So, after a few false starts finally got agreement from the boss that we are getting a dog. I always had dogs as a kid so I hate having a dogless home, I can’t wait! A few holidays and stuff coming up over the summer so doing the leg work now to get on around August time.

But, what to get?

I was brought up with Retrievers. Perfect temperament for the family (kids are 6,8 and 10), really amazing dogs. But, too big and too hairy. So they are discounted. Wife really wants small to medium size dog.

Shortlist is:

Border Terrier
Current front runner. Great size, great personality, hardy, can run all day and I like the idea of a breed that originates from our home patch. Downside, I understand they can be stubborn and I suspect it would make short work of the pet bunny rabbits.

Spaniel
Probably a sprocker. Lovely personality (I like all gun dogs), great size, clever, lovely looking hounds, great with kids
But, spaniel so mad as a box of frogs. too energetic? Wife thinks a longer coat will make it more smelly.

Border Collie
All time favorite dog, I have always wanted one. So clever, can be trained so well, will run and run and I want one
But, can be a bit neurotic, needs lots of simulation and exercise, can be a bit snappy.

I know all dogs are different and it is not necessarily far to generalise but that is how I see the options just now, with BT just nudging into the lead.

What have I missed, where am I completely wrong and what else should I be thinking about?

Thanks

BT’s are ace but yes they can stubborn if they decide to do what they want. Great dogs and I wouldn’t trust them with the bunnies but I know people who have one and let the bunnies run around with the dog.

Yes I’m biased.

The bunnies are pointless pooing machines that I spend my whole life cleaning out. If a BT was to dispatch them then that would not necessarily be a bad thing.

If you want rid of your rabbits get a lurcher. Mine has a dash of Border Collie and Bearded Collie in her. Enough to have a few collie traits but not enough to be a neurotic mess. I dont think border collies make good pets.
I dont seevthe point in getting pedigree inbred dogs. Get a lurcher or a mut it’ll be healthier and much cheaper to buy.

You need to watch Crufts, yesterday was Gundog day and there was the most gorgeous little dog who resembled a teddy bear. Lagotto Romagnolo is the breed.

How gorgeous is this! 😀

Looks like an inbred teddy bear

Truffle hound, yeah very nice dogs.

Well of course that’s not the exact one from Crufts that was coiffured (sp?)to an inch of its life! It’s an Italian breed.

Step-daughter has a German short haired pointer/cocker cross.
They also have a sprocker.
Both from working stock.

Lovely, lovely dogs – trainable, fun, affectionate, good with kids, brilliant to have around.

Only issue with the pointer is the, err, emissions problem.
Farts that can clear a pub in minutes.
Honestly, it’s like being gassed.

Sister in law has a Border Collie – neurotic, violent toward other dogs, thinks it’s more intelligent than it’s owner (it may have a point), jealous of children and other dogs, never, ever still.
As per AA, I don’t think they are great as pets.

Dp, sorry.

But, spaniel so mad as a box of frogs. too energetic? Wife thinks a longer coat will make it more smelly.

Not all.

We’re two a Cocker and a Springer. Both are working variety and the Springer is milder than a mild thing (when inside) and crackers outside – perfect combo.

The Cocker was bought as a pup, and now 9 y/o – no problems whatsoever except he does bark a lot, especially as he’s got older (maybe getting deaf?), but we’ve no neighbours to bother.

The Springer was a rehome at 2 y/o, from the Rescue Centre. Only there because his owner had to move from working outside to office work, and hadn’t the garden etc. He’s a fab dog.

We have our third Border now. You have to train and socialise them much like any dog. Our current fellow is pretty chilled and a great companion. I wouldn’t recommend them as a first dog but if you grew up with dogs then you should be fine.

Got a Lakeland Terrier (she is 10) She is agoraphobic, disinterested and pretty unresponsive. The only time she moves is when you get her lead out and she runs away.
2 yrs ago we got a Cocker. He is friendly, loves being around us and blocks the doorway if you try to go out without him.

Had a number of terriers over the years and would never have another one. Couldnt see me having anything but a Cocker/Springer in future.

Edit: we keep the Cocker cut very short (he is in today getting cut) as he loves running with me and comes back filthy so easier to keep him clean. He loves coming with me but other than a few miles jogging I dont think he enjoys the slightly faster and longer runs but he does like to walk and be out for long periods, just not to intense.
Agree ref the Collie comments. Only met one or two that I liked, others appeared to be as descibed above (sorry to any owners) Not a fan of Border Terriers either.

Dare I ask how much time can be spared for dog walking duties each day? Will it be your dog and down to you to deal with? Who will do the training? How deep are your pockets for vet bills/insurance?

I got a dog when my kids were 4 and 6 but the novelty of family Sunday walks soon wore off. Mine took a fair bit of looking after due to her (Golden Retriever) thinking she was a hippopotamus. Every walk/run she came back filthy and don’t get me started on her rolling in decomposing hedgehog and fox poo.

Get a dog that will fit in with your lifestyle and time constraints. Don’t forget we’ll need pics. 😀

Good question CG. In reality it will get about 30 walk in the morning, about an hour in the evening and let longer at weekends. However much the rest of the family say otherwise, it will be me doing walking and training and general stuff. Il dog will be joining in on family life though so needs to be compatible with biking, camping, pub etc.

You might want to consider a Whippet. They fit the small/medium category, don’t shed much/at all, will reduce the bunny workload significantly, don’t need a huge amount of exercise but aren’t the smartest dogs out there.

My sister has 2 springer spaniels, they count as a medium size don’t they? Hers are extremely well trained and are great with her two kids (age 3 and 1). The younger dog can be a bit enthusiastically bouncy at times but nothing that a good long walk doesn’t solve.

I love them, they’re just so well behaved.

Sorry for throwing more q’s into the mix but how much time can you spend researching breeds/breeders and viewing litters? Do you want a breed that doesn’t need clipped? Will it be a trail dog?

PS still think the teddy bear fits the bill!

Grew up on a sheep ranch with collies and they are the last dog I would ever have in my home!! The problem is people are buying collies from farmers thinking they make great pets but they are vicious, nippy little buggers that unless you have a lot of experience with them can turn into a neurotic mess. A cross collie would be better but you never know what side of the dog you are going to get.

I personally would stay away from the new designer crosses as it can be a lottery on what you are getting unless you know the breeder. The puppy farms are capitilising on this as papers are irrelevant and are using peoples homes as fronts for the business when you buy one. Have seen some great sprockers on shoots but also some really unhealthy ones that have had a lot of issues.

Can second German pointers (have a pair) but they suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Best trail/family dog you would ever have though!

Spaniels would be my choice on your original list and don’t disount some of the specialist spaniel charities where you can get 6 month plus old dogs that have been given up through no fault of their own apart from been too spaniel! They will often be partly trained and vetted by people who know what they are doing.

Cockers shouldn’t be mad they should be ‘merry’. They can be as energetic as you like outside, inside they can be busy,nosy and demanding of affection, but we called our the ‘comfort hound’ because of her love of finding the warmest softest spot to sleep. Cockers are the perfect size to be both outside and lap-dogs. Working cockers need less grooming but may have a higher drive than show cockers. Our show cocker was hand stripped every 3-4 months at the groomers, but you can just clip them yourself. The better the nose, the more likely they are to find and roll in smelly stuff – rotting salmon or crab were the worst!Fortunately, ours also loved a nice warm shower and shampoo.
As always, see the breeder at home, meet the mother (dam) in person, and don’t fall for a puppy-farmed dog. A good breeder will interview you about your suitability for the dog.
A friend has a working springer that failed its finals as a bomb dog. It is lovely and came pre-trained (they don’t know the ‘special’ commands). might be worth looking into.

Labs are medium-ish

drool 😆

He wanted my pork pie

What about a black lab German pointer cross. Bit on the large side of medium

[url=https://flic.kr/p/mJqTkk]Mansel Bath[/url] by Dave Aspinall, on Flickr

Just realised it’s you Frank.

Take a look here first, only a couple of miles from you.

http://arthurshielrescuecentre.co.uk/

This is where we got our Springer from.

Vizsla GWP cross for the win

That lab reminds me of one of ours. On occasion dad and I were eating our lunch in the landie while the dog sat in the back. She drooled on one headrest then shifted sides, trailing drool from one headrest to the other then 5 mins later went back again. Slavers every where. My vote would be for a BT but you definitely want to socialise them when young to remove the chip from their shoulders. Very intelligent though.

br, I keep an eye on then and the Earlston one. Lots of Staffies and cats.

@Basil – where or how did you get that type of cross ?

We are looking iut for a companion for our 7yr old giant schnauzer. Can’t be another guard dog, or bigger than her…

do the right thing and get a rescue dog/pup

i wont preach to much on a bike forum but no place for dog breeding on an island full of homeless dogs.

If you do go Sprocker there is a Facebook group called SAR (sprocker assist and rescue) fantastic people who help rehome (no money changes hands). They helped with mine ( who I still dearly miss). Brilliant dogs Sprockets, yes a little bonkers but all in good nature, she used to love coming rides with me. 🙁

I’ll second the rescue dog post. Sat here with my beautiful lab/shepherd cross. Previously had a ridgeback/greyhound cross, a beagle/something cross and an English Bull/something cross. All rescues, all superb dogs. Pedigrees are a risk unless you buy from a proper, proper breeder (and that means big bucks) and I’m sorry to say this, but all pedigrees are, by definition, inbred. This usually (but not always) means shorter lifespans and way more shelled out on vet bills over the duration. Not to mention that some of them can be a bit nuts.

If you’ve got a good sanctuary/rescue centre nearby then head over with an open mind and let the right dog choose you!

Good luck with whatever you choose (Spaniels are ace btw, as are staffordshire terriers – brilliant with kids, cute as, totally undeserving of the reputation they have).

Border. Not a spaniel fan at all. That german pointer is really lovely.

Remember that collies are bred to run 30 miles over the fells every day. They NEED exercise and a job to do. I’d never even consider one unless my job was outside or involved something that worked the dog.

The collies or crosses I know of that don’t get this are not happy dogs.

In the great tradition of recommending what you have – based on your requirements I’d say our Boxer X Staff rescue fits the bill. Short-haired, 25kg, great with people, great with other dogs, runs for hours but happy to chill out all day, unbelievably affectionate but not needy or neurotic, smart and trainable. Only thing to get over is the silly negative stereotypes about how they look.

@Allfankeledup
We already have a GWP. Very very pedigree.I.e. allergies etc.
There was a breeder not far from us, she breeds GWP’s & Vizsla’s.
She had some ground work done and as the Vizsla bitch was not in season she put her in with the GWP dog. GWP dog smiled and said ding dong.
Some time later a litter of cross breeds was born.
Sybil looks like a GWP but about half the size and with the loving temperament of a Vizsla.
Oddly there seems to be a few people who have this cross.

Agree with the rescue comments above and don’t under estimate the potential of a rescue dog.

Suede, the bully x lurcher x shar pei x lab x ridgeback x weimaraner thingy that is contentedly snoozing at my feet is a fabulous dog.

He was sadly overlooked when in rescue kennels for around a year due to his stress levels that were brought on by the environment he was in. Now away from rescue kennels he is becoming a wonderfully fun dog but also relaxed dog. He loves people, kids, walks, running, rough & tumble etc and enjoys going to the pub especially if the rugby in on. all of this after just 3 weeks.

We have a 9-month-old Jack Russell (she also has a little Yorkie at grandparent level).

What a lovely little creature she is. Very small (presumably an effect of the Yorkie genetics), clever, trainable and great around the house / kids.

They have a reputation for being really hard work, but as long as she’s kept busy (and exercised) she’s absolutely fine. When she’s a bit older, i’ll take her out on the trails with me.

Springer Spaniel all the way for me.

Rescued our boy Ben in 2014 from the great people at Caessr in Stoke on Trent who rescue Cockers & Springers.
http://www.caessr.org.uk/

He’s now 5 years old, found tied up in an outhouse after his owner had died- left for three weeks poor fella- skin & bones, very timid & not very house trained when we got him. The last year and half has probably been the most rewarding time of my life as we’ve seen his character grow along with his health, confidence & well being restored. When we tell people his story a lot reply that he’s a lucky boy- we always respond by telling them that we’re the lucky ones…I couldnt imagine life without him now.

I know its great for families to have a pup & I get that there is always the worry with rescue dogs around children but a good rescue home would acess the dog fully in order for both the dog and the new owners are perfectly matched.

Please give the rescue option a thought. 🙂

Having a rescue hound would also save your shoes/furniture/cables/socks/glasses/etc from being shredded while your puppy’s teeth are still developing.

I think each of ours has cost us hundreds in trashed stuff.

Our working labrador/springer/pointer? mix.