Puppy recommendations

[Daisrose]

Hello all, I’ve name changed as this is incredibly outing. We got a little schnauzer after failed ivf threw up a host of medical conditions for me that I’ve been living with since. She was sassy, sweet, funny, playful and so loving. Basically my little sidekick as I’m also self employed. At 13 months, we went away leaving her with a dog sitter that she adored and very sadly and suddenly, she passed away. It’s been incredibly traumatic and I’m still in the midst of grief. I am finding myself looking at puppies and know we will get another one at some point. I’m looking for recs, a pup that’s playful, loving, has personality, can be left alone for a few hours, happy to go places with me, NO guard dog personalities 🙈 - we were training her out of it but would be lovely not to have that, friendly and happy to be around kids even though we don’t have any. Not massively energetic, happy with a 45min walk plus a couple of walks throughout the day plus some longer ones at the weekend. We are flat living city people with a small garden. I don’t think I want the same breed as I just loved her face so much and know I will compare another to her. My current list is … and yes please don’t give me grief over designer breeds, I’m just looking for a nice dog and I’m sad. And yes, I’m looking at rescue dogs too

Cavapoo
Cavapoochon
Mini golden doodle
Schnoodle
Border terrier
Mini poodle
Bedlington terrier
Mini labradoodle
Lurcher
Australian labradoodle

Lachon, Bichon Lhasa cross
Whippet
Miniature Schnauzer
Havanese
Brussels Griffon

Thank you dog lovers ❤️

@Lastqueenofscotland2 ha! that made me laugh. yes, very true... think might have to be a rescue as it does seem a bit pot luck...

@Effingmagicfairy ahh, I'm sorry. I'm half tempted to get another schnauzer as I think they're so pretty but I would always be thinking of ours. Thanks! That's a very good review. What's the Facebook group called? Sounds all really positive

@sunshineandshowers21 Sounds gorgeous. Did you get him as a rescue or as a puppy as I wouldn't now where to start as to where to get one!

@Blistory Everyone seems to love them!

@Daisrose
My lovely neighbour lost BOTH het Cavaliers within months of each other.
7 and just 8
the littermates started to die at just 3.
Heart issues.

I don’t really like badly behaved or noisy dogs- so go for Whippets - When I was uber fit ( no arthritis) We had a Lurcher.

My current whippet so many people comment on, “Where did you get her? So well behaved- she is still young.
Approaching Two.

Early socialisation is crucial- as is training.

I have to have unobtrusive, quiet dogs because of my circumstances-
Lurchers are extremely variable according to their crosses, often unknown if from rescue centres.
Generally if any Border Collie is in the mix, they are very active.
So sorry for loss of your Puppy .

Completely agree.
Border Terriers can be a huge pain in the arse if untrained.
No manners and extremely barky.
One was killed by it’s next door neighbour for relentless yapping. ( National press at time)

Too many people just do not bother with training-Completely clueless.

@oakleaffy ah thank you. I do feel like I'm swaying between Whippet and Border Terrier. Our schnauzer was divine but I would have loved her to have been slightly less vocal / protective so that would be great if that's what whippets have. Are whippets good with strangers? Are they playful? A friend of mine has one and I spent a very divine evening with it curled up against me but that's my sum experience!

Mine IS very good with new people
She does “ Therapy” type work with adults-

She seems a natural at it- Loves people, but in a very quiet , calm way.

She will comfort a distressed person by going up to them and just leaning against them.

Suffice to say she probably would make a hopeless guard dog!
( Seen here with person ( friend) she had never met before)

@Daisrose I have known “ Good” Border Terriers , but their owners laid down very consistent firm boundaries and they had plenty of exercise.

I DO know some naughty Whippets, too - but as ever, Untrained and not socialised enough when young.
All dogs need training- ( Basic manners)
Best of luck.
Whippet Rescue have very long waiting lists-
If you do decide to buy, Go through a Breed Club, and expect to be grilled!
( A good thing!)

Best of luck.

We've got a Border Terrier that we've had since a puppy. She's 11 now and such a fantastic dog.

We put the time in training her and she's great with other dogs and people. At home she only tends to bark when she sees a squirrel in the garden or if someone rings the doorbell.

The hand stripping is a bit of a pain but our groomer does a super job.

Good luck on your puppy search!

What about a westie?

@Daisrose Facebook page is ‘Border Terrier Hand Stripping’, and if you fancy an overload of BT’s there’s ‘I love my Border Terrier’. It’s a big decision, my Border has a Schnauzer friend, he’s gorgeous. Good luck with your decision x

We have a whippet cross (rescue so not sure on the cross). He is an absolute joy. He is calm and quiet around the house (except for the occasional zoomies season!) and he loves people. I can't comment on the puppy stage as he was 6 when we got him.

So sorry for your loss ♥️. I would recommend a cavapoo any day. My 7 month old is the most loving, happy boy. He’s great with children and strangers, loves other dogs, has been fairly easy to train and is fine being left on his own for a few hours. We put a lot of work in to finding a reputable breeder and finally found one in the Scottish Borders. If you decide on a cavapoo and you’re anywhere near, let me know and I’ll give you their name

@oakleaffy absolutely gorgeous :) those eyes! And thank you!!

@Fedupofchangingusernames that's very reassuring to hear, they are definitely on the list. Thank you! And if you know of nay good breeders, do send me a dm! :)

@ReadtheReviews I've had a westie before, who I adored so may be worth a revisit! Do you have one?

@Snugglywhippet As your username states, looks exactly like that! gorgeous. Thinking hard about all of this. I know they're super chilled out but are whippets playful? I did like that aspect of our mini

@twinklelight Thank you <3 It's been brutal. I think they are gorgeous and definitely on the list! Loving and happy is on my Wishlist. Am very much missing my mini. I would love to hear more about your breeder.

We have a cross breed although not one of the ones you mentioned, and if I could do it over again I wouldn't have got him. We did a lot of research, met the parent dogs etc but looking back I still think it was a puppy farm, just a very well hidden one. He's also ended up with some of the worst traits of both breeds rather than the best, and has been quite ill most of his life which has cost us a fortune in vets fees

@LadyLump I’m so sorry to hear this. You’ve unfortunately named all my fears! And I do think puppy farms can be very well hidden. Sorry to hear you’ve had so many vet bills, I thought a cross breed would be healthier

I don’t know if you’re still thinking of a Tibetan terrier. My family has had 4 now and they are all completely different personalities. They’re funny, clownish little dogs who get very attached to their family. They are natural watchdogs, prone to separation anxiety who just love to be doing whatever you’re doing. If you’re doing busy something you’re guaranteed to find a little TT nose poking its way under your arm to see if they can help you. Not a naturally obedient breed, if you ask them to do something they will pretty much always ask “why” before they decide if they will do it. They’re intelligent and easy to train - they like climbing up things and being nosy, and like agility. They’re pretty easygoing with people and dogs. They don’t like harsh handling (no dog does I know) but they seem to take it to heart. They’re called the little people in Tibet and that really does sum them up.

the cons are the grooming requirements and the separation anxiety but you could just have them clipped and separation anxiety can be worked on. The ones I’ve known don’t need tons of exercise (an hour a day is fine), and since they aren’t actually terriers their prey drive is pretty low.

ultimately if you don’t mind the grooming, a little bit of barking and working on separation anxiety they will be your best mate. Everyone’s best mate for a bit of cheese really!

@ZeroWorshipHere I am! I just joined a FB group of TT and they are very cute. I know nothing about them and don't know anyone who has one! When you say completely different personalities - does that mean that some are nicer than others?!

Funny and clownish sound perfect. But how much of a watchdog are you talking about? Would they let people into the home?! How do they ask why in training? I love the thought of little people! I'm very into clipped haircuts so that's no problem and as long as seperation anxiety can be worked on so that I can go to the gym / cinema / dinner amount of time! Any pics?!

@Daisrose yes he is very playful too. He loves a cuddly or squeaky toy. I've heard some people say a whippet will chase a ball but not bring it to play fetch but ours loves fetch! He will happily bring a ball back to be thrown again and again. We only let him off lead in an enclosed space since he was used for lure coursing before we adopted him (he would chase a squirrel or cat) but I've seen others off lead on walks too. They are a lovely breed with a great temperament.

They are called Abergwenllan and are based in Hawick. They have a website, Facebook, Instagram etc. He came to use at 8 weeks old and could already sleep through the night and was happy to sleep in his crate.

He has the loveliest temperament and so do the other dogs from his litter