Totally novice owner to be

[teachingbean]

Hi!

This has probably been asked a thousand times but - here goes.

We are a family of 4 (smallest is 5) with a large house based in New Forest.

We have never had a dog before.

Looking for a medium size which doesn't smell too much (don't hate me!).

So far have considered:

• miniature schnauzer

-cockapoo

• Cavapoochon

Any advice? Thoughts?

Thanks ever so

Just as a note,I don’t want to be overly negative, but all dogs smell. They’re meant to. And too many baths etc is not great for them. There are a few down sides to owning dogs, hair, smell and mess are a few of them. But they more than make up for it in a million other ways, but you must be prepared for the down sides.

My sister has a Papillon. They are small spaniels. Not lap dogs but not with the crazy go of a spaniel. They are really loyal and a fun little dog. My sister is doing agility and her Ddog is enjoying it.
they are also not so common in the Uk so a nice breed to have

We have a cockapoo and he’s fab! Very lively, which we wanted, but providing you put the work in and socialise them and train them loads they’re brilliant family dogs. No shedding either - I’m part of a regional doodle group and it’s one of the things we all love about them. Be careful with labs - about one in four or five have a faulty gene which makes them food obsessed and they’re predisposed to hip dysplasia and arthritis. I have a few friends with border terriers - they are great wee dogs.

If you’re considering a schnauzer then look at border terriers and cairns too. I have a border pup and she’s shaping up to be a really lovely dog. She’s rough coated but doesn’t smell.

ALL dogs have prey drive. I had a terrier cross sighthound and hers was moderate. I’ve known more driven non hunters. So you have to factor that in. I know quite a few poodle crosses who are sods. I help run a dog training club and some of the worst are the ‘pet’ crosses. That could be because the working dogs are with people who know how to deal with it.

You need to spend your time talking to people though. Discover dogs is a really good place to start.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from health tested parents. Lovely little lap dogs that are great with kids.

Whatever dog you choose be prepared for the puppy stage. It's bloody hard work, the nipping is relentless, frequent trips outside in all weathers while house training, you can't take your eyes off them for a minute because they will pick any little thing up they find to chew/eat it. You can't leave them alone it first and then only in small bursts.

I have a rescued greyhound. He doesn't smell at all, I love sniffing him, he smells delicious! I'd probably say he's large rather than medium size but he folds himself up smaller. He's completely chilled out and loves a cuddle. Would be a perfect family pet.

Just going to jump on here quick as a mum of two cocker spaniels and strongly advise against this breed unless you want to go on two very long walks a day. I know you didn't mention that on your list but I'm not sure if cockapoos would be the same?

They are absolutely nuts. Beautiful, intelligent and loving but totally bonkers. They need to be very well worn out and very well trained.

Everyone told me they'd calm down at 5 years and I'm still waiting 😬☺️ x

Labradors are a great all round dog! They malt and do get smelly though but I can imagine most dogs do one or the other x

I have been thinking of you in the back of my mind, and the thought came to me about a Staffy? They're out of favour somewhat but all the ones I've known have been wonderful, gentle, fun-loving souls who are lovely family dogs.

As with all, be very careful where you get your pup from. The bad breeders are very good at putting on a good show. Get lots of advice, try to get someone who knows what they're doing to go with you to view and don't be led by your heart! Be prepared to walk away if something doesn't feel right (for example, an 'excuse' why the mum isn't with them, why you have to pick up from a car, etc). Also I would always view all the puppies and see which one 'gelled' with us, rather than just have one selected for me. You really can often tell at that stage which one might have the best connection with you and your family.

Good luck, a dog really can add a lot of 'value' to your family and teaches kids a lot of wonderful lessons! We wouldn't be without one, and all my children have gone on to have dogs as adults. They're very special!

We have a 4 month bedlington x whippet and she’s soooo lovely. She’s our first dog and although having a puppy is hard, she’s fab. She likes a good zoom then a massive sleep, doesn’t shed or smell (at all) and she’s picking up training well.
She’s also beautifully scruffy and her face kills me

We have a Havanese, we also live in the new forest.
He doesn't shed, requires minimal walking, doesn't smell, doesn't like mud, easily trained with food, great with kids, happiest when sat on your lap.
We do keep him short though as long coats are a nightmare to groom.

I’d strongly advise a Cavalier King Charles from health-tested parents. I’ve had 3 breeds of dogs and had 6 litters over 30 years, so only bred when I wanted to keep a puppy myself. Cavaliers were by far the easiest dogs especially with children around. They’re eager to please, so fairly easy to train and have in the house. Of the 4 litters of Cavaliers I had, all the pups settled well in their new homes. They’re wonderfully gentle, happy, biddable dogs.

Breeders can have their dogs genetically health tested for inherited illnesses. For Cavaliers this means heart-testing, eye testing and a test for syringomyelia. Responsible breeders will have done this and the results are published by the Kennel Club. Obviously both parents must be tested. A good idea is to get in touch with the secretary of your local Cavalier Club who will be able to tell you which breeders are expecting puppies.

A good breeder will interview potentially puppy owners rigorously, ensuring there is someone at home most of the day, the garden is fully enclosed and all the family are on board with having a puppy. You’ll be asked to sign a contract giving the breeder the right to take back the dog at any time. The breeder has a lifetime responsibility for the puppy, so none of their pups end up in rescue.

I had my dogs clipped so their coats were short and easy to keep clean. We have a family sitting room/kitchen with tiled floors and throws on the sofas, all helpful to minimise cleaning.

Do lots of homework and go to see lots of dogs. A great idea is to go to a large dog show and see all the breeds. You’ll quickly get an idea of what a breed is like.

Please do your research, not just in to which breed but also about what it is really like to have a dog. There are plenty of threads on here if you search.

Having a dog is wonderful and can be incredibly rewarding but it can be easy to underestimate the impact that a puppy or dog can have on your life and that of your family.

I don’t mean to be negative but so many people think of the walks and the need for a fence around the garden but don’t realise that is only the start.

Hi OP, I'm in the same boat as you, never had a pet/dog. I've spent over a year now researching. My heart was set on a cockapoo and then realised that was only because I liked the 'look' of the dog.

I met some and most were bonkers and most needed a lot of stimulation and long walks (one needed a 2 hour walk) before bedtime. It really put me off.

Then I spent that last 5 months doing more research and fell in love with daschunds and poodles.

Personally I've now chosen to get a Toy poodle as I think it will be the best fit for us as a family of 4. (Kids are 7 and 4) and I think we can give the dog everything it needs. I've looked at training, walks, mental stimulation, personality and also spoken to poodle owners and have a play date with a poodle in a few weeks time!

Today me and hubby been talking about what needs to be done in the garden before even getting a puppy etc. So much to think about. But I've been put off cross breeds. Especially as a first time dog owner . Good luck!

Obviously no offence to those who do have cross breeds!

I just didn't want to gamble on the personality of the dog just for the looks. (This is my own opinion and no offence intended to anyone)

It’s ok - we’re used to those kind of misconceptions and generalisations.

Cocker spaniel owner. Yep, they need walks. But actually, they need

Sorry!

They need mental stimulation and owners need to understand their working minds.

So mine has about 1.5/2hrs walking and training a day, split into 2 shorter and one longer. I do gundog training. He's show line x working. I'd not get a working cocker but show line are much easier and less buzzy.

He is hard work, but we worked from day 1 to stop resource guarding and it's been fine. He's amazing with the kids, super friendly. Absolute cuddle monster. Smart, trains quickly.

All said though, if I was starting again I don't think I'd have got a spanner. I love the bones of him and they're the most fantastic breed but not a "starter" dog. I am finding the training hard graft!

The bedlington/whippet cross is a super one.

I have a lab cross poodle, and although the non shedding (although not a guarantee!) is great, his coat takes a lot of upkeep.

Unless you keep them cut shortish, they need almost daily brushing, attract mud like no one's business, and I loathe (but obviously always do) taking him out in the rain as he takes so long to dry. And then there's the expense on top of it.

Also, all dogs can/do smell.

I wouldn't ever get one of those designer cross breeds, especially for a family with zero dog experience. I'm another who strongly recommends a Labrador. Given you have no experience, and the fact you have a young child at home, I would absolutely not recommend getting a dog from a rescue. Do your research and find a very reputable breeder to buy from.

After that, prepare yourself. A puppy/dog will turn your life upsidedown. Saying they are a life altering commitment is a gross understatement. Go into this knowing that your daily life will never be the same. You will never be able to just get up and go anywhere or any amount of time you choose on a whim. For as wonderful as dogs are, they can be very limiting.

I strongly disagree. I have fostered many breeds over 20 years. Apart from 2 Collies the two recent fosters that stole my heart, and are here to stay, are cockapoos.

Apart from the cost of 8 weekly grooms they are intelligent, loyal, loving, calm and easy to train.

Im embarrassed to say I took on the prejudice of others. Until I fostered my first Cockapoo.

I’ve met loads of cockapoos on group walks since then. I have never encountered a grumpy, reactive Cockapoo. They are such happy dogs. Happy to interact with other dogs. Easy to train. Love a runaround , outdoors, but happy to settle and sleep indoors.

The two I have, in placement, are here to stay.

This!

We have 4 Shih tsus next door.

They yap ALL day

Border terrier - small, obedient, independent, good with children, James Herriot's choice. I have had 3 now.