help on chosing the right puppy for me

i am sixteen years old and plan to get a puppy at the very start of the summer holidays-end of June, but i am confused as to what breed i should be looking for. Last year, when i nearly took up the opportunity to have a chocolate cocker spaniel, the breeder felt that it maybe was not the right breed for me. My mum is adamant that she does not want a big dog, though this may be negotiable, but we would need a puppy that is reasonable to train, and would be ok on its on. I am able to give him/her frequent walks throughout the day,- before school-(during school I am hiring a local dog walker to walk them for an hr)-after school, evening and night. i would greatly appreciate any advice or opinions that may help me in making this important decision

A few questions for you first.

Is this your first dog?

What size are you looking for? Small (3-30lbs) Medium (30-55) Large (55-80) X-Large (80-100) Giant (100+)

How much hair/fur do you want to deal with? Are you ok with a dog that sheds a lot? What about needing professional grooming? Would you prefer a dog with short hair?

What type of yard do you have or how much exercise are you willing to give the dog? Do you want a dog that is laid-back and more content to snooze on the couch, or a high-energy dog that needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep it happy?

hi, thanks for your reply
yes this would be my first dog, and i am looking for a medium sized dog i think. if i was allowed a bigger size i would love a german sheperd. last year we nearly got a female chocolate cocker spaniel, but pulled out due to a change in circumstances. My mum doesnt want a dog that moults a lot.
My garden is a medium size, and i have a enormous field about 2 seconds walking time from my house, so that is extremely convenient! as for exercise, i i look forward to giving him/her walks as often as is possible: a thorough walk before i go to school, i am hiring a walker to walk them for an hr when i am at school, and when i return from school i will immediately walk him/her, along with in the evening and night. Due to the fact that the dog will be on its own until the dog walker arrives and then until i return from school, perhaps a dog that is more able to handle being on its own, would be sutable for me. I have considered the possibility of getting a dog flap, so that they can exercise when wanting to when im at school, whilst in the secure confinment of my garden.
once again, i would appreciate any advice or even replies

Honestly, given that you are a student still in school and a first-time owner, I would recommend getting a dog that is between 3-5 years old. This way the dog is still plenty young enough to be with your family for a while and great companion, but over all the puppy insanities that would probably drive your mom crazy.

Where do you live? I'm guessing UK or Australia from some of your terms...

I would also recommend taking this breed selector quiz, I think it's pretty accurate: K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool

Keep in mind those are merely recommendations and you might find an individual of another breed that "clicks" with you better. But it's a good place to get ideas from!

We can give you a better idea from there as well

Are you planning on attending a college after high school? If so do you think you will continue living at home or will you live on campus? If you will not be at home in a few years then you need to think more along the lines of what your mother will do with the dog, will she be willing to give the same amount of exercise that you would? I'm also curious about any dog behavior that really bugs your family (barking, digging(would you be willing to get a sand box for a digger?) etc.) Does the dog have to be willing to live with other dogs, young children or cats? (now or in the future). I agree an adult might be better especially for a first time dog owner, are you opposed to a young adult dog?

I agree with the others, I'd suggest when you decide on a breed, go to a breed rescue or get an adult "retired" dog from a breeder.

I also agree that you need to seriously look at the next 10 years or so before you get the dog. Is the dog going to come with you when you move out of your parents' house? Are you going to get an apartment? Are there breed/size restrictions at apartments?

To me this completely depends on what you plan to do after High School . If you plan to move on , have your family decide on the breed or rescue .

what they say is true.

I know puppies are cute, but don't at all underestimate the work involved

hi all, and to those whom have replied thanks!
first of all "zoom"-i am from edinburgh in scotland!
second-i agree with you guys about needing to discuss what will happen to the situation when i leave high school, if i go to a university that is not far from home-then there would be no problems with who would look after the dog. however if i go to a university far from home, then that is when of course the situation becomes a bit more complicated, and so i will need to sit down with my mum and try and work on a solution.
and finally, i have created this same thread on four other dog/puppy forums, and the vast majority of the responses/opinions appear to be on taking a rescue dog in or one from a shelter, so i have already started research into this development, and if anyone can recommend good shelters that they have came across either in scotland ( as long as its not to far from edinburgh ), then that would be greatly appreciated. The other people whom have replied to my thread are recommending a cocker.
thanks a lot to those whom have given me advice and whom have replied to me, and hopefully it will continue

Try looking into the lurcher rescues. While not technically purebred, there are some very wonderful dogs. I say technically because there are lurchermen out there who maintain lines of "mutts" that are their working stock, and have existed since before the GSD did . There a lot of lurcher/sighthound rescues in the UK. The dogs vary in size but whippet/collie crosses are popular. Since most of the dogs in rescue are mature or close to it, you can find an individual with the right temperament for you and your family. Another bonus is it will likely have a basic foundation for house manners and obedience already laid, either from it's foster home or previous owners.

Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue

Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue North East |

Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue in the UK, dedicated to helping to find good homes for abandoned, abused or neglected greyhounds and lurchers

Greyhound Gap - Greyhound Gap's Current Homeless Hounds

Another bit of advice, you may want your mom to be the "adopter" on paper if you are going through a rescue. Many, many rescues have age limit cutoffs and won't adopt to college students, much less a minor.

I'm looking at some dog rescues but i need to know if any of these areas are near you:
Borders
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Highland
Lothian
Strathclyde
Tayside

Have you thought of temporary fostering ??

I have American Cockers. They don't shed a lot. They loose far more in a brush then around the house, as long as you feed a decent food. When Cider was on iams I thought I was going to have to give up my black clothing. These days, you can't tell by my rugs, clothes or car that I have dogs due to fur, and I'm not a clean freak.

Cider is badly bred and has always needed a crazy amount of exercise. My well bred 2 year old would do well with a few walks a day, and a few romps out in the field every week.

Both are pretty willing to please and work for me, and have been fairly easy to train. They are lovable, enjoy kids, like to be a bed warmer and chill where you are. With going to school you might look at one a little older than a puppy though to avoid the potty training stage.

I wouldn't want to "jump on the bandwagon" and suggest a cocker spaniel unless I knew why the breeder you almost bought a dog from thought that the breed was not right for you....

Since there is a good chance your parents would have the dog after you graduate, what kind of dog do THEY want? Do they want to walk/play with/train the dog every day, or would they rather have a dog that's more of a "companion," just hangs out with them and doesn't need a whole lot of stimulation?

good, important post, thanks for that

wow thanks for your help, the nearest centres out of that list are lothian and fife, then central. i think i have browsed those centres, but i think i would be better visiting them before i make any rash judgements

Here's another question, be as honest as possible. Do you think this dog will ever have to live with other dogs, young children (how young if you know) or cats? Think about the future as well.

yes, apart from a cat. as soon as i leave school and university, i will be getting another dog/s, and i cant rule out the possibility that, whilst i have this dog, a girlfriend or wife gives birth