Considering a puppy, but what breed and from where?

Chakani

I have had dogs all my life (collies, greyhounds, terriers, spaniels and assorted mongrels), but they have always been rescue dogs or rehomed because of being failed working dogs. My last dog died 3 years ago, and we have decided that it may be time for another.

I have spent the last year and a half trawling rescue pages and local rescues, but have found that most will not consider us at all due to having two young children. The only dogs I have seen that would be considered for us are totally unsuitable, and wouldn't be happy in our family.

So, we are thinking about going down the route of getting a puppy, but I don't know where to start. Can anyone advise on what health tests should be done by a responsible breeder on their stud and brood animals (and what the result of those tests should be?) I am confused by mentions of hip/elbow/eye tests on adverts; I don't know what the tests are, what they test for, or what is a good or bad result.

I'm not really sure what breed we would like yet, so I realise I'm being vague - I adore collies, but don't have time for such an intense dog at the moment. I don't want a fighting or bulldog type, or a terrier. I am personally drawn to standard poodles, retrievers, dalmatians, pointers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, those types of dogs (although I know they may not suit our situation, they are just what I like). My partner, a dog novice, has a thing for Akitas, but I have lots of reservations, their size, strength and notoriety for lack of recall being one.

I am a distance runner, so am thinking of types of dog that would enjoy joining me for a good long run, but not neeeed that every day like a collie, as some days I don't have three hours to run, and the dog may have to content itself with a good walk, some games in the garden, a play round the fields when I do the horses, and a bit of a poddle out later, which would never be enough for the collies I owned.

I am at home all day, and rarely away for more than 2-3 hours, so that is not an issue. We also have a secure garden, with minimum hedge height of 6 feet. We do have a busy household and lots of visiting children as well as our own two, so any dog would have to be a sociable and laid-back character to be happy.

Any suggestions for breeds to look at, or where to look for good breeders would be welcome. I don't want a show dog, or a working champion, we just want a happy, healthy pet. In fact I would happily have a mongrel, or a pup from an accidental mating, but I don't want to support bad breeders who produce puppies without thought or conscience.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Have you considered a Beagle? Or one of the related breeds?


The tests tend to be specifically directed at particular breeds, so it might be better to think further on what you are looking for, rather than trying to get an understanding of the whole subject.

Chakani

No, I've not considered a beagle, or any other scenthound really. My impression of them (which may be entirely wrong) is that they are not ideal dogs for an inexperienced handler (OH) , as they get a sniff of something interesting and go profoundly deaf. Please do tell me why you think they would be a good choice though, I am currently being very open-minded (and they are certainly cute)

elsien

My brother has a black lab but it is from working not show stock - bred to be a gamekeepers dog then rehomed at a few months old because he was scared of loud noises. He's great with the kids and will run for miles - very agile and athletic, especially when "on rabbit" (also selectively deaf when rabbits are around) but doesn't get bored and destructive if he doesn't get his long run every day. Happy to snooze in the kitchen while mum and dad are at work.
Maybe something like that would suit, so as well as the breed you'd need to look at the dogs pedigree and whether the ancestry is more working or more show dog.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Chakani wrote: »

No, I've not considered a beagle, or any other scenthound really. My impression of them (which may be entirely wrong) is that they are not ideal dogs for an inexperienced handler (OH) , as they get a sniff of something interesting and go profoundly deaf. Please do tell me why you think they would be a good choice though, I am currently being very open-minded (and they are certainly cute)

They are very soft, gentle natured, tolerant and, in my opinion, the best friend a kid could have. You're at home during the day, so the often mentioned problems about them not liking being left all day is gone. You are also a very experienced handler - rescue dogs have more issues than a Beagle that has been brought up well - so there is no reason why one wouldn't be ideal for you.


They are also a convenient size, look lovely and aren't as a rule prone to any great diseases/conditions. (Oh, and as a kid, mine would go offlead and recall no problem - and I trained him to beg, sit, lay down, roll over, stay put whilst I dressed him up as a fairy :whistle: and pretend to be an evil child murdering monster making horrid noises whilst pretending to bite me, but never putting the slightest bit of pressure on my hands or arms)

There has to be a reason why they are the breed of choice for animal experimentation. Healthy, gentle and tolerant of things other dogs wouldn't stand for.


Look into it. See what you think.

Padz_2

My old yellow lab used to go on runs of up to 8 miles with me when I was marathon training. Before anyone gets up in arms I run at most people's walking pace! LOL Current six month old pup doesn't run with me yet but he will when he's about 18 months.

Labs are the perfect dogs - fun, intelligent, sociable and kind.

Edited to add - they were both gundog bred not working.

dirtysexymonkey

would a boxer be an option? wonderful wonderful dogs!

Croatoan

Never owned one, but Rhodesian Ridgebacks or Huskies are definitely endurance dogs for long runs.

Chakani

dirtysexymonkey wrote: »

would a boxer be an option? wonderful wonderful dogs!

Er, no. Wonderful dogs as you say, but the one my flatmate owned could cover you in drool at fifty paces with a mere flick of the head! Not a big fan of really excessive drool...

What's a working bred lab if not a gundog? Is there a whole strain I'm missing? And I shan't be up in arms at 8 mile runs, I had a JRT and a lurcher who both did that regularly and both lived to a fine old age

I know a golden retriever who loves a good long run, followed by a cuddle in the garden with my three year old. He's a really lovely dog, but I worry about the health issues of such a narrow gene pool that they seem to have.

jaqui59

You said you like Standard Poodles, so you could consider a Labradoodle.

They seem to have a great desire to be part of the family and are highly trainable too, and they could definitely handle your long distance runs .. All the ones ive ever met have been highly thought of by their owners.

dirtysexymonkey

Chakani wrote: »

Er, no. Wonderful dogs as you say, but the one my flatmate owned could cover you in drool at fifty paces with a mere flick of the head! Not a big fan of really excessive drool...

What's a working bred lab if not a gundog? Is there a whole strain I'm missing? And I shan't be up in arms at 8 mile runs, I had a JRT and a lurcher who both did that regularly and both lived to a fine old age

I know a golden retriever who loves a good long run, followed by a cuddle in the garden with my three year old. He's a really lovely dog, but I worry about the health issues of such a narrow gene pool that they seem to have.

i had two and they never drooled. they seemed to think that drinking was diving headfirst into the bowl but other than that they werent messy at all. it depends on the dog, not just the breed.