we are a quiet family of four with two teenagers and we are considering which type of dog would be happiest with us.  we have a very docile indoor ragdoll cat so we need a dog that would not be threatening to him.  we live in the country and have a large garden.  I(mum) am home most of the day but work part time. We have never owned a dog before however we often look after a friends dog.  We are considering bolognese,newfoundland,sussex spaniel and weimaraner so far.  We would welcome any further input and comments.  Thanks.

Hmmm, can't speak for all the breeds but I would venture to say that a Weimaraner may not be the dog of choice for you if you have never owned a dog before and if you have a cat.  Of course people DO have them etc but this is a breed that is very energetic and requires a huge amount of physical and mental exercise (when mature) and preferably something to do.  They were originally bred to bring down wild boar and track wounded stag, get rid of vermin (ie foxes and cats) and protect the owner; they are the "hardest" of the gundogs.

They can be very vocal and very destructive and when they go through the "kevins" between 9 mos - 2 years, they can be diabolical, especially the males.

We have a huge problem in rescue, particularly with males, because of this.  If you are considering this breed I would suggest that you visit one or two reputable breeders via the WCGB or WA to get to know their personality a bit more. They are not everyone's cup of tea!

I have had 4 of them over 15 years so obviously SOMEONE likes em! :D

HTH

Hi

I can maybe give you a bit of perspective on the Newfoundland...they are undoutedly great family dogs and love company. They are generally good with kids, but as with any dog, good early socialisation is imperative. They do not like to be left alone for long periods. I work but have another dog so my Newfie is rarely without comapny of some sort. They are not particularly difficult to train but need to be trianed early in life as, once they reach full height and weight, they can pretty much do what they want so you want to instill good manners from day one. They need a lot of good quality food as puppies as good nutrition is important for growing bones. They cannot be over exercised when young as it can cause joint damage and cause problems in later life. Vet fees tend to be more expensive for large dogs so insurance is advisable. They need a lot of grooming...preferably daily as their thick double coat can matt easily and you will want to brush out the debris that inevitably catches in the coat whilst out walking.

Newfies often end up in rescue because people do not realise what a full grown Newfie is like to live with...can you cope with a dog that can reach 30+ inches in height and weigh up to 13-14 stone that will drool almost incessantly (and when they shake they can fling drool a long way :P) and shed hair like you wouldn't believe?? Newfies are not for the houseproud, that is for sure...they love water and muck and will actively seek out both then redistribute it all over your living room. You never really own a Newfie...a Newfie owns you!! :) And they don't hit maturity til around two years of age (or older) so you have to be prepared to put up with the terrible puppy and teenage stages for a long time :rolleyes:

I recommend that you look at the Newfoundland Club website (www.thenewfoundlandclub.co.uk) which has some good information for prospective Newfie owners. Also, should you decide to go for  a newfie, contacting the club is a good place to start your search for a good breeder whose dogs will be hip scored and heart tested. Newfies are a relatively uncommon breed and you might have to prepare for a wait.

Good luck with your search. Why don't you join the forum? It only takes a few minutes and is free...then you can ask many more questions and, when you find your perfect puppy, keep us updated on their progress :)

Have you thought about going to a rescue centre to see if there is a dog there appeals to you. My first dog was a rescue and he loved my cats, pretty much from day one, although it took them a little time. Puppies will always be a nighmare for a cat as they are so energetic but rescue dogs could have lived with cats before.