Dingo my nine year old daughter is very interested in animals and adores the dogs and cats.

She helps with feeding ,grooming and walking and also tries her hand at training.

She has now decided that she wants a dog of her own so we are starting to look at a breed other than a Lab.

Now as the pup will be hers I will take a big part in looking after and assisting with the training of the pup.

I can't get past gun dogs but she wants a small to medium sized breed and thought about a toller but she isn't convinced. I have ruled out a working cocker as think it will be a bit too much for her to cope with being her first dog so want a breed that is quite steady.

So what suggestions do people have as I am not a terrier person , don't particularly like delicate dogs so unsure what to look at.

We will be walking round discover dogs as she loves walking round and looking at the different breeds but it will be like a kid in the sweet shops as she will want all of them !!

Whippets make great first dogs for kids, I know several that do junior handling with them. Light enough for a child to control even if it's an unruly teenager, biddable, trainable, will walk as much as you like, not at all fragile, will happily play with the chocolate girls and boy. In the house will cuddle up next to Dingo, happily sleep on her bed if allowed, may be dressed in a variety of fleeces or waterproof coats if she likes. If Dingo doesn't want to go out in the rain the whippet won't mind. Come in pretty colours, don't need grooming.

Of course better yet is a silken windhound, all of the above with it's own pretty coat, but then we all say our own breeds in these types of threads ;-)

There are a pack of whippets that live in the next village and Dingo has said she doesn't think they are a breed she fancies.

Puds isn't very impressed with them either as they always seem to have a go at her when we ever meet them do not sure if she would take to one either !

I think the problem is she can't seem to narrow down what she wants which is making it quite difficult !! (Dingo not Puds ! Lol )

My, 'the pooey pink princess' is growing up! ( I still laugh fit to crying remembering that post of Dingo clatted in mud)

Dingo needs a 'Christopher Robin and Poo Bear' dog!
I'd say the only way you'll both know will be after DD, she'll have *her* short list then (and you'll have yours!) get her to a couple of shows or approach the breeders of those breeds and see if you can go visit.

Jane's right!

P.s Shame she doesn't like Tollers! ( in another life... I soo would!)

The other thing to consider is the IWS that will be coming as well in few years time ( my next dog).

I do like Tollers as well but keep having to tell myself it won't be my dog !

Have you ever thought about a show cocker?

Steadfast, calm,devoted & loyal.....slightly wilful but always aim to please.....

As you can see, totally biased in my opinion.

In honesty probably would not have been my first choice for my son, but it was the only dog he wanted, so I eventually agreed. They are both devoted to eachother and they share something very special...

We now have a house full of them (well four of them), and although "Show" cockers none of them are shown (although I may go down this road with my youngest.) One competes in agility, the oldest is a PAT dog, the middle girl a total couch potato and the youngest is showing early show potential..... surprisingly versatile.....

 

I had thought but really prefer the working cocker.

Dingo has met a couple of working cockers and likes them but has said her self that they are a bit too full on. I will put it on the to look at list.

How about a Sussex? Not as manic as working cockers, although they do have a stubborn streak and are quite strong willed.

Now Pedlee that is a very good point as I spent alot of time around this breed at a couple of shows  last year but Dingo didn't come with us so another one to put on the list for her to look at.

They are real characters and unlike any dog I've ever come across, personality-wise.

Podengo for a dingo?

> Dingo needs a 'Christopher Robin and Poo Bear' dog!

:-) Brilliant, do you know any responsible breeders? :D

> Podengo


Ach people will just think Lucy couldn't afford a proper Jack Russell :-)

(whispered in case anyone here has them) :-D

Lol ! Dingos Pondego called Pongo has quite a ring to it , agre that they do look very JR like !

SWD maybe another option I may have to have a chat with Diane.

>Podengo for a Dingo?

Just pressure hosed the PC screen with my mouthful of tea!!!
:-D :-D

>SWD... I may have a chat with Diane

Oooooh! YES!!!!

>Ach people will just think Lucy couldn't afford a proper Jack Russell

And there goes the rest of my tea!!
:-D

Well as so often it's easy to suggest your own breed, although this isn't quite "my breed". However when I was in the same situation with my first born many years ago now, we decided on a Cavalier as we felt the Goldens we had were too big for her. That's how I ended up having Cavaliers myself (I still have one) -daughter ended up with no dog interest at all once she was a bit older, she's a through and through cat person. :) But a Cavalier really does tick all the boxes.

Sorry but I would never ever let a 9 year old make a decision for the family to get another dog or indeed what breed, no matter how into dogs and helping they are. J.m.o. if she so desperatly wants the responsibilty of having her own pet I would be looking at fish or a hamster.

> Sorry but I would never ever let a 9 year old make a decision for the family to get another dog

Freds Mum, my guess is she is going to think she has made the decision. ;)

yes freds mum normally I would agree with you but here with this one I agree with stooge What little I know of lucy I think she would make a good descion here for all concerned
just hope dingo doesnt read cd !!

I will be making the final decision as I have said I will be taking a large part of responsibility for the dog but I firmly belief that if she wants to do something and demonstrates commitment then I am willing to support her as that is how I like to bring my children up giving them the ability to be part of input into decisions that affect their life and ours.

I like to encourage her to take responsibility for things which she has demonstrated inane things to so with the animals :-)

Having met Dingo, I am sure that she could make a better decision than some other people have made on this board ...if she were to make it on her own!

But knowing Lucy and Mike, I'm sure that she will find that her choice is "just what they would have chosen"!!!

Given Lucy's work in Lab Rescue, Dingo has not only learnt as child the importance of dog husbandry and the ethos of lifetime commitment to a dog... She has seen it first hand!
   I couldn't honestly blanket judge all 9yr olds,some through good education, experience, guidance etc will have much more common sense and practical ability than your average Jeremy Kyle participant!!! (allegedly adults)
;-)

What about a Spanish? Active breed which would it in with your lifestyle.
Could you not appoint one of your labs to look after?

If you like Spaniels what about a Welshie, Field or a lovely Clumber?

I have to go with the show cocker as long as Dingo is willing to spend time grooming him/her.  Go on, you know you want to ;-) x

Or a Lagotto?

A handy size for a child, and I think they're still in the gundog group!

I'll add my vote for a Cavalier - as you say, we all like to suggest our own breed. But if you're thinking gundog but smaller, than a Cavalier does sound a possibility. Still a spaniel, very trainable - ok they are in the toy group, but they aren't much smaller than a cocker, and they are very trainable dogs. :-)

Oh, I like the idea of a Lagotto!    Like a poodle, it will only need clipping a couple of times a year, I think !

They are nice dogs - I have one I groom, she comes in every 2 months for a clip with the 5/8 blade, short but fluffy. Sweet little thing!

What about one of the smaller spitz breeds, A laphund or Mittel. If you don't fancy the coat then a Buhund (But they are very lively !)  A Sheltie, or a PBGV.
Aileen

That is fine as we have a really nice mobile dog groomer so the coat clipping and maintenance wouldn't be an issue.

Had a look at the breed website and they do look like really nice dogs so a definate one to go on the list.

Not that I know anything about them (apart from seeing Liz Dunhill's dogs) but what about a Shiba Inu? They look fairly manageable for a youngster.

Many of us won't see past our own breed LOL, it really is a decison only you can make.

> If you don't fancy the coat then a Buhund (But they are very lively !)

Funny you should mention Buhunds. A lady I met last year who once bred a large sighthound breed, got into Buhs when her young son wanted a dog of his own to show... He got one, and more, and as she got older she couldn't manage her other breed so well... So she's still with them 20+ years later :) Yes they can be lively, and some are quite vocal, but otherwise they seem to be easy-going, certainly not as demanding as as some terrier breeds for instance. I often feel they are overlooked as a breed, which is a shame as they have a lot to offer.

> I often feel they are overlooked as a breed, which is a shame as they have a lot to offer.

quite a lot like their Elk hunting cousins, but maybe a bit herdier. 

chaumsong is right, we all go straight for our own breeds and I am no exception. I can recommend Welsh Springers as great companions, not difficult to keep on top of coat, fabulous characters, and not as high voltage as an ESS or working cocker.

I wouldn't recommend either of my breeds for a young girl!! Lol while you find some junior handlers with them
In the ring they aren't the easiest to manage!! ;-)

> I can recommend Welsh Springers as great companions, not difficult to keep on top of coat, fabulous characters, and not as high voltage as an ESS or working cocker.

Ditto, if I was to have a Spaniel/Gundog then this is the one I'd go for or a Field, have had close realtiosn with Welsh, with several dogs staying with me.

The only Welsh springer I know is quite a poorly, nervous dog. :-( Beautiful though.

*Following this thread with interest as we're are in the same position as you LGS and looking for something smaller and more manageable. Think I may look up Lagottos too as we are toying with poodles :-). The other breed that seems to be a very popular childrens dog is the Border Terrier but I see you're not keen on that route :-). We also like the look of Cavaliers, not sure whether it's a good thing or bad that there are just so many breeders to research compared with our own breed :-D  Beagle?

I know one and the same as JG it is. Very nervous skitty dog that takes one look a my lot and turns around and scarpers !

Springers and working cockers I know are the opposite and greet and meet with no hesitation then all play nicely running around chasing each other !

I have known a few show cockers and they do seem more laid back and often slightly aloof almost because tearing through a muddy puddle is beyond them !

I am still very interested to know more about the Lagotto as the more I read up about them the more I like them.

Just interested if anybody would know why the KC breed standard is interim ?
http://www.lagottoromagnoloclubofgb.co.uk/kc-interim-breed-standards

"The other breed that seems to be a very popular childrens' dog is the Border Terrier"

Oh no .......don't do it!!!!!   Traumatic memories of the combination of a Border Terrier (aka the Border Terrorist) and Labrador!!!   Border Terrier (Tramp) supplied the brain and Labrador (Jet) supplied the brawn.   A combination which created havoc/mischief wherever they went.    Our half/acre garden was secure to a degree - but small children and builders would often leave gates open - and off they would go ....one time they managed to steal a large yorkshire pudding from the Golf Club kitchen....and then proceeded to gambol across the golf course - in full view of all golfers - back home, to eat it in the garden!!   Or they would go to check the pheasant pens - or do the dustbin check ...... the list could go on and on!

Tramp was a lovely dog - bright, intelligent and loving and very loyal to Jon - his young owner - even when Jon was being told off, he would be beside him, whining, cuddling up to him - and of course, sleeping at the foot of his bed!

So a Border wouldn't be a bad choice ....just make sure that he and BogDog don't form an alliance!!

Oh now I think you should get a border terrier so you an start a blog and regale us with tales of what the terrorist and the chocolates got up to :-) Margot the yorkshire pudding story is fabulous, Jules' Shay would be quite jealous :-)

PBGV gets the vote here (big surprise there eh!) but hound group so a pain if you want to show gundogs too as they will be different days at the champ shows. Teasel who is three, loves to run with our big girls and tries desperately to keep up with Treacle (gordon) despite the huge difference in leg length :-) . Holly, our new puppy is yet to be tested off lead and might not be so easy though - I'll let you know ;-).

They are manageable on lead for a 9 year old, look like a 'real' dog despite being short legged, and with no terrier or toy dog yappyness! ( sorry terrier & toy folk but you have to admit a lot of them are yappy - and high pitched!! :-D)

I think Margots tale is exactly why we will never have a border terrorist in this house. The thought of Bog and one sends me into a place I never want to go on a permenant basis ! Bog is bad enough in his own without an external brain to help him in his missions !

> The thought of Bog and one sends me into a place I never want to go on a permenant basis

LOL :) Don't get a beagle either then - memories of a beagle returning home with a still warm, leg of lamb .................... :) :)

What is she actually looking for? I'd have said a Toller would have been perfect, but if you tell us what she's actually looking for in a dog it would help steer her towards the right breed for her.

I got into whippets because my 9 year old fell in love with them and wanted one (I'm a terrier person). I grew up with lots of gundogs and we also had podengos ;) but the whippets are just so easy and so full of love and adoration for their owners... I agree with Chaumsong, marvellous breed for a little girl, maybe she should get to know them better (I also didn't love the way they look, but having one just changed everything I ever felt about the breed).