How to choose a breed!

What do you think of CAIR?

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MizElz

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Right, many of you guys will know that I have been planning to get a longhaired dachshund puppy in the spring. however, not wanting to rush into anything, I've been considering lots of breeds to see what will suit me most! Daxis are gorgeous, but having spoken to a fair few knowledgeable people now, I'm a little worried about the various health problems they can suffer. The other breed I am growing to really love is the beagle! Now my pup - whatever I get - will be living with two black labs, a part-time border terrier, and will have to make friends with a 6 month old GSD pup also. I would like to be able to take it riding with me, and we live on a farm, so it wont be a 'town dog'. I would also like it to be a small dog, as I want to be able to give it nice cuddles! Our black lab likes to jump up on your lap - somehow, she hasnt figured out the fact that she isnt jack-russell size.....
My other options - breeds I have always liked - are a working cocker spaniel, or a miniature bull terrier. any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
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Voted other, have you considered a Jack or Border or some sort of Terrier? They get on well with most things and will happily accompany horses.

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I'm not a terrier person; could never have jack russells (no offence to anyone!) and my OH has a border. he's lovely, but they are too stubborn and ignorant for me! we clash personality wise! That said, I do love norfolks, but they are so expensive!
 
With beagles, you do have the whole wanderlust issue

I emailed one of the top Mini Bull breeders in the US a while back, when contemplating the breed. I wanted honesty about their compatability with other dogs, and she said that even with good lines, it can't be guaranteed. Put me off a bit...

If you want a dog that's guaranteed to get on with everything and everyone, always has a sunny disposition, and loves to go for exciting walks, get a Boston
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Cuddles? They're not known as the snoggers of the dog world for nothing!
 
Bless! The snoggers of the dog world??? I never heard that before! I'm afraid I dont really like the look of bostons though; dont know why, they just dont 'grip' me!
appreciate the ideas though...I'm still pondering...

it is interesting that no one seems in favour of the dachshund though...that was what triggered me to want to get a pup in the first place!
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Bless! The snoggers of the dog world??? I never heard that before! I'm afraid I dont really like the look of bostons though; dont know why, they just dont 'grip' me!
appreciate the ideas though...I'm still pondering...

it is interesting that no one seems in favour of the dachshund though...that was what triggered me to want to get a pup in the first place!
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Don't like the look of Bostons
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Ack. Just kidding
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My girl's boyf is a dachshund, albeit a smooth-haired one. He has terrible separation anxiety (sort of common in the breed), but is fabulous in every other respect. No health complaints, either, and he's six now.
 
Voted other

Have you considered a sheltie? If you want something to go riding with I have found through trial and error that herding breeds are really the best since that's what they are bred towards and they love being given the task of following horses (of course if you don't train them right then they can be as bad as any other breed). They also have the big advantage of being tough with a weatherproof coat.

If you don't want to go too big or exotic in the herders then the shelties come between 13- 16" and weigh 20 - 25 Pounds.

I have found that sent and especially sight hounds, gundogs and terrier types are inclined to get "distracted" by the things they are bred to do. I know there are exceptions but you don't always get them and it's no fun looking for your dog on a ride or having your gundog shoot out of the bushes scaring your horse!
 
i have thought about it, but I dont think getting a rescue would suit my situation, unfortunately. I always wanted to get a rescue greyhound, and no doubt i will sometime in the future! but for now, i'm certainly looking for a pup!
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i have thought about it, but I dont think getting a rescue would suit my situation, unfortunately. I always wanted to get a rescue greyhound, and no doubt i will sometime in the future! but for now, i'm certainly looking for a pup!
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lol im not pressuring you into getting one or anything but why wouldnt it suit your situation?

there are plenty of pups, young'uns, middle aged and oldies that would fit your situation!.

my riding teacher got a rescue belgium sheepdog who goes out on hacks with her, stays down the stables all day, every day, puts up with all the different dogs at the yard etc, and then my riding teacher got a rescue GSD puppy, who the belguim sheepdog was fine with, and the gsd pup stays down the stables, puts up with the dogs, is safe and careful round the horses but they havent tried her out on a hack yet as she is still young.
 
There is a website where you can ask these sorts of questions and it "tries" to chose your ideal breed. It asks about exercise, moulting, size, do you want a lap or working dog, economical, trainability, guard dog etc.

We put ticks in the boxes in the sort of dog we were looking for. It came up with Cavalier or whippet. We only chose a Cavalier cos we have had a whippet before and much as I like there, there weren't many for sale at the time we were looking. But the Cavalier we chose has been a little angel. Few house training probs at the beginning. But can't fault her. In fact want another one!!!!!!!!!!
 
Not a daxi! My MIL has a miniture longhaired, and it has real trouble keeping up with our other dogs, even our tiny JR leaves in standing, it just doesn't seem fair. Also has back troubles, picky eater (that is MILs fault though) and still isn't 100% housetrained at three years old!
 
I voted working coker but any spaniel would do, the most wonderful dogs!! Please DONT get a beagle!!!!! Have two friends and heard of many more that say it's the worst thing they ever did! One of them has just given her's up things got so bad!
 
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i have thought about it, but I dont think getting a rescue would suit my situation, unfortunately. I always wanted to get a rescue greyhound, and no doubt i will sometime in the future! but for now, i'm certainly looking for a pup!
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You can get resue puppies too - how would that be any different to buying a puppy?

I am biased. I have always had rescue cats and dogs and have never ever ever had a wrong un. My current dog (Betty) came to me as an unknown 3YO and is a star. Also by getting a rescuerpup you would be bucking the trend of designer dogs, doing a god deed and cocking a snoot at puppy farming - no presure
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If I could be assured of getting a young pup, I would look into it for sure, as I just feel that, this time, it is very important for me to have that initial 'bonding/watch her grow' stage. I didnt know that you could get very young pups from rescue shelters though! have you an recommendations as to where I should look if I were to consider this?
 
Try the canine defence league or any of your local animal shelters, you may have to wait until one becomes available. If you register yopur interest and have your home check done (most reputable places will require this) you will be ahead of the game
 
Nooooooo.

Beagles are hounds, they hunt, they bugger off. They have selective hearing. Not at all suitable for taking out on hacks with you. Personal experience talking here. Nice enough little dogs and all that, but still hounds and they know it.

Sorry.
 
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If I could be assured of getting a young pup, I would look into it for sure, as I just feel that, this time, it is very important for me to have that initial 'bonding/watch her grow' stage. I didnt know that you could get very young pups from rescue shelters though! have you an recommendations as to where I should look if I were to consider this?

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all sites in my signature!

www.dogpages.org.uk being the more all breed rescue, although i think the server is down for a few days because its getting upgraded...or try http://www.hope.rbksolutions.co.uk/

remember to check rescue sites regularly, what you see there today will probably be different in a week!

yes you can get puppies from rescues, theres an ever-more increasing amount of pregnant bitcheS being rescued and the puppies need homes!

when we were searching for our second dog we nearly got a border collie pup, but mum doesnt like them that much because they need to be exercised and have things to do most seconds of the day!
 
To be honest I've always believed a lot of animal behaviour comes down to the owners, not the animal. Yes certain breeds will have an innate predisposition to certain behaviours but so long as you bring the puppy up properly I'd say it doesn't matter all that much. My mini longhaired daxi pup has settled really well. Admittedly I've only had him a few days but he was really easy to toilet train, is very affectionate but not clingy, seems fine to leave at home, and is already learning some basic commands. Ok daxi's CAN have health problems but as long as you check the parents are PRA tested there shouldn't be too much of an issue. Spine-wise, I suppose that's a question of time to see whether there are problems but again, responsible breeders are working to eliminate such problems and my pup comes from a family without back problems so fingers crossed, he will be ok too. I know you were really after a LHMD, I'd say go with your heart if you really like other breeds but even after 5 days, I can't believe I never had one before!
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I appreaciate you may want a puppy for the undeniable cuteness of those early months but do not think for a second that you will not be able to form such a strong bond with an adult rescue dog. I've always had rescues between 1yr and 5yrs and I couldn't ask for more loving, loyal friends. People think they should have a puppy to "mould into what they want and fit in with their lifestyle". Rescue dogs can adapt and fit in as well as any. You get out what you put in.
 
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I appreaciate you may want a puppy for the undeniable cuteness of those early months but do not think for a second that you will not be able to form such a strong bond with an adult rescue dog. I've always had rescues between 1yr and 5yrs and I couldn't ask for more loving, loyal friends. People think they should have a puppy to "mould into what they want and fit in with their lifestyle". Rescue dogs can adapt and fit in as well as any. You get out what you put in.

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well said - rescue pets give more rewards i reckon than any puppy. they have had to face many challenges yet they come home with us and give us love and affection until the day they leave (either the day they die/PTS or if fostering - go to their forever home) would never get a breeder's pup, if i could have more dogs id be down the local rescue/on all the rescue websites
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