Recommend us a breed - long term planning

[pastypirate]

Hi folks.
After we have moved house so in around 12 to 18 months time we would like to consider a second dog. I already have a show cocker (thick as mince and pulls like a tank - bear with me this is relevant). He is a cherished and settled boy - we have no issues providing the correct amount of exercise and I work from home - he is left alone but rarely more than a couple of hours and honestly he doesn't care - listens to radio 4.
We as a family enjoy lots of girls and beach walks plus the power walks I do each day for mh reasons. We have a caravan so he comes with us on holidays. Hoping I've answered the dog friendly lifestyle questions.

Dd2 would like the second dog to be her dog. She is now 9.

My spaniel doesn't like shi zhus or cocker poos for some reason though he's fine with a friends chihuahua and with dogs he gets to know.

Dd2 wants a small dog that is less likely to pull on the lead and is very cuddly. I think a staff - she likes the look of terriers.

We love dashies but I'm worried my boy is quite boisterous and they are delicate!

We have rabbits so strong prey drive isn't ideal - my spaniel annoys the rabbits daily they don't need anything worse than the loudmouth idiot he is.

I would like a more intelligent breed than my show cocker - he is honestly the Father Dougal of dogs! He is 7 though we would enjoy a puppy it's not essential.

Yes - we would consider a rescue.

Get a crossbreed from the RSPCA. Loads need good homes and they have nice natures and tend to have less health problems than breeds.

How about a pug? I was going to suggest Jack Russell or border terrier until I saw you had a rabbit 🙈.

Most terriers have a strong prey drive, so only get one from puppyhood, because that's the only way you stand a chance of training one to ignore other household pets. Indeed, you're probably better off with a puppy for any breed for that reason, plus you can also train from the off to walk nicely on lead.

The less obstinate terriers are Norfolk, Norwiches and Borders, and perhaps the toy breeds, if you want to go that small.

@Newuser82

How about a pug? I was going to suggest Jack Russell or border terrier until I saw you had a rabbit 🙈.

Dd2 would love one. They are a bit strange looking imo! There have one on our estate that growls at all other dogs even though he's tiny he's v funny.

@wetotter

Most terriers have a strong prey drive, so only get one from puppyhood, because that's the only way you stand a chance of training one to ignore other household pets. Indeed, you're probably better off with a puppy for any breed for that reason, plus you can also train from the off to walk nicely on lead.

The less obstinate terriers are Norfolk, Norwiches and Borders, and perhaps the toy breeds, if you want to go that small.

That's really interesting thank you - dd2 will be sold it needs to be a puppy!

I do know of some house rabbits and Jack Russells cohabiting very well, pretty sure the JRTs also think they are rabbits - all 100% supervised of course.

Don't rule out rescues - at least they would be able to check compatibility with your dog before you go home and offer a lifetime of support. They do also get puppies, but they won't often make it to the website.

Any breed could potentially have a prey drive, none are completely immune from it, it's definitely down to the individual and lots of training.

Toy poodle? They are so clever and friendly. Easily trained and small enough.

Pugs are super friendly with people for the most part and really funny.

Mini poodle? I find toys a little neurotic and possibly a bit too delicate for your boy (we have a clumsy spaniel too). Poodles are very intelligent dogs so your DD could do lots of training, brain games etc.

Or another spaniel - ours is a working x show so was a bit of a gamble, he's smart while also being daft (learns things quickly, zero common sense ). Not all shows are dim, I love the description of yours as Father Dougal 😅
I find my boy gets on best with other spaniels (he's good with all dogs but only really wants to play with spaniels).
They do want to sniff EVERYTHING so agree they can be pullers but they can be trained in loose-lead walking. It took a while but our 15 month old has cracked it. They are such fun dogs too.

Bichon Frise are perfect for your needs.

Small and cute but sturdy enough that you don’t have to worry about them breaking (ours is 10kg of muscle, she’s robust to say the least!) super friendly with people and animals, not a terrier and so fairly low prey drive but also really intelligent and very trainable.

They were circus dogs back in the day and so love to learn new tricks which could be fun for your Dd, we’ve also done a bit of agility with our girl.

Also lots of them in rescue if that’s the route you decide to go.

Think very carefully before getting a pug

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/things-think-about-buying-flat-faced-dog

Appreciate all the input but I don't want a pug. I don't feel right about breeds with that short breathing tube thing. My dog is v healthy and costs me far less than the bunny in vet bills he's v tough.

I love poodles I will research them. I'm aware they are v intelligent.

It's a no to another spaniel - not what dd2 wants though both my dds adore idiot dog.

I would say Norfolk or Norwich Terriers might be a good option.

Coton De Tulear, adorable dogs. I’ve always been a big dog person but my friend has a Coton and I’m surprised at how taken I am with her. Very quick learners, eager to please and love their people.

@PermanentlyDizzy

I would say Norfolk or Norwich Terriers might be a good option.

Love this kind of dog

@MandyMotherOfBrian

Coton De Tulear, adorable dogs. I’ve always been a big dog person but my friend has a Coton and I’m surprised at how taken I am with her. Very quick learners, eager to please and love their people.

Dd would love that kind of thing - my spaniel wouldn't he really has a thing about anything that looks like a bichon

Mini poodle or west highland terrier ticks a lot of your boxes

The best dogs arguably tho are greyhounds. So mellow it's ridiculous.

My neighbours have Coton de tulears and they are horrible things, really aggressive with massive selection anxiety issues, but it could be bad ownership. The grooming for a youngster might be a bit much as well.
I’d look at Scottish terriers, with decent training early in the prey drive shouldn’t be an issue, and they are robust healthy little things

On the subject of Dashhunds. Miniature Dashies are a bit delicate but standard sized Dashies are pretty robust little dogs, that would more than cope with a Cocker, I'd have thought....

We have a Basset Fauve and she's a joy. I reckon they'd keep pace with a Cocker quite happily. No recall whatsoever though. Cannot trust them off lead as scent urge is too strong.

Don’t forget grooming costs- for dogs like poodles etc. Bischon Frise require brushing every day and a groom every 8 weeks (at least my MIL does this and she has one). He dislikes being cuddles by children though, only likes adults. He also hates other dogs. If you have one from a pup I imagine it’ll be fine though!

What about a Teckel?
Robust terrier-type wire haired dachshund, not fragile at all.

Ah, you've fallen for the "it'll be my dog" palaver. Your dd is 9. If the dog lives to a decent age, dd will be away at uni/working when the ddog is 9 itself. Is she really going to feed/walk/train the new dog? If so, great. If it's just going to be an animated toy for her, not so much.

And not a staffie if she doesn't want a dog that pulls and you think another scent/prey dog would be a bad mix.

Best of luck.

Papillon highly intelligent cuddly but small.

I wouldn't get a terrier if you have small furries.

MIniature/toy poodle would be an excellent choice providing you don't mind the grooming. They are fantastic dogs.