First timer

Hi Think Tank,

I’ve found you online and need some advice. My wife and I are thinking of getting a medium sized dog and we’re not bothered about what type it is, as long as he’s friendly and likes walks. We’ve never had a dog before and are thinking of getting a rescue dog but will we be allowed because this would be our first dog?

Do you know of any animal sanctuaries that we could contact in our situation?

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Thomas, by email

Can you help me find a reputable breeder?

Hi there,

I just wondered if you would possibly be able to tell me where it was best to buy a Cavapoo puppy safely? I have been looking on the internet as obviously The Kennel Club does not have breeders listed for Cavapoos as not a pure breed.

I bought your magazine to see if you might have any adverts in the back of the magazine but could not see any for Cavapoo puppies for sale?

It was actually Harrods who told me to get in touch with you as they thought that you maybe able to help in my search. They warned to be careful on the internet for adverts but I guess it is okay if you go to visit the breeder and puppies and see Mum and if Dad as well, and see it in situ and with all health checks done etc?

We already have a seven-year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

I would be very grateful if you might have any ideas and had any safe websites that you could recommend for instance?

Look forward very much to hearing from you soon

Many thanks for your help.

With kind regards and best wishes,

From,

Miranda, by email

Please help me find a suitable companion

I have the chronic illness ME and after being on the waiting list of an assistence dog charity for 18 months was partnered with a Standard Poodle. To my severe disappointment I found the residential training and then the ongoing training and exercise needs of this dog were too much for me and the partnership had to end early on. I had very quickly come to love the Poodle who was affectionate and a real character so am now incredibly sad at loosing him. I feel I have also lost a dream that over the past few years of this horrid illness kept me going.

Can Dogs Today readers give me any hope that there is a suitable dog for someone like me with chronic fatigue? The Poodle was chosen because I also get asthma sometimes with animal hair. However my experience with a Poodle suggests that their exercise and training needs are likely to always be more than I can manage. Would a Greyhound be a better choice as I understand their exercise needs are moderate in comparison? I very much want an affectionate dog that will join me on gentle daily walks, either on lead or off lead but with good recall.

Yours

Alexandra Muir-Mackenzie, by email

Which breed is best for me?

I have always had dogs in my life, from childhood onwards, and often two or three at a time. However, six years ago, our last remaining dear old dog went over the Rainbow Bridge. As my married children live 300 and 400 miles away, I have been staying with them at regular intervals in order to help with their babies and toddlers, so it was just as well I didn't have a dog at this time. Now my youngest grandchild is about to start pre-school, suddenly I am not needed nearly so much.
I find for the first time in years I can actually think about having a dog once more, and sharing the joys with my grandchildren whose parents do not have the time or money to have dogs of their own.
I am beset with the worries of 'starting up' again, and wonder if other readers of grandmotherly age have had the same concerns.
In the years I have not had a dog, so much has changed. The tragedies of inbreeding have come to light, the pros and cons of immunising, the jump in vet bills, the cost of insurance, so many areas becoming less than dog friendly, and - I find my biggest worry is about potential allergies!
My daughter always said she thought it was the Peke's undercoat that caused her streaming nose, and my daughter-in-law has various intolerences/allergies, is frightened of dogs and doesn't like them at all! My older grandson says he wants a dog, but I notice he is extremely wary of them, not to say terrified - ever since a collie grabbed a tennis ball from his hand when he was only two.
I think I'll have to restrict myself to the list of breeds I have been given that are less likely to cause allergic reactions, none of which I am familiar with at all!
Although the Tibetan Terrier is on the list, my info on that breed says they do have an undercoat and do moult. They may also be too bouncy for little ones and nervy adults. The little Lowchen may have been a good choice but their gene pool is so small I worry I might be buying into a lot of ill-health, expense and ultimately, much sadness. I wondered about the tried and tested 'low allergenic' Poodle, with such a choice in size, but they seem to have quite a potential for being or becoming nervy themselves. It may not be good for a Poodle to have the house to himself for stretches at a time, and then to have three or four grandchildren sharing it with him, and being very boisterous and wild.
I go round and round in circles, and wonder if I will ever take the enormous step required to get back into my doggie world, and introduce my grandchildren to their delights. Having Dogs Today to read throughout my dogless years has been a great mainstay. Suggestions/ideas gratefully received.
Lois Taylor, Winchburgh, Scotland