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Starter mid size dog

  • 17-08-2024 10:00AM
    #1
    Milly mops
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭


    Hello,

    Any recommendations for a mid sized dog. It will be our first dog,we have a cat. I've help from my husband and 2 sons age 12 and 9. We are in an estate with large enclosed garden. Any recommendations? Preferably not too barky.

    My hubby would like a bigger dog like a golden retriever, I'd prefer something mid sized. As I'll be cleaning up! 😀



Comments

  • #2
    delboythedub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 410 ✭✭delboythedub


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364803/starter-mid-size-dog

    Pay a visit to a local animal rescue center and there you will find your new fur baby and give it its forever home



  • #3
    pauly58
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 306 ✭✭pauly58


    If it's your first dog be very wary of so called rescues, a lot of dogs are there for a good reason, not all obviously. Start wit a puppy, you will bring it up & it's a clean slate. Over the last forty years we've found a common bred Springer Spaniel makes a lovely dog.

    An awful lot of breeds have serious health problems, I'd love a Dobermann but too risky, Labs need hips, elbows & eyes tested. Just do your research first.



  • #4
    Buddy Bubs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,418 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364803/starter-mid-size-dog

    It's hard to beat a golden retriever to be honest, or a labrador. Goldens are maybe a bit more chilled out and quieter but both great dogs. Prone to hip and elbow problems like every larger breed but I've had 3 labs from same breeder and no problems.

    Possibly a bit bigger than you'd like but look up YouTube videos about best family dogs they are either top or in top 2 or 3 of every single list.

    Don't get a collie, I love them they're so clever but energy levels and exercise requirements are higher than any other breed.

    A well bred springer is a good choice but they can be absolute lunatics as well. High energy.

    Don't get a short faced dog like pug or french bulldog, health concerns with them are ridiculous they should be bred out of existence, they look more like aliens than dogs it's not fair on them. They're basically mutants.



  • #5
    the beer revolu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,746 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122513124#Comment_122513124

    "Don't get a rescue! Do get a springer pup!" That's pretty bizarre advice for someone getting their first dog!

    You don't know what you'd get from a shelter so get an extremely high energy puppy! Really??



  • #6
    Dial Hard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,646 ✭✭✭✭Dial Hard


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122518722#Comment_122518722

    This.

    Go to a reputable shelter and you'll be properly assessed and matched with a dog that suits your needs and lifestyle. It might take a couple of weeks as the rescue will want to introduce you to the dog slowly and make sure everyone - including the dog - is happy.

    The reason rescues are so full of dogs is because of idiots rushing out and getting a dog that doesn't suit their lifestyle. Not because they're inherently problematic dogs.



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  • #7
    pauly58
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 306 ✭✭pauly58


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122518722#Comment_122518722

    If you read my post again you will see I suggested a common bred springer , not a working or field trial strain. In nearly 40 years of springers & being a professional dog trainer for 20 years, there is a world of difference between the two. The one we have at the moment is nowhere near extreme high energy. So many people comment about these things when they have no real knowledge or experience.



  • #8
    hamburgham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,140 ✭✭✭hamburgham


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122513124#Comment_122513124

    Most dogs are in rescues because they drew the short straw in life. Neglected to various degrees or unwanted once they were no longer cute pups. Desperately hoping a kind person will give them a home.

    Many of the shelters and rescue groups can let you foster a dog without making a long term commitment to see how you get on. Worth considering.



  • #9
    hamburgham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,140 ✭✭✭hamburgham


    Also, a pup is serious work so another reason to consider an adult dog who is bound to be calmer.



  • #10
    SuperBowserWorld
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,530 ✭✭✭SuperBowserWorld


    Some people I know got a lurcher from a shelter. One of the friendliest, well behaved, easiest to walk dog you can imagine. Also, an amazing rat and mouse killer. Just saying. Maybe collie size.



  • #11
    micar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭micar


    labrabor or spaniel type



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  • #12
    Terrier2023
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭Terrier2023


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364803/starter-mid-size-dog

    the easiest dog in the world is a greyhound a lurcher or a whippet elegant, lazy sleep a lot love their walk lots of them in rescue and not because they are bad because they get rough treatment if they dont win its death or rescue if they are lucky ! I own all 3 and a dachshund, the dachshund is the lunatic ! The siighthounds are dotes and just a pleasure to own . I have also owned the following dogs:

    bernese mountain dog

    springer spaniel

    jack russells

    dachshunds

    labrador

    foxhound



  • #13
    jasonb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,406 ✭✭✭jasonb


    If you go with a shelter, ask them to do a cat test, and make sure you are able to keep the dog and cat separate at home until they are used to each other (which could take weeks). We recently got a dog from a shelter and had to return it, as she could not relax with the cats and kept wanting to chase them, no matter how slowly we introduced them, and got them used to each others' scent etc. It broke my heart to give her back, but it was never going to work, it was too stressful for the dog, for the cats, and for us!



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