classic scooby

iTrader: (21)

Ok guys so as a family we have always had dogs but now i'm living in my 1st house i really want a dog,i have been down to my local re-homing kennels but there really isn't any suitable dogs there at the moment,what i mean is they all seem to be big dogs down there.(i only have a small house and limited space)
I'll give you a clue of exactly what i'm looking for:
a smallish dog
a homely breed
ok with kids+other dogs
easy to train
a breed ok to be left on its own for a maximum of 5 hours(work un-sociable hours as a chef!)
Hopefully someone will be able to give me some solid advise

Thanks

Nick.

graeme jones

King Charles Spaniel has got to be up there. Maybe Lasapso kind of breed.

classic scooby

iTrader: (21)

Thanks alot for your reply graeme,yes i was thinking cavalier king charles spaniel as that was what we had when i was a kid

Nick.

boxst

Yes, Cavalier King Charles. Possibly a Cocker Spaniel although it may be too big / require too much exercise.

We have a Yorkshire Terrier and he is great with children, but not so good with strangers or their dogs. "Napolean Complex".

Still, soft as anything really:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWzc5w1pC0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ec2Wf8zcFs

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

We have a Lhasa Apso, ticks all of your boxes - stays at home for the 5 or so hours the misses is at work, requires only short walks (but will go on long ones just as happily), great with kids, ours were 3 and 6 when we bought him and cracking temperament with friends and strangers - just a little mad at times, thinks he's a cat

deanb1980

you have gotta get a staffie the only two things that dont match are easy to train(this depends on your dog experience) and the other is other dogs again this depends on you dog experience this breed can live with other dogs so just depends on your intergration with other animals if you want a dog that full of character excellent with kids i mean excellent no matter who's kids they are it has to be the staffie

Steve T

iTrader: (14)

I,ve got 2 Westies. Great dogs and very loyal. Recommended. Steve.

David Lock

We've had Cavaliers for over 20 years now. Fabulous dogs. But they do tend to have heart valve problems and recently there have been reports of serious problems in a very few dogs as their skulls can be slightly too small as their brain develops. They were mentioned in a Panorama special a year or so back.

So do read up on them first but we will still get another when our 13 year old finally hangs up her lead.

But be warned if you take the family to see a bunch of pups you will not escape without getting one

dl

Mus

iTrader: (2)

Staffies are great I used to look after my neighbours one years ago, the only thing is they require a lot more exercise than your normal dog they need a lot of training at the start so they are home trained otherwise they will chew just about everything in your house hold never the less I guess it's worth it once you put the time in

Simon C

I'd have to go with Tibetan terrier. Mine was a gem with me as a young kid, and infact would guard me (both dogs did).

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

We have Mongrel, Half Poodle and half some kind of Terrier, great little dog, not the smartest but great fun, they call them a Yorkie Poo but ours is quite big for one of those and not quite as pathetic.

This is him, with a rather poncy haircut chasing and being chased by a Nitro car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPlweuX8iM

He cost £140 off a farm

deanb1980

oh **** i forgot to mention teething something with the grip of a gorilla is bad but however mine is now 7 and wouldnt change him for the world and dont believe what the papers say about them they are abused dogs that attack people its always the owner never the breed

SpecDscooby

get a dog that suits, they are ALL trainable...i have in the past left my Doberman for 10hrs (no choice) and he was absolutley fine, he had a good walk; happy days. Truth is the dog itself will love you all no matter what (mans best friend and all)....

Get a Cav king Charles if you wanna companion, get a "Staffie" if you want to fuel a stereotype...Whatever you get WILL be the best animal you will ever own!

Any sort of spaniel would probably suit, since they are lazy deep down, and the less you do with them the less they want to do, and vice versa....great dogs.

classic scooby

iTrader: (21)

Guys many thanks for all your suggestions really appreciated
guess i'll just have to scour the internet now for suitable places to go and look at a few different breeds!
wish me luck

Nick.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

It is a shame that Staffs have got that image now, they are however a little bit more demanding than some others mentioned and need a firm hand, they are very powerful Dogs, males can get quite big and boisterous, they can be Dog aggressive and do need more exercise than average.

Not saying don't get one, but is one of those you need to be aware of the facts of before getting one, its why there are so many in Dog Shelters, a combination of the idiots that get them to look tough, poor training, lack of care and the fact its a lot of Dog in a relatively small package, that said, I don't think you can get a nicer or more faithful Dog.

David Lock

Have a look on-line but if you find a breed you think would suit I would look up a local club for that breed and ask for suitable breeders - better than taking a chance on-line I think. No harm in asking a local vet as well as they will know the good breeders from the chancers! I've even asked people walking their dogs - they don't mind and usually love talking about their own dog!!

Photos expected if/when you get one.

dl

ScoobyDriverWannabe

Minature-Schnauzer?

CrisPDuk

Most spaniels would do, but don't get a Springer, unless you're prepared to put in at least an hour a day walking/running one, they do get very restless otherwise.

All spaniels have an in-bred affinity for water too, rivers, canals, lakes or stagnant ponds

Having said that, we love our Springer to bits and wouldn't be without her for the world

Plus she's extremely tolerant of kids, far more than me

IWatkins

Pug, happy to sleep for 20 hours a day

Flathead

Happy with Westies myself !

daddyscoob

We have a Bichon Friese. Great temperment and doesn't shed hairs.

Clarebabes

I organised a talk to my group of teenagers by a guy who is deaf and has a hearing dog. He was called Chip and is a King Charles/Lasa Ahpso cross. What a cutie!!! Really gorgeous and easy to train. He said you have a window of opportunity to train a dog between the ages of 1-3 years.

Anyway, I could have taken him home, he was adorable.

r32

Border terrier, lovely dogs with a great character.

Carlh

Go for a mutt, pedigrees have too many issues coz of the inbreeding.

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

keep looking round the the rescue homes eventually a dog will choose you,i am not joking there will be a dog somewhere that will come up to you and befriend you straightaway.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Sausages...



dunx

P.S. Staffi's get such a bad press, hard work but such a laugh, "she" has a Staffi-Lab cross, and as a youngster he was mental, hilarious !

biglad58

iTrader: (3)

We have a cavalier king charles and it pretty much spends the day trying to please us, excellent with the kids, ticks all the boxes for you mate. We also have a boxer which is the best dog to have but obviously a bit big for you.