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?

@Rainingalldayonmyhead , not in my case, but I'd gladly own a staffy but not a cockerpoo. Not that I dislike cockerpoos but if I wanted a poodle, I'd get a poodle.

I just love the breed. I think the key with dogs is thinking about their background and what they were bred for. Beagles are pack animals and the humans they live with are their pack, which makes them very loving but also means they don't like to be alone for prolonged periods of time. I do think it's important to get them used to being alone from early on by leaving them for short periods and building it up a bit.
Our dog could be left alone for maybe 4 to 5 hours but she hated it if we all went out together as a family and left her alone. We used to argue about who would go through the door first when we came home because she would throw herself on top of the first person in!

You couldn’t pay me to take on a Beagle 😂 they’re howlers, loud barkers, and I knew two who I saw regularly and were walked for 2 hours every single day… they were left alone at home for 3 hours while we went on a mini shopping trip and we came back to a ripped up kitchen floor and a dining chair with a leg missing.
I thought maybe it was just that owner.
I then knew someone else who had a Beagle who had the same issue with destruction and barking 😅

Older cocker Spaniel. Loyal, insanely clever, and if on the older side still full of life but not insanely bouncy.

Love my girl.

Mine has never destroyed anything in his life and he just turned seven yesterday. He also doesn't need anything close to two hours of exercise a day.

He can be a barker but in all honesty we've not done much training to stop it as he only does it when someone knocks on the door or when he's hungry.

They're fab aren't they @JSMill ?

Ours has been the best addition, he's so loving and loyal.

Do you think people can get “lucky” with a dog’s personality?
Or do you think the owner’s personality rubs off on a dog?
For example, if you yourself are fairly chilled (and assuming you’ve had the dog from a pup), do you think the dog has taken on your energy?

Right and that’s kinda my point. Everyone likes what they like and that perfectly fine but the OP said they don’t want a strong dog.

So while I absolutely detest staffies I wouldn’t say don’t get one just because of that to the OP but the strength of the dog is a consideration so between the two (if there are only these two to choose from which of course there are to) I would choose the cockerpoo.

I think there can be an element of luck, but IMO the most important thing is picking the breed that fits your lifestyle and making sure you pick a reputable breeder.

Beagles are pack hounds and so are generally not going to be good at being left alone for long periods, so leaving one loose in the house without adequate training and stimulation is rarely going to end well, lol.

I mean, we still use baby gates and have child locks on our cupboards as no amount of training can override his sense of smell. We also make sure he's walked and has had decent amounts of mental stimulation before we leave him - he will never be a dog that can just be "left" without preparation first.

I do think they pick up on your energy too, though.

That’s not my experience at all! Staffies are strong for their size but not shockingly so, and are usually much smaller and lighter than a retriever which the OP is used to. I also have never seen any aggression from my dog, or any other staffie I’ve been around (a good few).

I miss ours so much. We are holding off on getting another dog as one of our dcs is on a gap year so it wouldn't be fair to get a new dog when he's not here. That's kind of a good thing as it gives time to properly grieve her.

Aw I am so sorry for your loss @JSMill I am dreading the day ours goes 😭

Thank you. It has been horrible but I have tried to focus on the lovely memories and also the funny stories!!

@JSMill we have so many funny stories too - they're such little comedians aren't they?

No totally right. They are smaller than a retriever and not as strong but they do pull. I think it’s a personal experience kind of thing: I knew two kids growing up who were bit by staffies and needed stitches so hence my dislike: For me (and I accept an absolutely personal thing) it’s jaw strength and size. All dogs are animals and may bite. Yeah some smaller breeds are more aggressive but I’d rather be bitten by a chihuahua for example than a staffies. Most staffie owners say they are softies and I understand that and I’m sure that’s true but they do have a reputation of sometimes not liking other dogs in their territory so it may be worth investigating with Bruno.

@biscuitsandbooks indeed they are although you don't always see the funny side at the time!!

@LandSharksAnonymous The little twats are too happy if you ask me. 😆
Love this, made me smile and it’s so true.

My friend had 5 Staffies, a chihuahua, a Pomeranian, two cats and pet rabbits. All free running in the house - no issues and my friends mother worked 6 hours a day at a school. Rural and back door open. I’m going back twenty years though before the idiots got hold of Staffies- they’re powerful and muscular. I’ve never known a nasty one though. I’ve heard they suffer separation anxiety but I’ve never owned one…

@JSMill So sorry for your loss, recently lost my Lab.

One thing I have noticed is nobody seems to hip score staffies anymore?

@JSMill definitely sums them up 🤣

My cavalier is an high energy, barky maniac.

I would definitely recommend cavaliers! I wish people would not say that they are brachycephalic breeds.. they are being bred with longer snouts these days, it is more King Charles Spaniels that have shorter snouts (most people get the breeds muddled up)

They have also previously been known to have bad health but with reputable breeders and the testing available, they can lead long and healthy lives.

I have three cavaliers and they are all healthy little bundles of joy!

I thought the cavs are more prone to heart conditions than king charles though? I thought it those that are more inbred hence more issues?

@CellophaneFlower There is less inbreeding between the two breeds now as they have been confirmed as being two separate breeds by the Kennel Club and they each have their own breed standard. The inbreeding can be low if a breeder does research on their pairings.

Both a CKCS and KCS are prone to valve issues in their hearts (MVD) but breeders should be testing for this and both breeds can also be affected by Chiari-like malformation which is a condition affecting their skulls, this is more likely to affect the KCS as their skulls are domed and they suffer with short snouts.

A Cavalier’s snout is longer than a King Charles spaniel which means they are less likely to be affected by their breathing and with regards to their skulls, they are flat rather then domed.

This is an image of a King Charles spaniel which shows the domed head and flatter nose

Not a Staffie. Lovely dogs, but solid and strong. If you can’t handle a well-behaved Goldie, I don’t think a Staffie will be right for you.

If you like Spaniels, go for a Cocker, Springers are high energy and scent-mad.

1. Bichon Frise
2. Cocker
3. ShihTzu
4. Maltese

Those Are my recommendations! If you like long walks and more challenging country, go for the Cocker. Otherwise, the Bichon - happy and friendly.

Once you decide, try the breed rescue organisations first. Sounds like you have the time and attitude to work with a dog.

Good luck!

How often walked?
mine gets two walks a day and when not on those walked…. Flaked asleep at my feet or in her bed!

Re staffies being strong, I mean, yeah, but the OP is going to crufts, staffies within breed standard are really quite small dogs.

They’re stronger than dogs a similar size, like cavaliers, they’re nowhere near as strong as breeds like retrievers that are about twice the size of them.