ARmy Rumour SErvice

**viceroy** · 13-08-2012, 08:48

We are considering a dog. My children (aged 4-6), have been on my case for a while and we are looking at options. We basically have decided for convenience reasons that it can't be a full size dog though I like black coat retrievers. I thought I'd tap into the vast knowledge that is Arrse and ask for some suggestions. We have looked at a Jack Russel kind of dog, but upon looking a bit deeper found that they might just be a bit too active for our lifestyle. The kids are too young to go out by themselves for a walk now and they are known to wreck havoc if not exercised very regularly and challenged mentally (though that applies to the kids as well).

However, the size would be right, the character seems mostly alright as well and I have made a list of priorites I can think of (non-exhaustive). Keep it mainstream please, nothing exotic I have to take to the vet every month:

- Child friendly (should not attack children, follow orders from more than one person, easy to train and maintain).
- Does not need to be exercised too much (it can run freely on our fenced property, plus maybe two walks a day of 30' each)
- Has to be happy to be cuddled, dressed, styled (I have girls you know).
- Happy to be potty trained
- I don't need a guard dog but it would be good if they would signal if someone were to enter the house
- short hair (easy to clean), not a smelly dog
- a breed known to have few physical problems as a result of breeding
- Size of Jack Russel or thereabouts (the lovely Brittany Hunting Dog e.g. is too big)
- It should look presentable (read: cute beyond the baby stage) and not slobber all over the place (no bulldogs or boxers)

Thank you for your kind inputs, suggestions etc. As you can see I am a novice at this, not had a dog since I was a kid, so I am preparing for the onslaught! Given the above list, unfortunately strays, rescues etc cannot be considered at this point.

**ugly** · 13-08-2012, 09:01

Get a rescue dog!

**jarrod248** · 13-08-2012, 09:02

Originally Posted by ugly

Get a rescue dog!

Like Lassie?

**Bonny_Blue_Balls** · 13-08-2012, 09:07

Well a rescue dog that is also an actual rescue dog perhaps?
Always plenty of decent pups looking for a good home at yon local pound.

**PeacePhlapps** · 13-08-2012, 09:50

Originally Posted by viceroy

We are considering a dog. My children (aged 4-6), have been on my case for a while and we are looking at options. We basically have decided for convenience reasons that it can't be a full size dog though I like black coat retrievers. I thought I'd tap into the vast knowledge that is Arrse and ask for some suggestions. We have looked at a Jack Russel kind of dog, but upon looking a bit deeper found that they might just be a bit too active for our lifestyle. The kids are too young to go out by themselves for a walk now and they are known to wreck havoc if not exercised very regularly and challenged mentally (though that applies to the kids as well).

However, the size would be right, the character seems mostly alright as well and I have made a list of priorites I can think of (non-exhaustive). Keep it mainstream please, nothing exotic I have to take to the vet every month:

- Child friendly (should not attack children, follow orders from more than one person, easy to train and maintain).
- Does not need to be exercised too much (it can run freely on our fenced property, plus maybe two walks a day of 30' each)
- Has to be happy to be cuddled, dressed, styled (I have girls you know).
- Happy to be potty trained
- I don't need a guard dog but it would be good if they would signal if someone were to enter the house
- short hair (easy to clean), not a smelly dog
- a breed known to have few physical problems as a result of breeding
- Size of Jack Russel or thereabouts (the lovely Brittany Hunting Dog e.g. is too big)
- It should look presentable (read: cute beyond the baby stage) and not slobber all over the place (no bulldogs or boxers)

Thank you for your kind inputs, suggestions etc. As you can see I am a novice at this, not had a dog since I was a kid, so I am preparing for the onslaught! Given the above list, unfortunately strays, rescues etc cannot be considered at this point.

A Staffie would tick all of those boxes. There will be some rescues that have been too badly treated for a novice, but equally there are very many small pups who's only 'fault' is having been abandoned. Staffies in the right family and environment are the gentlest, friendliest, daftest, most protective and trainable dogs going, and they especially love kids.

**sundance** · 13-08-2012, 10:08

Originally Posted by viceroy

We are considering a dog. My children (aged 4-6), have been on my case for a while and we are looking at options. We basically have decided for convenience reasons that it can't be a full size dog though I like black coat retrievers. I thought I'd tap into the vast knowledge that is Arrse and ask for some suggestions. We have looked at a Jack Russel kind of dog, but upon looking a bit deeper found that they might just be a bit too active for our lifestyle. The kids are too young to go out by themselves for a walk now and they are known to wreck havoc if not exercised very regularly and challenged mentally (though that applies to the kids as well).

However, the size would be right, the character seems mostly alright as well and I have made a list of priorites I can think of (non-exhaustive). Keep it mainstream please, nothing exotic I have to take to the vet every month:

- Child friendly (should not attack children, follow orders from more than one person, easy to train and maintain).
- Does not need to be exercised too much (it can run freely on our fenced property, plus maybe two walks a day of 30' each)
- Has to be happy to be cuddled, dressed, styled (I have girls you know).
- Happy to be potty trained
- I don't need a guard dog but it would be good if they would signal if someone were to enter the house
- short hair (easy to clean), not a smelly dog
- a breed known to have few physical problems as a result of breeding
- Size of Jack Russel or thereabouts (the lovely Brittany Hunting Dog e.g. is too big)
- It should look presentable (read: cute beyond the baby stage) and not slobber all over the place (no bulldogs or boxers)

Thank you for your kind inputs, suggestions etc. As you can see I am a novice at this, not had a dog since I was a kid, so I am preparing for the onslaught! Given the above list, unfortunately strays, rescues etc cannot be considered at this point.

It sounds like you want one of those robotic dogs. No dogs perfect, they all have their little quirks, own personalities, even within a breed/litter and they're all smelly after a good run out. Most of what you're asking for comes as a result of training rather than breed.

Any terrier type dog will be a handful at times, in fact most dogs will be. While I'd echo other posters that if you just want any dog go for a rescue a couple of other options for you to consider might be a whippet or a miniature schnauzer (close clipped)

**CountryGal** · 13-08-2012, 10:11

A cocker spaniel would suit as a breed too

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**viceroy** · 13-08-2012, 10:14

Staffies: I like them, wife not so much. I know they tick all of the boxes but they did get a lot of bad press and I need to know that the kids are safe with one of those, no matter what. Staffies are incredibly powerful dogs and a snap (playful or otherwise) is enough to leave lasting damage. I am aware of the 'above average against other dogs and below average against human' aggression levels, but that is not enough, besides, we have at least one other dog in the neighourhood.

The other two so far on my shortlist:

- Brittany Spaniel Brittany (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Beagle

I appreciate the feedback on rescues etc. However, this is a dog that essentially will be handled by people with no prior experience with dogs and they will learn as they grow up. I am the one with the most experience but I am not there most of the time. It is hence vital that one does ones homework. No robotic dog but something that fits the bill reasonably well, is above all safe in environment. The rest is conditioning, training and a bit of luck, I realise that and I am willing to make the effort. It was difficult to get to the wife to this point, now that she is in general agreement I don't want to mess up. Keep the feedback coming, it is appreciated!

**jumpinjarhead** · 13-08-2012, 10:19

Originally Posted by viceroy

We are considering a dog. My children (aged 4-6), have been on my case for a while and we are looking at options. We basically have decided for convenience reasons that it can't be a full size dog though I like black coat retrievers. I thought I'd tap into the vast knowledge that is Arrse and ask for some suggestions. We have looked at a Jack Russel kind of dog, but upon looking a bit deeper found that they might just be a bit too active for our lifestyle. The kids are too young to go out by themselves for a walk now and they are known to wreck havoc if not exercised very regularly and challenged mentally (though that applies to the kids as well).

However, the size would be right, the character seems mostly alright as well and I have made a list of priorites I can think of (non-exhaustive). Keep it mainstream please, nothing exotic I have to take to the vet every month:

- Child friendly (should not attack children, follow orders from more than one person, easy to train and maintain).
- Does not need to be exercised too much (it can run freely on our fenced property, plus maybe two walks a day of 30' each)
- Has to be happy to be cuddled, dressed, styled (I have girls you know).
- Happy to be potty trained
- I don't need a guard dog but it would be good if they would signal if someone were to enter the house
- short hair (easy to clean), not a smelly dog
- a breed known to have few physical problems as a result of breeding
- Size of Jack Russel or thereabouts (the lovely Brittany Hunting Dog e.g. is too big)
- It should look presentable (read: cute beyond the baby stage) and not slobber all over the place (no bulldogs or boxers)

Thank you for your kind inputs, suggestions etc. As you can see I am a novice at this, not had a dog since I was a kid, so I am preparing for the onslaught! Given the above list, unfortunately strays, rescues etc cannot be considered at this point.

Having 2 JRs in our 10 dog pet pack, I agree you should carefully consider before getting one. While it is unfair to overgeneralize about a breed (such as ignorant people do when they speak of "dangerous" breeds--instead there really are "dangerous" humans who through intent or neglect, make a dog aggressive or fearful), JRs are rather "hyper " and they usually instigate things with the other dogs.

Regardless of breed (and after having a "purebred" Brittany Spaniel (talk about hyper!), I would PLEAD with you to consider a dog from a shelter not a breeder and one that is "mixed" as we have found them to make the very best pets (less "inbreeding").

**jarrod248** · 13-08-2012, 10:24

Two 30 minute walks a day, can you hold your bladder that long? I think you'll need to plan for four or five walks a day, it's a dog not a sloth. Cuddling and dressing up dogs can be problematic and result in kids being bitten, I don't trust and dogs with children and I don't trust children with dogs. All dogs smell to some degree, most dogs will shed hair.