How Do You Advise Someone On The Dog Breed(S) To Choose?

[wilfred]

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A much-loved friend has asked my advice over the last few years, about dog-ownership in general and more specifically, was there any breed I would recommend if she ever decided to take the plunge?

I've recommended retired greyhounds and Whippets, given that she's never owned a dog before, has no idea what to expect and just by knowing her lifestyle I thought these 2 breeds could be amongst the best for her and her husband, and their circumstances (they're both retired, but in their late 50s and quite active). I also talked to her about rehoming maybe a slightly older dog (say, from the Cinnamon Trust or similar) where she wouldn't have the puppy training etc to deal with. Bearing in mind this lady hasn't even had children of her own, I think she'd be in for a huge shock to the system.

She'd wondered about a terrier, a couple of years ago but decided this would be way too lively for her (and I didn't disagree!).

At the start of this week, she emailed me to say (excitedly) that they've put a deposit down on a working cocker spaniel puppy, from a lovely farmer, etc etc and that she'll probably be contacting me, pulling out her hair and wanting advice on puppy ownership!!!!!!

I haven't replied yet because I just don't know what to say. I know everyone makes their own decisions etc but I feel like this is a carcrash waiting to happen. I don't want to pour water on their bonfire but I just cannot work out what made her decide on such a lively and IMO demanding breed of dog. I still think a Whippet or retired Greyhound would be better-suited to her.

What do you do?

 

[TTT]

Advise her to take it to a good dog training club for help with training and socialisation (as soon as it has had its vaccinations, NOT when it is a year old and has developed into a total wingding!)

 

[wilfred]

Good point, TTT, and thank you :- )

I'd made the assumption (since she's heard me discussing training etc over the years, and knows how highly I rank the importance of ongoing training) that she'd have automatically included that in her considerations but will make that point also.

 

[Chaumsong]

Yikes, it does sound like a recipe for disaster doesn't it. I personally don't think working cockers make good pets for any but the most active homes. Your whippet/grey suggestion would probably have suited them much better but of course people have to choose a dog they like and cockers, especially pups, have the cuteness appeal that hounds only really show to their owners.

I would encourage them not only to go to a normal puppy training class but to consider doing something else with the dog too to keep it's mind active - something like agility. Dogs have to be a year old to start training properly but most agility clubs will have puppy classes where the dogs just learn to run through jump wings, do contacts etc without actually jumping.

 

[lurcherman]

so many things must be thought of, how many children in house, how old e.c.t, and peoples allergys and how much time the family have and whos going to look after the mutt, saying all that its not rocket science, dog need love, walks, a good feed and space to rest if needed.

 

[Macha]

if your friends can do some scent training and tracking that is supposed to have a calming effect and of course spaniels would be very good at scent work.

 

[eingana]

How are things going Wilfred? I have to say that a working cocker would not have been my first suggestion for an easy first dog, but then people have the responsibility for their own choices, don't they? My choice of breed isn't easy or right for everybody either.

 

[thedogscakebakery]

Hi, Im new and a fairly long in the tooth dog trainer, so if you dont mind me jumping in.

She has put the deposit down you say? So unlikely to get it back if she changes her mind now.

As a working cocker for 1st time dog owners (what was the breeder thinking?)

Have you thought about googling a working Cockers traites and showing her?, I train quite a few for behavioural problems, they can be obsessive and very very active (I wish I had half their energy.)

We are all guilty of seeing the cute puppy or dog and falling in love, my worry is that this poor little mite will be too much for them to handle and end up in a rehoming centre.

However, it depends on their characters, if they are active as you say and determined people, a good canine psychologist will be able to help them sort out any problems.

As some of the others have suggested classes and training is a great idea, LOADS of socialisation with other dogs.

If she can pick the puppy, try and advise her not to go for the over boistrous confident litter mate (as this will be the leader, the one they really should avoid unless experienced dog owners) The shyer quieter one (pref female) would be better for them. Bitches need less correction behaviour than males (in my experience)

 

[lurcherman]

working springers and cockers are what they are workers, me myself i wouldnt touch them lol but best of luck to those who do,

 

[banana]

I have a friend who bought a working cocker - to go beating with but also as a family pet and she is having real trouble training him.

He is very willful and full of more energy than I have seen in any dog......

 

[chelynnah]

Dogcakesbakery's last paragraph about puppy to puck is pretty much what I was going to say.

Wendy

 

[Strix]

It never ceases to amaze me how many people appear to start off on the right path looking for a pup, but for some obscure reason wind up with something that never entered the discussion before and just doesn't fit the criteria they agreed suits them!

I hope this pup turns out to be an absolute gem, and with dog savvy friends to hold their hands through the difficult bits, that they wind up with a lovely pet for many years to come

 

[quintessence]

At Crufts each year there is the opportunity to visit the Discover Dog section where people are able to see all the breeds and chat to experienced breeders and owners. The people manning the breed areas are there to discuss their particular breed and will give the pros and cons of owing said breed. I think it is a much better idea to wait a little while and spend a day at such an event talking to those who live with these breeds day in, day out.

People see whippets and imagine they are timid little creatures who don't eat much, and must be very easy to train because they trot along so nicely, when in reality a teenage whippet dog can be a little 'bugger'.

I remember a friend who ran training classes telling me that they were having trouble getting a whippet at one of her classes to do a basic sit and what a hard breed they were to train. I suggested the stone cold floor might have something to do with it, pop a piece of carpet down and start again, not something you would learn from a book but something an experienced whippet owner would know, albeit with a wry smile.