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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog breed! Can I ask for suggestions?

74 replies

sunshineandstrawberryjam · 03/05/2023 15:24

I own three cats. Both DH and I work from home full time. Late teenage DC who tend to come and go a lot so there are a variety of people around. We have a medium size garden (half an acre), and access to the countryside.

I'd be looking for a breed with a low ish prey drive (so is ok with the cats), can cope with a reasonable number of people (so not German Shepherd which we've had before as they do not like comings and goings), is going to be comfortable with about 3 walks per day of 30-40 min each (so about 2 hours per day) and maybe obedience training or similar at the weekends, and then happy to chill out in the sitting room or garden while DH and I work.

We've had dogs before but not for a while (due to kids). In the past we have had GSDs and Old English Sheepdogs but I feel like a GSD would not be a good fit for us these days. Am seriously considering an OES again but just wanted to check what else I might be missing.

Thank you in advance!

OP posts:
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coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 03/05/2023 17:11

Do you generally prefer bigger dogs or are you not fussed about size?

Tootyfilou · 03/05/2023 17:30

Golden Retriever . Best dogs in the world.

Panicmode1 · 03/05/2023 17:35

I was going to say a golden retriever too - today mine has been out for an hour's walk with me, but has then flopped by my feet while I worked. She's currently sunbathing happily in the garden. They do have a LOT of hair though....!

bunnygeek · 03/05/2023 17:35

The cats and the visitors are really down as much to training as to breed. Breeds like Labradors or Golden Retrievers could certainly fit the bill better than a GSD. I don't know much about OES, you just don't see many around anymore so you may find yourself on a very long wait list with a good breeder to get one.

Justcashnosweets · 03/05/2023 17:35

How about a show line labrador? Absolutely wonderful dogs. ❤️

Newpeep · 03/05/2023 17:40

Most breeds brought in as pups will be ok with the cats with training. All puppies are idiots to cats.

All dogs have prey drive. It varies within breed. I’ve got a working terrier and her prey drive is pretty average. She lives with a cat. Her mum and extended family live with cats and chickens. I know show dogs who are sods with far more drive that she has.

I sm a huge terrier fan. They’re so under rated as pets. They’re trainable, hardy, friendly and adaptable. You do need to be careful about breeding and socialise and expose them well as pups but they really make fantastic pets.

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2023 17:42

Jack Russell Terrier

UnnamedPoster · 03/05/2023 17:43

Golden retriever all day! Sounds absolutely perfect for you.

(Our cat adores ours, and the dog is in awe of the cat. They are a wonderful combination)

UnnamedPoster · 03/05/2023 17:44

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2023 17:42

Jack Russell Terrier

😂 You must hate cats!

Newpeep · 03/05/2023 17:46

UnnamedPoster · 03/05/2023 17:44

😂 You must hate cats!

Show quote history

I know lots who live happily with cats. They have all been brought in as pups though. My last dog was a terrier sighthound! After a few weeks of teaching her to leave the cat alone (with treats) she lived happily with them for many years. She had a stonking prey drive.

mondaytosunday · 03/05/2023 17:51

Omg I hate Jack Russells! Any time I've ever had an issue (I have two dogs) it's a wretched Jack Russell. They are barky, nippy and aggressive. I'm sure there are plenty who are fine but they are the number one breed for causing problems in my experience!
Retrievers are lovely but man with cats too you will have your vacuum on constantly.

UnnamedPoster · 03/05/2023 17:56

Honestly, with a good cordless vacuum to whizz round once a day (or every other day...) the Retriever hair really isn't that bad! Even with a cat too!

Original poster
sunshineandstrawberryjam · 03/05/2023 18:00

I am very ready to whizz around with a vacuum! I'm not fussed about hair really.

Size wise - DH likes bigger dogs, I could go smaller so I think I'll say no smaller than a spaniel. I prefer not huge dogs as they all seem to have health problems. :(

Currently adding golden retriever, also had Dalmatian suggested to me by a friend?

OP posts:
coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 03/05/2023 18:13

I've never met a calm Dalmatian Grin

I think Golden Retriever is a good suggestion, or a standard poodle.

hennipenni · 03/05/2023 18:24

Flat coated retriever, lovely dogs.

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2023 18:27

@UnnamedPoster , I don't hate cats. DCat just licked my hand.
Never had a nippy, aggressive JRT, and they've all been fine with cats.
DCat can be nippy and aggressive, but that's a different matter

Ylvamoon · 03/05/2023 21:34

A Tibetan Terrier is what you really want!

DoraTheScottishExplorer · 03/05/2023 21:40

I have a boxer lab cross and he ticks most of your boxes, will go for walks but equally happy snoozing in a sunny spot for the day, absolutely loves cats (they aren't so sure about him), he's also very fond of our chickens. He loved his dog training classes, me not so much, he can be quite stubborn and where training was concerned he did everything at his own pace, when it suited him.

Allfizzandfun · 03/05/2023 21:53

I met two flat coated retrievers recently and they were just the most amazing dogs. We prefer smaller dogs but I’m very tempted by this breed.

SamShortForSambuca · 03/05/2023 22:08

Any time I've ever had an issue (I have two dogs) it's a wretched Jack Russell. They are barky, nippy and aggressive. I'm sure there are plenty who are fine but they are the number one breed for causing problems in my experience!

As a Jack Russell owner, I can't argue 😂Love mine to pieces but I'll be the first to admit he can be a bit of a twat, and he has a long list of things on his shitlist - almost all of which are entirely innocent.

I really couldn't recommend a dog bred to chase and kill small furry things to someone who owns midsize furry things. I'll confess I've never tried to teach him not to chase cats (rescue dog / I'm allergic to cats) but I'd never be able to trust him.

Starting from a puppy... perhaps... but some individuals have a stronger prey drive than others, and sometimes a breed trait will out itself (e.g. mine isn't normally a digger, but today I found the little git digging a hole in the lawn... I was not best pleased). It isn't something I'd risk with cats.

carly2803 · 03/05/2023 22:11

a gundog of type - retreiever or lab!

what about a pointer? GSP - stunning looking dogs too

bella1426 · 03/05/2023 22:14

Golden retriever all day long, if you're able to give plenty of walks and don't mind the hair they are the cuddliest most loving dogs, here's mine snuggling up to his cat bestie

Dog breed! Can I ask for suggestions?
TheVanguardSix · 03/05/2023 22:19

Mine's a chocolate lab-vizsla cross. Big ol' softie. Our two cats adore him, particularly our tuxedo who just adores the bones of him, shares his bed, and his water bowl, and snuggles up in the sunny spots with him.

Give terriers, sight dogs, and collies the big swerve. No cats with those dogs.

Ladybird69 · 03/05/2023 22:20

Hi. I would say labradors or retrievers are the best ever. If you’re looking for something a bit smaller there is a breed called Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever! They are half the size of the golden retriever but looks the same and has the same temperament, my friend has one and he’s gorgeous, a real sweetheart. I miss having a retriever.

Sweetandsourdough · 03/05/2023 22:20

Golden retriever or lab