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The doghouse

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Original poster

Recommend a family dog - not first time dog owner don't worry

74 replies

pastypirate · 28/01/2024 10:12

Not a thread about whether to get a dog. I already have a very content show cocker who isn't left for long periods (wfh and other adult almost always at home). We have a holiday home so dog comes with us and has been kennelled twice in 9 years!

Considering a second dog and ddog is getting on and we will find his passing v painful.

Dp wants another spaniel or a collie. I have said a flat no collie as I do not think we can meet their stimulation needs. Ddog is very easy and very set in his ways. I love spaniels but ddog pulled on the lead a lot and I want next dog to be walked by dc as early on as possible so logically a smaller breed seems a better option. Dn has a dax which the kids love but we have a big house with lots of stairs and apparently this is an issue with them.

I would have a rescue staff in a heartbeat I'm sure they tick every box but family not keen especially dp,

Dd1 and I want a Jack Russell but we do have rabbits so maybe not a good match. I really want a clever dog we can teach tricks to. Ddog is very loving but not the brightest and it took 7 years to teach him lie down!

I was set on a whippet but my whippet rescue friend has put me off with the prolific food stealing I'm not sure I want to invite that problem in!

I would choose a flat coated dog as I'm already stuck with a mud sponge dog who has to be groomed every 3 months. Not a deal breaker but an extra expense.

So a dog smaller than a spaniel? Keen for ideas and in no rush more interested in what breeds are suggested for us to look in to xx

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migigo · 28/01/2024 11:31

A collie but from Welsh stock who tend to be smaller and flatter coated is a good option, contrary to popular belief, they very much do have an off switch, as long as you meet their needs they are brilliant at being content snoozing or pottering around the place whilst you wfh, once out of initial puppy training that is. From 9 months old ddog has been an easy dig. It's my 3rd collie.

LegallyBrunette01 · 28/01/2024 11:38

Hungarian Puli gets my vote everyone, although not a short coat, they're non-shedding. Highly intelligent, loyal family pets, and great with kids! Here's our 2 year old puli Nacho. We have 3 kids - youngest was almost 6 when we got her.

Recommend a family dog - not first time dog owner don't worry
TeenLifeMum · 28/01/2024 11:43

My cocker is a softie!

Recommend a family dog - not first time dog owner don't worry
Witchyandtwitchy · 28/01/2024 11:48

I’d go for a working cocker. Small and intelligent, without the yappy snappy traits of a terrier. Also the coat is finer and more manageable than the cocker.
Or if you want less lively a cavalier? Breed to be companions not to work in any way.

Lovemusic82 · 28/01/2024 11:49

I would get another spaniel, they are great dogs and easy (ish) to train. Just been out walking with dog (dog sitting) and met several people who have more than one spaniel, mainly cockers and springers. They seem to be good off lead and have good recall.

I agree with not getting a collie, they are hard work and need lots of stimulation, they are great if trained well and great at agility but they need a lot of time spent on them.

haggisaggis · 28/01/2024 11:56

I was going to suggest rough collie (from a reputable breeder breeding on ‘traditional’ lines as they are easy to train, don’t tend to pull and are not prey driven). Then I read the bit about the coat so maybe a smooth collie would be a good option?

Bankholidayhelp · 28/01/2024 11:59

Another one voting poodle. (Definitely not a ,..odle). With a solid flat cut. Rather than pompoms :-). Intelligent dogs, sturdy for family life, don't take up masses of space.

CharlesChickens · 28/01/2024 12:00

I would go terrier. Even with rabbits. I had pet rats which my terrier was fine with, and a friend had a house rabbit living happily with her terrier. I have chickens, my terrier is fine with them. If you get a pup and bring it up with rabbits then it shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe a Border terrier ? Robust and friendly, generally good tempered. Or a terrier cross.

OldTinHat · 28/01/2024 12:07

I was going to suggest a staff. Best dogs ever!

Giantdog · 28/01/2024 14:52

Corgi?

ConciseQueen · 28/01/2024 14:56

Get a lurcher - a whippet cross beddlington that won’t shed, will be clever and won’t need tons of walks but can do a good walk if you choose it. Brilliant dogs.

darkmodeera · 28/01/2024 15:02

Staffy puppy...can get used to your other pets and (hopefully) your older dog with like the pup and they'll get on.
Staffy for the amount exercise, they can do alot but also love to just cuddle up.

Defo not JRT in your situation and they need the most amount of mental and physical stimulation to be happy.

Lovemusic82 · 28/01/2024 15:26

darkmodeera · 28/01/2024 15:02

Staffy puppy...can get used to your other pets and (hopefully) your older dog with like the pup and they'll get on.
Staffy for the amount exercise, they can do alot but also love to just cuddle up.

Defo not JRT in your situation and they need the most amount of mental and physical stimulation to be happy.

Agree with this, love staffies. Got 2 led next to me, walked them for 45 minutes at 10am and they have spent most of the day sleeping.

Moreveganice · 28/01/2024 15:31

Another suggestion to look at the papillon

Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:15

Devilshands · 28/01/2024 10:20

Honestly? I think if you want a dog that’s smaller than a spaniel that won’t chase rabbits you’re gonna end up with either some deformed thing that can’t breathe (pug) or a yapper (chi).

I’d say a retriever - they’re bigger but they have all the pros of a spaniel without the sometimes quite sad behavioural issues.

Edited

Don't worry we wouldn't consider either a chihuahua type nor a brach issue can't spell it dog!

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:16

bfsham · 28/01/2024 10:21

Miniature poodle, get it cut like a cockapoo style. They're very clever and won't pull your shoulder out on a walk like a cockapoo/cocker spaniel.

I really like poodles but ddog is a bit grumpy with curly dogs

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:16

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 28/01/2024 10:22

Oh I was going to say a Labrador but they’re obviously not small and are very strong until trained to walk nicely on a lead. They tick all your other boxes though, easy to wipe the mud off after a walk and ridiculously trainable. I think your best bet would actually be another spaniel tbh.

We have just coo'ed over a v shiny black lab today they are lovely

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:17

Ihaveoflate · 28/01/2024 10:44

Miniature poodle if you're happy to take care of the coat (they don't need a fancy style).

They're clever, a good size, don't shed. I'm considering one for my next dog (always had terriers). My sister has one and the only downside is they can be neurotic!

I would also consider one of the milder natured terriers, like a Norwich. If you hand strip the coats, they needn't be high maintenance grooming wise.

I love all the terriers but do not keen

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:18

PureAmazonian · 28/01/2024 10:44

I would say you are better off looking at more of a lab or a retriever. Both can be challenging as puppies but unlike full working breeds they mellow down quickly once adulthood is reached.

My biggest advice is research as many breeds as you can and what that breed is specifically bred for, those traits will be dominant and will be noticeable if it's a well bred dog. Breed traits are such an important part of picking the right companion for your family. If they are bred for any kind of work they won't be the easiest dogs. That being said working breeds can be fantastic family dogs, I have a GSD and he is wonderful. But he needs the bare minimum of an hour of walking/running daily and requires quite a bit of mental stimulation and play, he can only settle completely when it's the evening and he knows the day is done. Other than that he's always on alert or ready to be on the go, which can be challenging. It's the nature of his breed and anyone with a working line breed will tell you they are difficult at times. I have seen far too many people get in over their head with certain breeds because they underestimated how much energy they would have, Jack Russels being the most common.

This is such good advice I really appreciate it and I'm in no rush so no excuse really not to throughly read up x

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:18

Dapbag · 28/01/2024 10:47

Might integrating a new dog with an old dog you describe as 'set in his ways' be fraught with problems and make your old dog unhappy?

In my experience you might end up with an elderly dog and a full of life new dog who both have very different walking needs and end up having to walk both separately.

Not trying to be negative, but this might not be the smooth ride you think it will.

This is why I'm thinking about this before ddog gets much older or I'm going to miss the window

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:19

itsmyp4rty · 28/01/2024 10:57

I would still go with Whippet, we had one and his food stealing certainly wasn't any worse than any other dog. The lab cross we had was much worse! I've dog sat loads of dogs and I think Whippets have been about the easiest. No hair everywhere, can take as much or as little exercise as you like, will snuggle up with you or happy to snooze in their bed, don't mind being left too much etc. I don't know if the prey drive would be a problem though?

Dp has been gazing adoringly at whippets today and sone lurchers and could be ersuaded I think

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:20

TeenLifeMum · 28/01/2024 10:59

I am a cocker spaniel owner and adore them. I get very puzzled by what I read here about the breed. Mine barely moults (we had cats previously and ddog is nothing in comparison).

he loves a bonkers run around on a walk but in the house he flops from one sleep position to another. He’s 3.5 and so loving. Also, we have house rabbits and he snuggles with the old one, the new young one jumps on his tummy and head - he’s not sure how to deal with that but never chases or snaps because we trained him. It’s mostly down to training.

This is exactly how my spanner is. But please explain how you stopped him chasing the rabbits I really want to bring my rexes indoors. Tia

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:21

AdamRyan · 28/01/2024 11:00

My second choice would be a border terrier. The ones I know are lovely friendly dogs, happy with a long walk but also OK with less

Was my second choice when I got my Spaniel they are the teddy bears of dogs I would v much consider one

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:22

LegallyBrunette01 · 28/01/2024 11:38

Hungarian Puli gets my vote everyone, although not a short coat, they're non-shedding. Highly intelligent, loyal family pets, and great with kids! Here's our 2 year old puli Nacho. We have 3 kids - youngest was almost 6 when we got her.

This is an utterly gorgeous dog x

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Original poster
pastypirate · 28/01/2024 19:22

TeenLifeMum · 28/01/2024 11:43

My cocker is a softie!

This is the goal!

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