Puppy breed advice

freezspirit

Could anyone advise me on which breed/s to research into further before deciding on getting one next year.

To help narrow down search:

• small upto medium size dog when fully grown.
• smooth short fur
• quiet nature but would alert me if someone was at the door (I have a hearing impairment)

jenhug

whippets are great dogs. i had a look at the search facility on the animal planet website
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

freezspirit

Thanks jenhug, had a quick browse on the website came up 100% for German Pinscher a breed I didn't think of at all. I think it might be worth visiting a dogs home in jan/Feb and seeing what they recommend

ali-t

More info is required before I could make a suggestion. How much exercise could you provide the dog with, will it be left alone much, how houseproud are you, do you have a garden, do you live alone?

A smooth collie would meet your needs for a short haired medium sized dog that would alert you to the door but they need a lot of stimulation (mental and physical) or a whippet as someone else suggested may be suitable although I am not sure if they bark much (a friend has a greyhound that has never barked). If you have lots of time and energy a weimeraner is a lovely dog, but can be quite needy, or a boxer (but they are really hyper).

Can you provide more info about your lifestyle?

Tropez

I'd second whippets, but then I'm extremely biased.

They're a medium sized sighthound, very friendly, generally quiet (except as a puppy, then they're quite loud, whiny and boisterous) but due to usually being a little wimpy they will often bark or show some form of excitement if someone is at the door. They're a very people oriented dog though so would be utterly useless as a guard dog.

Around other dogs, when socialised they're usually well behaved but may show some distrust towards new dogs. They're not aggressive but are natural hunters so small furries (squirrels, rabbits etc. and sometimes cats) are fair game to them and they do have a natural kill instinct (which you would see them practicing on toys as a puppy). A good amount of training can get this out of them but it is something to be wary of.

They do require a lot of walkies though (at least an hour a day as an adult, but preferably more - not necessarily all at once) and do require a bit of sprint time off-lead - so you would need to either have a large back yard or know of a safe park for them. There are various whippet clubs (more popular in the north and Midlands areas, but existing throughout much the country) that offer various whippet sports such as racing and the traditional lure coursing and fees for these are generally less than £15 per year.

They do think with their bellies, which can make training easier. Whippets are born knowing not to turn down a free meal so the lure of treats as a reward can make them learn quite quickly. Like most dogs, whippet puppies can be extremely bitey and some need a little extra encouragement to stop this. They're not always the best at working for food though so may grow disinterested with something like a Kong toy if the food is too "difficult" for them to get out.

They're extremely loving, perhaps too much for their own good sometimes - they will follow you everywhere if you let them, which is a consideration if you were to get a puppy, and they also dislike being confined to the floor, much preferring to be on the sofa with their owners. They're not territorial as such but may place an attachment to certain objects or a particular spot on a chair/sofa that is difficult to rid them of. The males are generally a little easier to train, whereas the females (I own 3) have more of a "what's in it for me?" attitude at times.

Health wise, they're usually very healthy. They're not prone to any specific conditions (although undescended testicles is apparently common in the males) but they do have a strange heart rhythm when at rest. They live around 12-15 years. Insurance fees are not too costly for them because of their overall good health.

Puppies run from £150 - £350 with females generally being a bit more expensive. I personally, if it were your first dog, recommend trying to find an adult that has already been trained (dogs homes, sites such as preloved etc.) because whippet puppies are, frankly, evil at times, although they do tend to rotten out early.

I feed mine on Royal Canin, with the cost to feed one working out around 55p a day when I get the larger bags.

If you can meet their walking needs then they're fantastic dogs. Incredibly loyal, friendly and will want to spend all their time with you. The only other consideration is that they are prone to separation anxiety so leaving them alone for too long will upset them deeply in general.

littleun

what about a papillon?

freezspirit

Thanks for the advice on the Whippet

Sorry here's some more information:

1st dog was a King Charles Spaniel x Jack Russell had from puppy till he was put down at 15 (vets advice - blood clot caused back legs to be paralysed). Have 2 cats 8years old now but when I move into my own bungalow to be independent cannot take them so will have a dog for "protection" and companionship.

Daily exercise min 30mins max 1-1/2 hours. Leaving the dog alone at most it will be 1-2hours any more and I will take dog with me.

I do have a small patch of grass in the back garden however large grass island at the front of bungalow plus living in countryside alot of walking trails.

Its a small 2 bedroom bungalow so thats why I said small to medium dog but I think I'm leaning more towards small.

Open to cross breeds if it helps.

Sagz_2

A nice little mongrel! The Rescue centres will be full of them in the new year so you'll have plenty of choice.

I'd suggest a small lurcher type, but since having one as my first dog nearly 25 years ago and not being without one since..... I may be a little biased

Let the Rescue staff do their work and match you to a character that will suit you and your life style, and remember to come back and post pics!

Good luck in finding your new best friend soon xx

hethmar

Agree with sagz, no one can give you advice on what sort of dog will suit you because we dont know you personally.

A visit to a rescue and a good chat to them is whats needed.

zaksmum

Tropez wrote: »

I'd second whippets, but then I'm extremely biased.

They're a medium sized sighthound, very friendly, generally quiet (except as a puppy, then they're quite loud, whiny and boisterous) but due to usually being a little wimpy they will often bark or show some form of excitement if someone is at the door. They're a very people oriented dog though so would be utterly useless as a guard dog.

Around other dogs, when socialised they're usually well behaved but may show some distrust towards new dogs. They're not aggressive but are natural hunters so small furries (squirrels, rabbits etc. and sometimes cats) are fair game to them and they do have a natural kill instinct (which you would see them practicing on toys as a puppy). A good amount of training can get this out of them but it is something to be wary of.

They do require a lot of walkies though (at least an hour a day as an adult, but preferably more - not necessarily all at once) and do require a bit of sprint time off-lead - so you would need to either have a large back yard or know of a safe park for them. There are various whippet clubs (more popular in the north and Midlands areas, but existing throughout much the country) that offer various whippet sports such as racing and the traditional lure coursing and fees for these are generally less than £15 per year.

They do think with their bellies, which can make training easier. Whippets are born knowing not to turn down a free meal so the lure of treats as a reward can make them learn quite quickly. Like most dogs, whippet puppies can be extremely bitey and some need a little extra encouragement to stop this. They're not always the best at working for food though so may grow disinterested with something like a Kong toy if the food is too "difficult" for them to get out.

They're extremely loving, perhaps too much for their own good sometimes - they will follow you everywhere if you let them, which is a consideration if you were to get a puppy, and they also dislike being confined to the floor, much preferring to be on the sofa with their owners. They're not territorial as such but may place an attachment to certain objects or a particular spot on a chair/sofa that is difficult to rid them of. The males are generally a little easier to train, whereas the females (I own 3) have more of a "what's in it for me?" attitude at times.

Health wise, they're usually very healthy. They're not prone to any specific conditions (although undescended testicles is apparently common in the males) but they do have a strange heart rhythm when at rest. They live around 12-15 years. Insurance fees are not too costly for them because of their overall good health.

Puppies run from £150 - £350 with females generally being a bit more expensive. I personally, if it were your first dog, recommend trying to find an adult that has already been trained (dogs homes, sites such as preloved etc.) because whippet puppies are, frankly, evil at times, although they do tend to rotten out early.

I feed mine on Royal Canin, with the cost to feed one working out around 55p a day when I get the larger bags.

If you can meet their walking needs then they're fantastic dogs. Incredibly loyal, friendly and will want to spend all their time with you. The only other consideration is that they are prone to separation anxiety so leaving them alone for too long will upset them deeply in general.

Brilliant whippet information there Tropez! My Jack is a first cross whippet/black labrador whose dad was a racing whippet and mum a hunting black labrador and your information describes him exactly.

A truly lovely dog if you can handle the squirrel/rabbit obsession...!

Party_Animal

If I was getting another dog, and MRS PA won't entertain another, she was too upset when we lost the last one, it would be another King Charles. Lovely temperament.