Dog lovers

I'm thinking of getting a dog, but I've never had one before. Does anyone have any advice as to which breeds to go for/avoid?
Cheers folks

Mongrel. Don't have to buy them. Less prone to ailments caused by inbreeding. And you'd be giving a home to an unplanned pup.

PS, and unless you've got bags of time to walk in the wide open spaces, a smallish one

Labradors are great dogs. Easy to train, very lovable and don't need too much exercise for their size.

Thanks guys. The Mrs has found someone who is selling Spockers, any idea what they're like?

Quoted from fishyfanny

Thanks guys. The Mrs has found someone who is selling Spockers, any idea what they're like?

I’ve got one. Amazing dogs! They’re crackers though ao need to go out a lot to burn up energy. Ours loves getting mucky, chasing birds on the fields and is really cuddly. Fairly easy to train too - the rest of of the litter went off to be gunnor sniffer dogs. We’ll probably have sprockers forever now.

I only have had border collies,

They are very intelligent and obedient and you do not need to buy any sheep  Andy

Just a ball, they will run all day so if you like exercise a border collie will keep you fit,

Sadly for the last year or so I could not walk far so I take her out in the car to a green and let her chase the ball ,

Everybody that sees her run and retrieve the ball always say to me how impressed they are with her and ask did I train her,

I reply no its in her genes but if I tell her to stop and rest she sits at my feet until I tell her to go again.

My granddaughter has my dogs brother and he is just the same.

Quoted from LH

I’ve got one. Amazing dogs! They’re crackers though ao need to go out a lot to burn up energy. Ours loves getting mucky, chasing birds on the fields and is really cuddly. Fairly easy to train too - the rest of of the litter went off to be gunnor sniffer dogs. We’ll probably have sprockers forever now.

Any spaniel or related cross breeds love diving in ditches and bushes. It's in their genes. Everyone I know with them (especially Cockers) say they get lots of ear infections.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Any spaniel or related cross breeds love diving in ditches and bushes. It's in their genes. Everyone I know with them (especially Cockers) say they get lots of ear infections.

We’ve not had ear infections yet but we do have to clean them regularly. She’s had a couple of eye infections though. Other dogs of a similar age to her (a year and three quarters) are starting calm down a bit. As I type ours is running (sprinting) around the coffee table for no apparent reason. I’ll have to take her out after the football.

Quoted from LH

We’ve not had ear infections yet but we do have to clean them regularly. She’s had a couple of eye infections though. Other dogs of a similar age to her (a year and three quarters) are starting calm down a bit. As I type ours is running (sprinting) around the coffee table for no apparent reason. I’ll have to take her out after the football.

With not been able to drive for aa few weeks after my op I trained my collie to run round the back garden by herself LH,

I just sit on my bench telling her to keep going until she gets tired  

Quoted from fishyfanny

I'm thinking of getting a dog, but I've never had one before. Does anyone have any advice as to which breeds to go for/avoid?
Cheers folks

If you do not want to go on long walks Andy get one of those small breeds with short legs,

Then by the time you get to the corner they will want to go back home.

You need to take into account how long you want to be stuck with it but If you have young kids the best dog by a mile would be a boxer we had a small female dog. Can't get a more loving faithful  loyal dog. Only thing is they only last about 10 years ok if you only want a dog short term. My sister has got a small yappy dog jack Russel and it's still going strong after 19 years not for me.

Thanks for all the advice gents.

We've gone for a Sprocker, a cute little girl at 5 weeks old at the moment. She will be ready to come home with us towards the end of this month. One of the reasons we've got her is to improve our own fitness levels and judging by LH's comments, we'll certainly get that!

We have a English Working Springer Spaniel, they are amazing looking dogs and brilliant for a family. The have an incredibly high energy rate (looking at at least 1.5hr min walks everyday), however, springers do not tolerate being by themselves for extended periods of time. Also springers are prone to diseases, and illness so prepare for vet visits.

Have fun, having a dog is like adding a new member to the family.  

We have just added chickens to our family,

Our dog and cat are fine with them.

Congratulations. I’ve got a two year old chow chow x retriever. He’s a big bear like dog but super chilled. He loves to socialise with other dogs but will also protect the home and garden.

Just picked up or pup today and she's settling in quite nicely. I'm hoping she doesn't keep me awake tonight  

My sheep dog ( border collie ) is now a trained chicken dog,

We have got 6 chickens which have free use of the back garden,

My dog just sits and watches over them looking to attack any cat that might appear,

Apart from one which is ours.

I have a photo of all of them in the garden but have no idea how to put it on here.

Just been out  to the garden and found the dog asleep on duty,

She has been put on her 1st warning

Chickens are fine