Getting Another Dog

happyclappy

happyclappy

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Tragically, just over a week ago, I had to have my 4th Gorgeous old Irish Setter PTS.:(
I am lost and lonely, but feel genuinely ready for a new dog.

I accept that another Irish Setter is no longer a sutable breed due to my age and health.

I have little idea of what to get, and am liking Schnoodles or Miniature Schnauzer. or some other small dog, Miniature Poodle, Cocapoo, Cavapoo, or pure Heinz.

Obviously only I can choose, but I would really like to hear owners experiences, bad and good about sizes and traits and care.

Very wide and open post.
Look forward to thoughts
 
I would avoid Cockerpoos. A neighbour has one and it is the most unconfident, nervy dog, despite being taken out and about and having other dogs in the family to spend time with.
 
I am hoping to get another in the near future and have a short list of a border collie, not helped by seeing the two pups regularly featured on here and they are a breed I have always had, a whippet or poodle, I cannot get excited by the various cross breeds and it would feel wrong to support breeding them when so many are being produced just because they are the in thing, I think I would prefer a proper mongrel if they even exist nowadays without a fancy name.
 
I suppose it depends if you go pup or rescue. If rescue, and you can track down that elusive non staffy or long dog then you could end up with a nice mutley dog, and you see what you are getting.
A friend has a 'schnoodle' and it is a horrible little thing, but I only know the one. I agree with PAS that most 'poo' things tend to be hard work and emotional.

Sorry about your setter they are a lovely breed, we always had English when I was a child.
 
Show bred cocker or springer?
Or just go to a rescue and see what takes your fancy.

With the caveat that this may be a regional variation, Schnauzers, and poodle crosses around here are all very nervy and extremely reactive.
They are being bred for looks/money and not temperament. Bad nerves is usually nothing to do with socialisation, it's genetic.
 
I have a miniature schnauzer. She is a very adaptable little dog and as a first time dog owner I feel as though I have landed on my feet! She can be a bit of a princess and would not walk through puddles as a puppy and was very unkeen on going out in the rain, but that is her, not the breed in general. She will accept a short daily walk (40 mins or so) but is always keen to yomp along when we go out for a big walk too.
I picked a miniature schnauzer because a friend has a couple and they were the dogs that I liked the best of those I knew.
Sorry about your old dog and good luck in your search.
 
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Don't get a cockerpoo. They're nuts.

Why not contact a couple of local rescues and see what they have?

What part of the country are you in?
 
Have you considered a greyhound? They aren't all enormous creatures, but they are generally quite lazy, happy to go on short walks or longer walks. Mine spend all evening snuggled up close on the sofa.
 
I’m a rescue lover! (Currently sharing sofa with a 3yo lab and a collie, both ‘2nd hand’ as young adults.

I think talking to a rescue about your needs could suggest numerous breeds-the individual is more important. I wouldn’t think of smaller breeds just due to your age or health as they can still have high energy demands.
 
i know quite a few of the poo mixes and most of them seem very hyper and dont get let off the lead as the owners have no control.also some of them do shed their coats so you cant guarantee what you get with those crosses.....if i was looking for another dog i definitely wouldnt have one of them .....
 
Greyhounds can be fantastic, my dad (and mum before she died last year) had a great deal of pleasure from rehoming. If you are aware that ex racers are not good with cats/ small furries they make brilliant companions. As above, small does not mean they aren't feisty which is fine if you are aware of it. Good luck finding your next dog, they will be out there.
 
Another vote (as regulars will be surprised to hear!) for a rescue greyhound :) They are available in a huge variety of sizes (mine range from 21kg (i.e whippet sized) to 35kg!) and at home they are clean, relaxed, laid back, dare I say lazy (!!!!) and so very easy to live with :)

Yes they have the potential to chase small fluffies, but as long as you are aware of that then you should not have any problems

I absolutely adore the breed, they are entirely suited to my lifestyle - they can take as much or as little exercise as you want to give them, they are incredibly easy to live with, they are happy to sleep on the sofa if you go to work - you truly cannot get a better breed IMO :)
 
Than you so much for all you replies. It seems wrong to buy a named crossbreed at a higher price than a registered we bred Pedigree from a reputable dealer. I am becoming aware that "poo" dogs seem "crazy"

I am planning on getting hubby to take me to Rescue places, but on the web I have seen noyhing suitable, but realise they have many more than advertised.

I believe a dog will find and choose me, rather than vice versa. I just want another setter
 
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If you are hankering after a setter why not try a setter breed rescue specifically asking for an older dog? I've no knowledge of setters but other breed rescues seem to have older dogs in need of good homes often after their owners pass or are unable to care for themselves. You might end up with an older dog who would be less demanding for exercise but still the breed you love. Could be a winning situation for all concerned?
 
I am so sorry to hear about your setter, I still miss mine daily.

irish setter rescue will only consider you if you if someone is home all day. There are plenty of rescue setters about, just be wary of those that could be foreign rescues as many have leish which can lead to heartbreak.I was about to take such a dog on a couple of years ago and only found out at the last minute that he was leish positive. Its not a deal breaker for everyone but it was for me.

There is a gun dog rescue page on FB of a group in Ireland that some on here have spoken well of-they sometimes have setters too.

if you aren't sure about small dogs, I will throw out my smooth collie suggestion again. They have as much or as little energy as you do-they are gentle, sweet and affectionate with minimal collie traits. They seem pretty healthy for a pure breed and about the perfect size (in the UK generally 18-23kg depending on sex). Can be hard to find but breeders generally know of some available and there are sometimes slightly older dogs (i.e. 2/3 yo) that no longer show.
 
amymay said:
Don't get a cockerpoo. They're nuts.
Click to expand...

Pmsl, say what you think, love it! :biggrin3:

I’d say go round a rescue, although they just make me bawl. I want to rescue them all so I can’t go near them. If you’re fixed on a breed, then maybe search out a good breeder. I think I’ll always stay with one breed purely because there’s so many I wouldn’t know where to start. Saluki, English setter, poodle, flatcoat....just the start of my dream dog list. :biggrin3:
 
So sorry to hear about your Setter.
Lots of good suggestions on here. Another not keen on the ‘poo’ varieties! You can get lucky at a rescue I had a nice medium sized dog of indeterminate breeding for 15 years. No one wanted her as she was hyper in kennels but she was obedient and affectionate once in a home.
I also can endorse whippets, Greyhounds or some long Dog crosses.
Good luck.
 
I have an old Gordon setter that I took on 10 months ago. While she cant physically do much exercise, her brain is on the go the whole time and she is actually quite high maintenance wanting entertaining the whole time ! I am 70 now and probably would make the same decision as you again. My other dog is a border collie x corgi and is so laid back and totally suitable for an OAP! The corgi is obviously dominant ! I think my next dog may be a greyhound, although a friend who has them has had terrible traumas with broken legs and bone cancers (dogs not her ). Rescues seem to have mostly staffies locally or jack russells.
 
So sorry to hear about your setter. I'm 70 this year but quite active so we could have had a big dog that needed lots of exercise, however, many of our favourite walks are not big dog friendly so having something I could pick up and pop over stiles is handy. I also looked ahead and thought that when new dog is in his teens I'll be in my 80's so getting a dog in and out of the car etc might become a problem. I considered miniature poodles (OH didn't like them), miniature shnauzers (OH thought they looked cross) WCS (OH thought they were mad) looked at rescues but we either didn't like the breed or we felt they had issues that we didn't want especially as we have a very elderly person in our household. So we ended up with another border terrier. I am retired so I had lots of time to train Stanley, who is now nearly a year old. He has been the easiest dog ever. Clean and dry in the house from almost the first day he came home, has brilliant recall (had to stick him on a long line for a couple of weeks when he got to 6 months as he started to ignore me a bit but that sorted it very quickly) he loves a walk but will settle down when he's in the house quite happily, he's a very trainable dog who wants to please and he's lovely with people and other dogs. He is about 14" high at the shoulder and weighs 8kg but he doesn't know he's a small dog, doesn't yap and is very affectionate. As you can see I am quite besotted but so is everyone who meets him and BTs are well worth considering.
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happyclappy said:
Tragically, just over a week ago, I had to have my 4th Gorgeous old Irish Setter PTS.:(
I am lost and lonely, but feel genuinely ready for a new dog.

I accept that another Irish Setter is no longer a sutable breed due to my age and health.

I have little idea of what to get, and am liking Schnoodles or Miniature Schnauzer. or some other small dog, Miniature Poodle, Cocapoo, Cavapoo, or pure Heinz.

Obviously only I can choose, but I would really like to hear owners experiences, bad and good about sizes and traits and care.

Very wide and open post.
Look forward to thoughts
Click to expand...

I am so sorry that you've lost your setter. I am glad to see you would consider a poodle, they are such loving lively little dogs. Someone else has suggested a border terrier - I've had both. I can't fault either breed but my heart is so with full of poodles now I can't see past them. Go have a wee read of the thread where someone is considering a poodle. Lots of nice things to read there.

Best of luck
 
Definitely worth getting ‘on a charities books’. I spoke to a small rescue a few weeks after we lost our GSD, with a tall order as I had a 4 month old baby in the house. At the time nothing was suitable, then literally a week later thy had a family with a collie raised with 3 small children. I didn’t used to like collies and she took time to settle but she was perfect for us.

It can be practically competitive for attractive dogs that end up in rescue often only due to change in circumstance.

At first I was sure I wanted another GSD, and I’m sure we will end up with one again one day. But I knew they would not be my boy Harvey, so in a way glad I ended up with a different breed
 
So sorry to hear about the loss of your setter. My first thought was that a border terrier might suit your circumstances (and who can resist Stanley!) but I think if your heart is really with setters then you might be better to get yourself registered with one of the setter breed rescue centres and see if they have a dog or bitch in to suit? I have already decided that when I am too elderly for pups then I will rehome older GSDs (perhaps retired police dogs who can't stay with their handler for whatever reason) as I just love the breed.

Here are a few links to give you an idea of the type of dogs that become available (and there are some lovely ones)

http://www.isbcrescue.com/

https://www.irishsetterrescue.org.uk/

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findarescue/Default.aspx?breed=2039

https://www.settusfree.org.uk/available-setters/

https://www.facebook.com/irishsetterrescuegroup/
 
If you ar elooking at small and hairy most rescue centres often have small hairy pups in - Id go to these. There are very few if any responsible breeders of the fashionable crossbreeds.
They have many problems you need to be aware of - be very careful with schnauzers re temperment they are becoming a bit dicey in some line s- quite sharp!
cockerpoos/fluffy dogs often need a lot of coat care and ear hair can be a big problem- skin is also a problem particularly in the 'brown' colours.
Unless I was going for a breed which needed health testing ie. big dogs hip scores etc I'd always pick a rescue centre pup over a 'breeder' pup as so rarely do I go and see a set up that is actually responsible and that I want to support.
 
Definitely go to your local rescues,2nd hand is best (or in my case 3rd hand). You can theoretically meet the dog's personality, not relying on breed traits which can vary.
Beware though, they can change once settled at home, I was told my rehome was an energetic dog requiring long walks & suffered separation anxiety. What I've got is a very loving cuddly dog, but she is lazy and would rather stay curled up in her basket than come out for a long walk with me.
 
I have a maltipoo puppy and while I absolutely adore him he is nervous of absolutely anything and everything. Dogs terrify him (especially big forward ones), 'new' people make him quite nervous, the same with new sounds etc. He has quite a personality though and is the perfect lap dog. Very loving towards his 'people' and generally a very happy dog.

We are taking our time with him, He goes to puppy class (think he does the KC good citizen scheme or something but i'm not sure as I'm not the one that takes him) and is starting to get braver around other dogs and we are working on him getting touched by other people and de sensitising things. I would probably get another but I most definitley would like a toy poodle as my next dog when the time is right.

He was the product of an accidental mating in a park so it wasn't as if his parents were suitably matched beforehand so after reading these posts I can see why he is quite a nervous little dog
 
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