It's been two years since we said goodbye to our elderly lurcher Tara.
Since then there's a big dog shaped gap in our family and thinking about our next hound. It would be great to get some ideas on suitable breeds. Ideally we'd like something medium-large size, needs to be good around kids (5 year old) and lot's of exercise is fine. We both work from home most of the time and plenty of walking/hiking nearby. Would be great to have a dog I could cycle with. Thinking about another lurcher, but also traditional hunting breeds such as German Wire Haired Pointer. Open to rehoming (we've done this in the past) or puppies.
What do you recommend STW? If anything another thread with lot's of dog pics can't go wrong 🙂
Greyhound. I would say that though. 😂
Greyhound. I would say that though. 😂
I'd love a Greyound, but having spent a lot of time with them, I think the zoomy, sleep mode won't fit. Tara had the benefit of being greyhound crossed with Bedlington terrier so she could run most of the day at 30 mph which was a blessing and a curse at times 😂
Giving a greyhound that's had a life of racing a chance at a home is a really good call, but I remember them being the laziest dogs in the world (a couple of friends had them and they literally just slept for most of the day, breaking only to eat, fart and occasionally run around like a mad thing).
My default suggestion is spaniel, but GSP/GWP are good as well. For running/cycling, maybe Aussie Sheepdog? Spaniels are not all day running/cycling dogs. Hunting in cover: yes, trail dog: no.
German Wire Haired Pointer
Randal 100% agrees
See what the local rescue place has that fits you, I have a rescue dog that is medium sized and loves to walk or loaf. She can be reactive at times and loves to guard the house, show her a child though and she's the best behaved thing ever (we have no kids and didn't train her around them).
I also know people who have had dogs from puppies who still don't behave as you'd expect all the time, 1 very nervous lab that jumps every time you move, one deer hound that is a nervous wreck. So it's not like not rescuing guarantees you a well behaved doggo.
Randal is our 3rd GWP, and our first rescue. He came from Cyprus through Cyprus Pointer Rescue.
Worth a look at their website if you're interested.
We landed on our feet with him, as he's been incredibly good from day one. GWPs can be very stubborn and can have high prey drive so need good consistent training (like all dogs!). Well worth the effort IMHO
Would be great to have a dog I could cycle with.
Ah, I missed that bit. Yeah, a Grey might not be the best option.
If you are looking for very specific recommendations the yellow one here is looking for a home. She's had a troubled start in life but is settling down nicely, still needs some work but at 2 years old she is receptive and will settle more. Would be a great trail dog. I take her trail running a lot and she is good at it and loves it. The black one and white one are very spoken for 🙂
Serious offer to all BTW. We are fostering her for a rescue charity but she needs a forever home. Someone who can give her time, keep her exercised and stimulated and match her energy.
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A rescue, always a rescue. But leave the type preconceptions behind. See my "let's get a small dog" dog. Lola the romanian mongrel hound 10years old, weighing in at 22kg, would follow a bike but it's not something i do with her. Runs leaps and generally is the best dog in the world (obvs). She is the one that fittedvand i am glad with parked the "small dog" requirement the moment we met her.
In true STW fashion I'll recommend what I have...[awaits flaming]...a Goldendoodle! You will find them in rehoming centres now sadly.
Great round the house - easily trainable, great traildog - we hike with her but loads of people ride with them too, lovely temperament.
Viszla. Look no further, all boxes ticked and more.
A rescue, always a rescue.
This plus a gazintybillion.
So it’s not like not rescuing guarantees you a well behaved doggo.
There are four things that guarantee a well behaved doggo; time, understanding, work and the level of inane issues with the individual dog. The first three have nothing to do with the dog, the last has little to do with whether the dog is a rescue or not.
Whippet.
a Goldendoodle!
OMG what a cutie.
People suggesting sighthounds for riding with is hilarious.
Sounds like you need another lurcher OP.
If you're considering spaniel type dogs, perhaps consider a water dog of some form. We have a Spanish water dog who has most of the energy of a spaniel but is traditionally a herding dog so tends to stick with us rather than go disappearing into undergrowth.
There are four things that guarantee a well behaved doggo; time, understanding, work and the level of inane issues with the individual dog. The first three have nothing to do with the dog, the last has little to do with whether the dog is a rescue or not.
Louder!
chakapingFree Member
a Goldendoodle!
OMG what a cutie.People suggesting sighthounds for riding with is hilarious.
Sounds like you need another lurcher OP.
She is lovely. (As all dogs are)
+1 for Whippet!
-1 for whippet
I have one and he's awesome, but riding with him was sub-optimal to put it mildly.
@chakaping because you think it's a bad idea or because you think it's a great idea. My ridgeback (a sighthound) was an exceptional trail dog and happily did the beast at CYB and came along until she got old and I retired her. The only reason I wouldn't recommend the OP to get one is because they're a large dog, she was 40kgs so when she got invariably injured (thin coat with no under coat) she was quite weighty to assist.
If we're talking getting right from a puppy your 'wants' are pretty vague as the good around children is something you'll teach and if we're talking rescues how they were raised will define that and it'll be something the centre knows.
Perhaps some more requirements are needed? What sort of grooming requirements? You've had a lurcher before but what other breed experience do you have? what personality traits do you want? (I'm very experienced but I wouldnt want some of the traits of a terrier but everybody is different). Are you happy to work with high prey drive breeds? You say exercise is fine but how much and everyday? What about mental stimulation?
At the end of the day a lot of us will recommend our own breed and not just our own breed but our own dog because there is no 'dog mould' and just because we nailed it and have the perfect companion doesnt mean you will get the same. I'd say a rescue centre would be a good shout because I think you'll get something that will work from day 1 and won't take 2 years of graft to get how you would like.
Oh also seeing as you've said you want a bike buddy I'd steer away from any breeds which are genetically prone to hip/elbow/general mobility issues.
because you think it’s a bad idea or because you think it’s a great idea. My ridgeback (a sighthound) was an exceptional trail dog
Oh, I thought sighthounds were just whippets and greyhounds.
I hereby revise my comment to only cover those two.
Oh, I thought sighthounds were just whippets and greyhounds.
I hereby revise my comment to only cover those two.
There's more than two: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighthound
Ridgebacks are consider 'controversial' mostly due to the the snobbery from purists, but they're a hound that hunts by sight, they also happen to have a bloody good nose.
I had no idea ridgeys were sight hounds (not questioning you golfChick as I know you are an experienced owner). Thought they were more Sheppard/guard dogs. They are such beautiful dogs, would love them, but they are huge!
Run what you brung.
Ours is a Bordoodle. He was a reject. He's made out of a Border Collie and a Standard Poodle so is a decent size.
He loves running with me on the bike (but won't stop excitedly barking)
He doesn't really shed either which is good.
Here I am demonstrating responsible dog operating with him last weekend.
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Fun fact: I wanted to get a ridgeback and my ex wanted to get a whippet.
I lost that argument, but it was the right choice.
Have a look at this page regularly https://www.dalmatianwelfare.co.uk/status/waititng/ and have a chat with the co-ordinator. They will guide your choice and try to ensure that you get the right dog for your needs (unlike Pointer rescue they aren't affraid of people wanting to take the dog trail running).
You'll need a home visit to confirm the garden is secure (nonsense really as a determined dog can escape over a 6 foot fence).
Then socialise, socialise and socialise some more.
STW community delivers as usual 8)
For running/cycling, maybe Aussie Sheepdog
Not heard of the Aussie Sheepdog, will take a look!
Sprocker Spaniel ticks all boxes apart from medium/large
Whenever I think Spaniel, I think of hereditary issues like hip displasia. Have you had any problems with your Sprocker?
Randal 100% agrees
Randall looks like he got nothing from that plate 🙂
A rescue, always a rescue.
I think that's the way we're likely to go. Too many dogs looking for good homes
I’ll recommend what I have…[awaits flaming]…a Goldendoodle!
I hadn't thought of a Goldendoodle, but he/she seems amazing. Great feedback on the characteristics, thank you
There are four things that guarantee a well behaved doggo; time, understanding, work and the level of inane issues with the individual dog. The first three have nothing to do with the dog, the last has little to do with whether the dog is a rescue or not.
100% agree
I have one and he’s awesome, but riding with him was sub-optimal to put it mildly.
Yeah, we have looked at whippets and we love them, but I don't think it'll be the best fit
Perhaps some more requirements are needed? What sort of grooming requirements? You’ve had a lurcher before but what other breed experience do you have? what personality traits do you want? (I’m very experienced but I wouldnt want some of the traits of a terrier but everybody is different). Are you happy to work with high prey drive breeds? You say exercise is fine but how much and everyday? What about mental stimulation?
That's a great shout. As adults, my wife and I have only had a lurcher with labs and in the family and live in an area surrounded by Vizslas, Labs and Collie's which we meet almost daily. Personality wise, something that likes a lot of exercise (2+ hrs walks per day), requires mental stimulation, but also can be left at home and chill (after exercise) for periods (build up to 4 hrs) on occasions so not a breed which is totally wired to the moon all the time. Other than that where we go the dog will go. Happy to work with high prey breeds, our lurcher had an extremely high prey drive, but through a lot of training had a level of recall.
Personality wise, something that likes a lot of exercise (2+ hrs walks per day), requires mental stimulation, but also can be left at home and chill (after exercise) for periods (build up to 4 hrs) on occasions
Honestly, this is basically the dog equivalent of when people who are looking for recommendations for a laptop "that'll be used for web browsing, working on MS Office stuff, occasional basic photo editing etc". The answer is "pretty much all of them will be very happy doing that".
Whenever I think Spaniel, I think of hereditary issues like hip displasia. Have you had any problems with your Sprocker?
Never been to the vets other than for vaccinations and (once) for a possible adder bite. Otherwise in perfect health, she is 8 now. Her sister is the same, seems pretty bombproof.
Honestly, this is basically the dog equivalent of when people who are looking for recommendations for a laptop “that’ll be used for web browsing, working on MS Office stuff, occasional basic photo editing etc”. The answer is “pretty much all of them will be very happy doing that”.
I don't know what else to say 😂 No expectations in terms of balancing balls on the nose. If it likes to swim great, no big deal if not, I won't hold it against him/her.
A working Lab is always the correct answer
Another vote for Sprockers. Brilliant dogs, intelligent, easy to train, full of energy, happy to follow the bike for miles but will also chill at home when you're out or having a lazy day.
We have a rescue bull lurcher. We got her at 4.5 years old, she's now 11.
She absolutely adores children and is calm around them, which is odd as we don't have kids.
However, this is clearly just her individuality rather than a breed or training thing.
But rescue every time. It's like they know they've been given a second chance.
I'll recommend what I have which is an Irish Setter. They're intelligent dogs with lots of personality. You're unlikely to find one as a rescue which is both good and bad, Fern loves running in the woods or on the beach but is quite happy to chill in the pub after a walk.
The answer is clearly another lurcher. Best dogs you can get.
Tara up there looks awesome, hopefully she has met up with Kea (who passed away a few weeks ago) on a beach somewhere and is having a race!!
After our dog died I vowed to get another but then son got Fergie or Woodle as wee call him ^ Westiepoo
We now have a loan dog best of both worlds we can have a dog when son working yet we are free to do things we want without thinking of doggy daycare when away.
Can I strongly suggest a complete out-of-left-field idea? A rough or a smooth collie.
I had one growing up, then another just before we left Canada. Both were of the 'rough' variety, and tri-colour as opposed to blue or sable. If I got one now, I would probably get a smooth. They are exactly the same dog, only with different coats.
They are thought of as Scottish, but are reputed to have been brought here by the Romans. They're stunning dogs, with a perfect temperament. Apparently, the allies tried to train them as guard dogs during WW2, and while they would bark, they wouldn't bite, so they proved useless. In other words, they are perfect with children and families.
As shepherds, they can run forever, but are just as happy to lie around in the house.
Finally, they are now fairly rare, so having one would put you in exclusive company! (Unfortunately, they are actually an endangered breed.)
I promise you won't be disappointed.
I do find ridgebacks being categorised as sighthounds a bit bizarre considering I know the breed, they were originally bred for hunting lions and keeping them in an area so hunters could shoot them. I also consider most breeds to hunt 'by sight' so just basing the categorisation on that is bonkers.
What you've said is again pretty null so let's break it down a little more and try to consider them and include them in what you want.
Grooming requirements? Do you want to need to take them to a groomers once a month? Need to brush them constantly? Want something that maintains itself?
Tenacious? Stubborn? Loyal? Biddable? Do you want them to be super friendly or aloof? Owner focused or independent.
Dalmatians - be aware of urinary stones, I believe owners feed specialist food. Originally bred as carriage dogs so they're used to exercise and endurance.
Labs - both born and die half trained, be aware they're genetically foobarred from an elbows and hips perspective.
Vizsla's - you've said you want to be able to leave them alone for up to 4 hours, be aware they have a propensity to suffering separation anxiety because they want to be with you AT ALL TIMES. (The wirehaired are better because of the breed that were brought in.)
Id give a wide berth to any Brachycephalic breeds so boxers and the like because you want something that's going to cope with running and heat and you know being able to breath!
Maybe best bet is to go and see some rescue and then if you need or want an opinion on one you like the look at then maybe ask?
I do find ridgebacks being categorised as sighthounds a bit bizarre considering I know the breed, they were originally bred for hunting lions
Yep, there's only one way a proper sight hound would run if it saw a Lion!!
Ours is a Bordoodle. He was a reject. He’s made out of a Border Collie and a Standard Poodle so is a decent size.
He looks very regal. What a handsome chap!
Tara up there looks awesome, hopefully she has met up with Kea (who passed away a few weeks ago) on a beach somewhere and is having a race!
RIP Kea, I'll miss seeing her photos on dog threads. I'm sure they are whizzing along the beach together!
Rescue dog.
What you’ve said is again pretty null so let’s break it down a little more and try to consider them and include them in what you want.
@GolfChick - Thanks for the feedback. I'm not being deliberately vague. I think part of the problem is we did very little research last time round and just adapted our lives to the dog and she was the best thing we could have asked for, despite things like anxiety and malnutrition took a huge amount of love/time to work through. We drove for 3 hours to re-home a dog we had never even seen before, knowing we could provide a stable and loving home. I guess that was the point of this thread is to start getting ideas of possible breeds to look and and do more research than when we were in our early twenties, especially now as parents.
Grooming requirements? Do you want to need to take them to a groomers once a month? Need to brush them constantly? Want something that maintains itself?
In answer to your questions, coming from a dog with a long, soft coat we are used to 3 times a week brushing and beard trimming, but visiting the groomer 2-3 times a year would be ideal. Lower shedding coat would be preferred and was a benefit of having the beddie cross
Tenacious? Stubborn? Loyal? Biddable? Do you want them to be super friendly or aloof? Owner focused or independent.
This is a good question. We did look at Italian Spinone's, but one of the concerns was a character trait of being extremely loyal, friendly and owner focussed which can tip into a tendency for separation anxiety. These are worth thinking through as by default I would go with loyal, friendly and owner focussed but it's a double edged sword I guess.
Thanks for asking these questions, it helps massively.
Italian Spinone - personally I'd be more aware of the character trait of stubborness which I've heard from owners they have a tendency to be. Nobody has made me aware of a tendency to separation anxiety at least. The other reason I'd swerve them is their size, they're getting close to ridgeback size and you have to consider if the dog is stubborn enough to look at stiles and think 'naaaaaah' then whoever is with the dog has to get them over it. I'm not sure character wise they're a fit for a biking dog. I know a lady with one who does canicross and the dog goes the speed it wants and doesnt drive forwards, and she has to find gates/stiles it can fit through otherwise they're stuck.
My Ridgeback would do similar with stiles but they're known for being very regal and she would look at stiles as if to say 'oh no my dear I couldn't possible degrade myself to jumping over that thing, I'm afraid you'll have to carry me'. It was a challenge when I was mostly alone and she was 40kgs!
I think definitely now with your life with kids etc. you need to consider something that fits you rather than you fitting them.
Dalmatians – be aware of urinary stones, I believe owners feed specialist food. Originally bred as carriage dogs so they’re used to exercise and endurance.
The rescue linked will state if the dog is prone to stone forming (so far, touch wood) we've not had this problem in 25 years. Originally bred as hunting and guard dogs in Croatia (Dalmatian Coast) and then trained/bred for carriage running once they arrived here. Not all of them have the instinct for following a wheel (current dopie dog likes the running and endorphin high but will range far and wide without some correction) but they have all barked the house down for DPD or Amazon intruders and loved chasing squirrels, rabbits etc.
All but 2 have loved a swim and getting wet, having a bath not so much.
In the same, "recommend what you have" way... Vizsla. Physically in the same mould as the German Short-haired pointer mentioned above so happy cycling. Very affectionate and love people.
Lundy is quite small for a Vizsla at about 23kg - but probably fits the medium size you're looking for. She'll run miles given the chance but never wants to be too far from you (velcro dogs).
I am going to reiterate my previous statement.
Just go and have a look at whats available and see which one you click with? Getting bogged down in "types" if you are considering rescues is just writing off the perfect dog that you don't know you need this time.
There are enough counterexamples of every breed to mean you might get the lazieist "active breed" ever and be wholly disappointed*
* Disappointed is the wrong word.
Wot he said ^
Any tips on finding rescue centres/organisations that will re-home dogs with small humans? I've checked our area which has a Dogs Trust, Perthshire Abandoned Dogs, SSPCA etc. All have stipulations where even if a homeless hound is great around kids, they have to be 8-10+ depending on the organisation. I'm totally agreed on the idea of just making visits and seeing what clicks, but it doesn't seem that straightforward. I'll send messages today to find out if there is flexibility in this, but would love to hear if anyone has been in a similar situation. If it's a hard and fast rule I guess we start looking to smaller charities or private rehoming etc.
Ours is romanian rescue. They were pretty relaxed*.
We found her on pets4homes and searching adoption.
*Not in a negative way more of a case by case basis.
Had a dalmation that had to be protein free or it had urinary stones which was expensive and painful for him.
got a lab. immediately jumped on us when we met him as a pup. turns out he's like that for anyone and over exuberant.
Both lovely dogs for their own ways. think you got to go with your heart and what sort of dog you like the look of rather than a box ticking paper exercise
Time for an update!
We found a local rescue centre that brings dogs from shelters in Bosnia to the UK. Meet Ted, a 7 month old hound that probably resembles closest to a Barak Hound. He is absolutely brilliant and I forgot how hard work it is having a puppy around. We had to wait a couple of months while transport was arranged and the first two weeks at home have been very chilled so he can take his time to settle in.
Congratulation.
The best dog in the world is always the one you have 🙂
Thats some top bed floppin there
that second picture tells everything you need to know. that's a very happy dog! congrats.
BTW the best dog in the world was my old spaniel. sorry about that. 🙂
@nickjb is that lab still looking for a home?
Fellow Bosnian Trickster sniffs him inappropriately as a welcome, he might still be a bit young for her though, she prefers her boys a little more mature then flirts like crazy!
Brave putting the food and water on the carpet...
well done @mrgrim, thats one content looking dog! Hope you all enjoy many happy years together!
He looks fantastic and at ease. Enjoy.
