Dog advice....

[MaryPoppins]

Or matching jimjams.

Oh, for sure. I will take a wheel of cheese with me when viewing potential pets, too.

[DimPrawn]

If you are at work all day, it's not fair to leave a dog alone all day.

Plus it will likely tulip on your carpet.

If you are looking for a real man PM me.

[Churchill]

If you are at work all day, it's not fair to leave a dog alone all day.

Plus it will likely tulip on your carpet.

If you are looking for a real man PM me.

Why, are you going to give her one of your cast-offs?

[Old Greg]

If you are at work all day, it's not fair to leave a dog alone all day.

Plus it will likely tulip on your carpet.

If you are looking for a real man PM me.

Have you got one you can't satisfy? If so, try borrowing MF's 18 inch porcelain sasguru figurine. It's not warranted for rectal use but he's done plenty of testing watching Mrs Eek asleep.

[VirtualMonkey]

Nor do most dogs

I would advise speaking to the local animal charity or dogs trust. They will give you good advice on the tempremant of certain breeds, particularly if you are going to leave it couped up in the house for the thickend of 20 hours day/night. You don't really want a Boxer or Weimaraner that have endless energy and are as thick as a brick.

Most of the dogs that don't moult are terriers/poodles which are not the nicest looking dogs. Boston Terriers don't and I think they are pretty cute but not everyones cup of tea. You have a very small pool of dogs to go for if you can't stand moulting. Personally if you pick a dog you take it with it's faults and moulting is one of them I am afraid. If you want a great looking dog with terrific temprament you have gonna have to put up with some downsides.

Personally from what you say I would think about a Pug, Westies, Puggle or possibly Bulldog. All are smallish, not particularly bad at moulting, don't need that much exercise and most are good with people.

If I was in your position I would go round a few dog homes and see if they have one in that fits the bill that has had to be re-homed due to a genuine reason and pick one that you fall in love with and take the rest as part and parcel of having him/her.

Just to point out I had dogs most of my life and they were part of the family. They aren't just a thing that is around for me. It will take a lot of your time and money up and as said you can't keep stuffing it in a home everytime you want to go abroad. That said if you can get the right one and is part of your family they are a fookin amazing addition to your family. If you love your sofa, cream bedroom carpet and adore your best slippers then stay well away!!

i agree about the weimaraner. i have one and have had her since a puppy. lovely dog but needs shed loads of exercise and is completely nutso. brilliant with kids though. i also have a rhodesian ridgeback which, again, is lovely but is massive and needs a lot of exercise.
if you forget the dangerous dog mantras theni think a doberman would suit you. short hair, good guard dog. very affectionate (my wife used to have one that was a surrogate mother to a rabbit believe it or not) and medium exercise requirements. i've never met a bad doby.

king charles spaniel doesn't fit your protection requirements. neither does a whippet/greyhound. without that to think about those two are the ones I would recommend.
HTH

[norrahe]

Ta all. Ish. Collie's are out because they're v intelligent working dogs - need an awful lot of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy. They can be a bit highly strung around kids.

I've a friend with a Boxer and much as I love him to bits...he's far too mental. I think they all are.

I'm wondering about a retriever, or a giant schnauzer..

I'd also advise to steer clear of Springer Spaniels or pointers which are the same as Collies and you will have to walk them for miles just to get them to calm down, depends on which type of retriever as well as they are often used as gun dogs.

Labradors are always a good bet as they are good with kids and a pretty clam and intelligent breed or a beagle.

In general dogs really don't like being on their own all day, so expect a present when you get home.

[SueEllen]

In general dogs really don't like being on their own all day, so expect a present when you get home.

If she gets:
1. A small dog and has a cat flap put in then the dog can let itself out into the garden.
2. If she gets a larger bred then she can leave it in the garden in the day with a dog house, and some water but she should really get more than one dog so it has company. (Some dogs get on well with kittens so you could get one after the dog is use to being at home. It has to be a kitten though not a cat.)

She does risk the dog trying to escape due to boredom but it's better than leaving it in the house all day.

Anyway I think the best dog for MP is a mongrel.

[northernladuk]

Anyway I think the best dog for MP is a mongrel.

Get a really ugly one so it is thankful for everything it gets........

[OwlHoot]

Seems not...! I like the idea of feeling a bit more secure alone in the house, and it will be good for child to understand the responsibility of a pet.

Plus, it will help me pick up men.

You mean to corner them and hold them guard until you arrive?

In that case, how about a couple of Doberman Pinschers?

OH in "Want to know if there's life after death? Climb over this fence and find out" mode

[northernladyuk]

Get a really ugly one so it is thankful for everything it gets........

Worked for me.