Breed recommendations

[RagamuffinTheo]

Hi , looking for advice on which breed is suited to me as I'm struggling to pick as I love dogs so much I can't pick which breed and I don't want to get the wrong one for me.

I live alone , have no kids and have 1 cat a ragamuffin called Theo and I have wanted a dog for awhile but living in an apartment meant I could not and am now ready after moving into my own house before Christmas.

I thought if I describe what I do and don't want that you may be able to point me in the right direction.

• The main thing that is most important to me is that he is not overly barky as I'm autistic and loud noises can make me anxious but only after being exposed to them for awhile , as an example I was brought up around flat coat retrievers and they only barked for a reason and soon settled down when told to stop were my friends Pomeranian never shuts up so I need a more quiet breed but I can handle some barking

• he needs to be good with cats and able to live with one but I'm not bothered about outside cats only my own who is an indoor cat

• size wise I want anything from small so shih tzu up to medium Springer spaniel size , labs or flat coat size would be too big for me to handle

• I would like an easy to train dog not necessarily as easy as a retriever but I don't want him to be difficult either

• Im not looking for a very biddable or obedient dog but I would like a dog who listens to me most of the time

• I want a calm, laid back dog who is medium energy , I don't want lively or bouncy dog (I'm out referring to an adult dog I know all pups are livley) like my mom's flat coats but I also don't want a couch potato dog like my brothers bulldog who is the laziest dog I've ever known , I'm looking for something in-between energy wise

• I can do no more than 1hr and 30mins exercise during the week longer at weekend , I work from home so am home all day

• coat care I don't mind what type but I'd prefer to stick to what I know and not deal with a coat that's more difficult than a flat coat so I can do a coat that is the same length and grooming need as a flat coats

• I would like a fairly healthy breed without issues , I was recommended the cavalier by my mom and I was smitten but the health issues are serious in the breed and that put me off , even the high cancer in flat coats would be a deal breaker ( even though I don't suit flat coats ) so a fairly healthy breed.

I want a puppy and am not interested in an adult , sorry it's just for my first dog I'd like a puppy

If theirs anything else you need to know please ask

 

[CorvusCorax]

Show/pet bred whippet is first thing that springs to mind.

 

[AmyMay]

Why not speak to your local rescue?

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

Why not speak to your local rescue?

I'm looking for a puppy not a rescue and I did speak to one local rescue who also advised cavalier but said the health issues are not that bad and that they both can be tested for so look for parents who have been tested

 

[CorvusCorax]

That's true, there are Cavalier breeders doing things right, you could get in touch with a breed club for recommendations.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

That's true, there are Cavalier breeders doing things right, you could get in touch with a breed club for recommendations.

So not all cavaliers suffer from syringomyelia? that was the one that I found even more destressing than the heart issue as I saw videos on YouTube and it broke my heart watching the poor dogs with it.

It's possible to get a cavalier and be 100% certain through testing the parents that my cavalier won't have i

 

[CorvusCorax]

Here is a bit more info: https://cavalierhealth.org/smprotocol.htm

Very few health tests on parents provide a 100% certainty that progeny will be completely healthy, but it gives a much better guarantee, especially over several generations of good/clear results.

 

[stangs]

A Papillon?

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

Here is a bit more info: https://cavalierhealth.org/smprotocol.htm

Very few health tests on parents provide a 100% certainty that progeny will be completely healthy, but it gives a much better guarantee, especially over several generations of good/clear results.

Thank you , so it's possible to get a cavalier free of syringomyelia if parents are tested

 

[AmyMay]

I'm looking for a puppy not a rescue and I did speak to one local rescue who also advised cavalier but said the health issues are not that bad and that they both can be tested for so look for parents who have been tested

At this time of year rescues are full of puppies.

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd also think a whippet would be a good fit, They are as a rule generally tough and robust health wise and rarely bark. Mine will bark once or twice as a warning for someone at the door, but otherwise just doesnt. Previous dogs have been the same.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

I'd also think a whippet would be a good fit, They are as a rule generally tough and robust health wise and rarely bark. Mine will bark once or twice as a warning for someone at the door, but otherwise just doesnt. Previous dogs have been the same.

How are they will family cats though as I thought sighthounds have high prey drive and thought that may be an issue?

 

[CorvusCorax]

I know of loads of people with whippets and cats, 'their' cats are fine, again, go for show or pet lines rather than working lines and you should be OK.

 

[Cortez]

How are they will family cats though as I thought sighthounds have high prey drive and thought that may be an issue?

Another whippet or (small) lurcher recommender here. My cat is the boss of both my whippets, and was best mates with my old lurcher.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

Thanks all, looking up the whippet I also found the silken windhound anyone know about them?

Would a whippet be able to handle the rough play of a flat coat and golden retriever ( sister has a Golden and she's here nearly everyday)

 

[CorvusCorax]

They won't be able to catch up with a whippet to bop it don't think there are too many Silkens in the UK and they can be quite tall AFAIK.

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks all, looking up the whippet I also found the silken windhound anyone know about them?

Would a whippet be able to handle the rough play of a flat coat and golden retriever ( sister has a Golden and she's here nearly everyday)

Friends have a whippet and Border Collie respectively. They play very roughly - when the Whippet allows herself to be caught that is.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

They won't be able to catch up with a whippet to bop it don't think there are too many Silkens in the UK and they can be quite tall AFAIK.

Friends have a whippet and Border Collie respectively. They play very roughly - when the Whippet allows herself to be caught that is.

Thank you both , I've just seen a video of a whippet playing with a Golden ( couldn't find any flat coat ones) my gosh their fast , it's really cool watching the whippet race past the golden and the golden trying to keep up. I also found a video of someone who owns both a whippet and a silken and from that video I prefer the silken based on what she said definitely 2 breeds to look into further. It seems silkens are a tad more easy to train and more obedient than whippets

 

[AmyMay]

Whippets are very trainable and obedient.

 

[CorvusCorax]

With the best will in the world, pandemic restrictions permitting, while internet videos can be helpful in some ways, nothing beats real world experience. If you can get out to a dog show or another event like agility or obedience or a training club and meet lots of different dogs, that will give you a better idea of what you are looking for. or email breeders/breed clubs for advice.

 

[Moobli]

My first thought was cavalier but, as you’ve found, there are health issues to be mindful of so it’s very important to find a breeder who extensively health tests.
A show bred cocker spaniel might also suit your needs and lifestyle.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

With the best will in the world, pandemic restrictions permitting, while internet videos can be helpful in some ways, nothing beats real world experience. If you can get out to a dog show or another event like agility or obedience or a training club and meet lots of different dogs, that will give you a better idea of what you are looking for. or email breeders/breed clubs for advice.

Thanks , my sister has told me of a behaviourist I could ask who is also hosting a local dog show on Tuesday the 4th of Jan and my sister is going so I'm going to tag along to that

My first thought was cavalier but, as you’ve found, there are health issues to be mindful of so it’s very important to find a breeder who extensively health tests.
A show bred cocker spaniel might also suit your needs and lifestyle.

When I used to go on shoots or field trials with my mom the cockers were always the vocal ones not sure if showlines are quieter and again not sure if it's a breed thing or just those individuals. Cockers were my first thought before the rescue recommend a cavalier.

I really appreciate everyone's help here and your all really helping me I also think I would prefer to maybe stick to what I know as in gundogs as I know them so we'll mom has flat coats , 2 aunt's have setters, sister has a Golden , 2 cousin's and an uncle all have labs

 

[NR88]

Cavalier was my first thought too. They are generally thought of as ideal first dogs. Health tested parents go a long way to ensuring, as much as possible, a healthy puppy.

A show cocker would be my second recommendation. I only have first hand experience of working cockers but I haven't found them vocal at all. My second hand experience of show cockers is that they are good family pets.

I am a fan of whippets but the person I know who has them has a bunch of noisy neurotic freaks! I assign it all to the owner but he will not ever leave them alone and makes sure a member of family is in if he goes out so that they are never alone. They bark a lot, he has 4 but they only get out to the garden or go on walks/off the lead runs one at a time. They aren't good with strangers as they get over excited. Yet he competes them at showing and they do well.

I'm 100% sure that the blame lies at his feet as they are all different lines so not as if it's a certain bloodline that has "issues". Again it could be him exaggerating but he implies that they are easily injured and limits their play time outside.

I only know second hand of his "high maintenance" whippets. What I would warn you of OP, not just with whippets, but is separation anxiety if you are WFH and there a lot. Personally I'd ensure that pup has an hour or two of alone time shut in the kitchen/utility room/pen/crate while you work from the start. Obviously start with small durations and build up gradually.

A work colleague bought a lock down puppy and never left it while she WFH. It got so bad that the dog wouldn't even settle with her husband or children, only her. Any time she went out the dog pined, whimpered, barked and became destructive. When she stayed away the dog wouldn't eat or drink until she returned. When it is one on one and its a cute puppy it is very tempting to want to be with them all the time. You sound like you have your head screwed on though OP.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

Cavalier was my first thought too. They are generally thought of as ideal first dogs. Health tested parents go a long way to ensuring, as much as possible, a healthy puppy.

A show cocker would be my second recommendation. I only have first hand experience of working cockers but I haven't found them vocal at all. My second hand experience of show cockers is that they are good family pets.

I am a fan of whippets but the person I know who has them has a bunch of noisy neurotic freaks! I assign it all to the owner but he will not ever leave them alone and makes sure a member of family is in if he goes out so that they are never alone. They bark a lot, he has 4 but they only get out to the garden or go on walks/off the lead runs one at a time. They aren't good with strangers as they get over excited. Yet he competes them at showing and they do well.

I'm 100% sure that the blame lies at his feet as they are all different lines so not as if it's a certain bloodline that has "issues". Again it could be him exaggerating but he implies that they are easily injured and limits their play time outside.

I only know second hand of his "high maintenance" whippets. What I would warn you of OP, not just with whippets, but is separation anxiety if you are WFH and there a lot. Personally I'd ensure that pup has an hour or two of alone time shut in the kitchen/utility room/pen/crate while you work from the start. Obviously start with small durations and build up gradually.

A work colleague bought a lock down puppy and never left it while she WFH. It got so bad that the dog wouldn't even settle with her husband or children, only her. Any time she went out the dog pined, whimpered, barked and became destructive. When she stayed away the dog wouldn't eat or drink until she returned. When it is one on one and its a cute puppy it is very tempting to want to be with them all the time. You sound like you have your head screwed on though OP.

Thank you, yes I definitely have my head screwed on and no matter what the breed will be training him to be ok on his own for a few hours as you never know when you may need them too.

I like whippets but I know gundogs so well and feel now that sticking with them is the way forward.

I'm really interested in a show bred cocker , their the right size and I should be able to find a breeder who breeds the type I'm looking for as I know not all cockers are hyper.

It's just how barky they are that I need to find out

 

[CorvusCorax]

Before French Bulldogs and Pugs became popular, a lot of GSD show people I used to know had whippets as 'house dogs' or lapdogs, they always appeared very quiet, calm and serene to me, definitely compared to the Shepherds. All the cockers and crosses around here are reactive and gobby. I think resource guarding needs to be watched with them too.

Totally agree about about teaching dogs to be alone, I could have brought one of mine into the office this week but decided against it as I was home for four days and she needs to get used to me being out again/spending time in the run. Plus she thinks it is 'her manor' because she was here so much as a youngster and barks loudly at any interlopers

Ragamuffin, worth having a run through all the groups and having a look, as there are types that fall into other groups. A lot of the terriers would probably be a bit too noisy.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/

 

[NR88]

I'm really interested in a show bred cocker , their the right size and I should be able to find a breeder who breeds the type I'm looking for as I know not all cockers are hyper.

I know show cocker breeders and their dogs are very noisy BUT they don't seem to train them to be quiet and make no effort to quieten them.

An acquaintance of mine bought a show cocker as a first dog and they have two children. The dog has been perfect and isn't noisy at all. They are a very active family so although they haven't done any "proper" training with the dog he gets lots of variety and is very low maintenance apart from grooming. The dog does seem to go to the groomers a lot!

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

I know show cocker breeders and their dogs are very noisy BUT they don't seem to train them to be quiet and make no effort to quieten them.

An acquaintance of mine bought a show cocker as a first dog and they have two children. The dog has been perfect and isn't noisy at all. They are a very active family so although they haven't done any "proper" training with the dog he gets lots of variety and is very low maintenance apart from grooming. The dog does seem to go to the groomers a lot!

I know a friend was between a show cocker and show Springer who researched extensively into both breeds and found the springer more quiet and so went for the springer and I know they said springers tend to be more quiet

 

[Moobli]

I would also recommend show springers but there does t seem to be an abundance of litters as there are with the working type so you might have a long wait.
Another thing to look out for in show cockers is “cocker rage”. Resource guarding does seem to be an issue in WCS not sure about the show types so worth further research.

 

[RagamuffinTheo]

I would also recommend show springers but there does t seem to be an abundance of litters as there are with the working type so you might have a long wait.
Another thing to look out for in show cockers is “cocker rage”. Resource guarding does seem to be an issue in WCS not sure about the show types so worth further research.

Luckily I'm in no rush so I'll be researching breeders just as much as breed.

I'm happy to wait awhile for the right breed

My list consists of springers and cockers show bred for both and I'm going to wait till next Tuesday too and see what my sister's friend says and see what breeds I see ect.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

We’re on our 3rd lot of springer littermates. The first 2 pairs never really barked. The new pups are a bit barky but will be discouraged massively.

I met a cavalier puppy yesterday, it was ridiculously gorgeous. Just do your research to try to ensure a healthy dog.