their quirky characters though.

Truffled · 21/12/2021 21:45

Sorry that was in reply to @Megacervixosaurus. My mini schnauzer is also an angel at home!

Bouncer500 · 21/12/2021 21:55

I would never get another patterdale. Crazy aggressive mad dog.

IsThisAkissingBook · 21/12/2021 21:55

I've never liked dogs until I got our rescue long haired chihuahua. He is just like an extra child. He is so spoilt and has changed my life. He's 3 but he's not a fan of walks, will manage the 10 minute walk to the school but expects to be carried on the walk home. But equally he is happy not to have a walk. He would sit on my lap all day and sleeps in the bed with me at night.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 21/12/2021 22:04

Had Shelties growing up, but moved into town and not enough space for them. Met and loved Shih Tzu for their personalities. Best breed ever --except for the grooming needed. As I got older and grooming got more expensive I transitioned to Pomeranian. Beautiful, active, lively girl, but doesn't have the loving personality of my Shih Tzu. Willing to play but not to cuddle. Hoping as she grows older she will become more of a cuddle bunny.

TokyoSushi · 21/12/2021 22:11

We have a Sproodle, so a Springer cross, he is the actual best dog in the world! Loves a massive walk, loves lying around on the sofa, loves a cuddle, just loves life! He's 2.5 now and really starting to settle down, we utterly adore him!

Colourmylife1 · 21/12/2021 22:18

I also recommend a Facebook group called Scottish Springer Spaniels. It’s full of people who really understand and love springers. There is plenty of good advice on there. It really helped me when I was having a wobble! You don’t need to be in Scotland!

Largethighsbadeyes · 21/12/2021 22:24

Breed - no

Size - yes on occasion

We have a male golden retriever and he is wonderful but bloody hell he's huge and he's strong. I will always have goldens (he's my third) but next time I think it will be a bitch. Smaller, lighter and hopefully one who doesn't have to be lifted into the car 🙄🙄

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/12/2021 22:29

I have a terrier mix and he's brilliant, I would get another terrier however I would choose my puppy a bit differently. I went for the quietest puppy and I now know that he's quiet as he's nervous.

He's absolutely brilliant with people but reactive to some dogs, he's also nervy of people he doesn't know.

In future I'd get a bitch and I'd go for a more confident puppy.

tinymeteor · 21/12/2021 22:29

We have a beagle. All the stories about the breed are true. Many times in the first year I’d have cheerfully posted him back. Bloody love that dog though, and will probably have another one when he goes.

Ylvamoon · 21/12/2021 22:32

Parsons Terrier- absolute dream to train, dream on the agility field, great at obedience... but oh mighty he was the biggest arshole on walks! No recall, dog aggressive and would dissappear into the bushes for hours (I had to leave him a few times because the bugger wouldn't come back!) I ended up walking him on a short lead with a muzzle.
I will never have any terrier type again!

Peachypips78 · 21/12/2021 22:35

@Nyancat I came on to say I don't regret my breed- mini schnauzer- as he is just about perfect!

WaverleyOwl · 21/12/2021 22:49

We rehomed greyhounds because I knew we couldn't cope with high energy, always wanting walks, dogs.

He can't be let off the lead anywhere un-enclosed, but as our last dog (a Cocker) was run over this is not an issue. I'm not sure I could cope with that.

So, no, I don't regret my dog breed. I have a super chilled couch potato, that will take a walk, or leave a walk (especially if it's raining). A cuddle monster that has occasional zoomies. Makes my mum's cockapoo look like a nutter.

lisaandalan · 21/12/2021 22:50

They will calm down and with lots of love, attention, long walks and boundaries will be a joy. X

certainshepherdpups · 21/12/2021 22:58

No regrets. I've always had herding breeds: rough collies, border collie, and now an Australian Shepherd. Absolutely love them all.

Interestingly, my second choice after herding dogs would be spaniels. I even toyed with the idea of a springer this time around. Perhaps it's for the best that I didn't go for one after all?

mumofEandE · 21/12/2021 23:09

We also have a springer - he is 7 years old now
I won't lie - at first it was tough - he did calm down a bit after he 'was done'
The first 6 months all he wanted to do is bite my ankles (luckily only me and not the DC!)
I used to stand on the sofa whilst he tried to jump up at meShock
So long he gets his long walk in the morning he will sleep / mooch about / nap from the time he comes back until bed time - he 'tells' us when it is 11pm and goes to stand at the back door to go for a wee then takes himself off to bed
Last year we got a kitten - who would bully him - he is such a softie!
Photo as he is so damn handsome!

Does anyone regret the breed they chose?
han01uk · 21/12/2021 23:15

Yes. A dachshund. I stupidly thought I would be able to overcome their stubbornness, but he has well and truly beaten me!

SummerSazz · 21/12/2021 23:51

I have a Female Toller and she's fab. Right size and right amount If exercise to fit in with the family. Although she's in season now and tries to hump all visitors 😳. Hopefully this will pass once she's spayed!

Does anyone regret the breed they chose?
PersonaNonGarter · 22/12/2021 00:04

Have had suluki-cross in the past and never ever again. It’s a different type of pet ownership - although their coats are amazing, they are aloof and really you are just their butler.

Often looked after a friends working cocker. It is hard work. Constantly under foot and the throw-the-ball thing is very boring.