Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Husband wants a dog, need help choosing

121 replies

StarsShineBrightly · 11/12/2022 22:11

So husband wants a dog as he thinks this will help him get fit. He needs to get fit so I'm certainly agreeable. I like dogs, but would have preferred to wait a bit due to my work, but DH works from home so can do the walks and be available and do most of the training.

We've been researching, but are a bit stuck on breed, so thought wise mners might be able to advise!

We need it to be able to be home alone sometimes, good with kids and resident cats (2, one is elderly).

Kids are pre-teen/ early teen, both very bouncy and can be loud.

We thought of a lab, but i think they're a bit too big, I'd prefer a medium size

Labradoodle, but apparently they're also quite big.

Beagle, difficult to train and bark a lot.

DH will mainly be training it, but he has adhd so a difficult to train dog will just see everyone miserable including the dog.

DH wants a dog that can manage a 10 mile walk, but not need a walk that long every day. I don't want loads of extra work, so low-ish maintenance is ideal, but most of the recommended ones are too small for what DH wants.

I'm wondering if we're looking for an impossible dog?!

We aren't looking for a rescue as kids and cats seem to rule us out.

Any ideas greatly appreciated

OP posts:
FurAndFeathers · 11/12/2022 22:13

don’t get a dog expecting it to get you fit. It won’t. You’ll likely just end up with an under exercised, fat and frustrated dog. Get a pet that suits your current lifestyle, not one that suits an aspirational lifestyle

Snoopystick · 11/12/2022 22:13

Don’t rule out looking for a rescue - we have a border collie puppy from a rescue, they had cats around so they got used to them. They also do home visits so get the right dog to suit you.

Kaylisa · 11/12/2022 22:14

I have two springers and they’re fab. Great with kids. Love a long walk but equally happy with a quick walk and some play time.
they haven’t been destructive. Not noisy. Easy to train.
they are very mouthy when puppies but we would just redirect to a toy.

FurAndFeathers · 11/12/2022 22:14

how much time do you have every day for exercise, training, grooming etc?

Twizbe · 11/12/2022 22:15

Don't get a dog to get fit. It won't happen.

Join a gym and get a trainer instead.

custardbear · 11/12/2022 22:16

Either a mongrel as they're less difficult, or a breed that's a bit easier. Don't go for a 'doodle' dog they're unpredictable and can be crossed with a breed and you get the difficult genes of both.
We have a Samoyed which are amazing! They're difficult at times as bright, and woof but are so gorgeous, able to run or walk but not as over needy walk wise as other husky type dogs.

DisforDarkChocolate · 11/12/2022 22:17

I'd love a miniature poodle.

mintbiscuit · 11/12/2022 22:17

A lab needs a lot of exercise (every day no exceptions) but v easy to train as do anything for food.

but tbh not convinced you are doing this for the right reasons. I really would re think

tryingtocatchthewind · 11/12/2022 22:18

Cocker spaniel (show type) could work; fairly easy to train, friendly, not too big, not too much hair. But any dog will need patience and socialisation to fit into your lifestyle. There’s no magic, perfect breed otherwise everyone would own one!

Mortimermay · 11/12/2022 22:25

I just wanted to add to what others are saying about getting fit. You won't be able to walk a puppy for 10 miles a day or anywhere near that for a long time so if that's the main reason for getting a dog, it maybe needs a bit of a rethink. There will be a lot of training and lots of very small walks before the dog is able to do anywhere near what you would like it to. It's whether the motivation will have worn off by the time the dog is able to enjoy such long walks.

tkband3 · 11/12/2022 22:30

Whippet. Will walk for ever if you want them to but equally happy with a shorter walk and lying on the sofa for the rest of the day. Relatively easy to train as very food driven - so will do anything for treats.

But agree with everyone who says don’t get a dog to get you fit.

Ylvamoon · 11/12/2022 22:34

10 miles a day?
Like with humans, dogs need to build up that level of fitness. Unlike humans once they are used to walking that much, they will expect it on a regular basis.

It's a huge commitment.

ChristmasBloomingChristmas · 11/12/2022 22:36

Don't rule out a rescue. The thing about a rescue is that the centre will know the dog well and be able to match you. Your age kids won't rule a rescue out and some dogs will have had experience with a cat or they can cat test them.

Polkadotties · 11/12/2022 22:38

We’ll he won’t be getting fit if you get a puppy seeing as puppies can only do 5 mins of exercise per month of age once or twice a day.

Afterfire · 11/12/2022 22:43

We did the whole getting a dog to get fit thing. Ended up with the laziest dog in the world who randomly stops whenever you walk, won’t move for shit and stares at you when you try and walk at any pace like wtf are you doing to me?

Get a dog if you want a dog or get fit if you want to get fit but the two aren’t always mixable!

Original poster
StarsShineBrightly · 11/12/2022 22:45

Thanks all. It's a whole life style change that's required. So starting slowly and building up actually works better.

We've often thought about a dog and then ruled it out, generally due to work commitments, but now DH is mostly from home it's a bit more possible.

The main bulk of the work will have to be done by DH, I'm happy to help but don't have spare capacity during the week, i do at weekends though.

We'll have a look at cocker/ springer spaniels.

OP posts:
Idbetternamechange · 11/12/2022 22:45

Also bear in mind Puppies can experience long term damage if exercised too much too soon. I want to say not within their first year or two if I recall correctly.

Thighdentitycrisis · 11/12/2022 22:52

Lurcher ?

Reindeersnooker · 11/12/2022 22:53

I'm not sure you should be getting a dog to get fit without knowing anything about them out wanting a dog for its own sake. You will have to muck in during the week, that's inevitable. Working from home doesn't mean available. Spaniels are high energy, springy things. Whoever suggested a collie is insane. A Labrador will turn your lives upside down too, at least for the first year. If you both had time and were getting it because you desperately wanted one and were doing proper research it would be different but this has disaster written all over it. Having said all that, if you must get a dog what about an adult retriever rescue that has come from a knowledgeable home. They are your best bet for being placid and trainable.

MoreHairyThanScary · 11/12/2022 22:57

Poodles are fantastic dogs! ( in a range of sizes) 😁

FirConeAndBerries · 11/12/2022 22:59

As others have said don’t get a dog to get fit. Puppies take a long time to build up their muscles as well as fitness and remember a lot of issues can be caused walking puppies too much in later life. Training never stops imo, it’s time consuming and needs to be consistent. I’d be careful and research the breed as much as possible. I have labs and wouldn’t touch a rescue with a barge pole if you have cats and children, especially from abroad! It’s a lovely thought but many rescues come with issues and in a busy household you may not be able to meet their needs, be realistic of what you can offer a dog.

Snoopystick · 11/12/2022 22:59

Reindeersnooker · 11/12/2022 22:53

I'm not sure you should be getting a dog to get fit without knowing anything about them out wanting a dog for its own sake. You will have to muck in during the week, that's inevitable. Working from home doesn't mean available. Spaniels are high energy, springy things. Whoever suggested a collie is insane. A Labrador will turn your lives upside down too, at least for the first year. If you both had time and were getting it because you desperately wanted one and were doing proper research it would be different but this has disaster written all over it. Having said all that, if you must get a dog what about an adult retriever rescue that has come from a knowledgeable home. They are your best bet for being placid and trainable.

I never suggested the poster get a collie, so I’m not insane thanks - just that we have a collie from a rescue and not to dismiss a rescue dog.

TugboatAnnie · 11/12/2022 23:03

Make sure that he's also in charge of feeding, washing the bowls up and clearing up the shit from the garden. These are the typical grunt jobs that become 'women's work!'Smile

failedmydog · 11/12/2022 23:04

A working lab? Fox red lab? retriever? Maybe look at the traditional hunting retrieving working breeds if he is going to genuinely get those miles in when the dog is older.

I think a Cocker Spaniel size wise, energy wise and training wise might suit you? And you could get a rescue?

If you can work up the exercise and it's a case of getting out of the house to start with?

My user name isn't a great one for dog advice but the amazing people on here have helped me with some muzzle advice!

And I forgot to change my name!

PixelatedLunchbox · 11/12/2022 23:05

FurAndFeathers · 11/12/2022 22:13

don’t get a dog expecting it to get you fit. It won’t. You’ll likely just end up with an under exercised, fat and frustrated dog. Get a pet that suits your current lifestyle, not one that suits an aspirational lifestyle

This. Honestly OP. I have ADHD and the thought of having to get up and outside to walk a dog when it's not "fun" e.g. it's cold outside, it's pouring rain and the dog needs a walk - it's not going to happen.