Can I please have some help with choosing a dog breed?

**groovy_iguana** · 08-30-2006, 01:41 AM

Hi I am fairly new to this website but I have already read many forums. I will (hopefully) be getting my first puppy in January of next year!! How exciting! I was dead set on this breed but many complications later, it probably won't work. BTW that breed was a cavalier x maltese.

Now I'm stuck on picking a breed! These are the requirements I need, they don't have to be STRICTLY followed but not too different. So if anyone out there could help that would be great

1) Friendly with cats
2) Friendly with strangers and children
3) Not too much grooming (about 2-3 times a week is max for me)
4) Not too much exercise (1-2 walks a day maybe a 30 minute off leash run if needed)
5) Not too big, around small-medium
6) Pretty easy to train
7) Not a good gaurd dog. Preferably a friendly dog that says hello to people at the door with a tail wag
So if anyone can help me out I'd really appreciate it! My "maybe choices" are:

*Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
*Brittany (though I'm iffy with the amount of exercise)
*English Springer Spaniel (also iffy about exercise)
*English Cocker Spaniel (don't know very much bout this breed)

Thanks for reading

Hope you can help

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 08-30-2006, 08:08 AM

Have you considered rehoming a retired greyhound?

**sanford8916** · 08-30-2006, 08:38 AM

IF you don't have time to do some serious excersice with a dog, I don't recommend a English Springer Spaniel. I have one, Lou Lou is very high energy and needs alot of excersice or she will be a pain in the butt! Lou Lou spends alot of time with our other dog running in the fenced in yard, we take her for atleast 2 30 minutes fast pace walks a day, a neighbor usually takes her once for a 15 minute walk everyday, we play fetch with her atleast 2 times a day and she still has plenty more energy! She also needs regular baths, ear cleaning and brushing. My guess is that a Brittany would be the same way, seeing how they are both sporting dogs! I don't know to much about the other breeds. I hope you find the dog that fits your needs, it's nice to hear someone taking the time to do the research on breeds before getting one and regreting it!

**zoomer** · 08-30-2006, 12:27 PM

If the excersize level is that low I don't suggest a Brittany, Springer, but maybe a Cocker.
English Cocker Spaniel:
Breed Group: Sporting
Weight: male: 28-34, female: 26-32 lbs
Height: male: 15-17, female: 14-16 inches
Color(s): solid black, liver or red or parti-color combinations of white with black, liver or red markings or ticking
Coat: Medium-length, silky and smooth. It should not be curly. The most common colors are liver roan (with or without tan markings), orange roan, blue roan, liver patches (with or without tan markings), black, black and tan, white with black, red, russet brown, or liver.
Overview: Like the American Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel is sensitive. Handled with tenderness and respect, he makes a willing learner. English Cockers are joyful, entertaining, and active friends to all people.
Character: The English Cocker Spaniel is intelligent, lively, gentle, affectionate, and easygoing.
Temperament: This dog gets along very well with other dogs, family pets, and children.
Care: Regular grooming with a brush and comb is required, as the coat is prone to tangles. Special attention should be paid to the hair on the legs and ears. It may be necessary to take the dog to a grooming professional two - four times a year to have excess hair trimmed or plucked. The ears should be cleaned regularly.
Training: This breed is naturally willing to learn and quickly understands what is expected of it. A great deal of understanding and consistency during training is necessary as it may try to take over your role.
Activity: Three walks a day are usually enough to keep them happy, but they also need to have regular opportunities to run freely in the countryside. Most really enjoy swimming.
Ownership: If you are looking for English Cocker Spaniel puppies for sale from reputable English Cocker Spaniel breeders or to adopt a n English Cocker Spaniel from a n English Cocker Spaniel rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the English Cocker Spaniel puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find English Cocker Spaniel puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.

Whatever breed you end up getting, please rescue instead of getting one from the pet store or a breeder. Save a life instead!

Here are some more breeds:
Staffordshire Bull Terrier:
Breed Group: Sporting
Weight: males 25-38 females 23-35 lbs
Height: males 14-16 females 13-15 inches
Color(s): Black, blue, fawn or brindle, often with white markings
Coat: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a soft, sleek, dense, and short coat that lays close to the body. The color of the coat may be blue, brindle, black, red, or fawn. There may or may not be white markings. This breed is an average shedder.
Overview: Originating in England, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred for bull, bear, and lion baiting. The aforementioned "blood-sports" were officially eliminated in 1835 when Britain introduced animal welfare laws. However, "blood-sport" proponents began using this breed for organized dog fighting. Today, with their "blood-sport" history behind them, this breed has become a stable and popular family pet.
Character: Often referred to as the Staffie, this muscular and stocky breed exudes strength, courage, and athletic ability. They are bold, tenacious, and alert. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a fearless, protective, and determined nature and is extremely agile. Their most distinguishing and striking features are their broad head and expressive face.
Temperament: Despite this breed's beginnings, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is renowned today for their reliability as a companion and family pet. They thrive on human contact and are extremely loving, devoted, and loyal. This breed is dependable gentle and reliable with children, and for this reason were nicknamed the Nanny Dog. They are exceedingly protective of their family and make excellent guardians and watchdogs. They are not suited for homes with other dogs or household pets they have not been raised with. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not recommended for the novice dog owner.
Care: This breed requires minimal grooming. An occasional firm, bristle brushing and bath will suffice. They do not tolerate cold climates but also have a tendency to become over-heated quickly. They are best suited as indoor pets. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to cataracts, hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and epilepsy. They are also very susceptible to fleas and ticks.
Training: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires a dominant owner and needs early and intense socialization and obedience training. They are easily housetrained. It is absolutely crucial that all training of this breed be done in a positive, consistent, patient, and firm manner. They excel in agility and obedience competition and have had success as therapy dogs.
Activity: Due to their athletic nature, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs vigorous daily exercise. It is imperative that they be securely leashed or harnessed in all public outings such as walking, jogging, or hiking. They benefit from off-lead run time in a securely fenced yard and greatly enjoy play sessions with their family. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise, companionship, and stimulation.
Ownership: If you are looking for Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale from reputable Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders or to adopt a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.