Best breed for our situation

[Bufger01]

I grew up with dogs as did my wife and now we are settled with our own young family we want to bring in a new family member! We cant decide what breed would be best for our situation and would like some feedback/opinions from the community and experts.

Situation:

3 bedroom house with 20x50ft enclosed garden.

2 Adults

6 year old

4 year old

Both boys like dogs, they have two cockerpoo playmates my friend owns so they are used to adult dogs, no experience of puppys yet.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we both work so they would be at home 8 hours total but with somebody coming in to be with them for 20-30 mins

Thursday - Sunday they would have full human time, lots of play time after 4pm and on weekends.

2 walks per day, morning and evening, 30 mins each (I enjoy walking)

Would prefer low maintenance grooming so short haired. Not essential though as no known allergies.

Cost isnt an issue. We just want the right family member for theirs and our sake.

What other information would be useful? Let me know and thanks for reading

 

[gypsysmum2]

The toy breeds (see Kennel Club website for breed groups) are bred to be companions. They, therefore, fit into being pets more easily than, say, working or gundog breeds. I would avoid either of the two latter groups along with the terrier group as they are bred to have a job to do all day and can be high maintenance. The hound group, in my opinion, often fit in well with family life as they are used to chilling out between hunting expeditions. They will, like all dogs, require a fair amount of exercise and can be independent minded. Giant breeds, if you have the room. are surprisingly low maintenance but have a big impact on day to day living especially while they are growing up.

I like the Papillon from the toy group and the Beagle from the hound group.

Do research your breeder very, very carefully. If you do not know about puppy farming then do lots of research into it. Choose a puppy from a breeder that keeps the dogs in the house where they will be exposed to, from day one, the hustle and bustle of daily life. Research the health problems of your chosen breed and aske the breeder what precautions they have taken to ensure their puppies are free from hereditary defects. Ask to see documentary evidence of any tests/xrays etc. Be aware that breeders love their breed and will tell you that they are wonderful in all respects. You should have a tough interview before you go home with one of their pups or even before you get to meet one! Good breeders have a waiting list and many never need to advertise.

Why not register with various rescue societies and see if they have any puppies? They are so popular that they are not often on display. You will get to the top of their list if you visit the centre regularly and take your time choosing the right dog.

Finally do lots of research into socialisation and habituation. It is essential that puppies are socialised properly during the critical period up to 12/14 weeks of age. Do not, for this reason, buy a puppy that has stayed with the breeder unless they have gone to great lengths to get the puppy out and about meeting lots of different kinds of people and seeing lots of different aspects of life in our busy world. Missing out on this vital journey will mean the puppy may not cope with exposure to other dogs/people/traffic/noises. More dogs die from lack of socialisation than any other single cause. Yes vaccinations cause us to be careful but a puppy can be carried out and about and go out in the car. People can come to the home and puppies can mix with vaccinated dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Good Luck!

 

[JoanneF]

I came across this resource recently about introducing a new puppy

http://www.thepuppyplan.com/

 

[theanchorage]

I would suggest that maybe an adult rescue dog may be more suitable than a puppy, you say that 3 days a week you are away for 8 hours with someone coming in for 20-30 minutes and probably the majority of breeders would not be happy to let you have a puppy in those circumstances, it's a long time for a very young dog. An older dog would be better able to cope and your 20-30 minute visitor could perhaps walk your dog in that time, also with children in the mix there can be problems with puppies chewing the kids toys and using their sharp teeth when they play, plus house training may be an issue especially if the puppy is left alone. If you do go down the rescue route then take your time and get in touch with breed rescues if you decide on a breed you really like as often the rescue will rehome from foster homes or the original home direct which means the dog doesn't spend time in a kennel and the rescue will have a better idea of what the dogs character is like

 

[Raven oaktree]

I can't really add to what others have said , other than 30 mins twice a day is not enough exercising in my opinion ..i have a 17 year old with cancer and stage 5 heart failure that needs more than this ..

also i don't think you can go solely by breed . Its now quite well known that each puppy in a litter has a different role so to speak , so each one will have a different temperament , a good breeder will be able to match your needs with an individual puppy ..

but also , a good rescue centre will be able to match you to the perfect dog too .

Short hair ..oh my goodness ..short hair .. my old staff cross moults like nothing I've ever seen before , i don't know why he isn't bald . I had to take him to the vet the other day and the vet shouted at me ..she said will you stop doing THAT ..i said said what? she said STROKING HIM !!!!! she complained that i need to brush him with a fulminator (i do) and that she would have to hoover before seeing her next client ..i was only stroking him to keep him calm when he was being examined , but he moults more that my GSD and he moults more than my anatolian did ..ive fostered dogs for years and no dog , long or short coat has ever moulted like this boy , so coat length isn't an indicator ...

Plus , i do kind of think , if you are bringing a dog into your home , you kind of have to suck it up a bit ..you will have paw prints , you will have muddy splats where they shake as soon as they come in the door and you will have fur ..its called owning a dog !