Which breed to get?! Confused!

WolfSong2000

I'll second the retired greyhound suggeation - very friendly, mellow dogs that don't require huge amounts of exercise. I'm a big fan .

If you want a small dog, but your partner's more of a big-dog person, maybe think about border terriers? They don't have the large physical size, but I am a fan of big dogs (not lap dogs so much) and I love Borders. Lovely temperament, not as aggressive as say jack russell's and definitely worth thinking about.

lemontart

rather than go to a breeder why not contact one of the many rescue centres that specialise in specific breeds.

There are thousands of dogs looking for homes of all ages and breeds

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breeds.htm

Indispensable_Hobbes

You could rehome a guide dog that hasn't made the grade.

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/volunteering/re-homing-a-guide-dog/

fairymoneysaver

OP has stated they want a puppy.
A labrador is a good choice for a new puppy owner. We all have to start somewhere, you don't always know what you are getting with a rescue dog, even if they have been 'assessed' and sometimes I think they are better placed with experienced dog owners. We had no idea what we were letting ourselves in for when we got our first puppy many years ago, we learnt along the way and still had a well balanced, sociable dog, a lot of it is common sense. The only thing I would say to a new puppy owner is socialise, socialise and socialise.
I have never had a labrador and someone correct me if I am wrong but I am sure I read somewhere that chocolate labradors are harder work than golden/black?

lemontart

fairymoneysaver wrote: »

OP has stated they want a puppy.
A labrador is a good choice for a new puppy owner. We all have to start somewhere, you don't always know what you are getting with a rescue dog, even if they have been 'assessed' and sometimes I think they are better placed with experienced dog owners. We had no idea what we were letting ourselves in for when we got our first puppy many years ago, we learnt along the way and still had a well balanced, sociable dog, a lot of it is common sense. The only thing I would say to a new puppy owner is socialise, socialise and socialise.
I have never had a labrador and someone correct me if I am wrong but I am sure I read somewhere that chocolate labradors are harder work than golden/black?

Puppies are often available too if you are patient as well as young dogs, nothing to loose in checking out the rescue centres

Frugalista

fairymoneysaver wrote: »

OP has stated they want a puppy.
A labrador is a good choice for a new puppy owner. We all have to start somewhere, you don't always know what you are getting with a rescue dog, even if they have been 'assessed' and sometimes I think they are better placed with experienced dog owners. We had no idea what we were letting ourselves in for when we got our first puppy many years ago, we learnt along the way and still had a well balanced, sociable dog, a lot of it is common sense. The only thing I would say to a new puppy owner is socialise, socialise and socialise.
I have never had a labrador and someone correct me if I am wrong but I am sure I read somewhere that chocolate labradors are harder work than golden/black?

We have lots of labradors coming to our kennels as the owner breeds working labs and the chocolate ones are definately the worst .

On a purely personal note, if they were the last dog on earth, I wouldn't have one if you paid me - yellows (labrador retrievers are yellow and golden retrievers are golden ) and blacks are much easier.

Apparently, even the field trial people find them difficult - I believe there are very few chocolate field trial champions.

rising_from_the_ashes

fairymoneysaver wrote: »

I have never had a labrador and someone correct me if I am wrong but I am sure I read somewhere that chocolate labradors are harder work than golden/black?

We've had 3 yellow (one was a fox red), 2 black and 2 chocolate

I would have any coloured lab, any day ... however the chocs are my favourite - don't know how to describe it but they are different from yellow/blacks.

I don't think they're necessarily harder work tho':) (every single one has chewed!). One of our black ones was impossible to train (ended up going to a specialist & she was a different dog when she came back).

dizziblonde

moomin5 wrote: »

Many greyhound rescues cat test so plenty of greys go to live with cats.

The cat's just ordered our greyhound off HER sofa.

rising_from_the_ashes

LOL Dizzi - the cats are "top dog" in my house too!

suki1964

Seems that the Op and BF want differing things from a dog - she wants a lap dog - he wants something more macho?

Me and DH were the same - he wanted a bigger or more busier dog and I wanted something that was a fluff ball

We settled on a Show Cocker


Ok so Im biased to spaniels

But

They are busy manly dogs ( so thats OH sorted)

They are just so cute with the ears and the eyes ( thats the Op sorted)

So easy trained ( fantastic for novice dog owners)

Can keep going for 20 hours - or snooze on the sofa for 20 hours - suits most peoples lifestyle

Oh and the two I have had - both look at the rain and think " do I have to go out£"? But once out will stay out very happily

Dont do the heavy moulting - but do need doggie grooming every 3 months


And they grow to just the right size that they fit in the smallest of cars and only pinch 2/3rds of the bed


I love spaniels - all types ( think thats a tad obvious). They are very intelligent dogs and need to be occupied but if you can offer them that they are so eager to please they are a doddle to train.

I would echo Caroline a and try to get to discover dogs. Its a fantastic place to meet breeds you may not have thought of or even heard of and get to understand their needs more

Good luck in your search xx