Which Dog

[CusworthRovers]

I hate/fear dogs and they hate/scare me. Never had one in my life and never wanted one. As far as I'm concerned every cycle/running trail/footpath is covered in clinker and it boils my piss. Not even considerations for making it go in the grass and curl one out, just let it babber on the path/trail.

All dogs can hang for me (yes I know it's the owners fault).

HOWEVER...........

My fear has enveloped the kids, and although 2 of them have grown out of it, the youngest is still scared to death. Ergo, we need her to break this wretched fear. With that in mind, I'm now willing to get a dog.

I have some rules though:

1. It gets the kids off the internet and they must cuddle it, hold it, squeeze it, walk it and call it George
2. It gets Mrs CR our exercising
3. It can run with me
4. It needs to be from a puppy to get the youngest to bond
5. I don't want a nutter, a barker, a flee ridden long haired piece of wool, a wolf type

I'm after something small-medium and fit.

Early research and family likes are pointing to:

Whippet (I like that being a Northerner/Yorkshire fella)
Cocker Spaniel
Sprocker
Italian Greyhound


Any dog lovers on here and can offer first hand advice?

In anticipation

Thanks
 

[Dagenham Rover]

Try a retired Greyhound they walk brilliantly on the lead straight away. Do NOT need walking for miles and miles contrary to what you think, theres always someone at the end of the phone to advise you if needed, discount at the vets if you use their vet.

Full of character and make brilliant couch potatoes  (they do need house training though)

they are usually up to 5 years old when they retire but remember they have never lived in a house  and the bonding really shouldn't be a problem

http://www.sheffieldretiredgreyhounds.co.uk/    give em a ring and have a chat you can go up there look at the dogs  walk them  and they are not just out to home the dog they really do want the right one for you plus you get the proper leads and collar thrown in

[CusworthRovers]

I want it to be out and about with the family. I want a fit dog.

It needs to be a pup too

 

[RedJ]

..would you be against having a Staffy?

[RobTheRover]

You can borrow mine for a few hours if you want, pal.  8 month old Chocolate Ladrador.  Soft as a brush and really sociable.  Loves nothing more than running up and down the street with me in tow.

Like you, I've never had a dog until we got this one, and like you I was against the idea for a long time.  I got persuaded on holiday last year with lots of promises from the kids that they would walk it, look after it, etc.

DO THEY CHUFF!  Its all down to me.  My advice?  Get their sworn agreement to look after it in writing.  Preferably in blood.

[CusworthRovers]

It would be no to a Staffy mate. Reputation go's before them. I know it's the owner more than the dog.

I succumbed to a Lion Headed Rabbit last summer for the family. They all looked at it for about 2 days saying arrrrrrhhhh, and now it's not been looked at, acknowledged by the kids since then. Labrador is too big mate, and they will take this one out and about or in the garden, otherwise I will put the kids down and keep the dog

[RobTheRover]

Just thought you could ride a Labrador home if you got a bit tired when out running, shortarse.

[Dagenham Rover]

I want it to be out and about with the family. I want a fit dog.

It needs to be a pup too

 

Believe me they are fit  running at up to 40mph   
I appreciate they aren't pups when you get them  but they do make fantastic pets
just a thought anyway

[Filo]

Border collie, highly intelligent, easy to train, loyal and friendly, or if you want a dog that runs around like it's been fed on E numbers all it's life, get a spaniel, they never stand still

[keyser_soze]

Springers are awesome, full of energy. Will turn into an attention seeker if not exercised enough though.

[SoundbiteBarmyArmy]

Retrievers - absolutely fantastic temprement (loyal & playful) , love exercise and fussing, not dirty e.g. don't drool everywhere like Beethoven.

I've had a Golden Retriever in the past and have two Flat Coated Retrievers (black) now, and I can't praise them enough, or am I just being biased!?

[ravenrover]

How could you resist this? our lovely Tess.
Get a Springer Cussie, faithful, great with people and if you get a field trials variety it would run you till you dropped. Tess is from show stock and doesn't want/need miles of exercise

[IC1967]

Schnauzers are good family dogs. Available in 3 sizes, small, medium and large. They don't lose their hair, which may be something you want to consider. They do bark but only to warn you that someone is coming down the drive, so a good burglar deterrent.

[idler]

Retrievers - absolutely fantastic temprement (loyal & playful) , love exercise and fussing, not dirty e.g. don't drool everywhere like Beethoven.

I've had a Golden Retriever in the past and have two Flat Coated Retrievers (black) now, and I can't praise them enough, or am I just being biased!?

my son had a golden retriever and he was a brilliant dog.
Faithful as they come and a fantastic temperament.

[Sprotyrover]

You want a Border terrier mate,they are fantastic,I can be out walking mine and meet a young family I get chatting to the parents and when I look down T the dog there is a three year old kid pulling his ears and a five year old pulling his tail.They can be all things to all people, he is as gentle as a lamb with Mrs Sproty and barmy with my boys,they can easily walk 20 miles, they will not show pain,they are one of the top 4 family dogs.
Mine has a bark for the Postie,a bark for the milkman and a bark for strangers.
Anybody can walk them and not look stupid.
All in all they are top dogs!

[podrover73]

Boxers are good dogs to have, need plenty of exercise though:

Good and soft with children -they have a nice temprement and are like big kids themselves.

Always wanting affection as well as giving it.

Good guard dog and will guard a family with its life

short haired so easy to groom



 

[Dare to dream!]

Border Collie fits what you're looking for friendly, very inteligent and obidient! There's a farm in Sykhouse who breed them, you can go meet the two parent dogs and pick a puppy out of a litter from 6 weeks old and take it home at 8 weeks.

[Sprotyrover]

Boxers don't live very long and slaver,border collies are working dogs so get a book out of library and see what you are getting,same goes for Borders and most working dogs,don't go near Irish water spaniels,they will jump into buckets,puddles,water features owt with water in it.

[keepmoatman]

http://littlerascalsuk.com/
I got our  two scottish terriers from the above link , well worth a ride out to take a look round the kennels.

[podrover73]

Boxers don't live very long and slaver,border collies are working dogs so get a book out of library and see what you are getting,same goes for Borders and most working dogs,don't go near Irish water spaniels,they will jump into buckets,puddles,water features owt with water in it.

You would slaver if someone was eating a cream cake in front of you , if you can live with the slaver they are great.
Your right some do have heart problems or cancer issues

[GazLaz]

Don't get:

Staffie
Boxer
Springer (most of them are loopy)

Italian greyhounds are nice and clean and don't grow too big, retrievers are clever and steady away but you can always smell them in people's houses even though the owners say you can't.

[jucyberry]

If I had a dog I'd like a Puggle, they are adorable.. Just a nice size and without the nasal problems of the pug apparently.

http://puggleuk.co.uk/resources/puggle-R.jpg

My Tyler is just the same, totally petrified of dogs, he's better than he used to be but jumps a mile if one barks near him..
On the Greyhound front, have you a cat because I seem to remember reading something about greyhounds not being safe around cats.

[nightporter]

I vote Springer Spaniel. Daughters Springer runs an runs an runs. Very smart, quick to learn and a lovely smile.

[RobTheRover]

Thats not a springer.  Its Lewis Guy!

[Filo]

Thats not a springer.  Its Lewis Guy!

Surely if it was Lewis Guy he'd be sprawled out on the floor

[RobTheRover]

Thats not a springer.  Its Lewis Guy!

Surely if it was Lewis Guy he'd be sprawled out on the floor

There's time yet.

[CusworthRovers]

'Twas a Whippet Bitch we got.


I will love her, squeeze her, cuddle her and call her Ivy

[River Don]

Whippet doesn't sound like a bad choice for what you're after. Or you could consider a Bedlington whippet which is equally Northern, and with it being a terrier it'll go after rats and rabbits and things. Unlike pure Bedlingtons they look a bit scruffy rather than a sheep. They have a very nice temperament around people and kids too.



http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?594459-Bedlington-whippet

[Dagenham Rover]

'Twas a Whippet Bitch we got.


I will love her, squeeze her, cuddle her and call her Ivy

See told ya Miniature Greyhound   

[ian1980]

We have a cocker spanial (working/field line) we've had him since a pup.

Absolutely barking mad but he's great.

He will run and run whilst out but comes back when called, sits, chases sticks/balls/plastic bottles. No problem with other dogs as too interested in the afore mentioned items. I have him round cusworth hall and playing fields towards Sprotbrough as well as Melton woods and sandal beat woods and he is always off lead. If I went running with him round these places he would go charging around and a little call and he'd be back by my side.

With their energy levels though, they do need at least two good walks a day.

Hope that helps