suggestions

I have finally persuaded hubby to let me have a dog. I would love a golden retriever but the compromise is that the dog has to be cat sized if that makes sense. I don't want a Jack Russell so does anyone have any favourite breeds? I can walk it up to an hour a day, I am mostly at home all day but when I do work my in-laws will be around. We have a large garden and are surrounded by fields. It will also need to get on with other animals. I'm thinking of a spanial of some type but I would like some honest experiences before making my mind up.

 

Honest opinion Celia. King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.
Gorgeous little dogs. If we hadn't got our idiot Staffie we would definitely have got a Charlie. Friendly. loving and a great sense of fun.

 

Something easy to train, something crazy, something high maintenence?

I dont think you can beat a good old mongrel, but I do realise that can be a problem when trying to guess its eventual size.
A cross would be easier, to decide on its eventual size.
Pedigrees have far too many health problems for my likings, the higher the breeding the poorer the health,I reckon.
But maybe thats just because, if you buy an expensive dog, the vets see you coming. :D

 

If I have another dog I'll be looking at these boys..
http://www.gotpetsonline.com/norfolk-terrier/norfolk-terrier.html
Heard they don't have a nasty bone in 'em.

 

Springer spaniel or king charles

 

Cocker Spaniel.
Cavalier King Charles.
Springer Spaniels same as my Charlie & Jake.

Cockers are pretty active types,Springers have boundless energy ,the King Charles bit more of a house dog i'd say.

Guess i'm a bit biased being a mad Springer person but they are brim full of character & never boring to me.

 

I love your dogs Gogs. I would prefer a mongrel but I don't fancy going down the RSPCA route for several reasons. They were so pernickity about the rabbit we rescued from them and they have a rule down here that they won't rehome dogs with other animals, so its the local paper for us. My dream dog would be a golden retreiver but the King Charles looks gorgeous and may be more suitable for our needs. Our old next door neighbour had 2 and they successfully ignored the 2 cats they lived with. The dogs were very obese though, exercise wasn't on the agenda.

 

Celia, doesn't have to be RSPCA. What about local rescue centres, what about the PDSA(Dogs Trust i think it's called now). Don't know if the Blue Cross still exists. There's bound to be loads of places especially if you have the internet. Seems a bit strange that your local RSPCA have such a hard & fast rule about rehoming. is this a new thing they have now?

if you want a particular type of dog there are places you can 'adopt' from too. We did this for my mum many years ago with a Shiz Tsu, it didn't work out & the dog went back to the 'home', which means the dogs aren't too stressed.

Joyce was a rescue dog. had no background on her at all.Her age was guessed at between 6 months to a year, but she was house trained & jumped into car with no problem so don't know what her story was.

I went looking for a lap dog. not a 'lap' dog, carrying around sort, just one small enough to go on my lap. Saw Joyce (she wasn't called that then of course, they didn't know her name) & while i still wanted a smaller dog her face said it all. there were 2 girls looking at dogs at the same time & they were all 'oh look at her lovely face, who can resist that'. they did! anyway, she must have been irristible to my hubby (you wouldn't believe it if you saw my hubby), but we went back to her & she jumped all over the wire to see us - as she did everyone. so 11 years later she is still with us & i wouldn't have it any other way. she is spoilt to bits but that's our fault. she is still as friendly (although getting on abit she doesn't like playing with younger dogs so much now) and as happy as ever. she has a fantastic temperament. Funny thing, she doesn't jump on my lap - she's too big & heavy & somehow knows it. She jumps on my husbands lap, no prob, causing him some pain in sensitive areas!! She always plays much more gently with me.

Anyway, what i'm trying to say is - don't rule anything out. Our house & car are covered with dog hairs, we can't go abroad anymore, every move is regulated by Joyce. Our fault again. We wouldn't have it any other way. I would kill for her. Sounds serious but i would. She's lovely.

So, don't rush & think twice about getting your future companion from the paper. there are loads of dogs out there that need help. You sound like you can give it lots of time (between you & in-laws) & that's mainly what animals need, i think, no matter what type of animal.

Good luck with your search. Let us know how you get on.

 

I'd like to comment, but there again I'm too biased
If you really want a Lab, many Lab bitches are quite small, take your time and have a good look around. If you think you would like a pedigree dog, most of the breeds have their own rescue helplines. PM me if you require any assistance along those lines. I agree with previoius comments that crosses do tend to be healthier with less problems. If you search on the WWW you will find lots of info describing the characteristics of many dog types, also their day to day needs, that should be of assistance when deciding. Remember when people say 'their' dog is the best, the one you choose has to live with YOU, so take your time on deciding.

 

Wiseoldowl :D :D :D

Here are my sister's 2 cavaliers when puppies- I think they're the prettiest of all puppies, and good natured and clever when older. They will tolerate any amount of exercise and although they are very cuddly they aren't namby-pamby by any means! Sadly they aren't as long lived as many breeds, they suffer from heart problems in later life.
Paladin's Norfolk terriers are lovely little dogs, I love their whiskery faces!
I agree with pete that mongrels are generally healthier, and there are some lovely 'accidents' around. Probably cheaper too.
Can't wait to see what you choose! All dogs are lovely- given the right owner...