Page 6 | Please recommend a dog for our family

abairliom · 2024-04-08T09:36:53+00:00

Good morning We have decided to welcome a dog to our family. I never had a dog at home growing up so I'm not used to dogs but am Looking forward to our new addition. I live in a modest three bed semi and there will be someone at home all day at all times for the first six months . We also have a small back garden with a big shed and I will get a solid gate at the side to prevent escape and enjoy safety. I would prefer a dog that does not shed , enjoys children with a gentle temperament that does not require huge specific training or long long walks every day. Please respond as if you were talking to an absolute beginner. I appreciate all advice and support as i believe that a dog would be a wonderful and much loved addition to our family, thank you.

wplaf · 15/04/2024 15:55

idontlikealdi · 08/04/2024 10:46

You sound totally unprepared to have a dog. Please do some research.

I would say that by starting this thread, the OP is conducting research.

fieldsofbutterflies · 15/04/2024 15:55

And I agree it's awful that so many people let their dogs down, but it's not fair to come on and attack someone for just asking a question and doing some research.

In fact, it's likely to just put them off ever asking for advice again and just going to some dodgy breeder who doesn't give a shit.

Fenimore · 15/04/2024 16:01

Get a rescue dog. You lighgg to have a long wait for a suitable one but there’s literally 1000s of unwanted dogs. Senior dogs who just need a cosy home might be suitable. We have a rescue who is a great dog and we have kids.

FayCarew · 15/04/2024 17:26

@fieldsofbutterflies , maybe not the majority but in the lockdown certain 'designer breeds' seemed to have been more popular.

"Much of that was driven by demand for fashionable breeds such as French bulldogs and cross-breeds such as Cockapoos, with more animals being imported without pet passports or bought from the internet."

The which dog breed threads usually along the lines of 'I am currently on ML and have 2DC aged 6 and 3. DH and DC1 would love a puppy... Which breed requires minimal training, walking and is non-shedding? DC1 has set his heart on a French Bulldog. I will be a SAHM after DC3 arrives.'

Concern as pandemic puppies reach difficult age - BBC News

JustGettingStarted · 15/04/2024 18:57

I just got a 3yo dog from someone who wasn't able to keep it due to allergies. I didn't think I'd be good with a puppy. So, he came housebroken and able to walk on a lead. Frankly, while I'd like to train him to obey some basic commands like "sit" and "lie down" he's pretty much good to go.

Rescuing a dog may be difficult if you have young children. But people do sell dogs privately rather than surrender them to a charity. I met my dog at his home, sat and chatted with his owner. She was sincere and wanted her dog to be loved. Since he instantly took to me and I looked sane, work from home, and don't live with children, she was happy to let me leave with him within an hour.

He's snoring away next to me in bed right now.

JustGettingStarted · 15/04/2024 19:10

Devilshands · 09/04/2024 10:47

That's not true at all.

People are giving advice based off experience - there are so many breeds that people think make a good family pet and are 'perfect' for their family, that actually they have no business owning. Some idiot on another thread once recommended a border collie for a first time dog owner (absolute muppet).

OP has admitted she never had a dog growing up. She didn't initially say what age her children were etc. Therefore people have made recommendations based on some (incomplete - not necessarily OPs fault as she didn't know what information to provide) information. She also said she didn't want a dog that needed long walks, or shedding or lots of training - something many many dogs need. Even the most pointless of dogs needs stimulation - otherwise you get significant behavioural issues. In other words - OP is a complete novice (which is not necessarily a bad thing). She has had advice that reflected that.

Some PPs have also made valid points about not leaving a dog in the garden alone. As someone who has not had a dog before, OP does not necessarily know that leaving a dog in the garden alone for hours on-end (particularly a young one) is a recipe for disaster. Other than likely destruction of the garden, you have serious issues such as the dog potentially digesting something toxic, being stolen (an increasing issue) etc.

People are also (wisely) urging caution. A dog is a 10-15 year commitment and, as a first time dog owner, OP needs to know the risks/commitment she is taking on alongside the significant costs.

There is a LOT of naivety on this board from owners who think dog ownership is as easy as ABC - and it's really not.

OP may not be as naive as some, but recently we've seen a woman who's scared of dogs considering getting a chihuahua (ffs one of the most aggressive breeds if not properly trained) and ignoring the fact that it will need walking in places where other dogs will be. We've seen people who have got a dog who then can't cope with toilet training and mouthing and are looking to rehome (a puppy that was 5 months old - where mouthing is like the ONLY thing the pointless little cretins do). We also saw a woman who didn't want to get insurance for her dog as she couldn't afford it (what the literal hell was she doing).

So, posters on the Doghouse are rightly concerned that people understand the significant impact/cost/commitment a dog has lest we end up with more total idiots getting dogs that should never have got one.

Some of the posts may have come across as more prickly that necessary - but that is the issue with typing as a form of communication rather than face to face conversations.

All posters on this forum want is to ensure that the right people get dogs and go into the process with their eyes wide open. Too many dogs are bought for the wrong reasons ('low shedding' or 'good with kids') and have a bloody crap life because of it.

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I'm the woman who used to be afraid of dogs and wanted a chihuahua.

I got a chihuahua. He's awesome and we're doing great.

tabulahrasa · 15/04/2024 19:31

It’s not the first time dog owner part that people have responded harshly to though.

It’s the other part, where it reads a bit like, I want a dog that’ll play with my kids but I don’t want to clean up fur or walk it or train it.

I suspect they meant more, I want a fairly low energy dog that I can just do basic training with and shortish walks and it’ll be fairly chill - but that’s not how it comes across.

Eviebeans · 15/04/2024 19:39

When our children were young we had a JRT. He was great.
We now have a Pomeranian/jack Russell cross- he’s 12 now has always been great with the grandchildren. He’s more of a people dog. He looks like a fox and sheds his fur like mad - it’s a good thing we love him so much lol
the most useful piece of advice I was given is don’t let your puppy do anything you wouldn’t like him to do as a fully grown dog.

fieldsofbutterflies · 16/04/2024 07:21

tabulahrasa · 15/04/2024 19:31

It’s not the first time dog owner part that people have responded harshly to though.

It’s the other part, where it reads a bit like, I want a dog that’ll play with my kids but I don’t want to clean up fur or walk it or train it.

I suspect they meant more, I want a fairly low energy dog that I can just do basic training with and shortish walks and it’ll be fairly chill - but that’s not how it comes across.

But then why do people have to assume the worst and be unpleasant?

It's obvious (to me anyway) that OP meant she wanted a fairly low energy and low-maintenance dog.

But my experience with the doghouse is that anyone who wants a dog like that is immediately told no dog is low maintenance and they have to be prepared to miles of walks everyday plus brain training and that they should be prepared to only leave the dog alone for a minute when it's an adult.

It's like some weird twisted competition about how difficult it is!

Fullfatcokealltheway · 16/04/2024 08:02

We have a 7 month goldendoodle (ginger one) and a 18 months old cavapoo. They do not leave fur all over the house. But any dog that doesn't needs to be brushed regular and taken to a groomers around ever 4-6 weeks cost from £40 upwards. We are in all the time. Our dogs walk to school with us in the morning and around the park which is around 4 miles, then I come home and clean up. Around 11/12 wr have another 2 hour walk and then we all walk for an hour or two in the even. Along with cooking tea, helping with homework and the usual household tasks. We have always had dogs and had border collies before these. Both my dogs we have rescued from people who hadn't researched dogs and simply couldn't cope with them from a very young age.
Do you like to go aboard? Who will have the dog then? Are you looking at getting a puppy or an older rescue dog?
Do you have time to social the dogs and take them to training classes?
I'm not judging you at all. You could be the best first time dog owner ever but there are a lot of things people forget to tell you when you have never owned a dog before.
Please feel free to private message me

justaboutdonenow · 16/04/2024 09:12

Fullfatcokealltheway · 16/04/2024 08:02

We have a 7 month goldendoodle (ginger one) and a 18 months old cavapoo. They do not leave fur all over the house. But any dog that doesn't needs to be brushed regular and taken to a groomers around ever 4-6 weeks cost from £40 upwards. We are in all the time. Our dogs walk to school with us in the morning and around the park which is around 4 miles, then I come home and clean up. Around 11/12 wr have another 2 hour walk and then we all walk for an hour or two in the even. Along with cooking tea, helping with homework and the usual household tasks. We have always had dogs and had border collies before these. Both my dogs we have rescued from people who hadn't researched dogs and simply couldn't cope with them from a very young age.
Do you like to go aboard? Who will have the dog then? Are you looking at getting a puppy or an older rescue dog?
Do you have time to social the dogs and take them to training classes?
I'm not judging you at all. You could be the best first time dog owner ever but there are a lot of things people forget to tell you when you have never owned a dog before.
Please feel free to private message me

That is way too much walking for a 7 month old puppy!

ShirleyPhallus · 16/04/2024 09:14

justaboutdonenow · 16/04/2024 09:12

That is way too much walking for a 7 month old puppy!

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My gosh, that’s about 6 hours of walking a day?! Wayyyyyy too much for a puppy!

Devilshands · 16/04/2024 09:21

ShirleyPhallus · 16/04/2024 09:14

My gosh, that’s about 6 hours of walking a day?! Wayyyyyy too much for a puppy!

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TBH that much exercise would be too much for any dog (particularly the breeds she’s mentioned) and I doubt a puppy could survive that without ending up seriously limping or with growth related defects.

But, I highly doubt anyone is stupid enough to walk a seven month old puppy that much! Either the poster you quoted has vastly over exaggerated, is a liar, or there’s been a slight mis-typing in her post…at least I hope so.

Carelesswispalover · 16/04/2024 09:23

OP didn't you know on MN you're not allowed a dog? Some of the prickly comments on here are just absolutely uncalled for.
I never had a dog before, but I always wanted one. So I got one, a cocker spaniel. We love her, she was very hard work as a pup (think naughty toddler with painted on ears)but now she's a bit older she's delightful.

Training is everyday, but it's reinforcing stuff that you will instill from day one, I don't spend hours training my 3 year old dog and she's a very good girl.
And shock horror, I work in the office twice a week when she spends 6 hours alone, and shock horror again, she's able to not pee or poo around my house or chew my sofa or any of those things
She's a happy dog. We do two off lead 40min walks a day which she's more than happy with (we are lucky we have fields around here) along with some brain games (which can be as simple as hiding her kibble around the garden) and ball throwing.
We have cats too and she loves them, and they love her.
I love spaniels but I think a whippet would be perfect for you, my mum has one and she's definitely more chilled than my cocker.

I could never not have a dog now, and I'm sure the dog police on MN would judge me for something, but I adore her and she adores me and no one can tell me she doesn't have a happy doggy life.

ShirleyPhallus · 16/04/2024 10:40

Devilshands · 16/04/2024 09:21

TBH that much exercise would be too much for any dog (particularly the breeds she’s mentioned) and I doubt a puppy could survive that without ending up seriously limping or with growth related defects.

But, I highly doubt anyone is stupid enough to walk a seven month old puppy that much! Either the poster you quoted has vastly over exaggerated, is a liar, or there’s been a slight mis-typing in her post…at least I hope so.

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Yes, I assume so @Fullfatcokealltheway ?!

Fullfatcokealltheway · 16/04/2024 10:48

Devilshands · 16/04/2024 09:21

TBH that much exercise would be too much for any dog (particularly the breeds she’s mentioned) and I doubt a puppy could survive that without ending up seriously limping or with growth related defects.

But, I highly doubt anyone is stupid enough to walk a seven month old puppy that much! Either the poster you quoted has vastly over exaggerated, is a liar, or there’s been a slight mis-typing in her post…at least I hope so.

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It is definitely a typo I hadn't long got up 😂😂😂😂 we don't walk that long all day lol tiredness and new phone I'm blaming 😂😂😂

Fullfatcokealltheway · 16/04/2024 10:57

ShirleyPhallus · 16/04/2024 10:40

Yes, I assume so @Fullfatcokealltheway ?!

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Should be around 45 minutes in a morning, 1-2 hours at lunch depending on my hip pain so slow walks and in the evening walks to parks and woods so mostly kids messing in the streams woth the dogs and hide and seek and stuff lol

wavingfuriously · 16/04/2024 11:05

Please remember rescue is the best breed!😊🐶

FayCarew · 16/04/2024 12:25

Rescue isn't a breed.

stayathomer · 16/04/2024 13:01

Some dogs can of course be left unsupervised in the garden. Obviously not last for more than a little while it’s because it’s not really fair on them but some gardens are literally four walls no way of escape and nothing to hurt them (thinking of my mum’s garden which my dog loves wandering about sniffing due to the fact she has cat visitors and my sister’s dog over sometimes! I think dogs never being left nowadays can sometimes contribute to the fact there’s so much separation anxiety.

op read some of the threads on here about puppies and just weigh it all up. I adore my dog to bits (absolutely so much), but having him has been interesting at times- late for work or school? That’s the time the dog won’t leave a certain room/ has grabbed something they shouldn’t etc. We aren’t visiting my mum as much because of the journey for him, when we go out we can’t go out for a whole day unless he goes to the kennels so it’s all pre planned and people without dogs don’t understand us rushing back after an hour or two.

Advice- I’d also say no spaniels (non stop emergy after walking and playing and that’s with half an acre) and read Easy Peasy puppy Squeezy for training and we went to dspca for training classes. Best of luck op

GuppytheCat · 16/04/2024 13:07

wavingfuriously · 16/04/2024 11:05

Please remember rescue is the best breed!😊🐶

I am pondering the people we know locally with rescue dogs.

The one that pulled its elderly owner over and broke his arm.
The one that reacts to all other dogs and has to be walked by two people at once.
The one that wouldn't let the emergency services in to attend an accident, and when shut in a room, destroyed the door.

Some rescues are lovely. Some are not for the fainthearted. And some rescue centres do not vet new homes properly.

wavingfuriously · 16/04/2024 13:43

GuppytheCat · 16/04/2024 13:07

I am pondering the people we know locally with rescue dogs.

The one that pulled its elderly owner over and broke his arm.
The one that reacts to all other dogs and has to be walked by two people at once.
The one that wouldn't let the emergency services in to attend an accident, and when shut in a room, destroyed the door.

Some rescues are lovely. Some are not for the fainthearted. And some rescue centres do not vet new homes properly.

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I've been a long term fosterer for a local dog homing centre and all the dogs I've looked after have been lovely 😍 ❤️ absolutely no issues at all!

They just needed a bit of love to blossom...
all had previously been in homes and had to be given up due to change in circumstances..

Plus I've walked dogs as a volunteer for RSPCA and the majority of their rescues were lovely also..

Please don't make assumptions about rescues- your opinion may be only based on a very few negative experiences.

Thank you

Ps. All rescues are vetted properly if the rescue organisation is bona fide, people in those orgs have lots of knowledge and experience.

wavingfuriously · 16/04/2024 13:45

Floralnomad · 08/04/2024 10:39

All dogs require huge amounts of training and ongoing training . What happens after the 6 months ? I’m not sure of the relevance of the shed in the garden .

Rubbish!

Devilshands · 16/04/2024 14:27

wavingfuriously · 16/04/2024 13:43

I've been a long term fosterer for a local dog homing centre and all the dogs I've looked after have been lovely 😍 ❤️ absolutely no issues at all!

They just needed a bit of love to blossom...
all had previously been in homes and had to be given up due to change in circumstances..

Plus I've walked dogs as a volunteer for RSPCA and the majority of their rescues were lovely also..

Please don't make assumptions about rescues- your opinion may be only based on a very few negative experiences.

Thank you

Ps. All rescues are vetted properly if the rescue organisation is bona fide, people in those orgs have lots of knowledge and experience.

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I think you need to be a bit realistic about rescues. Some are good (Spaniel Aid) a lot are awful (particularly the big ones; RSCA, Blue Cross etc).

A woman in Norfolk rehomed an XL bully from the RSPCA and two weeks later it killed her.
I rehomed a rescue - described as 'child and dog friendly'. It's decidedly not. If it had ended up with a child or dog in it's house, someone would have been hurt.
Someone posted the other day about their rescue that resource guards - she wasn't told it had that issue. Resource guarding is a huge issue in dogs and definitely something a rescue would know about.
My best friend has just rehomed a GSD from another national (and well recognised) centre. She's not a novice dog owner. She's had GSDs her entire life so she knows how to handle the breed. She was assured it had no behavioural issues. First walk, it tried to attack every dog it saw. Yesterday, it bit her, twice. Today - PTS.

Rescues are not reliable. They routinely lie or omit information about dogs - either deliberately or because they were not properly informed or because they didn't bother to do the appropriate checks - and someone like OP who has never had a dog before definitely should not take that risk.

GuppytheCat · 16/04/2024 14:29

I've described three real-life experiences, Waving, and you've commented that I shouldn't make assumptions.

I wasn't. I was making observations.

Three different rescues. One local, two national, all well known.