Heping decide on a breed!

[Cas1979]

Hi all,

I wanted to get some advice on breeds.

I'll be looking to get a new dog soon and I had in mind a Labrador.

But after speaking to hubby he suggested I get some advice on the right breed, he thinks Labrador wouldn't suit our lives.

Joey was GSD, who grew a bit bigger than average, making it very difficult to dogsit. Also he got very unfriendly so wasn't much fun (for my husband) taking him for walks or when people were coming around.

I would like a medium size breed. That doesn't like chewing (at least not as much as some breeds). That doesn't require going to a parlour for grooming (I can do bath and brushing as often a required, but not clippers).

He will have 2 walks per day, quick one in the morning and longer one in the evening. we have medium size secured garden, which he will have access all day at any time.

The difficult part is that we both work all day, I'll leave home by 8.30, come for my lunch hour from 12.30 to 1.30 and then get back again at 4.30. My next doors neighbours come to visit during the time we aren't here, so doggy won't be alone all the time.

I thought Labrador was good choice, low grooming needs, with plenty of exercise and training, I think he'd be a really good boy. Always friendly and cuddly.

But do you guys think? any other suggestions???

thanks so much
Cas

 

[EllenJay]

Go onto the Kennel Club website, they have a tool to help you decide on a breed. http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/s...m=Find a Breed&utm_campaign=FAP - BRAND_Exact

 

[Clodagh]

Lab would be good, but not a working strain. The show ones are much quieter and low impact than the workers.
A staffie would cope with that lifestyle as well, I should think.
I wouldn't get a puppy though, they can't be left that long but an adult dog will be fine. Rather than thinking breed why not look at rescues and see what grabs you? Theres all sorts out there looking for a home. The big rescues probably won't rehome to you but smaller ones might, or go on the dreaded preloved!

 

[satinbaze]

Lab puppies chew & chew & chew!!!!!! How about the gentlemans gundog a flatcoated retriever. Mine cope with me working similar hours to you, grooming easy with a daily brush and comb, easily trainable and generally very social. They do however need training otherwise the brain and energy take over. Good luck with your choice

 

[Nicnac]

Go onto the Kennel Club website, they have a tool to help you decide on a breed. http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/s...m=Find a Breed&utm_campaign=FAP - BRAND_Exact

Not sure how good that is. Just tried it for fun asking for a large breed and it has come up with Toys, terriers, a Dandie Dinmont and a corgi!

OP - why don't you, as suggested, go to a few rescues and get two dogs so they can keep each company when you're at work.

 

[Fools Motto]

I'd say lurcher/greyhound. Lab pups do like to chew, and can get a bit tubby if exercise is limited - they like their grub/rubbish/poo!!
The GH types like to laze between walks, aren't so greedy and very loyal and friendly. They don't need grooming (light brush occasionally!?) I like the sort anyway!!

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[FlaxenPony05]

I think a lurcher/whippet would be a good choice. Definitely check out your local rescue centre first though.

 

[Cas1979]

Go onto the Kennel Club website, they have a tool to help you decide on a breed. http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/s...m=Find a Breed&utm_campaign=FAP - BRAND_Exact

Just after trying this tool it tells me something like a Cocker Spaniel... but I thought they were high maintenance.... perhaps not and they were in the list of possible breeds!

 

[Cas1979]

I think a lurcher/whippet would be a good choice. Definitely check out your local rescue centre first though.

I've tried couple of my local rescue places, not the biggy ones like RSPCA or Dog Trust cos they'd say NO for sure.

But after telling them my routine and working hours they said dog won't get enough company.

I remember talking about Joey to someone who worked in a place like that. They didn't approve that Joey was left on his own for those hours, but when I stayed in, he didn't do anything but sleep. Didn't even want me in the same room cos if I was in the bedroom with him he will go to the lounge or garden and if I was in the garden or lounge he'd got to bedroom... until it was lunch time or walk time, he was on his own.

 

[galaxy]

Why doesn't you OH want a lab? I would have thought it would be ideal for your requirements. Or have you considered a Greyhound?

IME young Cocker Spaniels can be quite destructive when left alone for long periods without stimulation.

 

[EllenJay]

Not sure how good that is. Just tried it for fun asking for a large breed and it has come up with Toys, terriers, a Dandie Dinmont and a corgi!

Not saying it is perfect but does give some good ideas - and maybe the rest of the criteria you put in doesn't match with a large breed

 

[I*HM]

Just a heads up, our short haired lad molts like crazy, you spend more time removing hair of yourself than you do grooming the dog

We've a 7 month old collie (we originally thought collie lab mix) who is the most straight forward dog, only chews on dog chews and dog bowl, will practically exercise herself in the garden, medium length quite fine hair that's minimal grooming, can be left alone without causing too much destruction and easily the more intelligent when put in contrast with the staffie x beagle x terrier.

We looked through all the dog breeds known to man and collie or collie cross ticked all the boxes for us. We wanted something that could be left alone for most of the day if need be, trainable, easy and straight forward.

Also, if I were you I wouldn't rule out a mixed breed, unless you wanted to show/breed.

 

[AmyMay]

Lab, boxer, basenji, german pointer?

 

[NinjaPony]

How about a setter? English setters are lovely dogs provided you give them enough exercise.

 

[galaxy]

Wouldn't recommend a GSP to people who work full time Amymay. They are dogs who like to be with people and can really suffer Seperation Anxiety if it's not worked on in day to day life. In sure you could 'manage' it but i think there are more suitable breeds out there.

 

[Luci07]

I work full time, I have 3 staffords all through rescue. I manage them by walks first thing, sometimes I work from home and I have a dog walker as well. Dogs come up in the evening to the yard. Welfare were more concerned that I knew the breed and how to manage them and worked with me. If you have a secure garden, have dog experience (which you do) then do go back to smaller rescues and show how you have thought this through. I can't speak for other breeds but with "my" breed, I have a small, fine coated dog. Highly energetic and intelligent, big human fan and highly socialised. Middle boy can be funny with large black dogs but as he nearly lost an eye to this sort of dog as a pup, I understand it. Once he knows they aren't going to eat him he is fine with them.

 

[pogface]

I have a lab and I work similar hours to you. He's 8 months now and I've had him from a pup.
Hairy? Yes.
Chews? Yes... Mainly his toy but will take anything and everything off the sides.
Cuddly? Very.
Clever? Very.
Trainable? Very - we're getting there!
Only real downside is he is a bottomless pit... If its in his reach its in his mouth. Also means we are going through a teenage stage where he doesn't really want to listen out on walks... Eating crap, rolling in dead things, swimming in the lake, chasing ducks, scratching his arse is all much more exciting than I've got to offer! But this is down to training... Which we are working on!

Fab dogs (although he is my first) as someone has said above, don't go for the working type.

Nothing beats an Andrex dog

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks galaxy. I didn't know that.

 

[noodle_]

cockers are destructive.... i know i have one...

hes lovely...VERY clever, and well behaved (atm...)!!


but will eat anything


most loyal loving dog ever - even though he does stalk me and drive me mad!! cant go anywhere without him following me

 

[Holding]

Whippet/Greyhound/Lurcher, definitely.

 

[Cas1979]

Wow, I had a laugh reading these..... Scale's tipping towards 'andrex dog' lol

 

[superpony]

I have a lab she is my first dog (have family dogs) and she is fantastic. Very loyal, clever and funny. She is a year old now but when she was younger she was a nightmare for chewing, molts like mad and occasionally has selective hearing! I would say a rescue lab could be a good plan? Then you could hopefully get one past the chewing stage?!

 

[lexiedhb]

Staffy???? or Staffy X - rescues full of em!!

 

[AmyMay]

Staffy???? or Staffy X - rescues full of em!!

Perfect little dogs.

 

[LovesCobs]

I have a cocker, yes destructive, loads of energy, chews (though that is much better now) follows me everywhere and had terrible separation anxiety that we are now over but I couldn't have left her for the 1st 8 months for the time you would need to. She's the best dog ever and I want another but wouldn't if I was in your situation (though maybe the show strain are different, they have longer coats though so that wouldn't be any good) friends retriever has always liked a bit of space (dodnt have seperatipn anxiety) been quite chilled, loves her walks but will relax at home for long periods. She does like her food though just like a lab! She's quite big as well compared to a lab.

 

[lexiedhb]

Do try the smaller independent rescues...... am fairly sure the one i got Dex from would home to you- are you willing to travel to a rescue for the right dog?

 

[Hedwards]

a sighthound sounds like it could be a good match, try Greyhound Rescue West of England, cannot recommend them highly enough!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Don't think there's a dog alive that didn't chew as a puppy! Thought my youngsters didn't then discovered the dining room chair spindles were the ideal height for a chew! Not all dogs are destructive, 3 out of 4 of mine aren't. Crate train it if it's a pup, Cayla on here has a fab guide.

I disagree that cockers are destructive as a breed, my three springers aren't but they have very different temperaments (one has endless energy, the others would be fine with short walks) It's a good idea to ask the breeder to match the pup to you or get an older dog whose character is already known. I definitely wouldn't get a pup if it's going to be left all day.

 

[chesnut90]

A few people I know have had labs and they have chewed through walls and doors and that's not and exaggeration! I am biased about cocker spaniels(show type), my lad has definitely fitted around our lifestyles with hardly any chewing at all, just minor things like a tea towel or the door mat, never went for furniture

 

[Cas1979]

Wow, I'm getting more and more indecisive.... We will see!

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice xx