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The doghouse

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Best breed for us?

40 replies

iwearmysunglassesatnight · 10/11/2022 18:47

What in your opinion is the best/easiest dog breed for us?

*First time dog owners who don't have experience of caring for dogs
*Household of 2 adults, 2 children (6 and 8years) a cat and chickens
*kids have lots of toys lying about do we would prefer a pup that isn't prone to chewing things (not sure how realistic that is)
*Both adults work from home majority of the time
*Fairly active family- could realistically manage one long walk plus a shorter walk
*medium sized garden but have chickens roaming
*we have saved a decent amount of money to fund puppy classes

We would prefer a puppy to grow with our family. I've done some research but wanted to hear what other dog owners thoughts are?

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 11/11/2022 12:41

Newpeep · 11/11/2022 08:46

Our border terriers breeder had free ranging cats and chickens and the five adult terriers ignored them. The pups wanted to play. Our 13 week old wants to play with our very laid back confident cat but with training is learning to be calm around him for the most part.

ALL dogs have a prey drive. Some can finish the job. In an agility class of two terriers, two ridge backs and three cocker spaniels it is the show spaniels who are chasers and killers. Our last dog a terrier hound cross lived safely with cats. It’s much about the training and individual as the breed type IME.

You will need to put the work in with your other animals. Ours is our first pup after having adolescent rescues and by god she’s hard work even though she’s a happy, confident little soul. I wouldn’t have done it if rescues hadn’t turned us down for over two years. We’ve no kids and husband WFH.

I know all dogs have a prey drive. But some breeds have a stronger one than others.

For a first time owner wit free range chicken training will be easier with the type of dogs I mentioned.

I am sure your Border terrier breeder has a lot of experience with dogs and knows what makes her own dogs "tick" which does help with training!

Newpeep · 11/11/2022 13:08

Ylvamoon · 11/11/2022 12:41

I know all dogs have a prey drive. But some breeds have a stronger one than others.

For a first time owner wit free range chicken training will be easier with the type of dogs I mentioned.

I am sure your Border terrier breeder has a lot of experience with dogs and knows what makes her own dogs "tick" which does help with training!

Of course. But from experience I’d hate to recommend x as great with y as I know all dogs are individuals. You do need management and training with other animals. Very few GENUINELY ‘get it’ without help. Chickens are also more prey than cats who can defend themselves.

agree on the working gun dogs. I teach lots and I couldn’t live with one. Most I meet from pure pet homes have behavioural problems ranging from mild to severe and are not happy dogs (again I am sure there are exceptions but we live in gun dog country so we know a lot!). They are bred to work all day every day and that need must be met. Again lots of designer crosses have working gundog lines and the owner is not aware.

iwearmysunglassesatnight · 11/11/2022 14:28

I am excited to see a few recommendations for cavaliers, this breed had been my top preference from my research but I was worried about their health conditions. Should I be looking for a breeder that tests the parents? Do they test the pups?
Don't worry I would not consider any kind of working spaniel as we are inexperienced with dogs so I know this wouldn't be suitable for us.
So I am now thinking I need to get the kiddies used to keeping their toys in their bedroom away from where the pup would be. I probably need to find somewhere for our shoes too!

OP posts:
bunnygeek · 11/11/2022 14:39

If you go down the Cavalier route - finding a healthy line is exceptionally tricky. Any breeder that doesn't have full health tests on both parents plus a good healthy family history for both parents as well, I would avoid. You may find yourself on a long waiting list for a "healthy" puppy. Do a LOT of reading on their health issues.

Toys and shoes need to be out of reach - shoe cupboards, toy boxes with lids, are a must.

The children need as much puppy training as the dogs do ;)

Dallimore · 11/11/2022 15:33

@EdithStourton we have yeah, but he's actually not that interested in it. We rescued him as a failed gundog as he was terrified of loud noises and gunsGrinlooking back I don't think they should have let us have him as we were so inexperienced but there we go

ivfbabymomma1 · 11/11/2022 15:48

Not a dachshund (from the owner of a dachshund)

I have 2 chihuahuas who are an absolute delight though

wetotter · 11/11/2022 15:50

I think you'll need to partition the garden to keep the chickens safe and not too stressed.

You need to think about what size you want, how much shedding you can live with and your opinion on drool. Do not get either a cav or a flat faced breed without reading up thoroughly on the health issues and deciding if you can live with a dog that might prove to have difficult issues (health tested parents reduces but does not necessarily remove the risk. Be aware that insurance for these breeds is likely to be expensive.

All puppies chew when they are teething, so you'll need to puppy proof for that stage, and teach the dog, over time, what s/he can have

If you get a puppy, the cat will probably do the 'cat training' for you, as long as s/he is reasonably feisty. Cats need a place where they can escape from the dog if they want to - maybe allow the cat upstairs but not the dog?

One of the smaller, friendlier terriers might be suitable - both the Norwich and the Norfolk are excellent family dogs (small, robust, can go all day but won't mind the odd day of short walks only, easy coat care, usually very good natured) but one is a vulnerable native breed and the other at-watch, so hard to come by (plus side is that they tend to come only from breed enthusiasts, rather than larger-scale commercial breeders)

Also worth considering Border or Cairns terriers, which are also at the friendlier end of the terrier scale

Wolfiefan · 11/11/2022 15:59

Yes puppies chew EVERYTHING. Kids need to keep stuff in their rooms.
My understanding is you can’t health test cavalier parents to ensure puppies don’t have the breed health issues.
One thing tu think about is grooming. Do you care if a pup needs a trip to the groomer regularly?

ChickenMaths · 11/11/2022 16:13

Whippet? Totally underrated dogs in my opinion

EdithStourton · 11/11/2022 17:07

Dallimore · 11/11/2022 15:33

@EdithStourton we have yeah, but he's actually not that interested in it. We rescued him as a failed gundog as he was terrified of loud noises and gunsGrinlooking back I don't think they should have let us have him as we were so inexperienced but there we go

Huh, @Dallimore you have a broken springer there then! I hope you can find something that wears out his brain.

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 11/11/2022 17:17

Oh I'm so glad you're considering a Cavalier! Our Harry was the best decision we ever made (and we have two kids 😆). They're just brilliant little dogs.

Best breed for us?
iwearmysunglassesatnight · 11/11/2022 17:28

Harry is beautiful 😍 what was he like as a little pup?

I am going to need to research breeders who do health checks. Does anyone know specifically what health checks parents need?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 11/11/2022 18:13

You need to look into the issues with the breed. Heart problems. Syringomyelia (sp?) where the brain is too big for the skull. Lovely dogs but I wouldn’t have one.

pumpkinelvis · 11/11/2022 18:47

We have a cockapoo (not cool on Mumsnet), but he's perfect for our family. He is Friendly, great with kids, fun, loyal, clever, easy to train and doesn't shed (one of the reasons we wanted this type of dog). If you wfh then that's great. They are real people dogs and don't like being on their own though we occasionally leave for 4 hours. My dh took a short course and has clipped him since we've had him so no costs there. He's also very flexible. Some days he has 2 walks, some days once and if it's blowing a gale he doesn't want to go out.

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