My 2 danes are knocking on a bit now and they don't want the exercise that I have to offer (on a fitness thing and doing lots of walking combined with the gym 3 times a week), so I am thinking of giving a home to another dog. Requirements:

* Must be reliable off lead (with training)
* Good with children
* Good with smaller animals - we have chickens and stuff around
* Low maintenance - no collie types with a thirst for knowledge
* Good with other dogs - nothing aggressive

Ideally, I would like something 6-9 months, no small puppies....

Thoughts/advice anyone? I tend to prefer bigger dogs... but would like something that I can fit in the car (no droolers either this time!)

how about a visit to a rescue centre?

I would if my kids were older, but at the moment I want a specific breed. I don't mind going through breed rescue but I need something that I know the history.

What about grooming requirements?  Size?
I, obviously ;-), am going to suggest a cocker spaniel.  Your kids will love it and it will fit all your other requirements (with a bit of training) but does need more grooming that you are used to with the Danes.

Thats not a bad idea. I'd like something around that size so Mollie could walk her too... I met a curly spaniel the other day which was nice, what breed is that?

/Wire haired Viszla, Labrador, Golden or Flat coated Retriever,

> I met a curly spaniel

Could have been an Irish Water Spaniel, a Spanish Water Spaniel or maybe a Lagotto.  Or perhaps just a cross breed or a clipped, and coat altered Cocker :-)

oooooooooohhh *strokes chin* Hmmmmmmmmm
I think its got to be Gun dogs, hounds or terriers with 'Orses :)

I'm green with envy what a fun decision... and what a choice!

Wouldn't a Dalmation look good with the Appaloosa ;)
I covet some handsome HWV's, Giant Munsterlanders, Tollers, SWDs and Bloodhounds (ah but drool rules out) from this site ;)

can't wait to see what you plum for :)

I would if my kids were older, but at the moment I want a specific breed.

There are plenty of dogs in rescue with known history. Many smaller rescue organisations also foster dogs in homes, so they are very well assessed in particular also with regards to kids. A large number (now outnumbering crossbreeds) of dogs in rescue are pedigrees.

Breed rescues also often have foster homes so the dog's real temperament is much better known.

Vera

Aside from breed rescue's you will also have breeders who run on pups and when they get older and don't make the grade the breeders look to rehome them into pet homes. So something like that maybe worth looking into once you have decided your breed of choice.

I would recommend a Setter - although the English can have a challenging recall ;) - all the setter breeds are fabulous with kids - will take as much exercise as you can give them - great family pets.  And oversize lapdogs!

Hi Carla,

I'd go with one of the spaniel breeds and go through the breed club(s) to source one either through rescue or one that a breeder has possibly run on for a bit.

OTOH you could have the Manic Boy - greeeeeeaaaaaaaat with kids, partial to chickens, def no thirst for knowledge - a lame brain >sigh<.  All this in exchange for a pretty dot-tee po-neee
(and he doesn't slobber - he's practically tailor made for you  :-p )

Obviously I'm biased but a Samoyed would suit all your criteria - would suggest a bitch as dogs can sometimes be a little iffy with other males. I'm not surehow much grooming you want though but they dont need THAT much - just a brush through every day to keep them looking nice...

Or maybe if the grooming would put you off having a Sam, I would suggest a Cavalier King Charles - mine is a little angel and I can't imagine myself without one now.

If you're after a specific breed, I'd definitely suggest you contact the relevant breed rescue once you have decided on which breed, or see if any breeders have pups that they've kept on and need to rehome :-)

P.S. - Samoyeds LOVE chickens - well mine does anyway. We have neighbours with chickens and Megan has almost figured out how to get in their pen, she likes them that much. ;-)

For a dog breed which requires training but too huge amounts to get them to behave i would also plump for a Gundog. They always seem eager to please and i have found Lab's very easy to train.

If you like large dogs then something like the Lab, Goldie, Setters and the different pointers may be worth looking at.
I do know that the Bracco and Spinone drool, so i would avoid those on that front(still lovely breeds though).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     For a smaller dog the Cocker is great, i think they are a lot of fun and if i had to resort to a small dog then this is what i personally would go for.
Tollers i have been fascinated with and have spoken to a few breeders to learn(not intending to get one) and they likened to them being as intelligent and as busy as a BC. :-o

Not sure what has happened to my post above - huge gaps and i dont know why..

> Not sure what has happened to my post above - huge gaps and i dont know why..

I thought you had just....."pawsed".....for thought :-D

yes a dramatic paws :) :)

Hi,

I would go for a tibetan terrier, i got mine from one of the best breeder at the aged of 6 months as she was not quite right for showing.
what a great dog she's very clever, loads of energy but eager to learn and the softest personality i've ever met.
Also because she was 6 months old she's been very easy to toilet train etc
I also have a boxer and a shnauzer which are great but i would get another TT any day. suppose it comes down to personal choice at the end of the day.

I lilke Schnauzers and I like Irish Setters... I also like Labs, especially black ones. I reckon I would possibly get a black lab through rescue easily? Course, they might not like me and my set up, horses, knackered fencing, dogs in the kitchen in the day, a dane who has been on tele cos he's so naughty lol

I know of a 8 month old Irish bitch looking for a good home ;)

One of my friends has a gorgeous black Lab and his breeders often have older pups for homing. PM me if you want their details :-)

Oh do you Claire - so tempted - I miss an Irish in my life :)  just don't think the boys would be too keen right now on a new lady coming in!

I would have said something like a border terrier, patterdale, lakeland. Something hardy that will intergrate into a pack well.

other than that I would look for a lab

Rachel I couldnt imagine putting a lady in with my two

Most of the gundogs shouldn't be too far off the mark for what you want - or there's always a rescue dally ... ;-)

Wouldn't recommend a Spanish Water Dog as they have brains like a Collie which you said you don't want :d

I wouldn't choose a terrier with chickens and small furries but most gundogs would be great for everything on your list.

> Wire haired Viszla, Labrador, Golden or Flat coated Retriever,

Flatcoats are like collies. They need mental stimulation and need to do something, they are not really a breed for the faint hearted!

Goldens and Labs can be very calm by comparison. Can't say what a viszla is like never lived with one!

I am with Isabel on this one - a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel would suit your requirements.  If you contact the Cocker Spaniel Club then they run a Rescue Scheme where you may possibly find a youngish one.  This breed are so adaptable with fitting into homes, friendly, happy, socialble, very active and very loveable.

> Obviously I'm biased but a Samoyed would suit all your criteria - would suggest a bitch as dogs can sometimes be a little iffy with other males. I'm not surehow much grooming you want though but they dont need THAT much - just a brush through every day to keep them looking nice...

That would apply to my breed too, but she wants something that has GOOD recall. LOL :D

I've noticed with all these 'what breed' posts people tend to recommend their own breeds even if they don't remotely match the OPs requirements :-D

I'm going to look objectively, as neither a collie or a borzoi would fit the bill, so I'm another vote for a cocker spaniel or maybe a lab or golden retriever - although both of these may be a little big and full on for a small child to walk.

> his breeders often have older pups for homing

I'm not sure that's a recommendation?  Whilst a good breeder should of course be willing to take back anything they've bred, to often have older pups available sounds quite strange.

> to often have older pups available sounds quite strange.

That is really not that unusual in Cockers.  Perhaps being a smallish, sociable and generally easy to live with breed more breeders are inclined to run on a couple of youngsters and see who develops into the best show and breeding prospect.  I know not everyone cares for it but taking one litter from a bitch and then placing her in a pet home is also not uncommon.  Again, perhaps because they are a very sociable and adaptable breed and tend to settle well wherever they are loved and their needs met.

> I also like Labs, especially black ones. I reckon I would possibly get a black lab through rescue easily?

I see a pm to Mattie or LJS coming ;)
               (( :-D ))

not just cockers, but in a few of the gundog breeds, a breeder may run on a couple or three, not just for conformation/show.. but when training.. one may just not come up to the required  steadyness for gundog work.

> not just cockers, but in a few of the gundog breeds

Yes, I am not surprised to hear that.  I think a lot of it is down to how easy they are to keep together with other dogs.

Sorry, yes I should have explained myself better. They are from working stock and I should have said, they 'sometimes' have older pups available who haven't quite made the grade as a gundog. :-)

FWIW, I would vote Cocker Spaniel as well.  I know quite a few and have never met a bad one in terms of temperament. 

A family I know have recently acquired a delightful young bitch who came from a breeder who had run on a couple of pups from a litter as show prospects. 

Ooooh!!!  The Bracco doesnt drool too much!!!! LOL  Although they do blow in the water when drinking and do a head shake when finished so the water ends up all over the floor - and the walls.  On the other hand, they are a wonderful breed to live with, dead placid, easy to train on a one to one and just love kids and other animals.  But then I am biased!!!!

Kingdom

> I thought you had just....."pawsed".....for thought :-D

LOL, so very true..
You come up with some classics Isabel.. Love it

> I covet some handsome HWV's, Giant Munsterlanders,

Now I know there's some LM's that do stretch the boundaries on the top end of the standard for height but they are only Large Munsterlanders, no Giants yet - but nearly!  ;-)

Large Munsterlanders on the whole, if reared with small furries as puppies, will be ok with them.   I wouldn't bring a 6-9 months old LM that hadn't seen chickens etc, into a house and expect them to be an angel though!    My dogs are very laid back for the breed, different lines have different personalities.

*Snigger*
Sorry I couldn't resist ;)
Too many compliments and you'll noo get yer heed oot tha hoose ;)

(sorry.. edited to say: When I put >I covet< I meant just that!! I wasn't recommending! I was shamelessly musing on what I'd choose in the situation!! lol :-D)

> Too many compliments and you'll noo get yer heed oot tha hoose ;-)
>
>

Och lassie, haud yer wheesht!   :-P

I don't mind admitting to my prejudices...WSS could be a good choice for you, less trimming than a cocker, indefatigably cheery and courteous, an enquiring mind and as much energy as you care to give. We have two and I hope one day it will be more, but they make every day like Christmas, right down to the shredded paper...

I was actually going to suggest one of the less common Spaniel breeds like a Field (Not a Sussex, I've been told they are very headstrong!) where they have one type eg. show dogs that work & vice versa.

Gundogs sound like your best bet, going for a setter, springer or a goldie/Lab (none of the other retievers.)

Although i'm not biased, I'd have to recommend a golden. I'm on my first, and only wished i'd met the breed earlier. My girl has been an absolute delight from the day she joined us. She loves everyone and everything we encounter, and will take as little or as much exercise as we offer. I tend to spend a long time out, but pottering from bench to bench whilst she runs, plays and swims, whereas at weekends hubbie tends to take her on a 10 mile road walk, and she comes back as fresh as when she started!! She is brilliant with children, not silly or pushy, has a brilliant recall, and is quite the couch potato unless we want her to wake up. My friend was so taken by her that she now has two goldens, and like me is totally smitten. All three have very different characters, but are all a delight to own.

I see a pm to Mattie or LJS coming

Already on the case HG :-D

how about an ex racing greyhound.
I know they are always looking for good homes for those.
My nan had one for years and he was great with all of us ( she had 32 grandkids).
Gentle and loveing lived to be about 13 ( we think ).

sorry it a spainsh water dog not spaniel,

great dogs not to big easy to handle love humans to bits.clip their coat once or twice a year.lean quicky goood and bad things.