which breed to buy?

gettingready

meritaten wrote: »

....dachshunds ....- they are the only dog that has ever bitten me.

Same here, only ever got bitten once and by a dachshund. To add insult to injury - it was a miniature one too :rotfl::rotfl:

marlot

I have a super-soft german shepherd, who will let any 12 month old child even take her favorite ball out of her mouth. But she's a bit unusual!

Equally, I've been bitten by a labrador.

Look at what the dogs were bred for to get clues to their traits. Meet the parents etc. It can be a great idea to get a rescue dog - if you can see it at its original home, or second best at a foster home. It can be harder to judge at a kennels.

Caroline_a

I have another soft German Shepherd, but he took many hours of training and patience when he was a pup and teenager! You might like to consider a Spinone - mine has won over everybody he's met. Soft, a bit daft, but so loving!

krlyr

I think the 'what breed' question is such a personal choice. I'd go GSD 9/10 times personally (there's a few other breeds I'd fond of, but I think I'd always need at least one GSD!) but other people wouldn't want a GSD at all.

Perhaps consider attending some shows like Discover Dogs (unfortunately just been and gone!), Crufts, etc. - you'll see a huge amount of different breeds all in one place, and there'll be owners of the breed to give their experience and opinions too.

Both my dogs are rescue dogs though, and both fantastic with my stepsisters when they were younger (still fab now, but my stepsisters are soon becoming adults rather than children!). Yes, even the "devil dog" Rottie cross!


I can understand the reluctance, especially given the recent news story, but a good rescue will assess their dogs carefully. It's a case of researching rescues just as thoroughly as you would a breeder - there are good and bad rescues out there too. But an adult dog may be fantastic with children and rehomed for totally unrelated reasons, or a puppy raised by yourself may grow up to develop issues that cause problems with your children (you don't state how old your children are - but consider the issue of a mouthing, teething puppy and younger children who may get hurt or scared by this natural behaviour) too, in both incidences you should take care mixing dogs and children anyway. Also, rescues often have young puppies in - just as young as breeders at times, if they've had a pregnant dog come in and whelp in their care. I support good breeders, but I wouldn't rule out a rescue dog just because you have kids.

UKTigerlily

Please don't rule rescue dogs out, you can get Pups in rescue, you can get dogs with full histories such as where the owner has died, the ones to maybe avoid would be strays as they have no history.

As to breed, i'd say the Staffy as they are well known to be excellent with kids but I have a feeling you'd rule those out too

Raksha

What did you like about the Cavalier? Size? Coat? Temperament? There are lots of websites that will give you a list of questions and make suggestions based on your lifestyle and the characteristics you find appealing in a dog

Person_one

What it comes down to, is that while breed can be a reasonably good indicator of what a puppy's temperament might possibly be like, there are no guarantees. Most dogs haven't actually read the breed guide books.

The biggest influence on how your puppy will turn out is not its breed, it's you. Forget about breeds for a bit, read up on dog behaviour, on training, on dog body language, on how to socialise a puppy. Then maybe start to think about breeds, if you're still bonkers enough to want a pup!

I believe Gwen Bailey's book 'The Perfect Puppy' is very popular, although I've never read it myself. I'm sure others on here have got recommendations.

MatyMoo

What do you want from a dog? How much exercise will it get when fully grown? Do you live in a flat or house and do you have a garden?

All these questions would help to decide on what breed

Dunroamin

There are plenty of puppies available in rescues, not only adult dogs with possibly problematic pasts. I wouldn't support breeders when there are existing animals needing homes.

Pi_the_dog

Research, research and more research. You probably have an idea of the size of dog you want to go for and clearly, having had a dog before you know what a commitment they are. I did loads of on-line research to get a shortlist of 3 or 4 breeds then I visited the Kennel Club Discovering Dogs exhibition at Earl's Court. It was the perfect opportunity to talk to dog owners about the breeds I was interested in and it helped me make my final decision. I am now the proud mum of a 5 month old Standard Schnauzer who the whole family simply adore. Everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect dog but the truth is, as long as you can meet the basic requirements of the breed, food, grooming, exercise etc. it's the owner who makes the perfect dog!