Which breed is best? (newbie dog-owner)

[Twells]

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I am a first-time potential dog owner, recently moved into accommodation which has a small yard (it is a Victorian house conversion apartment with access to a garden.)

I need advice on which breeds would be best suited to a person living in a flat of this kind. I have researched several breeds; I am quite fond of greyhounds but cannot find any breeders which sell greyhound puppies as pets. My only steadfast rule is that the dog is a young puppy when sold to me (I know older dogs can be easier to cope with, but I want the dog to grow up with me, and I would like to be responsible for his or her training.)

I am also fond of beagles, but I am aware they can be rather vocal.

I have a lot of free time to spend with the dog every day, so he or she will rarely be left alone.

 

[goldenbear2013]

Thinking about getting a puppy is very daunting but also ridiculously exciting! When I chose mine, the thought of bringing him home was too much to bare! I just kept going out and buying him stuff it was madness!

Now the breed. You need to think about your lifestyle first of all. Are you looking for a couch potato dog that is lazy and doesn't need much stimulation? or an active dog which you can take out for hours a day and go hiking with etc? Or maybe something in between?

If you have access to a garden then you should be ok with any breed to a certain extent, it really does depend on you. large breeds fit well into apartments (that sounds strange doesn't it!) as they lie around all day and don't really do much! For example a bull mastiiff, or bull dog- quite happy to curl up, snooze and drool pretty much all day!

Smaller breeds like cavalier king Charles spaniels are good for apartments. They are spritely little monsters when they are puppies but they don't need much exercise. My friend has one and she is in an apartment and Molly is 14 weeks old and she is doing great, so there's a thought to bare in mind.

bichon frises and French bull dogs are another. They are very active dogs when they are out, but also when they are at home, like to snuggle up on the sofa for a good snooze!

See what others say on here, but if you are still not sure then if you don't live too far away go to crufts! They have an A-Z of dog breeds, that you can see and stroke and also talk to the breeders about them. they will be very honest with you and tell you what they would be like with your lifestyle. if they don't think the breed is suitable for you they will tell you.

I did this with my dog, and that's how we came to the conclusion of having a Labrador. Not because they are adorable and cute (though it does help!) but because he fits in with our lifestyle.

You need to know that whatever breed you get you are going to be able to meet the needs of that breed.

Good luck with your decision

Sophie x

 

[gypsysmum]

The Kennel Club website has a search facility to help you choose a breed. They run a Discover Dogs section at Crufts where you can meet all the various breeds and talk to breeders about their breed. Do be aware that breeders all think that their breed is wonderful!

Why not consider registering at rescue centres and going regularly to see if any litters have been handed in? It happens more often than you would think. Rescue centres like people who go regularly and take their time over choosing the right dog for them. They will be better disposed to admitting they have puppies coming in if you are a regular visitor. Better still why not volunteer and be in the right place at the right time when that adorable puppy comes up for rehoming.

 

[Twells]

This is a continuation of my last question, hope I am not being a bore!

I keep looking at breeds that seem suitable, and they turn out to be either unsuitable for apartment life or crippled by health defects.

I adore Pugs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but they seem so inherently riddled with health problems that I would hate to own one.

I also love English Springers. I have heard conflicting information about their suitability for apartment life, although as I have already stated, I will have a lot of time to spend exercising my dog.

I do not want to get a mutt as I really want a puppy, and I need to know what my pup will grow up to be.

Thanks for the advice already given, I have taken it on board but, of course, the more advice the better!

 

[Biker John]

Assuming you have access to a garden then either a Whippet or a Greyhound would be suitable. both tend to be healthy easy to live with dogs that as long as they get a good free run are quite happy lounging around somewhere comfortable and are very loving dogs. Greys are harder to get apart from older ex racers. Their are show breeders and if you look around you should be able to find one, Whippets are a bit easier to find but fortunately they don't tend to attract the puppy farmers so you need to look round for a breeder.

 

[Raven oaktree]

Why dont you visit your local rescue shelter, tell them what you want from a dog, size, activity level, personality etc and let hem match you with a suitable puppy ?

 

[goldenbear2013]

I understand your concern, but most dogs have some sort of health issue one way or the other.

Cross breeds do have fewer health issues but there is still no guarantee.

Most breeders that are worth their salt will give you hip and eye scores and also the family tree history along with any health issues past generations have had so you can ease your mind a little bit more as to how likely it is that your pup will have a good healthy life.

Another major factor to do with the dogs health is neutering at the right time, and how healthy they are throughout life! Just like a human!

A lot of breeds are prone to cancer so neutering your dog is key as keeping them intact higher the percentage rate of how likely they are to get tumors later on in life. Again this is no guarantee.

Plenty of exercise and stimulation and the right diet and you should have a happy healthy dog for many years to come.

to put your mind at ease even further you need to make sure you have pet insurance set up starting from the day you get your pup. That way if anything does crop up and your pup needs on going treatment he/she will be covered and you haven't got to worry about the cost.

if you wait and insure your pup later on in life after anything has cropped up health wise you will not be covered and the cost of treatment can be crippling.

Pet Plan are brilliant. Mine is insured with them. I have had to claim 3 times (my dog went through a phase as a pup of eating things off the ground outside that poison him! Mushrooms was one of them!!) and they pay out with 3 days of receiving the forms. They are brilliant. if it is costly they claim directly from the vet so you don't even need to front the cost just the excess.

Hopefully I haven't confused you even more!

You will make the right decision when the time comes.

Sophie x

 

[Dogica]

Hey, buddy!

Definitaly shar - pei breed suits your needs.

He is not that big, like greyhounds.. he eats & shits much less

This doggy has no any odour, his woll does not fall off, he almost silent - no unnesessary barks (but he surely can protect yourself and your hous in the case of need, because this breed was made for this by an ancient chinese people)

Besides all this, the dog is pretty and unusual

He has very nice intelligent character and being in good mood all the time, he attracts yourself and people on the streets.. he's plush

About the training, my dog knows more tricks and obeys much more commands then many known to me "wiser" dog breeds like Collie, Pudel and etc.

I think its a question of correct trainer and right training begin time. Shar Pei is not dumb dog, although many might think like this..

Just one thing against this breed - he can maintain children, but he does not love them.. if they bother him too much - he just leaves

All is about MALE shar-pei only. Female ones very-very-very different. Personally, dislike female shar peis and love males!

And ONLY brush woll type, not horse.

Best wishes!