Meant to be getting a new pup in the morning and I'm not feeling it.

[HappyHealthy23]

We've had various dogs over the years. Last one was a boxer that we adored. She died last summer and we were devastated.

I've been looking out for boxers since but the there's been none in any refuges and to buy one from a breeder is at least 1500€, which we can't really afford at the moment, but we might be able to next year.
A refuge I follow on FB posted during the week about Lab/Collie Cross puppies they're looking for homes for and we were approved to adopt one and are due to pick one up tomorrow.

Dd (7) is delighted. I was excited, but now DH and I are just a bit...meh.
I'm worried we're making a mistake, that we're going to regret not waiting for a boxer.
Shouldn't I be more excited? Am I doing potential new pup a disfavour? Am I being ridiculous?
I don't know what to do now. 😥😥😥

You’re doing the potential new pup a disfavour.

Having a different breed will be a wonderful new adventure for you all.

After we lost our Yorkie I couldn't bear the thought of having another Yorkie as it would bring back the pain of losing her. So we went for a Cockapoo who is 100% different!! No regrets.

Yeah.

Have you seen the puppies yet? Maybe when you meet puppy you’ll feel differently. If you still feel unsure when you see them, you can say you don’t it’s the right pup for you. Dd may be disappointed but you can explain you will get a pup, but not just yet (off to Google boxer pups).

Sorry that was to the first poster.

Yes, @Whyisitdarkalready , I've been trying to think that way, of a new adventure with a new type of dog. And on paper, this dog is perfect for us.

If you think it might be a mistake, now is the time to do something about it, rather than in a week or a month's time when the dog has bonded with your family. I get that your DD will be disappointed in the short term, but that's nothing compared to the disaster of adopting a dog that isn't right for you.

No, we haven't met them yet. The refuge is a long drive away, so we're going up there tomorrow, will spend the afternoon with them and then if all goes well, bring one home.

The first few months can be awful with the accidents and nightly wake ups, chewing etc, so if you’re not sure now then you’ll really think you’ve made a mistake getting a puppy.

Your daughter may be upset if you don’t take the puppy but she will feel much worse if you return it after a week or so.

Fabulous cross breed hopefully . You get the brains of the collie with the happy personality ( and, when mature) calm nature of the Labrador. Everyone’s friend and a smart dog to boot. Playful, like a boxer.
Of course you could get one that’s more collie - neurotic, chases cars, bikes , everything, but as it’s a pup, you will get to shape that in training.
Enjoy, your puppy will be fab.

I know how awful puppies can be. We had our last one from a puppy.

Thank you for that @Timeforachangeisitnot .

Lovely cross to train. Bright but can be sensitive. I’d want to know a bit about what the rescue has done so far with socialisation.

Tbh if you’ve survived a boxer you’d survive anything. Just go and see how you feel.

We rescued a lab collie cross when I was a teen and she was the best ever. She had been beaten and abandoned and we collected her at three months old. She was a lovely girl and her only thing was she hated any man other than my dad.
If you're unsure at all then don't even go to the rescue because you might find it very easy to fall for a cute puppy but feel very differently when you're at home looking at said pup and wishing they were a boxer.
Good luck.

Our last dog was a lab and I loved her so much I knew I couldn't have another so we have a collie. Who I also love but it's been a steep learning curve getting used to her.

Tbh the cross doesn't tell you much about the temperament of the dog you'll get but you can assume it will be high energy and playful as a pup like a boxer. It may be more or less herdy or driven as an adult, collies vary a lot. And it may be more or less biddable like a lab. But it'll probably be a great dog which needs a lot of training and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation like your old boxer.

Tell your DD it is NOT a done deal. Go and see with an open mind. Ask lots of questions. Walk away if it still doesn't feel right.

But both collies and labs are amazing and have lots of the qualities you loved in your boxer. So it may feel right. And you know the puppy stage will drive you insane whatever dog you get!

I would have loved my first choice op. Sadly not the right time in our lives. We got a completely different breed! Love her but wish I had done more research on the breed. Not the ddog I anticipated but my own fault. She fits in well and no regrets.. Go see that dpuppy op.

Thanks, all of you.

We're an active, outdoorsy family and live rurally, so in that sense the pup should fit into our lifestyle at least.

I will go and see the puppies at least, I think.
Dd told me when she was going to bed earlier that she feels sad about "replacing" our boxer, and I told her that if she wasn't feeling it with any if the puppies tomorrow to say so, and that no one will be cross with her.
I'm going to apply that to myself as well. If we don't get three yesses, then it's a no.

If a dog is neurotic, chases cars, bikes and everything, it isn't a collie. It's a dog that hasn't been trained. Any breed can be "neurotic" etc if you fail to gain them or meet their needs.

After my first dog died, I waited several months to get another of the same breed. It was tricky, as the second dog was completely different, and a much more challenging personality. I did grow to love her though.
When she died, I decided to go for a completely different breed. This worked out well, and allowed me to treat the dog as an individual right from the start.

@Quveas fair point. But a poorly trained / engaged Collie is a very sad dog.

It sounds like you’re still grieving for your previous dog, which is really nature. Try not to think of the new pup as a replacement. Dogs are part of the family and it is so hard when they pass.

If a dog is neurotic, chases cars, bikes and everything, it isn't a collie. It's a dog that hasn't been trained. Any breed can be "neurotic" etc if you fail to gain them or meet their needs.

I agree that collies need homes that can meet their needs. They're pretty specialist dogs and unfortunately I see a lot of them who don't get their needs met in normal pet homes.

But the issue with collies is that their herding instinct can be incredibly dangerous if it's not channeled properly - you don't have the same issue with non-herding breeds.

If you are not 100% all in then DO NOT DO IT. It is completely unfair on the puppy.

How did it go meeting the pup today, @HappyHealthy23 ?

How was the pup?

Well, we have a beautiful little girl at home with us this evening. All my doubts are gone, just like that. We are all head over heels in love.
Thank you all again. 😘