Getting a dog…

We’ve had cats, a snake, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils, but i’ve been convinced that we really should have a dog for the little boy to grow up with.

Going to look at a Shi Tzhu cross Jug (Jack Russell/Pug) puppy on Saturday.

Looking for a relatively chilled dog who will be good with kids/not try and kill the cats. Pugs/Shi Tzhu seem to be recommended so hoping the Jack Russell isn’t the dominant personality.

Anyone got any further advice?

 

I’d advise against a ‘working dog’ unless you have plenty of time to exercise it. I have a Beagle/Cocker Spaniel cross, great temperament, good with kids, not nasty with other dogs. I walk him twice a day everyday, but he lets me know if I miss a walk or am late with one. Wouldn’t swap him for the world, but I do wish I had chosen’ better’ or not bothered at all. Edit: on walks it’s nearly always the French Bulldogs or small Terriers that go for him and are nasty.

 

I’ve got a cavapoo (King Charles and minature Poodle cross) lovely dogs and we called ours Toby for obvious reasons

Cavapoos have a friendly, playful nature and tend to go with the flow when they get plenty of love and attention from their people. This makes them a good pick for many families, including first-time pet parents.

 

My only real advice would be to please look at rescue or re-home dogs. Loads of animal rescue centres around - Dog's Trust, Blue Cross, RSPCA, Yorkshire Rose etc - all with loads of cracking dogs wanting a new home. There's also the Pets 4 Homes site which has a great search system and also includes breeders, although again, I'd urge you to rehome a rescue dog. Be patient - the right dog for your family is out there

 

Whippet

 

Get a border collie.
You'll never have a moment to yourself again.

 

We have a mongrel rescue dog (in fact, all the dogs we've had have been rescue dogs) and we wouldn't swap him for anything else. You need to show them love, patience and time. The rewards you receive are definitely worth it.

 

We would have loved to have rehomed a dog but because of the kids we are wary of taking one where we don’t know their history. It’s something we will look at in future.
We have used the Pets4Homes site.

 

Look at a Golden Retriever,from a show strain, lovely dogs. very chilled and laid back. A bit on the big size but are so chilled they will just lay somewhere out of the way.

 

Cockapoo……my kids absolutely love him and he dotes on them.

They are companion dogs and love company and give lots of cuddles. His temperament is absolutely brilliant. He lets them pick him up all the time and never ever gets angry. The perfect dog for kids.

I have never owned a dog before and I was against it at first but I’m so glad we’ve got him.

The plus side is he doesn’t shed too so no dog hair on your carpets/furniture.

The negative side is £35 every 5/6 weeks to the poodle parlour.

He loves it when they walk in from school and the relationship they’ve built is fantastic.

I couldn’t recommend this breed enough for people with young families.

 

Dogs are brilliant family members if they're treated with love and understanding. Best companions out there in my opinion. Whichever breed/mongrel one gets just give them lots of affection and you'll get a lot back. Got a 90% lab myself. Absolutely wonderful friend. Dont get a dog if you're not really bothered about the dog.

 

Very similar advice, but in my case, it's a mini labradoodle. Everybody loves him and he loves being the centre of attention - adores the grandkids. Highly trainable, although he was a bit reactive on his lead at first, we managed to train that out of him and he is just about perfect. Loves being in the car and goes on holidays everywhere with us - he'll travel for hours.

Best bit, as with a cockapoo, he is non shedding but his coat needs very regular grooming. We tired of paying for it and my wife bought a set of professional shears and does it herself now - she is very good at it and it saves us a fortune.

 

Agreed. We rehomed Bonnie in November. Full pedigree field golden. She's the gentlest creature you could ever meet - can't walk round the village without having to stop 100 times for passers-by to make a fuss of her. Love her to bits

 

My son has a wheaten terrier. Renowned for their temperament. Brilliant with his kids even when they plague him. Don't moult and that's a bonus. Very energetic when young. He's getting on a bit now. but chilled. Seek more attention in the early years. but all the better for it. Can wander as they are very inquisitive. If I was to have another dog, I'd not think twice.

 

I'd echo what Royston has said, we've had a cockerpoo for 7 years now, he's been a great dog.

Had black Labradors previously, very chilled and loving.

We also had a jack Russell cross with a border terrier when we were kids, she was a lovely dog too.

Give them the proper care, attention and training and most dogs are grand.

 

We have the offer of a whippet x bedlington cross, like mini lurcher, mum whippet is currently pregnant, so not seen pups yet, she's a lovely placid, friendly dog. The mrs has already made her mind up, I'd love one too, but a little more cautious due to the all encompassing tieing nature of having a dog.
Anyone any experience of these breeds, and if you have the choice is male or female better?

 

We had a shih tzu who was great with kids, very patient and gentle when kids were playing up with him. Surprisingly hardy when it came to walking aswell - did a large chunk of Hadrian's wall & some hills in the dales & lakes with relative ease when he was younger. Fairly easy to train aswell and they don't moult. Only down side was he suffered from small dog syndrome so sometimes picked arguments with dogs he shouldn't have, beauty of him being small meant we could pick him up and carry him away! Suspect that was just him though, it was always entertaining!

 

I went to a zoo the other week.

It only had one, small dog in it.

It was a Shi Tzhu.

 

Best dog you will ever get, recently lost my beddy whippet boy Duke. Very loving and soft but knew how to look after himself and a great character. They are very good at worktop surfing tho so don’t leave anything up there, lost many of resting meat joints

 

Get a set of golf clubs