what breed would suit my lifestyle?

[BroadfordQueen]

Hi everyone,
I have been given permission from the OH to get another dog to join our zoo! We currently have 2 dogs- a jack russell who is a total house dog, hates the cold, hates going in the car etc and likes to spend all day in bed or infront of the fire. We also have a collie, who is OHs working sheepdog and lives in a kennel (comes in the house for a couple of hours in the evening). I also have 2 horses and we have 2 farm cats. So obviously it would need to be good with other animals!
The new addition will be "mine"- it will come to work and to do my horses with me. I work as a groom on an estate and when pup is old enough it will come out with me whilst I ride, so dog must be good with horses. Also must be good with livestock as we live on a farm. Not too big (just personal preference!), tough enough to spend a lot of time outdoors without getting too cold.
I have an active lifestyle so a dog which needs alot of work isn't a problem, but it would be nice if it settles down in the evening for cuddles!
I was thinking maybe a cocker spaniel? Any other suggestions?
TIA

 

[MCWScout]

I have a german shorthaired pointer, and although she is probably bigger than you'd like I'd probably make an exception. They're a lovely breed, always looking for something to do but will follow you none stop, mine doesn't leave me alone and even follows me to the toilet. She comes up to do the horses with me and actually waits at the door when its time to go, she adores the horses and they love her too, shes come out on rides with me a lot and never gets caught up in the horse's feet and has a sense of spacial awareness, she just trots along next to me while I ride. And when I drive the shetland she sits in the trap with me and hasn't once tried to jump out.
She likes her evening cuddles though and around 8:30 will be asleep on the sofa next to me. I know this is a lot about my dog but other people with GSPs have said they're exactly the same.

My GSP:
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums...4_484061918370442_678372690_o_zps84996c14.jpg

 

[gunnergundog]

I know this is a lot about my dog but other people with GSPs have said they're exactly the same.
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Mine aren't and the ones I know belonging to friends aren't either.....but then they are all either German imports or working bred.

OP....if you do decide to go for a GSP, or any of the HPR breeds, I would counsel that you go for a SHOW bred one. You state that you work on an estate....is there a shoot on the estate?? Even if not, I expect that there would be sufficient interesting scent for a working bred HPR to become a liability in that environment UNLESS you are prepared to put the many hours in that are necessary to train it as a working gundog.

The working bred ones have a very strong hunt prey drive and IMO can also not be trusted around sheep without proper training from a young age. Some show lines are also notorious for separation anxiety without proper training.

 

[lizness]

I have a cocker spaniel in similar circumstances. Nice handy size to fit in car/small house etc. Absolutely fine with livestock (sheep, cows, chickens etc.) but was socialised with them early. Great with cats. Will amuse himself with scents but will be called off them. Goes out with the quad bike and comes out riding with me on the horse. Can be a bit soft if outside hanging around but probably due to me! Loves cuddles.

 

[twiggy2]

I would go for a small mutt or a border terrier

 

[Clodagh]

Second Twiggy there. I wouldn't be too hung up on breed but every non working pointer German or otherwise I have met has been a PITA

 

[california dreaming]

Another vote for a Border Terrier.

 

[lazybee]

I know everyone will say their breed is the best. Personally I've had lots of different breeds, big (huge) and small. The latest addition to the crew is a French Bulldog.
Wow! what a revelation. It's strange to have stumbled on a breed that actually wants to be around people as opposed to other breeds that have been bred to do a specific job and can be obsessed with hunting, chasing, herding, digging, raising the alarm etc. Brilliant little dogs, with tons of character.

 

[ihatework]

I'd definitely go for a working cocker

 

[PucciNPoni]

border terrier

 

[Bosworth]

i would say a bedlington terrier, or a whippet. Both of mine live a similar life to what you describe, an are brilliant round sheep,cows, horses and pigs, because they have been trained from a young age. They will happily spend all day outside with me, and occupy themselves and keep me company. When its cold they find a stable and a rug and curl up. But are ready to run with me when I ride or walk. If I need a duvet day....... both adore bed days so again happy to curl up and relax with me. Neither have manic behaviour or aggression issues with anything. very very easy dogs to have around. And both very loving. My bedlington is show line bred, but will work. My whippet is a rescue, but a tomboy of a whippet, who gets muddy, wet and never shivers Everyone will say their dog is the best, but you need to look for the 'normal breedcharacteristics' and decide what you want and need with your lifestyle. I loath manic dogs, demanding 'play with me' dogs. But I know others like that.

 

[twiggy2]

I know everyone will say their breed is the best.

Not all of us do, I dont have and have never had a border terrier but have worked with and known many.

I have 3 dogs and 1 terrier cross, 1 german hunting dog (so I am told) and a lurcher, I love my lurcher to bits despite all the stress she causes and would have another in a heartbeat but they are not a dog I would recommend, she steals, injures herself all the time requiring lots of vet visits, is very high energy although does settle in the house and a duvet day well unless you include duvet shredding in that then dont try to go a day with out a good long walk. German hunting dog no way on Gods earth would I ever suggest one as a household pet, stressy, as high energy as they come even now at 14 yrs old he finds it difficult to stop, anxious, has been run over twice due to bu**gering off, has no loyalty but in his younger days had no posession issues and would play fetch/cricket with kids all day long. the terrier cross-dominant with other dogs although this has always been kept in check in the wrong hands he would have been a little **** in his younger years

 

[abb123]

Border terrier or small lab.

My first thought was lab from working lines. Very trainable, small, and in general not as prey driven as some of the other gun dog breeds.

I wouldn't go for a cocker or springer personally. All the ones I know are either crackers, house dog softies or need a lot of work and training. I'm training my golden retriever up with the aim to do field tests and scurries so I see a lot of spaniels and labs during training. I can't cope with the high food obsession of labs or the manic-ness of the spaniels, so goldens are perfect for me. In general all the labs are steady, easily trainable, and have lovely natures.

I love border terriers and I think they would be perfect for you too.

 

[EllaRidesHorses]

I would recommend a Cockapoo, they are quite energetic, and mine happily springs along next to my horse on a hack. They're about 25 - 38cms high, so are not too big!

 

[Clodagh]

Trouble is, ERH, as they are mongrels, no two are the same.
My m-in-law has borders and I am not a terrier fan but they are lovely active little dogs but also no trouble.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Apart from that, a dog with an out door lifestyle, for ease and comfort of the dog you'd really want something that has the correct coat for outdoor living. Terriers are great for this, they have harsh outer coats and soft undercoats, which protects them from the elements. Anything with poodle in it is going to have a fleecy coat which matts and once wet takes forever to dry. Even a properly coated poodle will require a high degree of grooming and maintenance.

It's true I have a border terrier, so I could be classified as biased. However, one must remember what these terrier breeds were originally bred to do. They're bred to work, to follow horses etc. Borders - of the terrier breeds, tend to be the more laid back and low maintenance. They are known for being "non sheep worrying". They are hearty. They are a fab breed.

 

[Onefortheteam]

My dal is exactly as you have described what you want, however she's a wimp in the cold and probably bigger than you'd like, although she's a very small dal! (Currently wearing a small sized (halti type) head collar when my parents walk her if that's any help!)
She's working bred from carriage dog lines so she has an 'inbuilt' horse sense but she was born in a stable next to driving ponies then when she came to me at 10 weeks has been to the yard and work (I'm a groom) everyday!
Very loyal and she is now fine with livestock although she wasn't for the first 2 years (now 2.5) and I still wouldn't put her in a field with them if I could help it, I just know now that she will come back and won't actually chase them or bother them!

 

[Apercrumbie]

A spaniel sounds perfect - good fun, very sociable and easy to train too.

 

[Equi]

Get the original horse dog, a dalmatian!