What breed of dog would you recommend for us?

kyanya

kyanya

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This is very speculative - although OH and I now have our house, we both work long hours and wouldn't want to leave a dog alone all day, but if circumstances were to change at all, I'd love a dog and OH is warming to the idea.

However, we wouldn't know what kind of dog to go for. We'd like a pup, not necessarily pedigree but non-pedigree seem harder to come by?

OH loves the look of beagles, and on paper they fit my criteria - medium size and short hair, but I've read people's opinions about them and think we'd be better off with an easier breed. I don't think it'd be the exercise that would be the problem, but from what I've heard most of them have unreliable recall, which isn't really what we're after.

So any other ideas? Like I said, we'd like something with short hair (I've had enough of finding hairs everywhere from golden retriever/springers!), medium size (not a fan of little'uns and house isn't big enough for anything massive) and good tempered family dog.
 
What sort of exercise you are able to give the dog would also be important as to weather you look for quieter more laid back breeds or say show types within a breed.

I take it would be a single dog? Because some are better at this than others.

If obedience is what you want and short coats then the Spitz are definitely out, though most do not moult continuously they just kill your vacuum occasionally!!

Working group breeds will fall into your category but some from true working lines of certain breeds I would avoid.

Personally I love my herders as they want to be with you and are less inclined to go a hunting when you are late for work and will guard property a bit too. I really like smooth collies, I know quite a few and the ones I know are almost horizontal at times, being very laid back and affectionate, but you would need to do some homework and get the right one!!

Hounds and Gundogs will fufil some of your criteria if you get the right ones, but they can be very active and need lots of exercise and a lot of training. But with sight and sent hounds like the beagles their nose/eyes often overrules their ears and brain!!

Then there are the bigger terriers , and the bull breeds.

So a lot of choice in the spec so far, but I must say very well done for starting by thinking what breed will suite me instead of the usual I like that one! I think if you carry on being practical in this way you will find the breed to suit you both.

I would if you are not in a hurry start by making a “long” short list and starting to contact people with those breeds, go to a dog show if you can and talk to exhibitors then you can start to narrow it down a bit more and research the breeds left in depth !! Don’t forget you health reports when you do come to buy though and good luck!!
 
Well I'm OBVIOUSLY going to say a German Shorthaired Pointer....

They may be a little big for what you wanted, but they are all leg and no chunk.... the bitches are considered a medium sized breed (although top of the limit) and the dogs a large breed (although at the bottom of the limit)

Harley gets about 2 hours exercise a day (sometimes more, but i'd say that 2 hrs is usual), and when at home just sleeps the whole time. When out he never stops running and is always up for a game. He was quite easy to train, apart from the odd temper tantrum (which Karyn has witnessed!). they are highly intelligent and want to learn and please. He great around the horses and children.

I would say Harley (and I think most HPR breeds, def Vizlas) don't hugely like being left for long periods of time. It is something I contantly make a point of doing so I don't run into problems. I don't think i'd leave one all day every day. I don't think you'd come back to destruction, I just don't think it would be a happy dog? Saying that I leave H now for 4/5 hours and he's fine. He creates as I'm leaving (whining), but within minutes I know he settles and just sleeps the whole time I'm out.

Karyn, by brothers smooth collie is a little minx!! good at being left, but the training is not going too well..... but then I don't know how much time and effort is going in. My SIL had her baby not long after they got her. She is A LOT hairier than Harley too!
 
Thanks for all the advice Karyn, really helpful :)

What breed are your herders? I love border collies but think they'd be too intelligent for us - I think we're after a dog that's up for long country walks and having a go at agility on occassions, but doesn't need these things every day in it's life to be happy.

As I said, we're not in a positiion yet to have a dog, so we don't know exactly how much exercise we could afford to give it, but I'd like to think at least a total of an hour a day, hopefully more. My parents have always had gun dogs so I'm fond of them, but so many of them are really hairy! Hounds, working and pastoral breeds are all considerations, but I think whatever we get, we'd be best with one that's been bred for it's temperament and showing, rather than being bred from working stock.
 
Galaxy23, I love english pointers, but I've never really considered a german one. They sound great though! Just googled the breed and they look lovely. Are they very similar to english pointers apart from colouring, or are there other differences?
 
kyanya said:
Galaxy23, I love english pointers, but I've never really considered a german one. They sound great though! Just googled the breed and they look lovely. Are they very similar to english pointers apart from colouring, or are there other differences?
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They are a bit of a different shape, move a bit differently and they are shorter. couldn't tell you about temperament as I've never really handled an English....

7 weeks

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9 weeks

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nearly 1

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oh and this is my brothers Smooth collie @10 weeks

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kyanya said:
This is very speculative - although OH and I now have our house, we both work long hours and wouldn't want to leave a dog alone all day, but if circumstances were to change at all, I'd love a dog and OH is warming to the idea.

However, we wouldn't know what kind of dog to go for. We'd like a pup, not necessarily pedigree but non-pedigree seem harder to come by?

OH loves the look of beagles, and on paper they fit my criteria - medium size and short hair, but I've read people's opinions about them and think we'd be better off with an easier breed. I don't think it'd be the exercise that would be the problem, but from what I've heard most of them have unreliable recall, which isn't really what we're after.

So any other ideas? Like I said, we'd like something with short hair (I've had enough of finding hairs everywhere from golden retriever/springers!), medium size (not a fan of little'uns and house isn't big enough for anything massive) and good tempered family dog.
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once your circumstances change and in a position to have a dog
go for a shorthaired lurcher/whippet..they moult very little,clean
there are lots of these hounds at the rescues looking for a loving home
if a whippet go for the showing lines if for a pet...but they are very addictive,one is never enough and they dont like long periods of time left on their own
good luck
or go and have a look at the rescues for other breeds/crosses
 
kyanya said:
Thanks for all the advice Karyn, really helpful :)

What breed are your herders? I love border collies but think they'd be too intelligent for us - I think we're after a dog that's up for long country walks and having a go at agility on occassions, but doesn't need these things every day in it's life to be happy.

As I said, we're not in a positiion yet to have a dog, so we don't know exactly how much exercise we could afford to give it, but I'd like to think at least a total of an hour a day, hopefully more. My parents have always had gun dogs so I'm fond of them, but so many of them are really hairy! Hounds, working and pastoral breeds are all considerations, but I think whatever we get, we'd be best with one that's been bred for it's temperament and showing, rather than being bred from working stock.
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I grew up with JRT's and Huskies but when I went out on my own I knew these were not for me so I had a rethink, have always had rescues and started out with collie crosses, one of the nicest was a smooth collie cross scruffy mutt and she was a dream, completely soppy but yes Galaxy I think a lot of dogs are what you make of them and if you put the time in you reap the rewards especially puppies, so maybe unlike you he was a bit short on the training and play perhaps! Collies are so smart, the smoothies I know really remind me of the cross I had so I always have a soft spot for them.

I had a Springer collie X and she was the best dog I think I will ever have, but when I got her she was a right little monkey and destructive too!! She was such an intelligent dog and had a very high IQ, she needed loads of exercise and stimulating play. She went out with us for day rides with her JRT friend Peggy, they would sleep going home then play when we got back to the yard!! So she was probably good as she was always tired!!

I think it's really sensible to stay away from working strains if you don't have what they need, they quickly get bored and look for something to do, so something along a nicely made show type would be perfect as they are usually much less full on!

I like borders but find them a bit full on. I have Australian Cattle Dogs both rescues. Digger who trains with Harley, is a very sharp and intelligent dog although from UK show stock he is not far back to working lines, so I would definitely meet the parents in your search! He was sold to a home in London, stayed there for under a year before he found himself in Battersea, I know why!!! Blue is a total psycho, I am his third home, first one beat him, second one felt sorry for him, then got scared of him and I'm left with the mess!!! But he can be really nice sometime, he had three personalities when I got him the worst one rarely makes an appearance now, but I still have to ask to speak to Blue quite a lot!

You definitely don't want a Cattle Dog like Husky's etc they look the part but they are a bit of an acquired taste, they are a downunder trainable spitz!!! Double coated (moult 2x a year) Full on close to working stock and wild dog (Dingo) with attitude and unlimited stamina! Having said that they are brilliant with other dogs and will walk away from an aggressive dog, have no real interest in people other than ones they know, will guard your property and you and are oh so much fun, they make me laugh daily!!!

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KarynK said:
I love smoothies, Galaxy if your brother gets fed up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ha ha! they better not!! I'd never forgive them (and probably end up with it myself, I'm that soft!)

We're going over to theirs soon. Bella just be 8/9 months now. I will take lots of photos!! JUST for you! ;)
 
Why dont you go for tibetan terrier. I have one, brilliant with children, other animals, good when left, doesnt need to much exercise and their hair doesnt fall out, they do however have long hair, but you can get them shaved or trimmed. Good in car, kennels, recall etc as long as they have a loyal owner. Medium in size :D

They are very cute and dont age, mine is 11 and still looks like a puppy
 
kyanya said:
He's lovely, GSP's are definitely a breed we'll be researching :)
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We've got a GSP, she's such a lovely dog! We got her as a kind of rescue - she was 8 months and came from a friend of a friend who was getting divorced and didn't want her anymore. She had some major issues when we got her RE being left on her own, if you left her for 5 mins she would poo and wee alover and then tred it all around to make a nice big mess!! We ended up getting her a create and that seemed to work, she now has a little friend (Alf the border terrier) and she's fine now!! Think she must have had a bad start in life!

If mines anything to go by - they do need a lot of exercise, if Star doesn't get 2 good walks a day she gets the face on, but doesn't do anything wrong, just wines at you and looks all pathetic!! She does not have a bad bone in her body and we never have any issues with her now, no worries around other dogs/kids etc. She just loves cuddles, food and running!!

If I were you if you are interested in pointers you should maybe consider a Viszla? From what I've heard they are a bit more mellow and less head strong. :)

Also - Pointers seem to be a dog that men like! They are a proper dog without being huge. :)
 
kyanya said:
I think we're after a dog that's up for long country walks and having a go at agility on occassions, but doesn't need these things every day in it's life to be happy.

As I said, we're not in a positiion yet to have a dog, so we don't know exactly how much exercise we could afford to give it, but I'd like to think at least a total of an hour a day, hopefully more. My parents have always had gun dogs so I'm fond of them, but so many of them are really hairy! Hounds, working and pastoral breeds are all considerations, but I think whatever we get, we'd be best with one that's been bred for it's temperament and showing, rather than being bred from working stock.
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Can't help thinking that a miniature poodle would be ideal (but then I'm biased!). I had one as a child and now have two, a 3 year old and an 8 month old pup.

They vary between about 13" at the withers to 16/17" (can't remember exact breed standards). the one we had as children was a lot smaller than the two we have now who are at the top of the height category, but still small enough to cuddle up on the sofa in the evenings!

They don't moult at all and just need clipping every so often. I do mine myself and they are just left the same length all over...no poncy poodle cuts here lol!

Every poodle I know has been playful, intelligent, love family life and devoted to their owners.

I work all day and my older dog was perfectly happy being left alone all day, never destructive, I think he spends most of the day sleeping! Couldn't leave the pup that long so I used leave them 4 hours and then come home to play at lunchtime and then leave them for the afternoon. They are happy left alone or together.

The breeder described poodles to me as dogs that like being with people: they are happy to walk for hours with you, lie on the sofa snoozing, watch you paint the garden fence...main thing is they want to be part of your life, they love to please. They are very adaptable and dont need loads of exercise every day.

Mine don't get walked every day, they are small enough that a play in the garden is enough exercise for them if we can't manage a walk.

I have so much fun with my dogs. They have both done basic obedience and the older one enjoys flyball and agility, as well as doing displays for the local dog club and taking part in local events. I have found them generally easy to train, sometimes too playful for their own good lol! My older one has particularly enjoyed agility and he has been quite successful with this.

My dogs wouldn't do well in the show ring, but they were bred and bought for their temperament rather than breed standard looks. My older dog is very hyper but most poodles although playful are much more chilled. A good breeder can help you to find a dog with the right temperament for you. (I know a wonderful breeder if you did want more information on them).

So many people give poodles bad press but I can honestly say that I couldn't think of a better family pet.

Here are some pictures of my two:

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Racing round together:

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Taking part in the Christmas parade:

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Seanie enjoying his agility:

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Based on my experience with German Short-haired Pointers I DEFINITELY would not get one unless it can be outside for at least 4-6 hours a day doing something active.

Mine is gorgeous and I love him to pieces but he is totally unsuitable for urban life- very, very, very active and a pain in the ar$e if he doesn't get lots of exercise.

I think he is an extreme version of the breed but if you look up the breed standard they are very active dogs suited to a working life or at least one where they aren't in a house all day.
 
Well I absolutely love labs but they can be highly strung and a bit crazy lol.
We have just got a new cockapoo (cocker spaniel x poodle) puppy. Everyone who sees her wants to get one. she is non-shedding about medium size (still growing though) is playful but learns quickly and wont run away on walks or anything. shes runs a little in front and then stops and waits lol.
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Probably going to get shot down here but what about a Staff? Short haired, medium size breed. Great family dogs IF you get the right one from a reputable dealer, up for a good walk but smart enough to stay in an do some training instead. Great little dogs IMO
 
Why don't you both have a day out at Crufts next month?
Visit Discover Dogs and see lots of breeds with people who will (hopefully) give you genuine info.

Only you know your exact home situation and some of the suggestions so far don't fit with what you have stated.

Before you go to DD make a list of check boxes which you both fill in for size, hairiness, grooming, exercise train-ability etc.

You soon narrow it down but might find some surprises like the lady at DD last year who was looking for her future dog when her current teenage golden retriever passes away. She told us she had always wanted a Borzoi but couldn't give one hours of exercise and was fine with the large garden and two hours a day on the beach that was ALL her goldie needed when younger.
Borzoi are like greyhounds, they need to hoon around for 15 -30 minutes and then sleep on the sofa or your feet. She has now been to a couple of Borzoi shows and will be adopting a rescue/rehoming a not quite made the grade for show depending what is available when her oldie goes.

Please don't be conned by the cross breeders -for every one that comes out with the positive attributes there are more that get the bits of each breed you don't want.
 
Another one for a staffy, i've got a staffy X, he loves a good run, but is equally happy curled up on the sofa getting cuddles. He was easy to train - I got him just under a year old and he'd not had any training, at just over 2, hes as perfect as I could ask for, loves kids, loves other dogs - not overly keen on cats, non-aggressive, big soft g*t really.
 
Easy peasy. Boston terrier. Same size as a beagle, but can go weeks without barking, odourless, short haired and hardly any shedding. They adore everyone and everything (minus chipmunks and mice :D).

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Just did it and the Boys are disgusted as the Australian Shepard came out on top with 90% with the real Aussies coming a disappointing 19th place with 77%. I even had a load of Spangles in between! Going back to do the one on dog food now.
 
I've always had GSDs, both as a child and adult. They are clever, loyal and very trainable. All of mine have been house trained within 8 weeks max. They do moult a fair bit & people are sometimes still a bit wary.

The other thing I love about mine is their aloofness. They will sit while strangers make a fuss of them while all the time looking at me as if to say "Have they done yet Mum?' :)

Have also had a Staffie (loved her) a JRT (still got him the little beast!) and a Great Dane (biggest waste of space ever but we may have just been unlucky)

Will always have a GSD but would consider a Patterdale, a Lurcher or a Poodle.
 
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