First time dog owner

[akirk]

ciege said:

Just to add...

Dogs are so much easier than kids!
Think about a dog as a very very easy to please child:
That mops up after themselves when they eat.
Mostly wipes their own bottoms to an reasonable standard.
Usually goes to bed and stops in bed.
Doesn't hog the TV.
Enjoys long journeys, mostly.
Happy with the same presents every time.
Only needs limited positive reinforcement.
Rarely has mates who fall out with them.
Doesn't enjoy facebook and the internet in general.
Wants to go to the Pub with you.
Wants to go anywhere with you.
Never gets bored with you explaining thing.

The list is endless really......

however, sadly is unable to keep you in retirement - otherwise...

[garythesign]

I have had both rescue and puppies.

There are positives and negatives to both.

Someone above posted about deciding what type of dog you are after. I think this is sound advice. Once you have narrowed it down you can then research a bit further.

Good luck

[CAH706]

So, I've looked at labradors as they seem to fit the bill but I'm no expert so open to ideas.

Wants;

No bigger than a ladrador. Happy to go smaller but no yappy dogs and I don't really like the very small ones

We like to exercise so a dog (suspect most) that likes long walks. I now know puppies need a lot less exercise than I previously thought!

Dog can be off lead and not run off.

Energetic dog but must be friendly. Possibly most are with the right training but given my (lack of) experience I'd like one with that nature

Loyal to family not just one master and good round people generally

Not a slobbery dog.

Not a dog that sheds massively

Probably other stuff I've not considered but as per the point of the thread I'm trying to knowledge gather and learn

[pidsy]

I’d avoid Dogs trust, RSPCA and the other larger rescue centres.

Think about a breed and look at smaller local independent rescues. There are lots more than you think - yes, some are run by mental woman with more dogs than they know what to do with but there are lots of great ones run by people who love their animals.

[akirk]

CAH706 said:

So, I've looked at labradors as they seem to fit the bill but I'm no expert so open to ideas.
Wants;
No bigger than a ladrador. Happy to go smaller but no yappy dogs and I don't really like the very small ones
We like to exercise so a dog (suspect most) that likes long walks. I now know puppies need a lot less exercise than I previously thought!
Dog can be off lead and not run off.
Energetic dog but must be friendly. Possibly most are with the right training but given my (lack of) experience I'd like one with that nature
Loyal to family not just one master and good round people generally
Not a slobbery dog.
Not a dog that sheds massively
Probably other stuff I've not considered but as per the point of the thread I'm trying to knowledge gather and learn

Labrador
any dog with hair will shed - and you will do more hoovering - look for poodle / labradoodle (cross labrador / poodle) to avoid that...
any dog that likes being outside with a 9 year old boy will bring in dirt - treat them both the same, lots of exercise / food / love - occasional exposure to water!

in case you missed it - Labrador

[cbmotorsport]

Rescue or rehome one for sure!

This chap came from the 'preloved' website. We were his 4th home, through absolutely no fault of his own, and he's an absolute corker. Perfectly house trained, playful, fun, loving, easy off the lead, and very in tune with us as a family. We love him to absolute bits, and have had him for 4 years.

[popeyewhite]

akirk said:

Labrador
any dog with hair will shed - and you will do more hoovering - look for poodle / labradoodle (cross labrador / poodle) to avoid that...
any dog that likes being outside with a 9 year old boy will bring in dirt - treat them both the same, lots of exercise / food / love - occasional exposure to water!

in case you missed it - Labrador

Good call. Or perhaps even a Lab/Collie cross. Bit more energetic than a Lab and a bit more intelligent, but with less of a food bill attached!

[tedmus]

pidsy said:

I’d avoid Dogs trust, RSPCA and the other larger rescue centres.

Think about a breed and look at smaller local independent rescues. There are lots more than you think - yes, some are run by mental woman with more dogs than they know what to do with but there are lots of great ones run by people who love their animals.

On the whole I mostly agree and it will always be the route I go down (independents). I've used the Dogpages rescue forums in the past, although not sure how often they get updated now.

I wouldn't totally rule out one of the big rescues. We searched for a while for our current rescue bh when the previous one passed away suddenly, the new dog had to be the right fit as she was going to live with a bit of an awkward little bugger and she just happened to be at one of the local(ish) RSPCA centers.

It's all about the right dog for you and your circumstances.

[geeks]

Try not discount small dogs out too much, I like many always thought of them as yappy things, however a Jack Russel called Lucy completely stole all my affection, sadly we lost her just under 18 months ago, a new small JR Pug cross has now done the same thing, she has plenty of big dog attitude we also have a Poodle Schnauzer cross (commonly known as a Schnoodle) who doesn't shed, is twice as bright as most Labs and so gentle while being playful all at the same time.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

What about this happy looking bundle of fun? https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...

[super7]

A bit biased.... ok.... Very biased.... but....

Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. Both very intelligent (from the Poodle side) Both CAN be good on dropping hair and both are very friendly and loving and they don't have to be very large (ie Standard Poodle / Minature Poodle).

We have 3 of them, 1 Labradoodle and 2 Goldendoodle's. The youngest Goldendoodle seems to have more retriever in her than the other 2 which are more poodle. As such she drops hair like anything. The other two are completely free of it and Don't drop any hair, so don't believe anyone who says they dont shed hair.

Rescue dogs can be a lottery. Our first was from the Doodle trust and we got her at 1yr old. She's had a number of problems from the start with Allergies, which can be really uncomfortable for the dog with Ear and Skin issues. None of this was relayed to us when we got her. Don't let people send you down a guilt trip though into rescuing. if you wan't a puppy and to go through all the puppy stuff then get one!

[mikees]

CAH706 said:

So, I've looked at labradors as they seem to fit the bill but I'm no expert so open to ideas.

Wants;

No bigger than a ladrador. Happy to go smaller but no yappy dogs and I don't really like the very small ones

We like to exercise so a dog (suspect most) that likes long walks. I now know puppies need a lot less exercise than I previously thought!

Dog can be off lead and not run off.

Energetic dog but must be friendly. Possibly most are with the right training but given my (lack of) experience I'd like one with that nature

Loyal to family not just one master and good round people generally

Not a slobbery dog.

Not a dog that sheds massively

Probably other stuff I've not considered but as per the point of the thread I'm trying to knowledge gather and learn

Working cocker or springer

Smaller than a lab, more energy, east less. Mediums sized bag or energy,

[cbmotorsport]

mikees said:

Working cocker or springer

Smaller than a lab, more energy, east less. Mediums sized bag or energy,

Clues in the name, I wouldn't have a working cocker or springer unless I could offer them a working home, or one that would provide the equivalent amount of exercise and stimulation.

[camshafted]

OP - What part of the UK are you in?

[papa3]

cbmotorsport said:

Clues in the name, I wouldn't have a working cocker or springer unless I could offer them a working home, or one that would provide the equivalent amount of exercise and stimulation.

Our last dog was a Springer and I didn't think you could find a more wired and energetic dog. Enter Louie, 3 a year old working cocker. I resisted another dog after the Springer as I didn't think you could find as good a dog again but Louie is the best natured, if slightly clingy, dog you could ask for.

He, like his predecessor, needs 2 good walks a day and will happily run the hills or beaches for as long as you let him. Equally he is just as content to curl up on the sofa and snooze of an evening.

Whilst bred to work they are not hard wired to do so, though some of the traits will always be evident. Louie's particular weakness is shouting at birds, he is bred to flush them, even if he is in the kitchen looking out!

Obviously I am biased but they are the perfect dog provided you like walking. Good sized, not yappy and as devoted as you could ever want.

Like others have said try to rescue a dog. Louie was 2 when we got him and came from a home who wanted a low energy dog. A spaniel is seldom that. After a week of settling in he has been no problem at all, you just have to be happy to "wear" a spaniel from time to time.

[chrisga]

papa3 said:

Our last dog was a Springer and I didn't think you could find a more wired and energetic dog. Enter Louie, 3 a year old working cocker. I resisted another dog after the Springer as I didn't think you could find as good a dog again but Louie is the best natured, if slightly clingy, dog you could ask for.

He, like his predecessor, needs 2 good walks a day and will happily run the hills or beaches for as long as you let him. Equally he is just as content to curl up on the sofa and snooze of an evening.

Whilst bred to work they are not hard wired to do so, though some of the traits will always be evident. Louie's particular weakness is shouting at birds, he is bred to flush them, even if he is in the kitchen looking out!

Obviously I am biased but they are the perfect dog provided you like walking. Good sized, not yappy and as devoted as you could ever want.

Like others have said try to rescue a dog. Louie was 2 when we got him and came from a home who wanted a low energy dog. A spaniel is seldom that. After a week of settling in he has been no problem at all, you just have to be happy to "wear" a spaniel from time to time.

Agree with this. We have 3 working spaniels and a collie.

As well as researching dog breeds and rescue centres, start looking for local obedience training classes. If you've never had a dog before they will be invaluable, but if you go down the pup route puppy classes fill up quickly and you want to start as early in their life as possible. It's no good getting a pup then ringing your local class only to find out they have a 10 week waiting time. Don't get me wrong, some training is better than none, but the earlier you can socialise to people and other dogs the better. Take your pup everywhere you can as early asyou can so they get used to as many different things as possible. When looking for trainers, look for ones that ONLY use positive reward based training. Do not be taken in by any dominance/pack leader theory as it has no place in modern dog training...... https://positively.com/dog-training/myths-truths/p...

Edit, would also echo what Bex said, make sure your kids know the ground rules, the dog needs their own space too. I would recommend crate training so the dog has his/her own space to go to be quiet if they want.

Oh and try to make sure everyone in the family interacts with the dog in the same way. No good you teaching him/her to lie down with a "down" command and then your wife or son saying "lie". You'll just confuse them.

Edited by chrisga on Tuesday 27th March 17:09

[papa3]

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

camshafted said:

OP - What part of the UK are you in?

he's Leeds.

[camshafted]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

camshafted said:

OP - What part of the UK are you in?

he's Leeds.

Thanks - I don't know many rescues in that region unfortunately, but I would echo a number of points from previous posters to please consider a rescue. There are so many good dogs looking for a home and when you save a rescue, it creates a space for them to save another.

On breed, a good Staffie is a great family dog. Loving, intelligent, well-behaved and robust. Plenty looking for a home as well.

I've heard cockapoos don't moult, but I've also heard some dogs with poodle in them might be known to nip but that might be a complete myth!

Good luck with the search.

[super7]

camshafted said:

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

camshafted said:

OP - What part of the UK are you in?

he's Leeds.

Thanks - I don't know many rescues in that region unfortunately, but I would echo a number of points from previous posters to please consider a rescue. There are so many good dogs looking for a home and when you save a rescue, it creates a space for them to save another.

On breed, a good Staffie is a great family dog. Loving, intelligent, well-behaved and robust. Plenty looking for a home as well.

I've heard cockapoos don't moult, but I've also heard some dogs with poodle in them might be known to nip but that might be a complete myth!

Good luck with the search.

None of our 'doodles nip. They're a bit bouncy though :-)

Also, just because it's got Poodle in it, doesn't mean to say it WONT Moult. It all depends on the dominant genes!