What dog breed?
Discussion
We are thinking of getting a family dog. We have 3 kids aged 7 to 14. Live in a detached house with small to medium sized garden but in a small village surrounded by fields and footpaths. We also have a cat who is about 12 and enjoys a quiet life indoors mainly.
My wife works 2 days a week and 1 of these is quite often at the weekend, so there is usually someone at home.
I think we want a puppy, as would like to go through the whole training etc from start but also because I am working on the basis that it is goning to be easier to introduce our cat to a puppy that is in a crate (at least at first), than introducing a rescue dog perhaps not used to cats.
If I could choose some characteristics I would say nothing too large, short coat with minimal shedding. Ok on 1 hour of exercise a day and it would potentially be good if I could bring it on my 5km run loop I do 2-3 times a week. We would be first time dog owners (I had a few as a kid) so nothing too difficult to own (happy to do/learn training etc) and nothing that is going to bark all day long.
My wife and daughter lean more toward 'cuteness' as a factor (im being a bit flippant here), whereas I am more concerned about getting a well behaved dog who will thrive in a busy family house, add to the fun and be a great companion.
The next door garden has a lot of rabbits (ours doesnt have any at all) so I have been rightly or wrongly discounting terriers and others with high prey drive? my wife does like welsh terriers.
My research so far has led me to labradoodle, cockapoo, boxer, schanuauzer, schnoodle, wiemaraner (probably too big), beagle (too howly?) springer spaniel, hungarian vizsla?
Any help would be appreciated. I appreciate we cant have it all, but I just want to get as much as advice and research as i can before we do anything.
My wife works 2 days a week and 1 of these is quite often at the weekend, so there is usually someone at home.
I think we want a puppy, as would like to go through the whole training etc from start but also because I am working on the basis that it is goning to be easier to introduce our cat to a puppy that is in a crate (at least at first), than introducing a rescue dog perhaps not used to cats.
If I could choose some characteristics I would say nothing too large, short coat with minimal shedding. Ok on 1 hour of exercise a day and it would potentially be good if I could bring it on my 5km run loop I do 2-3 times a week. We would be first time dog owners (I had a few as a kid) so nothing too difficult to own (happy to do/learn training etc) and nothing that is going to bark all day long.
My wife and daughter lean more toward 'cuteness' as a factor (im being a bit flippant here), whereas I am more concerned about getting a well behaved dog who will thrive in a busy family house, add to the fun and be a great companion.
The next door garden has a lot of rabbits (ours doesnt have any at all) so I have been rightly or wrongly discounting terriers and others with high prey drive? my wife does like welsh terriers.
My research so far has led me to labradoodle, cockapoo, boxer, schanuauzer, schnoodle, wiemaraner (probably too big), beagle (too howly?) springer spaniel, hungarian vizsla?
Any help would be appreciated. I appreciate we cant have it all, but I just want to get as much as advice and research as i can before we do anything.
Thanks all. Think were leaning toward schnauzer or cockapoo. Maybe labradoodle or spaniel.
I have had a good look at rescue centres current dogs but I just don't think it's a route we want to go down. I had no idea there are so many dogs in need of a home that are mentally scarred. I feel a bit bad but not bad enough I guess.
I have been reading up on breeders and it seems a bit of a minefield. Quite a bit of criticism of cross breed breeders in particular.
More reading on this and all the checks they should be doing needed!
Think we are looking at the new year to get one realistically,
I have had a good look at rescue centres current dogs but I just don't think it's a route we want to go down. I had no idea there are so many dogs in need of a home that are mentally scarred. I feel a bit bad but not bad enough I guess.
I have been reading up on breeders and it seems a bit of a minefield. Quite a bit of criticism of cross breed breeders in particular.
More reading on this and all the checks they should be doing needed!
Think we are looking at the new year to get one realistically,
Picked up a mini schnauzer pup today!
My kids are loving him.
I'm sat on the sofa and he is settling down nicely now in his crate. Bought a pen too, which we have attached to the crate, so a very controlled environment.
Our cat has seen him and is nervous near him, but seems fairly relaxed in the house and is not hiding away. I'm pretty happy with how the introduction has gone so far.
Not sure what sort of a night we are in for. The training will start tomorrow!
My kids are loving him.
I'm sat on the sofa and he is settling down nicely now in his crate. Bought a pen too, which we have attached to the crate, so a very controlled environment.
Our cat has seen him and is nervous near him, but seems fairly relaxed in the house and is not hiding away. I'm pretty happy with how the introduction has gone so far.
Not sure what sort of a night we are in for. The training will start tomorrow!
Say hello to Arlo!
[pic]
20191022_202519 (1) by Chris Cox, on Flickr[/pic]
He settled down about 11pm and we didnt hear a peep out of him all night! He seems comfortable enough and happy to settle in his bed in the crate. Kids had a good play with him from 6.30 to 7.30 this morning and as I left for work he was having another rest.
He was the quieter one of the litter. Still inquisitive and playful, but seems to love a cuddle.
Left a 'present' in the pen over night and again this morning. I had taken him outside but he didnt do anything. Our cat is still staying well clear, but is relaxed and not hiding away petrified.
[pic]
20191022_202519 (1) by Chris Cox, on Flickr[/pic]He settled down about 11pm and we didnt hear a peep out of him all night! He seems comfortable enough and happy to settle in his bed in the crate. Kids had a good play with him from 6.30 to 7.30 this morning and as I left for work he was having another rest.
He was the quieter one of the litter. Still inquisitive and playful, but seems to love a cuddle.
Left a 'present' in the pen over night and again this morning. I had taken him outside but he didnt do anything. Our cat is still staying well clear, but is relaxed and not hiding away petrified.
Edited by covmutley on Wednesday 23 October 09:23
Edited by covmutley on Wednesday 23 October 09:26
Arlo is continuing to do really well! He has mastered peeing on the pad although he is less accurate with no. 2's.
Ive been doing some clicker training and he has a decent 'sit'. I need to work a bit harder on him knowing his name.
I took him into the front and rear garden today. Train noise and cars scared him.
Our cat is also getting more and more comfortable around him too. Hopefully they will end up being good friend.
Ive been doing some clicker training and he has a decent 'sit'. I need to work a bit harder on him knowing his name.
I took him into the front and rear garden today. Train noise and cars scared him.
Our cat is also getting more and more comfortable around him too. Hopefully they will end up being good friend.
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