Which dog for us?

[MyPoorOldDog]

I'm hoping you knowledgeable people can help me decide which type of dog we should be getting. Apologies if this is a little bit too long.

My old dog was PTS coming up to 2 years ago. I obtained some very useful advice from people here at that time, for which I am grateful. Back then, I didn't think that I would ever want another dog, but gradually the dog shaped hole in the house has become larger and larger and we have decided to get another dog this summer.

A few basic facts. I am in my early 60s, DH is a few years younger. I work mostly from home, and I shall be decreasing my work load to a maximum of 6 days per month soon, and I plan to have two months completely free during the summer to enable the new dog/puppy to settle in. We have several friends living nearby, who are very reliable, and are keen to help out, as they are unable to have dogs of their own.

I would walk the dog for an hour or so off lead in the morning (We live in a semi-rural area with acres of forest/moorland on our doorstep) and a shorter walk in the evening - off-lead in the summer, on-lead in the dark during the winter.

We have a decent sized house and garden. I am a keen gardener and spend a lot of time outdoors. The dog can expect to be with me outside for long periods.

Here is the issue. I have had three dogs before - one mongrel and two cockers - all owned since puppies. If I were to have my own choice, I would have either another cocker or a cockerpoo/cavapoo. My husband (who is very tall and fit) wants a larger dog. He had a German Shepherd when he was a child and that's what he would really like, if it were his own choice.

Although he will be gradually cutting down his working days in the near future, it will be me who will be doing the bulk of the walking and training for the time being. Whilst I am very keen to take the dog to training classes, possibly to advanced training classes if I can find them, I am concerned about this 5ft 5ins getting on a bit woman handling such a large, wilful dog. I know they can be absolutely brilliant, but I'm so unsure.

I feel that I am rejecting the idea of a German shepherd outright, but I wondered if anyone here has a Swiss shepherd, as thy appear to be a little more manageable?

I am probably rejecting the idea of a sighthound. As much as I would like the cats who come into my garden to go elsewhere, I don't want a dog who will be chasing them.

I don't want a very large dog or a permanently bouncy dog who will never grow up!

Does anyone have any suggestions please?

My first cocker went through a stage of growling when anyone went near her after she had been given food. I cured it by insisting on taking bones off her soon after I had let her have one. Yes, she growled and looked like she might bite, but I persevered as she was only a small dog

I know this was a long time ago but this really isn't what would be advised nowadays! You're really quite lucky things didn't escalate and become worse.

If you do end up with another resource guarder please ask your vet for referral to a local APBC or CCAB qualified behaviourist.

You say that you have friends who will step in to dogs it if need be (and yes you are right to be having this safety net in place if ever you need it) but would they be happy dog sitting a German shepherd? They are a lot of dog 😉

Just so you know the advice about resource guarding is very much not to take stuff away! Have a look at dog training advice and support on FB.

For the record (because I don’t think it sounds like the breed for either of you) but GSD’s aren’t wilful, they’re really really trainable, to the point that when people have issues with them it’s usually because the dog needs a job. But also, if your DH didn’t like your cocker being attached to you, can’t see him being thrilled when the GSD does it too, they tend to be one person dogs and if you’re doing the bulk of looking after....

labs are btw, great dogs, they’re absolutely not plodding or obese naturally, that’s just what people do by over feeding and under exercising.

Some of you have made recommendations of different breeds, which I shall be looking up - thank you.

I have always thought springers to be somewhat bonkers and extremely high energy. Am I wrong about that?

Also, back to the issue of cockerpoos - I have been looking on various websites where puppies are sold, largely to pick up ideas about what might suit us and it is clear that certain breeds are extremely popular now e.g. French bulldogs. Surely, the complaints about puppy farms can apply to any pure breeds? It seems to be a complete minefield for the unwary - and perhaps even for those who have some knowledge of the problem.

Other dogs must have issues such as resource guarding and so on too. They all have their own unique personalities.

I am considering adopting a dog. The ManyTears website is unlikely to be of assistance to me. Most of the dogs appear to require a great deal of experience in order to help them get over the awful way they have been treated, and most require another dog in the house. I don't want to take on a dog which is going to make both the dog and us utterly miserable. I have a friend who tried twice to adopt a dog. She spent quite a lot of money on behavioural experts but still had to give them up.

Wolfiefan - thank you - that's excellent advice about the Cruffs show on different breeds. We don't live anywhere near Birmingham, unfortunately, but it might be worth the effort to go in any event.

Also, back to the issue of cockerpoos - I have been looking on various websites where puppies are sold, largely to pick up ideas about what might suit us and it is clear that certain breeds are extremely popular now e.g. French bulldogs. Surely, the complaints about puppy farms can apply to any pure breeds? It seems to be a complete minefield for the unwary - and perhaps even for those who have some knowledge of the problem.

Absolutely - puppy farms are rife especially with the popular breeds and it is a complete minefield. They're certainly not exclusive to cockapoos but the difference is that cockapoos don't have much of a purpose (not purebred so no shows / breed standards; no hunting / gundog / guarding / herding purpose) and really the only reason they're bred is for the pet market / profit. There are some good breeders of the popular breeds but cockapoos are almost exclusively bred by puppy farmers.

I wouldn't touch any of the brachycephalic breeds with a bargepole (short snouts - french bulldogs, English bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese etc) as they are so riddled with health problems and the insurance premiums are enormous (I ran a quote, and if DMutt was a Frenchie and all other details were identical the quote would be £250 not £50 per month).

I've got a smaller (16 kg) working springer. Most others we meet are lots bigger than him. He will snooze the morning away while I'm at work & then have an amazing afternoon galloping about off lead. He's happy with just the 1 hour long walk a day or when we've got the time a whole day out in a field. He chills out at home & is happy investigating the garden when I'm out there (admittedly to sun bathe & not garden!) he is rubbish on the lead, but I focussed on recall & off the lead from the beginning so that's my fault for not doing that. He's almost 2 & although not the brightest spaniel I've met 😂 he was easy enough to train. Everyone made a 😳 face when we said we were getting a springer as a first family dog but he's been amazing. Great with my son& his friends. he pulls but is small enough not to tip me over-I'm 5 foot 3, he is my absolute bestie but that's because i work part time & do most of his care.

“Surely, the complaints about puppy farms can apply to any pure breeds?”

Some pure breeds yes, especially very popular smaller ones, some are popular with puppy farms too - and you’ve got the added issue with breeds like french bulldogs of, should anyone be breeding them given they’re just not fit for purpose... by purpose I mean existing as a dog btw.

But, the poodle crosses are very attractive to puppy farmers because they usually go for more money than a breed and they can have a whole load of different breed bitches, and a male poodle and they don’t even need to worry about what bred with what, they’re all poodle crosses.

The main difference though say between cockers and poodles over a cockapoo is that good ethical breeders of cockers and poodles do exist, the best you’ll get with cockapoos is someone breeding their pet with not a lot of knowledge but good intentions, unfortunately that doesn’t always work out well.

Buying a puppy is always a little bit of a gamble, what you’re trying to do is stack the odds a bit and the best way to do that is finding a good breeder, not just better than appealing, and I’ve never come across a good poodle cross breeder.

appealing was supposed to be appalling 😂

A relative got a dog from Many Tears and she is super and has very few issues.

I have a GSD and honestly will never own anything other than this breed. They are fantastic dogs, that being said, if you aren't 100% sure about the breed then pleas do not get one. They are incredibly easy to train and so intelligent but that does not mean they are easy dogs at all. If you get a well bred one it will more often than not have quite a bit of working line in it, which means a lot of stimulation/training constantly. They can also be quite anxious dogs which can lead to some fear led aggression when not bred well or not socialised effectively. I feel at this stage in your life if you aren't committed to a GSD then there are many more manageable breeds out there!!
Sorry to say but size means absolutely nothing when it comes to dogs in my mind, in my experience as a dog owner the smaller ones are always the worst!
I think a retriever or lab would be a perfect fit/compromise for you and your OH. They're on the larger size but are notoriously good temperament, crazy as puppies but they calm down at 12-18 months apposed to 7/8 years for a GSD!

I have a border collie, they are great dogs for people who are experienced dog owners and have lots of time to dedicate to them. They can be hard work but they are incredibly rewarding too. Great if you are interested in sports like agility, fly ball, obedience etc. I also know a few people who have a collie retriever cross, they are still very trainable but not quite a full on as collies. English shepherd's are similar to collies but often a bit more chilled.

Pointers are lovely dogs, friendly and hardy , either German or English.
I'm a vet nurse , we are inundated with cockapoos, have been since lockdown,
I'm sad to say this but people are quite fickle about dog breed 'fashions' hence so many of them , contrary to a previous poster most of what we see are bred by inexperienced unregistered breeders for a fast buck.
We see sweet ones of course but so many of them have behavioral problems , i feel sorry for the clients i have seen full of hope and happiness with their new pup who later down the line needs prozac from the vet to function.

I'm that previous poster and it's a shame that you see so many - I wonder if they are more prevalent in certain areas of the country? I meet lots of cockapoos through breed meet ups and they are well trained, lovely, friendly, loyal dogs. I also come across lots of other breeds on my 3 times daily walks and I see all sorts - lots of mental spaniels that seem incapable of keeping anything less than 500m between themselves and their owners, overfed ploddy labs, brachycephalic breeds that can barely breathe as they shuffle along, and lots of other breeds who veer from calm and placid to out of control. If you're willing to put in the time to train your cockapoo then they are brilliant dogs - and yes, absolutely research your breeder (as you should do with any dog).

I work for many tears, but you’re right it may not be the scenario you’re looking for. I would always say adopt don’t shop, scruffy dog rescue has many gorgeous midsize youngish dogs who are very appealing and wiry. The rescue seems to do a good job of assessing and matching, have a look!!

This. Please consider a rescue dog.

I had a rescue border collie who was an absolute dream. Currently I have an Australian Shepherd who is also a dream. You may receive advice to avoid herding breeds, but my experience with them has been amazing.

Having said that, I will add that people often expect dogs of certain breeds to behave in predictable ways, but most behaviour is not attributable to breed at all. Some traits, especially those related to work (herding, retrieving, etc.) seem to be inherited, but a recent extensive study suggests that only a small percentage of a dog's behaviour is due to breed.

Hi there OP, I have a wonderful Swiss Shepherd. He is amazing and I think they are a brilliant breed. I looked at lots of other breeds and did lots of research. I’m shorter than you 5’ 2”.

What did you want to know ? 😊

Rehome.

If your husband wants a dog suggest he offers to help with dog walking at a local rescue. He can get his dog fix and you wouldn't have the hassle.