Tell me what breed of dog I should go for....
Discussion
Until about 6 months ago we had a cat. He was a real character and whilst I was a bit ambivalent about having any pets it was a shame he met an untimely end in an argument with 'white van man'.
This incident left the family bereft. My daughters had insisted on a pet 7 years ago and I had finally agreed to the cat. I had argued over the past 6 months that the cat would not be replaced as my daughters are that much older and on the verge of leaving home; I didn't want to be left holding the 'cat' so to speak.
My wife also argued a similar point but then threw in ' well, if we're going to have another pet then I'd rather have a dog'. This comment was grasped by my daughters and I've had my arm twisted.
Now, secretly and between you and me, I would like to have a dog and our circumstances are right now in almost all respects but I/we have some specific requirements. Before I list them I would point out that I have had dogs before but not for the past 35 years!
Firstly we don't want a large dog and similarly we don't want a small dog! So mid-size. It should be short-haired or non-molting and it must not have a strong smell or slobber! Idealy it should be an intelligent breed so it should be relatively easy to train. We're not bothered whether it's pedigree or a cross breed (in any case cost might preclude a pedigree) so can folk suggest breeds/crosses that might fit the bill?
This incident left the family bereft. My daughters had insisted on a pet 7 years ago and I had finally agreed to the cat. I had argued over the past 6 months that the cat would not be replaced as my daughters are that much older and on the verge of leaving home; I didn't want to be left holding the 'cat' so to speak.
My wife also argued a similar point but then threw in ' well, if we're going to have another pet then I'd rather have a dog'. This comment was grasped by my daughters and I've had my arm twisted.
Now, secretly and between you and me, I would like to have a dog and our circumstances are right now in almost all respects but I/we have some specific requirements. Before I list them I would point out that I have had dogs before but not for the past 35 years!
Firstly we don't want a large dog and similarly we don't want a small dog! So mid-size. It should be short-haired or non-molting and it must not have a strong smell or slobber! Idealy it should be an intelligent breed so it should be relatively easy to train. We're not bothered whether it's pedigree or a cross breed (in any case cost might preclude a pedigree) so can folk suggest breeds/crosses that might fit the bill?
You do know everyone is just going to suggest the dog that they own 
I'll start shall I? Springer Spaniel, the most loving, adorable, affectionate dogs that you could ever find. They don't need to be walked for hours as long as they are well socialised during the day.
They do moult though, quite a lot but you get used to it!
I'll start shall I? Springer Spaniel, the most loving, adorable, affectionate dogs that you could ever find. They don't need to be walked for hours as long as they are well socialised during the day.
They do moult though, quite a lot but you get used to it!
Piglet said:
You do know everyone is just going to suggest the dog that they own
I'll start shall I? Springer Spaniel, the most loving, adorable, affectionate dogs that you could ever find. They don't need to be walked for hours as long as they are well socialised during the day.
They do moult though, quite a lot but you get used to it!
You're probably right but I do have some ideas of my own so it would still be interesting to see how many times these come up. BTW, springer spaniels were on my list! As for moulting, I guess there'll always be room for compromise and this is possibly an area where compromise would occur.I'll start shall I? Springer Spaniel, the most loving, adorable, affectionate dogs that you could ever find. They don't need to be walked for hours as long as they are well socialised during the day.
They do moult though, quite a lot but you get used to it!
caiss4 said:
You're probably right but I do have some ideas of my own so it would still be interesting to see how many times these come up. BTW, springer spaniels were on my list! As for moulting, I guess there'll always be room for compromise and this is possibly an area where compromise would occur.
Our springer is currently curled up between us on the sofa, they are the best dogs ever (but I may be a bit biased!). If you get one, don't over walk it, the more you walk them the fitter they get and the more they want to walk. You can't tire them up with physical exercise, you need to stimulate them mentally. Most are much happier with people around them.
A clipped springer will not shed in the same way as an unclipped one. They are a bit partial to mud as well....
Tango13 said:
Labra-doodle cross thingy? Don't moult and by all accounts quite intelligent.
I have a collie and a 3/4 sized poodle, as much as I love them both the constant hoovering up of dog hairs is off putting, they get everywhere. The poodle is ace, a lot of people think they all look like the ones on crufts with the ghey haircuts but they are a working dog and very intelligent.
Cut then like this,
A great dog.
dave87 said:
Golden retriever or German Shepherd would get my vote - they aren't huge dogs, but neither are they tiny - so fit the requirements well 
Used to have a golden retriever when I was young. Lovely dogs but too much hair, drool and smell. German shepherd's are a complete no-no. My wife has a morbid fear of them after having been bitten by a mangy stray 25 years ago.GarryA said:
Tango13 said:
Labra-doodle cross thingy? Don't moult and by all accounts quite intelligent.
I have a collie and a 3/4 sized poodle, as much as I love them both the constant hoovering up of dog hairs is off putting, they get everywhere. The poodle is ace, a lot of people think they all look like the ones on crufts with the ghey haircuts but they are a working dog and very intelligent.
Cut then like this,
A great dog.
Having said all that I wouldn't discount it although I've actually thought more about a full-size standard poodle. And I would be inetretsed in more comments on the labradoodle.
caiss4 said:
OK, here's my other admission. Also had a 3/4 poodle years ago. Brilliant dog in that it didn't moult. Trouble was it was very much a ladies dog; I never got on with it and I hated its yapping. Plus my mother had it kept in a french clip so it just wasn't macho enough. I would only take it out for walks in the dark!
Having said all that I wouldn't discount it although I've actually thought more about a full-size standard poodle. And I would be inetretsed in more comments on the labradoodle.
Usually the little toy ones yap, but never had a problem with ours or the in laws who have 2 standards.Having said all that I wouldn't discount it although I've actually thought more about a full-size standard poodle. And I would be inetretsed in more comments on the labradoodle.
GarryA said:
I have a collie and a 3/4 sized poodle, as much as I love them both the constant hoovering up of dog hairs is off putting, they get everywhere.
The poodle is ace, a lot of people think they all look like the ones on crufts with the ghey haircuts but they are a working dog and very intelligent.
Cut then like this,
A great dog.
A friend has a Labrasproodle. Looks alright.The poodle is ace, a lot of people think they all look like the ones on crufts with the ghey haircuts but they are a working dog and very intelligent.
Cut then like this,
A great dog.
Do you know how much excersise and the 'type' of dog you like?
Other than no slobber/no shedding/smell.... do you like gundogs, scent hounds, sight hounds?
What about excersise? have you a (realistic) view of what you can provide?
I would have suggested Mini Schnauzer but someone already suggested standard - although I always think of them as fairly big... (no I don't own one).
Other than no slobber/no shedding/smell.... do you like gundogs, scent hounds, sight hounds?
What about excersise? have you a (realistic) view of what you can provide?
I would have suggested Mini Schnauzer but someone already suggested standard - although I always think of them as fairly big... (no I don't own one).
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