What breed to get?

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Hugo-Boy

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Hi, I’ve been wanting a dog for a while now, had a Chow Chow when I was growing up, so not totally clueless but fairly :)

The big question now is what dog to get. I don’t want a dog that hunts or a dog with a big ego, must be a beginners dog. We’ve also got cats so I’m thinking more lapdog size. And of course we’ve got the horses so the dog would have to be happy to be outside a lot. Must equally be happy to be in the house though.

Any recommendations on a suitable breed or mix? I know I’ll have to avoid terriers and collies, but so far I haven’t found anything that would suit us

I’d love to adopt a rescue dog, definitely not a puppy, just need to find the right one...
 
Now they're not lapdog size! But other than that I think you can't beat a labrador retriever, they are easy to train, happy dogs, they like a good walk but then will sleep for the rest of the day, mine, past and present, have all got on with cats.
There are lots of lab rescue organisations.
I'm sure you will get lots of other suggestions!
 
rara007 said:
Shih tzu or Lhasa?
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Lol, they still have terrier in and will chase if they can get away with it :D
My Shih is also an excellent mouser, tho is a perfect house pet.
Both these breeds need to have grooming sessions for coats to be clipped/trimmed as they don't shed coat, so do require additional coats on in cold wet weather. Mine spends hours out with me at the yard, tho is equally happy snoring at the office all day :)
 
A Lancashire Heeler. I'll admit that I haven't seen one for years and that they may have 'changed', but previously, every one of them has been a bouncy, happy little dog, and importantly they always had a will to please.

Alec.
 
why not contact a rescue and tell them what will fit in with you and then look at the dogs to see which you prefer rather than look for specific breeds.
 
Alec Swan said:
A Lancashire Heeler. I'll admit that I haven't seen one for years and that they may have 'changed', but previously, every one of them has been a bouncy, happy little dog, and importantly they always had a will to please.

Alec.
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They are cracking little dogs Alec, but ours is certainly a bit of a hunter so wouldn't fit the OPs criteria.
 
wren123 said:
Now they're not lapdog size! But other than that I think you can't beat a labrador retriever, they are easy to train, happy dogs, they like a good walk but then will sleep for the rest of the day, mine, past and present, have all got on with cats.
There are lots of lab rescue organisations.
I'm sure you will get lots of other suggestions!
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I'm afraid I have to jump on the labrador bandwagon. so much easier than any small dog, their only downfalls are they are big and they moult a lot!
 
Toy Poodle, Daxie, Sheltie, Staffie, Corgi.
Usually with things like "big ego" are something the dog is either born with or develops in puppyhood. Any dog can develop a chase/ hunting drive if allowed.
There are hundreds of Staffies in rescue, and they all have different personalities- most are like lapdogs! They're also easy going type dogs, but ready to go with you where ever you go!
 
I'm another who would always recommend a Labrador as a family dog. The Labradoodle rescue apparently gets loads for rehoming as people get them expecting them to be non-shedding and can't cope when they do moult.
 
maisie06 said:
I know a few people who have French Bulldogs, they seem to be lovely, biddable little dogs happy inside or out!
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Sadly about 75% cannot breathe. :-(

I like corgis, fab little dogs and real characters, have met a couple of snappy ones though.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Yes yes to a cavalier! I keep hearing what great 'first' dogs they are but research health tests very carefully.
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yep, we have one at scent class and he's a wee dude. Friends have one as well and she's a lovely, easy dog-they had a pointer before that and were eventually persuaded to rehome it. I know everyone loves labs and retrievers but wouldnt necessarily agree they are first dogs-I expect alot depends on the lines. Staffies are great people dogs but you do need to think about socialising carefully.
 
If you are keen on a rescue then go and check out all the local rescue centres near you with a list of your requirements, and also what you can offer a dog and they can match you with a suitable dog when one comes in.
 
ApolloStorm said:
There are hundreds of Staffies in rescue, and they all have different personalities- most are like lapdogs! They're also easy going type dogs, but ready to go with you where ever you go!
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I agree with the above, rehoming centres are bursting with staffies and most are wonderful dogs, if you contact local rescue with what your after then they will be able to tell you if they have anything that fits your criteria
 
The only thing I would say is maybe don't entirely rule out terriers - it depends on the dog. I ruled out all terriers as I have rabbits, but OH persuaded me to think about a Cairn. After an multiple extensive rounds of breeder interrogation we have ended up with a Cairn; he is friendly with the rabbits and will touch noses in a non-terrifying manner through the wire (obviously they are securely fenced off) and is also excellent with confident cats. If he sees a cat running he will chase for a few seconds, but his heart's not in it, and he's not really running to catch. I think that approaching rescue centres with a list is a great idea.

Also, FWIW, I have met several lovely, cuddly staffies who are excellent family pets. A member of our local dog walking community and his family are thinking about adopting their second staffie - their first is great off the lead, friendly with other dogs, and likes to be a pillow for the children. They have two girls so one staffie pillow is not enough!
 
I do think one of the things to remember if adopting a rescue is that you will probably not have the benefit of knowing any parental health tests. As such I don't think I would get a high risk breed for problems from a rescue
 
Hugo-Boy said:
……..

I’d love to adopt a rescue dog, definitely not a puppy, just need to find the right one...
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Whilst others on here may complain long and loud, I would approach rescue centres with extreme caution. NOT all dogs which are handed in, I accept but am alarming number are adult, they've received no training or discipline, they haven't a clue how to behave in public and the previous owners have simply used the RC as a dumping grounds, with the usual excuse for parting with the dog being, that they're moving. The truth is that they imagined that when they first acquired the dog as a puppy then there would be no need for further effort or training on their part.

There are also the cases, and often relayed on here, when someone's taken a dog in and they were the third or fourth re-home attempt. Whilst I admire those who take on the difficult dogs, common sense would surely have us start with a puppy so that we both grow together.

Whilst I'm sure that most rescue centres are acting from a heart-felt standpoint, the simple fact is that an awful lot of the dogs which they re-home arrive with a serious baggage overload. If you're prepared to live the next 10 years or so wondering what on earth you've done, go ahead; you may be fine. On the other hand ….! :)

Alec.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
yep, we have one at scent class and he's a wee dude. Friends have one as well and she's a lovely, easy dog-they had a pointer before that and were eventually persuaded to rehome it. I know everyone loves labs and retrievers but wouldnt necessarily agree they are first dogs-I expect alot depends on the lines. Staffies are great people dogs but you do need to think about socialising carefully.
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Show-bred Labs are very different from -and much easier then- working bred.
 
rowan666 said:
I agree with the above, rehoming centres are bursting with staffies and most are wonderful dogs, if you contact local rescue with what your after then they will be able to tell you if they have anything that fits your criteria
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Need a like button for this post x
 
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Hugo-Boy said:
Hi, I’ve been wanting a dog for a while now, had a Chow Chow when I was growing up, so not totally clueless but fairly :)

The big question now is what dog to get. I don’t want a dog that hunts or a dog with a big ego, must be a beginners dog. We’ve also got cats so I’m thinking more lapdog size. And of course we’ve got the horses so the dog would have to be happy to be outside a lot. Must equally be happy to be in the house though.

Any recommendations on a suitable breed or mix? I know I’ll have to avoid terriers and collies, but so far I haven’t found anything that would suit us

I’d love to adopt a rescue dog, definitely not a puppy, just need to find the right one...
Click to expand...

Why would you have to avoid terriers? Border Terriers, when raised from puppies with cats are generally fine with them. They tick every single box on your list, lap dog sized, horse friendly, good indoors and out (and a coat which is pretty low maintenance if they are indoor/outdoor, which wasn't on your list but pretty important). My border terrier couldn't have hunt a fly - was afraid of mice. He left them to the more capable minpins that I had.

Also on that list, cavaliers - but sadly many come with too many health issues. But I know plenty of dog walkers and horse owners that keep cavies and they get on rather well.

Also, something more of a nod to your former dog -- the chow - what a bout a spitz? I groom lots of these dogs, love the characters on them.

Good luck.
 
You cant beat a Lancashire Heeler but ours is always on the look out for rats,mice and voles. Having said that they are a breed that can turn their paw to anything, they can herd sheep and cattle, one is a blood tracking champion in Finland, another is training to be a SARS dog in the US and they can do agility and flyball .

All the above points to a dog that is very trainable, they are very loyal and a great house dog.
 
I have to say, doing two at a time as I do, that even littermates can be vastly different, it really does depend on the individual. I've got one too clever, dog aggressive, needs to be entertained dog yet his brother is chilled and was chosen for this. Talk to the breeder if you're going the puppy route or the staff at a rescue centre who tend to know their dogs really well.
 
Thanks, all, that's all really helpful.

I won't make a decision any time soon but I've contacted a few Cavalier breeders - they actually sound like the perfect dog for me.

I'm not ruling out going down the rescue route but some of the comments made here are making me reconsider this - not knowing the (health) history is something I hadn't thought about.

I've also talked to a Japanese Spitz breeder, thought they sounded quite suitable but the breeder wasn't too encouraging. I'm going to meet with them anyway to ask more questions and also meet some of the dogs.

Exciting times ahead :)
 
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