PuppyLove01 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Hi we are looking at getting a puppy or older pup to join our family. My children are 18mths and 6 years old. We have a medium sized yard and want an indoor dog. Im not to fussed on coat type. I have been thinking a rough collie, cocker spaniel or a cavalier. Any one have these breeds that can tell me about them. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Collies are family oriented, usually good with other animals and young kids, only need moderate exercise (daily walk, but won't go nuts if you can't go), weekly brushing. They are generally laid back inside, like to be with the family and be included. They are easy to train but dislike repetition. Drawbacks - Badly bred collies can be a bit timid or neurotic, so get a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I'd consider those three breeds quite different in temperament and exercise needs. What attracts you to each breed and what are you looking for generally in a dog? * are you willing to take the dog to formal obedience training for at least a year? * how much exercise will you provide an adult dog? ** how much time are you willing to spend grooming a dog each week? * are you willing to pay for periodic professional grooming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuppyLove01 Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thanks I have done some reading on all the breeds ive mentioned and they all have what im looking for. I just wanted to hear from people who own them and there experiences with them. Poodlefan my main concern is a dog that will be good around children and not bositerous. Im quite happy to give daily walks and brush everyday and if its a cocker to get professional trims. Im happy to go to puppy school and training though it will be my first time doing either of those things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thanks I have done some reading on all the breeds ive mentioned and they all have what im looking for. I just wanted to hear from people who own them and there experiences with them. Poodlefan my main concern is a dog that will be good around children and not bositerous. Im quite happy to give daily walks and brush everyday and if its a cocker to get professional trims. Im happy to go to puppy school and training though it will be my first time doing either of those things! "Good around children" will be a matter of socialisation and training. Many pups are boistrious, even if they do grow into level headed dogs and it can be a bit challenging keeping them under control but separation and management are the keys. I'd suggest you get out to a show in your area and meet all three breeds. Personally I think they have quite different 'vibes'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 My opinion on the 3 breeds: Collie Rough- herding breed, so need quite a lot of mental stimulation. It would also be beneficial for them to be exercised regularly, though they are not as high energy as a border collie or kelpie. I would think they would need to be brushed everyday which requires some dedication. A large breed may accidently knock over a child, so you must be prepared to accept this. Cocker Spaniel Gundogs who require a fair amount of exercise. They are happy little dogs in general, unfortunately I only know badly behaved ones that have been lacking in training. I am sure a well trained one would be lovely though. In my area, there aren't many pure cockers, as the spoodles have taken over in popularity Cavaliers Very sweet dogs, but I've heard that many breeders won't sell to families with young kids. They don't require as much exercise as the other two breeds and I've never met an aggressive one yet. They always seem to be happy and very friendly. If you are not particularly fussed about looks or temperament, perhaps you may consider an older puppy from a rescue group? There are quite a number of breed specific rescue groups also. They will me able to match the dog to your needs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuppyLove01 Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thanks everyone, its a hard decision to make with so many breeds out there! Aussielover i will look into the rescues i didnt mind getting an older dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vernie Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 i have an 18 month old and we are about to get a lab puppy in 3 more sleeps!! happy days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuppyLove01 Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Vernie how exciting for u, do you have other dogs, how does he get along with them if you do? I cant wait to get ours once ive decided that is lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 i have an 18 month old and we are about to get a lab puppy in 3 more sleeps!! happy days! OMG how exciting!!!! Please post lots of pics when you get puppy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyflower Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have a cavalier and can only sing praise for my little man. If you want a dog that is a constant shadow and is just a complete sweetheart then I'd say get a cavy.. The only down thing I will say about getting a Cavalier is, they are VERY prone to health issues. Make sure you research your breeder EXTREMELY well.. Oscar has only just turned two and he has respiratory problems!! He is full of beans and loves a good run around and he gets so exciting when we come home or he see's someone he knows but when he does these things and gets too excited he has gagging fits and can't breathe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyflower Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 My opinion on the 3 breeds:Collie Rough- herding breed, so need quite a lot of mental stimulation. It would also be beneficial for them to be exercised regularly, though they are not as high energy as a border collie or kelpie. I would think they would need to be brushed everyday which requires some dedication. A large breed may accidently knock over a child, so you must be prepared to accept this. Cocker Spaniel Gundogs who require a fair amount of exercise. They are happy little dogs in general, unfortunately I only know badly behaved ones that have been lacking in training. I am sure a well trained one would be lovely though. In my area, there aren't many pure cockers, as the spoodles have taken over in popularity Cavaliers Very sweet dogs, but I've heard that many breeders won't sell to families with young kids. They don't require as much exercise as the other two breeds and I've never met an aggressive one yet. They always seem to be happy and very friendly. If you are not particularly fussed about looks or temperament, perhaps you may consider an older puppy from a rescue group? There are quite a number of breed specific rescue groups also. They will me able to match the dog to your needs Sorry to say but that is complete rubbish!!! cavaliers are PERFECT family pets and I have never heard of a breeder that wont sell their pups to families.. Don't turn someone off a beautiful dog that is made for families because you heard a couple of whispers! I have 7 nieces and nephews and when Oscar was 6 months old and my niece was 18 months old, they sat there and ate lunch together.. He was patient and careful of her.. Still to this day my dog see's a child and ADORES them.. The tail starts wagging and the excitement wriggles thru him.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyflower Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 With all those breeds you have noted I have had personal encounters with.. Granted ALL dogs MUST be trained and without training and discipline they can cause problems. I remember growing up and at the end of my street there was a Collie Rough that although his name wasn't lassie thats what we called him.. Back in the day when dogs still roamed. He was the most amazing dog and just had so much wisdom about him. Everyone in the street loved him. He used to help us kids cross the road from getting off the school bus.. Beautiful dogs and sure they need exercise but in my experience they will veg out if you want to veg out.. Cocker Spaniels - Beautiful dogs and yes they do have some energy on them but most dogs do.. My pop had these growing up and had a few himself when he was older and he always said they were the most beautiful gentle dogs he had ever owned.. However he did breed and show Cardigan Corgi's for 20 odd years. I think he didn't show the cockers because his last one was stolen out of his car and that broke his heart. and Cavaliers. Well I have one and would tell anyone to get one, providing they got from a great breeder. (all these breeds need to be brushed and groomed.. But really, it's not that much of an effort) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vernie Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Vernie how exciting for u, do you have other dogs, how does he get along with them if you do? I cant wait to get ours once ive decided that is lol We had a beautiful lab but he past away very suddenly about a month ago We have named our new little boy 'Bowie' Can't wait to get him!!!!! I think it will help us all with the loss of Bailey Dog. Hehe, and yep, I shall def post pics!!! Happy days! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 My opinion on the 3 breeds:Collie Rough- herding breed, so need quite a lot of mental stimulation. It would also be beneficial for them to be exercised regularly, though they are not as high energy as a border collie or kelpie. I would think they would need to be brushed everyday which requires some dedication. A large breed may accidently knock over a child, so you must be prepared to accept this. Once a week brushing would be fine for most pets. They don't all have huge coats, esp the girls. They are also notoriously gentle, even the young idiotic ones like mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuppyLove01 Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Tess32 they sound like a lovely breed. My OH likes them as well so we are leading towards them. Im going to go and meet a lady at one of local shows on sunday so will see what i think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genabee Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 (edited) We have a Cavvie, and decided to go with the breed as they were recommended to us by a few sources as being one of the best breeds to have around babies, which was a BIG priority for us. The fabulous breeder we bought her from was very helpful in regards to this and had her grandchildren around all the time when the pups were very little (I read this a lot in the various advertisements for the breed too), so I would be surprised if you had a hard time finding a breeder who wouldn't sell you one, just because you have small children! Like any pup, she can be excited, but so far she has been pretty good around kids and other people. Obviously we don't leave her with a little person unsupervised, but often she gets over the excitement and goes and puts herself in her crate! We tend to find little people are more curious of her, than she is them. I imagine though that your children would get over the excitement of having her there pretty quickly, as she would be there all the time! She does like attention though. Her favourite thing to do is snuggle on the couch with us!! She loves going for walks when she can, but if we miss a day, its not the end of the world either. She is the perfect size for a dog that lives inside. They also don't need massive yards, happy enough in a small court yard if that is all you have. So far we haven't had too much of an issue with her coat, she gets a brush once or twice a week, a bath every few weeks - she is also pretty easy to bath, scoop her up into the trough! She has been easy enough to train and will do anything for food, which long term is a bonus. That being said, we find she is intelligent so we keep trying to teach her new tricks to keep her mind active. We haven't had any issues with leaving her at home when we go to work either. I love the breed and would highly recommend it to a family with children. To me they seem like the all round perfect family pet. Edited July 22, 2010 by Wizzle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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