I am soon giving up work and am looking forward to getting a dog (or two) after wanting a dog since I was a child. I have always loved pointers and vizslas but am worried that I may not be able to give them enough exercise or have a big enough garden and am also planning to start a family in a couple of years. What gundogs, if any, might be suitable for two hour long walks per day and a 20 x 50 foot garden? Or should I wait until after I have had my family?

I would have the dog first, a nicely brought up dog of several years of age, is a much better proposition when you have small children, than trying to cope with a puppy too! You are then trying to protect them from each other, whereas a well adjusted gundog just needs protecting from the kids!

As I have sugested to people befoire, one mans meat is another mans poison. My ideal family dog, the Norwegian elkhound could be another persons nightmare!

Make a list of breeds that really apeal, don't forget the more unusual, as they often have very loyal and experienced devotees.

Arrange to visit homes with several different ages of the breed. See them at home and also out for a walk, taking particular notice of how energetic easy going with otherdogs etc etc they are.

Why does it have to be a gundog?

If you want a gundog to work, then you would be better starting off with what you want the dog to do, workwise.

If not, then it really opens up a whole world of canine companions to you.

I suppose, some would argue :D that you can't go much wrong with a labrador . . .

If you don't have to rush into a decision, why not go to Discover Dogs? 16/17 November at Earls Court in London. You will be able to see all kinds of different dogs and talk to their owners and meet the dogs themselves.

This might make it easier for you. Or alternatively, might just confuse the issue even more :D

Springer`s are good , though if you cant wait till youve had a family i`d make sure that your puppy/dog is socialized round children of all ages.We have a cocker and 3 kids 3,6,9 and he has just started to get used to them :).My sil has just had a baby and he doesnt like the sound of the baby crying:( so weve had to keep him out the way whilst baby cries (dont want him jumping all over the baby)
We used to carry Douglas down to playgroup/school so that he got used to the noise of children ( a 120 sound`s a lot louder than 3...though if todays anything to go by..hhmmm)
Chrissy xxxxx

Why don't you *register* with the board so that you can ask more questions and give us some more inf too - it'll help us to help you and it's FREE :D - (good sell Leigh?)

Its easy to look at dogs that look nice but a totally different matter in deciding if they are the right breed for you. I agree get one before you have a baby - unless you are planning a baby within say 18 months. My advice would be to get your dog mature, well trained and settled before upsetting the apple-cart with an ankle biter!!:D

Your garden sounds a reasonable size for any small to medium dog. Any large or boisterous dog might find it a bit small but if you can commit for a number of years to giving it the amount of walks etc that it needs then your garden would be fine. What you do need to watch for in planning a baby is that you don't have the time to do all you might do now. Just something to think about.

Do you want a breed that needs a lot of grooming. My breed is Cocker's and Ilove them. BUT the grooming is considerable. They are a great size and love as much exercise as you can give them. They can also cope with missing out on their walks if necessary - but not too often as they go a bit stir crazy. They are good with children too.

Pointers and Vizla's look fantastic but do need not just lots of exercise but lots of mental stimulation too. If you can get to Discover Dog's it's a great way of meeting the breeds and their owners who will tell you warts and all what the breed is really like;)

hth a little

Pam n the mad boys

Edit for clickable link. Chex in the post Pam ;-)

We had our springer spaniel before the kids came along.Sadly she's no longer with us,but her children and grandchildren are.When I came home from hospital with my first baby the dog was brought in and the baby placed on the floor in her basket for the dog to meet.Some may be horrified at this,but she was gentle and formed a bond with that child for the rest of her life.I repeated the act with my next child 3 years later and never regretted it for one moment.That dog would look out for those children as they grew,even helping to pick them up when they fell as toddlers.What more could you ask from a dog.
Go for a Springer you wont be sorry

That is exactly what we did with our daughter and our GSD. He now guards her with his life :)

I whole heartedly agree with you Pam! I think the flat coated retriever is a dream to look at. Unfortunately, I don't hunt and that is not a dog suited for a non working home.

Discover dogs was a great day out for my family last year. Where else can you see all the different groups and breeds in one place? I can't think of one!

why is a flatcoated retriever not suited for a nonworking home,i have 4 of them which all live in doors,which fit in my home life,not all f/c are worked or showen like mine,but my frist f/c was a great family pet,which fitted in with two young childern at the time,when i had my first litter 8 out of 10 went to pet home with no problems,which was 3 years a old,
they can fit in any type of actively like pat dog,agiltly,showing,working,resuce work,hearding dogs for the deaf,the list gos on
if you put the work in when its a puppy there be no problem just like other breeds,childern and flatcoat puppies can grow up happily together if the child is taught care and repest for the puppy ,dogs are creatures of rountine and a puppy will soon apt to the household enviroment,plus f/c love been with humans,so if you are at home f/c would love your company.not in a kennel all day,

iwould say that most f/c are sold as pet first,then is up to the new owner what activilty they would like to take the dog to,put early socilaletion is a must with all breeds.plus f/c are dural prupose,not like some breeds at are separated for a breeding progamme.for working/showing.

i would not be without my flatcoated retrievers,they are for the young and old.

Hi guest

I agree with Pammy (I also have cockers) ...they do take some grooming when in full coat (don't they Pammy!!!!:D), but are fantastic with kids...but I think whatever breed you go for, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder..

Regards

Natasha :D

Thanks for all your advice guys. Discover Dogs is already in my diary and I can't wait!
To 9thM - no, I'm not just looking for a gundog but they appeal to me the most. I'm trying to be open minded and realise I need to choose a breed that's suited to our lifestyle, not just what I like the look of.

Isn't there a test on another site (not sure if I'm allowed to name the site) which works out which breed suits your lifestyle...
It didn't come up with either of the dogs that I own as my ideal, but it may be a good starting point.

I have tried loads of these tests, they never come up with my breed or anything close. Even worse they come up with some popular breed that I would never consider having. I won't say which, but two of them have been mentioned on this thread!

I think you are best making your own list of essential must have traits and definate no traits. For me on the no side would be floppy ears and dribblers, and on yes a dog of medium size with a coat, and a temperament that isn't flappy. There are other traits that are optional, or minor minus points.

Hi, think about your lifestyle and then list the points that you want/don't want. Brainless is right about the tests not giving the 'right' answer. I've tried giving the answers that should lead to them coming up with my breeds, and they never do :-). But some of the questions are still quite good, so why not try one of the breed selectors, and then tell us your answers? That way those of who have dogs that fit the bill can tell you more about them.