McMiffy Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi everyone, I am looking for a bit of guidance with dog breeds. I've read some other similar posts with some great ideas and am hoping for similar guidance. We are on the hunt for a pet dog and whilst I have some ideas, I am wondering what you would all suggest would work as I am sure I have overlooked some lovely breeds. We have four kids aged 11 through to 3. We have a medium/small garden with fences that are 1.6m at the lowest point. I work from home. We are prepared to walk once a day. We have access to an off leash area - although it is not fully fenced. We plan to take whatever dog we get to obedience training and, assuming the dog likes it, agility. We don't mind grooming, but I draw the line at drool - I don't want a drooler! We have cats, so a breed that doesn't like to chase/eat small furry creatures is important. My husband has stipulated that the dog must be pretty (and still tries to maintain he isn't superficial about appearances :laugh: ) So, what would you recommend and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) What size would you prefer? First comes to my mind Bichon Frise or Miniature Poodle, or one of the smaller terriers like a West Highland White, Cairn, Border, Bedlington. Miniature Schnauzer or for a medium size, the Standard Scnauzer. A couple of the spitz breeds might be worth a look.....Keeshond, Japanese Spitz Edited June 2, 2015 by GrufLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Keeshond or Samoyed? I don't know if they suit your situation but they are very pretty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I dont think a Samoyed would be great unless you are prepared for more than one walk a day with a small yard and they can have high prey drive. Edited June 2, 2015 by Bjelkier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Cavalier or cocker spaniel The right Golden retriever could also suit. A labrador might be too energetic and they usual drool around food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Shetland Sheepdog, Corgi, tibetan spaniel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannibalgoldfish Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Skip the Spitz breeds if you plan to let them loose in an unfenced dog park. Otherwise I'd naturally suggest Shiba inu, because you said it must be pretty *not bias at all.... :D ) They'd jump your fence in a heartbeat as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyssel Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Not sure what size you would prefer, but if you want a pretty-looking, small friendly dog that is good with kids then go for a Cavvie! They are happy to run around for ages with you outside in the yard and just as happy to stay inside to sleep (preferably on a nice warm lap!). They don't have the highest prey drive and assuming that you'll raise the pup/dog and help it get used to your cat then it should be fine. They love pleasing you and just thrive in the company of their family members (and anyone, for that matter!). They would love having little children fussing over them every day - they're a very delicate and gentle breed though. It really depends on what you are looking for in a dog - quite a few breeds can fit into your lifestyle and described home. Edited June 2, 2015 by nyssel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 A laid back Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi could be suitable, if you're prepared to deal with hair being everywhere, all the time. I say laid back because you can get some that are very energetic, but if you find a good breeder and express that you will provide a walk per day (plus playing/other stimulation?), they will be able to pick a suitable puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I'd suggest cavalier also. My boys do agility and love it :) Wouldn't jump the fence, dont shed or bark much. Happy to go walking, or just laze around. Mine are walked twice per day most days. and how is he not pretty :D IMG_2134 by Gabby, on Flickr Otherwise a cocker would work. They are bigger, and hairier. Most do not drool but i do know one who does- but he seems ot have a really droopy face- so as long as the parents have normal face skin i would say you are safe. The japanese spitz could work, but the couple i knew were barkers! Swedish vallhund? sheltie? also barkers though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 The right Vallhund could suit. If you think a Vallhund might be good for you, McMiffy, I recommend you have a chat to Sharon Donaldson. She is happy to talk dog and can give you really great advice on whether or not a Vall would suit you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMiffy Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 You are all awesome! Lots of suggestions for dogs I hadn't even remotely considered but who would be great. I think I have a bit of a short list now: Shetland Sheepdog Japanese Spitz Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Schnauzer On my maybe list, (because of apparent hair shedding as opposed to grooming) Tibetan Spaniel Bichon Frise So I guess what I have discovered through this process is that we are after a small/medium dog that is hairy! A Sheltie was just walked past my house as I pulled in earlier but they were too far past for me to say hello by the time I got out of my car. What a gorgeous little dog, so pleased that I am considering one. Any breeders that are recommended for the breeds on my list? Or for that matter breeders to avoid? There is a Collie and Sheltie show this weekend, if I pop down to have a look is it appropriate to say hello to breeders there (as long as I don't get in the way?) and chat about suitability or better to not bother them at a show? Thanks again for your help, you have all had some excellent ideas and even though some of the dogs suggested didn't make it onto my shortlist, I really enjoyed considering them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 If you're interested in a smaller breed have a look at Havanese. Brilliant with families, friendly, trainable and have a coat like a Maltese. Most pet people keep them in a puppy clip that doesn't require too much work. It's an all breeds show in Canberra this weekend so you should see most of the breeds on your list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMiffy Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 If you're interested in a smaller breed have a look at Havanese. Brilliant with families, friendly, trainable and have a coat like a Maltese. Most pet people keep them in a puppy clip that doesn't require too much work. It's an all breeds show in Canberra this weekend so you should see most of the breeds on your list. Actually, I had considered Havanese, but then the coat seemed troublesome. But I hadn't thought about clipping it; that makes a lot of sense. It seems there are two shows; Saturday is the Collie and Sheltie show at EPIC and I had forgotten about the all breeds show at Symonson. Who says nothing happens in Canberra? LOL Are you going to the shows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 (edited) If you're interested in a smaller breed have a look at Havanese. Brilliant with families, friendly, trainable and have a coat like a Maltese. Most pet people keep them in a puppy clip that doesn't require too much work. It's an all breeds show in Canberra this weekend so you should see most of the breeds on your list. Actually, I had considered Havanese, but then the coat seemed troublesome. But I hadn't thought about clipping it; that makes a lot of sense. It seems there are two shows; Saturday is the Collie and Sheltie show at EPIC and I had forgotten about the all breeds show at Symonson. Who says nothing happens in Canberra? LOL Are you going to the shows? A Havanese clipped coat is super easy to care for and there are a couple of good breeders in the area who I'm sure would be happy to talk to you about their dogs. The all breeds shows are Sat,Sun and Monday and are at Epic as well. I will be there on sunday and monday as a handler only with the Havs and a Samoyed puppy I bred, I didn't enter any of my dogs. Edited June 3, 2015 by Bjelkier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FHRP Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 It seems there are two shows; Saturday is the Collie and Sheltie show at EPIC and I had forgotten about the all breeds show at Symonson. Who says nothing happens in Canberra? LOL Are you going to the shows? There are agility trials at CDC in Symonston on Saturday & Sunday but as Bjelkier said, the All Breeds shows are on at Epic Sat, Sun & Mon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 (edited) Glad to see someone recommended a Cardigan Corgi ... can be a real gem as a family dog. We grew up with one who was all-round brilliant. More recently , we had 2 Shelties as pets. Their natures were like chalk & cheese. The boy was small, dainty, pretty, biddable & quiet. The girl was above the standard size which is why she she was sold as a pet. She was gorgeous (like Lassie), bigger, impulsive & had something to say about everything. We adored them both. But, honestly, I had to give a fair whack of time to coat maintenance. Since then we've had Tibetan Spaniels. Have always got them (as retired showdogs) from breeders who've socialized them well. So they were good with people. I haven't found their coats difficult to maintain. Our Australian-bred Tibbie (ex Aus Ch) doesn't have a very dense coat at all (almost like a border collie with a light coat). Our girl who originally came from Sweden, has a dense coat. Even tho' some people object to getting Tibbies clipped.... I get her clipped & she looks gorgeous. like a cross between a little lamb & a bear. (Brisbane heat & we're in a paralysis tick area). There's a solid, well-shaped body under the Tibbie coat. Our first Tibbie was selected to be a therapy dog at the Mater Children's Hospital. Well bred, well socialised Tibbies tend to be good with children. We've always looked for the breeders who do that with their puppies & dogs. Mothers often post photos of their children with their Tibbies on our international Tibbie page: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152808355587187&set=gm.994130597272088&type=1&theater Best wishes searching for the breed that fits your family. I'd back all the suggestions you've been given in this thread. Edited June 3, 2015 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaznHotAussies Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I would like to suggest Australian Shepherd as they would suit having one walk a day (would depend on the lines of the dog but I've owned an Aussie who was perfectly happy lounging about all day!), easy to care for, very pretty, great with kids, don't tend to feel like escaping (and if they do they end up sitting at the front door wanting to be let back in), would be great in agility & obedience :) Awesome dogs :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMiffy Posted June 4, 2015 Author Share Posted June 4, 2015 It seems there are two shows; Saturday is the Collie and Sheltie show at EPIC and I had forgotten about the all breeds show at Symonson. Who says nothing happens in Canberra? LOL Are you going to the shows? There are agility trials at CDC in Symonston on Saturday & Sunday but as Bjelkier said, the All Breeds shows are on at Epic Sat, Sun & Mon. I can't find out any info for the All Breeds show, just the Collies and Shelties show and the Agility. Do you have the times that it starts? Or a link with info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESCS Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I noticed Tibetan spaniels are on your maybe list so I thought I'd share our experience with this sweet little breed. We have 2 tibbies. They are lovely family dogs who are great with kids. Our children were 4 and 6 when we found our first tibbie. They are devoted to the children. I think tibbies are pretty dogs although as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Ours don't drool at all. There is some shedding from one and very little from the other (she is the daughter of Mita's lovely Swedish girl and has a dense coat that doesn't seem to drop much hair). Grooming is easy with a couple of good brushes a week. They have a bath every 6 weeks or so. Their coat doesn't seem to retain much dirt. Ours get wet and muddy sometimes from walks but once dry, their coat is clean again with a couple of shakes! I wouldn't let mine off the leash in an unfenced area as they aren't a breed known to come back to you just because you want them to! They are quite an independent breed. Something to keep in mind if you are looking for a dog that can be reliable off leash. Exercise wise, ours are happy with a 20 minute walk a few times a week. The rest of the time, they are happy to entertain themselves in the garden if they can be bothered to go outside! Like many other breeds, they are happiest just hanging out with their family at home. Tibbies aren't known to have a high prey drive although the odd one can be a bit of a hunter (one of mine is and the other one would not harm anything). I haven't got cats but I have heard they live quite peacefully with cats. As for agility, they probably wouldn't be the first breed to come to mind but I've seen pictures of tibbies doing a great job on an agility course. One DOL member has a great little tibbie that does lure coursing, I think, and is a champ at it! All the best with finding the right match for your family. I really like the other breeds mentioned as well especially cavaliers. Our neighbour has one and he has a fantastic temperament and cute as a button! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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