Which breed is for me?

[SunflowerT]

Hi everyone

I don't own a dog yet but I am currently deciding on what breed would suit me but getting nowhere as I love all dogs but I know I'm not right for all dogs and hoping you could all help put me on the right path before I go to crafts in a few weeks time to discover dogs.

I have never owned a dog myself however I have a little experience as I look after my sister's Golden retriever all day 4 times a week while she's at work. And Bruno has given me a good idea of what I want and what I can offer a dog.

My living situation is I live alone and I am lucky to work from home now after working in a pre school for yeats and can spend as much time as I like with my new puppy.

• From looking after Bruno I know I can't handle a large dog as walking him was fine until he looses himself when he sees a squirrel and I learned I'm not as strong as I thought I held on to him but he was way stronger than I'd like to deal with. So I would like a small breed.

• I know this will be more down to individual but I know some breeds are more vocal than others , I'd like a breed who is known to be more quiet when it comes to barking and only barks for a reason and soon stops. I suffer from hyperacusis (pain in my ears with loud noises) Bruno I'm fine with because he rarely barks but Goldens tend to not be a happy breed so I'm looking for a quieter breed.

• I need a breed where there is no same sex aggression since look after Bruno who is intact as my sister shows him , my sisters neighbour has an Alaskan Malamute who hates Bruno and poor Bruno just wants to be friends but he hates all males not just Bruno.

• I'm pretty active and enjoy walking Bruno except when he sees a squirrel as I mentioned above other than that he's extremely well trained and I enjoy our walks especially when my sister is with us at the weekend and she's holding him. It would be nice to have my own dog on our weekend country walks who I can 100% hold on to. So I could definitely do at least 2hrs of country walking a day when I'm working at home and more at weekends.

• I don't need a superstar when it comes to training unlike my sister who loves doing training with Bruno and he's the star in his class listening to my sister every time I just want a dog I can teach good doggy manners too and who knows what's allowed and not allowed but I don't need a highly trainable superstar dog like Bruno.

• I don't plan on having any kids and no other pets besides Bruno of course

• shedding doesn't bother me neither does grooming as a friend is a groomer and is happy to show me how to look after the coat of which ever breed I buy and I'm happy to spend hours grooming if that's what the dog needs as getting the right breed is more important than coat or shedding to me.

• I also don't want a working breed who needs a job as all I can provide is brain toys and stimulation play ect at home. I have no interest in agility for example.

I hope this helps you ask below if there's anything you need to know?

@GelatinousDynamo good point. You definitely need a secure garden but I suppose that's the same with all dogs.

@Meltedcandlewax Meet the dogs | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is hardly full of them

My kooikerhondje wouldn't dream of running off on his own, he's not interested in adventures if they're not shared 😉 but then they are a very special breed.
Most dogs need a secure garden, but a beagle needs concrete lining under the fence, at least in my limited experience.

@SunflowerT I hate barkers so have a Whippet -she is so quiet and peaceful and easy - She is a therapy dog as well as so calm and gentle.

I never suggest rescue dogs for first time dog owners

Yes.
They are often very dog aggressive.
Bull breeds were bred for fighting originally.
They are extremely strong.

I went to RSPCA home looking for a first time dog and they chose a Lurcher puppy as a good match, despite my saying I wanted an adult dog.

They said the Lurcher wouldn’t have got into bad ways or habits ( she had never lived indoors til she came home with us) she was a superb companion for 12 yrs

How exciting OP! Just checking you're used to controlling a dog off lead as well as on?

I lean towards scruffy mongrel dogs, terriers, and collies. Have been very fortunate as none has been a barker as like you I have incredibly sensitive hearing.

However, having been hit with health issues in middle age I could no longer give an active breed the off lead adventures they need.

I also have two elderly cats so I can't go down the lazy sight hound route either.

Watching with interest. I can sense your excitement!

Quite rare to get a puppy from a rescue centre

I agree. Our first family dog was a rehomed gun dog who had been given up because she was afraid of the guns. She was an anxious dog and my mum, who hadn't grown up with dogs, struggled to cope with her because she had no previous dog experience. My parents ended up rehoming her again 🥲. I was gutted.
Years later my db insisted on getting a golden lab puppy and my dm bonded with him from day one. I think seeing a puppy having to leave its mum behind brought out her maternal instincts. Sometimes I think she preferred that dog to us!

Excuse my ignorance: aren't staffies considered a dangerous breed? (Genuinely asking, don't mean to ofend anyone!)

I have a border collie mix... I am just IN LOVE with her. But she gets in my nerves with her barking, so it's a no for you 😅

I second collies and beagles, though!

Excuse my ignorance: aren't staffies considered a dangerous breed? No, they're big softies.

Collies are intelligent and herding dogs, and need a lot of stimulation and exercise. Beagles are stubborn.

When you have made your short list of potential breeds, it would be a good idea to look into the health issues common to those breeds because you may find yourself eliminating one or more choices. Also, get quotes for insurance for each breed before you make your decision as insurance can be very expensive for some breeds.
I would also say that whilst there are traits specific to every breed, each dog is an individual and it's down to your training and how you raise your puppy as to what the adult dog will be like.

For example, I have kept 6 dogs, 3 of which were farm-bred Border Collies (2 males and 1 female.) All were well exercised and given plenty of mental stimulation. All were friendly, calm and not in the least bit neurotic. None of them barked unless someone came onto my property, none were dog-aggressive and none chased cars. They were a pleasure to own but I did invest a lot of time in them and whatever breed you choose, you must do the same.
My other dogs were German Shepherd dog, Black Labrador and my existing dog is a Black Labrador/Border Collie. My favourite breeds are probably either two heavy or too high energy to be on your list. If I was to move to a smaller, less active dog I would go with a Staffy. They are such happy dogs and raised correctly make wonderful pets. Good luck with whichever breed you choose.

Thanks for everyone's advice but I have a list now and will be going to crufts soon I'll report back what I choose please no more recommendations.

I love all the support for beagles on this thread!

Ours is seven and fantastic - he can bark on walks but generally he's pretty good and easy to train. He can go off the lead and loves other dogs. His temperament is fantastic with people too. The only downside is he doesn't like being left alone but if you WFH then that shouldn't be an issue.

Cons
Beagles like the sound of their own voices and if allowed will bark at every opportunity
They can be harder to housetrain than other breeds
They will follow their noses if they pick up an interesting scent
Beagles are quite independent by nature which can make training a little more challenging

The last two are what I mean by stubborn.
They're lovely dogs otherwise.

What’s Crufts going to do?
and you can’t stop people making suggestions 😆

We have a lurcher, collie x greyhound and she is honestly the best of both breeds.
Couch potato until her lead comes out, then will happily go for a walk as long or as short as is on offer.
Very intelligent and highly trainable but just goes to sleep when she's bored.
Complete goofball at times
Rarely barks in the house, does roo from time to time

She's 25k so manageable if she decided to be difficult on the lead

In fact the only issue we have is reactivity to some other dogs, which we are working on, but I put that down to her past (rescue) rather than breed.

Agreed

There's discover dogs at crufts where I can meet the breeds on my list and talk to knowledgeable people in the breeds and then I'll be able to pick which breed is best suited to me.

And I only suggested no more recommendations because I won't be reading or listening to them so thought I say that so people don't waste there time

Get a cat instead, @SunflowerT .

I've been in love with whippets since I was a teen (now 56). I sat next to an elderly chap on a bus and his whippet laid its head and front legs across my lap and went to sleep 🥰

Beagles are very noisy , as are collies
I realise OP doesn't want more recs but this is comment not a rec

Agree with @oakleaffy Whippet

OP I think people are just kinda pushing the mind of dog they have. Stafford are strong aggressive dogs and you specifically said you didn’t want a strong dog…..

I have had a number of big dogs growing up and they are all strong and have a loud bark.

Medium/small dogs that don’t pull, don’t really bark and are easy to- whippets, cockerpoos, spaniels.

We now have a cockerpoo. No shedding and the easiest dog ever. Doesn’t bark, doesn’t chase squirrels, isn’t aggressive and can be easily trained .

Good luck.