[Closed] "IF" i was allowed a dog, it would have to fit very strict guidelines - The Wife

Springer spaniel?

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-puppy-border-terrier-warning-cute-pictures ]Danny Mac approved[/url]

Never had a border terrier so have no idea on temperament etc. but they are small? No idea about the molting either.

BUT they look like funny little old men, I'd like one called trevor.

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Edit: (DezB: Great minds think alike.)

Sprocker or a Border would fit the bill nicely. (Am at the stage of pondering another dog at Casa Flash!)

You're on Singletrack, surely the answer is Border Terrier?

We've got a Dogs Trust Tibetan Terrier/cocker cross - adorable, ridiculously friendly and affectionate, and altogether awesome. You can't have him though.

Pugs are adorable, but you have to keep an eye out for health issues (plus they're not really designed for exercise).

DezB - Member
Danny Mac approved

Fails on the different criterion. Common as muck now.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Dez, lovely pics, though that wont fit the "different" category - probably.

Ben - I love springer's, but may constitute too big.

<grumble> bloody women <grumble>

In my experience, small dogs can be snappier so perhaps not best suited to the nervous daughter.

Despite their chav reputation, staffies are wonderful, gentle, loyal dogs that love nothing more than lots of cuddles. Shouldn't have any trouble getting one from a rescue. There's a good chance you'll even be able to see pups with the mother there's that many of the poor little buggers in rescue.

Maybe a staffie cross if you want "different".

Hey, don't blame women because your wife is a dog nazi! 😛

What about a puli? They're different!

ooh Sprocker...

Cavs don't they have some proper issues with health?

I love springer's, but may constitute too big.

I understand they're fairly small when you first get them, could you not just plead ignorance when it's grown a bit? Ideally by then your wife will have taken a shine to the beast.

No molting. Not snappy. Poodle?

Staffs? Two diferent staffs have pinned my dog to the ground in the last month. Though neither bit it and both dogs were quickly forcibly removed by their owners. Many Staffs are friendly. with young kids I'd worry that any bite could be serious rather than a nip as their jaws are so powerful.

MrsT - I know, I know - I come from a family that's owned dogs since I was little, the missus hasn't. It's weird how easily fear is fed in to young kids through the actions of parents!

LOL @ Puli - I showed her one of these and she just said "it looks like a mop"! 🙂

Cavs don't they have some proper issues with health?

Some do, certainly, as with all dogs, though, if you can find a good breeder, you'll get a good one. Try and avoid anyone breeding for show, they're breeding them waaaay too small nowadays. My last was a proper little sporting chap and lived happily to 14, which is a damned fine knock for any Spaniel, IMHO!

Cavs are great little dogs, proper sporting character and great with families, as long as you get a good 'un and keep them happy/healthy/working. They're not really big trail dogs, but mine would happily trot along with me on a ten mile bimble.

mogrim - Member

I love springer's, but may constitute too big.

I understand they're fairly small when you first get them, could you not just plead ignorance when its grown a bit? Ideally by then your wife will have taken a shine to the beast.

this idea had crossed my mind! 🙂

Vizla?

Never met a friendlier dog, they thrive in a family environment are very easily trained and only have a single coat so shedding is minimal.

[i]Fails on the different criterion. Common as muck now.[/i]

Only on STW! I've not seen any out round here. It's all labs and collies. (Oh, and spaniels!)

Chihuahua. Or actually, just get a rat, it's the same thing and they're cheaper.

Vizslas are ace dogs, really good to ride with as well. However, they might fail a little on the size thing.

Hope says small dogs are rubbish

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Get a mongrel, that'd be different. My brother's in the pic is a daschound (however you spell it) cross. Cute, but nuts.

Bearded Collie or Tibetan Terrier

Mini Schnauzer?

MrsT - I know, I know - I come from a family that's owned dogs since I was little, the missus hasn't. It's weird how easily fear is fed in to young kids through the actions of parents!

I had an ex who was terrified of dogs, regardless of size. Apparently he was bitten by a sausage dog when he was 8 years old, on a school trip to France, and ended up having to have a load of injections...

And pulis do look like mops (there's a great video where someone has balanced mop handles on pulis, then called them. I'd link it, but I'm on an iPad). But 'mop' is a different look for dogs!

Japanese Spitz?

Wippet/greyhound?

They like to run very quickly for a short period of time, then sleep. So well matched to kids attention spans and not needing costant walking (like a working breed).

Whippet, wont molt much, very quiet, gentle dogs ( as long as your not a rabbit).

Get a mongrel, that'd be different

+1000

Go to the nearest rescue center and find one you love instead of lining some breeder's pocket.

Poodle.. If you don't cut their fur to look stupid they look like little bears and they're ace! Smart, funny and loyal. And they don't shed at all..
Edit, or a mongrel as said above ^^^ the best dog I ever had was a mongrel..

Working Cocker. Small, loveable, mad. Our, despite coming from serious working lines, just wants to be picked up and cuddled.

If you want limited mess, consider a cockerpoo, they don't moult.

Dachshund.

Bright, workable (well ours are), not yappy (well ours aren't) loyal, lovely 😉

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Unusual* isn't always a good thing especially from a health perspective.

* Ours being the exception 😆

We have a Border Terriorist and a Miniature Schnauzer. Both are small dogs, Border is a little larger than Jack Russel size, Schnauzer is a bit bigger.

Border is people-friendly, loves kids, hates other animals (dogs, sheep, cows, chickens, horses etc.). We can't leave her in a room alone with the TV on as she attacks when cats (or most other animals) are shown but this is down to our crap training when she was a pup. You really need to work on socializing Borders when they are young. They are lovely dogs, full of character (i.e. stubborn), tough as old boots, have a waterproof top-coat and love exercise. If they are properly trained they are great with other animals. They were originally bred to hunt with hounds and horses and will go all day. Their job was to kill the fox when it went to ground - dog was shoved down the hole to get on with it and generally would win. They don't shed but ideally should be stripped (not clipped) every 10-12 weeks.

Schnauzer is opposite: loves other dogs, hates kids and bikes and especially kids on bikes.

"IF" we (I) was allowed, I'd probably want to go down the rescue centre route anyway, so a mongerel wouldn't be ruled out.

MrsT the Spitz 😳

Love the daschund's coats.

Working Cocker. Small, loveable, mad. Our, despite coming from serious working lines, just wants to be picked up and cuddled.

Near neighbour has a wocker, also from working stock, cracking little dog. Have already, perhaps foolishly, expressed an interest if they decide to breed from her!

Thank you Dez 😀 Silver dapple & chocolate dapple.

Black Lab - and/or get rid of wife, in which case you can get a Rottweiler!

I'd really like a dog and my wife would love one, but we are both out at work all day and I don't think it's fair to the dog to be home alone all day, so I keep saying no - hard to do though as I'd love to have a dog to take for a walk!

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Louis the fell terrier. A little bit bigger than a Border but very, very similar in attitude. Scared of nothing, inqisitive as the nosiest nosey neighbour, thinks children are the most sacred beings on earth, doesn't moult, often comes on 10mile SS rides with me but would do more if I let him, ALWAYS up for a laff, never gets ill, and how can anyone be nervous of a dog that looks like a teddy bear?
Bestest dog I've ever had!

Minature Poodle or Minature Poodle/Lab Cross or perhaps one crossed with a cocker.

A small minority of Springers and Cockers can be snappy, I wouldn't call them a beginners dog really. They are headstrong and need a lot of time and attention to train well.

Poodles are so easy to train they practically train themselves. The only problem I've encountered with them is that they tend to be clingy, they will attach themselves to one person in the family for a day....and then follow you around for the remainder of that day....at your heels.

I believe Dachshund's have the dubious reputation of being the dogs most prone to biting. The only reason they aren't covered under the dangerous dogs act is that the little ****ers don't have the strength to kill anything othr than a 3 month old.

I know two working Cocker's and they are mad mad mad!

Need a LOT of exercise.

My first dog as a kid was a cavalier king charles spaniel - absolutely spot on temperament to live with two young kids but his health was really bad and he died of a massive heart attack aged just 8 years old 🙁 He was purchased from a KC registered breeder too, so it's not like they just bought him from the small ads. Sadly a lot of Cavs are prone to heart problems though.

In comparison the rescue staffy x lab we have now is knocking on 12 years plus and still loves his two walks a day.

Rescue every time for us. They all have loads of different shapes, sizes, ages and temperament - might actually be a good place to visit to start off conversation about what you all like anyway?

toby1 - Member
I'd really like a dog and my wife would love one, but we are both out at work all day and I don't think it's fair to the dog to be home alone all day, so I keep saying no - hard to do though as I'd love to have a dog to take for a walk!

Have you heard of [url= http://www.borrowmydoggy.com/ ]Borrow my doggy[/url]?

No I hadn't redwoods - but it looks worth an click, cheers! 🙂

You could always volunteer to do dogwalking at your local rescue centre too, if you've got one nearby. The inmates love the chance to get out of their concrete cells 🙂

While I applaud all who take on a rescue dog it would not be my choice
with little kids

Get a nice puppy and the frightened one will be able to grow up with it and hopefully be less scared .

Worked for us with Paddy the Parsons Russel

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I agree with trout which is a shame. Might be able to get a rescue pup though.

It's a myth that rescues mean fully grown, unpredictable dogs. My local rescue sadly regularly has litters of 8 week old puppies needing homes.

Hardly a myth the vast majority of dogs needing rehoming are adult dogs.

I've had a rescue growing up, it's very possible to get a snappy at best or a bat shit insane dog at worst. I'll get another one day but if I had young children, neither would I.

I'd agree with the statement that a puppy will reduce the fear of dogs that the youngest has as well.

anagallis_arvensis - Member
Hardly a myth the vast majority of dogs needing rehoming are adult dogs.

POSTED 3 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

But as Redwood said, NOT ALL rescues are adult dogs.
Not allrescue dogs are mongrels either, not that there's anything wrong with that. Many are cast offs that didn't fit with the owners' lifestyles because they didn't take the time to find out more/believed what the breeder told them. Labradoodles or working spaniels that are too energetic or bouncy, for example.
Give me a mongrel/rescue dog any day of the week,even with kids!

Cockerpoo - no moulting (didn't believe it but seriously not a single dog hair anywhere!)

Loves exercise

Bright & Strong willed though - so easy to train but needs firm boundaries

Cuddly as anything

Seems that rescue centres dont agree as many will not rehome to places with young kids

The Cockerpoo as a pup

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and at 12 months

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anagallis_arvensis - Member
Seems that rescue centres dont agree as many will not rehome to places with young kids

Personally I would be looking at a poodle cross, less risk of health issues. They do have stupid names though.

Last dog I got was from these people: http://www.allsortsdogrescue.org.uk/availabledogs.aspx

Even though it was a long way away from where I live; but as I wanted a 2-3 year old, high energy gundog bitch, which was good with other dogs and children, I was happy to travel.

I'll float some ideas over the hypothetical dog.

However - I now have some ammunition after the missus came back from toddler group with the rear door of my car caved in. 👿 👿 👿 no witnesses, no cctv.... arggghhhhh 👿

Here's a photo of Benny, the Tibetan Terrier/cocker cross.

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The good news is that his coat can be styled many ways, doesn't shed and is hypoallergenic. The bad news is that he needs trimming every 8-12 weeks, and washing every 2. Or more frequently, depending on weather and rolling activities.

MrsT Benny looks ace, trimming - I've got some clippers for my hair, I'm sure they'll do 😉

something different , not to many Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers about. their non shedding but need a lot of work on the coat and plenty of patience with the training . Colin will be strutting his stuff at Crufts on Friday .
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Labs make great family dogs but in the basis that's not allowed (its worth asking though) another vote for Cocker spaniel or Border Terrier. Getting a dog will be great for getting your daughters past her fear. Our lab never seemed to have the fitness to come on a ride and she was walked every day 1-3 hours. Not sure about terriers on a woodland ride either, they'd be off down every hole perhaps ?

staffie

Small(ish), brilliant with kids, don't moult.

Properly trained (i.e. lots of dog socialising when young) they are other-dog-friendly. Great dogs, complete clowns, always up for exercise and play.

Poodle or poodle cross if you're not allowed a full sized one!

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Many dogs from rescue centres are there due to external factors - owners being forced to move due to redundancy, owners dying etc, etc, etc.
These poodle mongrels do look nice but the money they go for is just silly. Many poodle bitches are just puppy machines. If you have a female poodle be very careful as these are the most stolen dogs. You cannot guarantee that a poodle cross will not moult until they are at least 6 months old.
If you're worried about dog hair mind a dog is probably not the best pet. Maybe get a goldfish.

One of these clown like dogs is what you require......

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Lovely lovely temperament , especially with kids.

Patterdale terrier (ours is black smooth and shiny) 2yrs old and still looks like a puppy (aaaaawwww) very clever, gentle and a fantastic trail hound.
Or a parsons! Which would have been our second choice IF we couldn't find a good Patterdale (which we did 8)
She is the best money i have ever spent and a huge addition to our family.
Best of luck getting the right doggie for you 😉

Working Cocker X Miniture Poodle

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Fantastic dog happy to be out all day in all weather equally happy curled up under my feet.

I wanted a border terrier but was over ruled by the wife and kids.
No regrets here tho.
Dont shed any hair but you must brush them lots or they will matt.

Whippet. I've got two.

Right size for your requirement.
Fabulous temperament.
Different - not your standard breed.
Hardly any moult.
Doesn't want to go out in the wet and cold.
Doesn't need shed loads of exercise at all, 20 minute blast of running couple of times a day.

Only problem is you'll end up with another.

Oh and both ours are rescued, if you're interested email me and I'll put you in touch with whippet rescues!

Get a great Dane puppy and tell her it's an adult dachshund.

It will be unusual especially if you get a blue. 😈

On a more serious note why not take the kids to a rescue centre or look on dog pages or similar with them and see what they and The Wife likes/ takes a shine to?

We found our last dog through dog pages. A shepherd/lab cross (with some other in for good measure, proper mutt). He had been picked up as a stray and had some health issues that were fully disclosed. He was the softest most gentle creature I have encountered in my adult life. He lasted three years (8 or 9 when we had him) and he was awesome with our at the time newborn.

Oddly, been going through them tonight.... I think it's all show.

I suggested a whippet earlier greatclittle dogs. But in the spirit of just recommending our own dogs a lurcher would be good too. Ours is maybe a bit bigger than you suggest at about 23inch to the shoulder but she folds up small, unless on the sofa. A whippet Bedlington type would suit you size wise. You get crossed breed health and dont get designer prices like your average cockershitzupoopoodle. Ours is 3/8 greyhound, 1/4 whippet and 1/8 each of bearded collie, border collie and bedlington terrier. She is brilliant relatvely easy to train (but if it runs away its getting chased), gentle, protective of our 3 yearold son, walks perfectly on a loose lead, hardly ever barks, quiet in the house and yet active on a walk and great with other dogs and kids. She's ace and only cost 200 quid try buy a shitadoo for that price.

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Cool hound anagallis!

me and my two dogs, rosie and toby.

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both rescue dogs from the dogs trust. rosie is a jack russell but has a genetic defect which means her ears will always stick up, original owner didnt want her because of this. toby is a jrt cross with supposedly a king charles. looks more like a beagle cross but there we go. great temperaments, great dogs, love em to bits

dogs trust website will show your nearest rehoming centre, the dogs that are there and what kind of families they can and cant go to. worth a look if just for ideas

Thread revival 🙂

Now I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but I managed to get the missus watching crufts over the last couple of nights (nothing else on), AND I think she's cracking - serious conversations over who's got full responsibility (accept of course when I'm travelling with work).... oooh maybe, just maybe!!

Sprocker at the moment is top of list (thanks for whoever mentioned that one)..

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My drinking partner.