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For years we have resisted the temptation to get a dog because of all the moving, but we have now decided it is time. Mrs Wife has one more post to come [location currently secret] and then we will be moving into semi-obscurity in our newly bought house just West of [REDACTED].
Well the decision has been made to get a dog, but which one is up for grabs. Given the choice I'd go for a Jack Russell [I've had a few and they're great and loyal], an Airedale [thick as shig pit but lovely none the less] or a Viszla [great temperament and she'd love it]. The last two are probably as big as I'd like. I always liked Jacks as they have a big attitude in a small frame and they do make good pets.
Any other suggestions of small to medium sized dogs which are good family dogs, have a loyal temperament and have at least a modicum of sanity? I don't want a yapper or nipper, I want a good dog that isn't too large.
veni bibi saltavi
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We have a Cavapoo (King Charles/Poodle cross). He's a lovely natured dog and the breed can be seriously cute - very good when you're out walking as the ladies do like to come over for a tickle and a lick (they tickle the dog and he licks them back before you ask).
This space for rent
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Too cute, I'd never be able to show my face at the Wheel Tappers again! 
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Nagy Vilmos wrote: I don't want a yapper or nipper, I want a good dog that isn't too large.
You can't have both. You can have either a small(ish) yapper/nipper or a good dog. It's a mutually exclusive OR.
Personally, I would go for a German Shepherd or a Lab (if I would ever consider switching my cats for a clearly less intelligent species, that is  - Oh boy, I can already feel the heat I'm getting into here. Better get my coat right away! Actually, I like both cats and dogs, just prefer cats because they are less maintenance than a dog in my opinion)
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Anonymous
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Winston Churchill, 1944
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Me, all the time
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Have to agree - dogs are a lot more work than cats. But...dogs don't bring in dead things and dismember them all over the living room as Dij did with a crow this morning.
But then, cats don't like to roll in fox poo so you pays your money and you takes your choice!
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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OriginalGriff wrote: dogs don't bring in dead things and dismember them all over the living room
You never had a Jack then
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I said NO to [y|sn]apper and YES to good dog. I think German Shepherds are a little too big and Labradors are, from my experience of having two chocolate labs, up there in the stoopid stakes.
Cats are not my type of creature.
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You're right, Shepherds are quite large. But of all dogs I have been around (including a couple of my own), it is my opinion that they are also the ones with the best overall disposition...
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
modified 17-Mar-16 10:00am.
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GS are extremely prone to dysplasia and other awfulness at the rear end though. Owners are often left with the choice of a painful old age or a short life unfortunately and the vet bills don't help.
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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Johnny J. wrote: if I would ever consider switching my cats for a clearly less intelligent species
You are not alone, sir. I have been a client of a good many felines over the years. I love dogs, but I agree that cats are a lot lower maintenance. Keep the food and water bowls full, drop everything and pet them when they want it, and leave them alone otherwise. Keep your sh*t out of their way, and you're good to go.
Software Zen: delete this;
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Collies? The Welsh border type don't grow too big, and they are very bright. That can be a problem if they are left alone, they can get very bored and a bit destructive (but that happens with all dogs to an extent). I like 'em, but I also like Rottweilers which are a lovely family dog if brought up properly - size large however!
Whatever breed, I'd suggest get two if they are going to be left for long periods, as they do need company, unlike cats which do better in isolation.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I think Collies are great dogs, my parents had a retired one for her last few years, but even with age they do still need a lot of exercise, probably more than I can provide.
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Collies need activation, which is a lot more than just exercise.
So the question is, do you want a full time job, or a breed you can leave unattended for a few hours without having to refurbish the home?
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We have a Cavalier King Charles, soft as anything, great with the kids, does like licking people's ears and then trying to shag their shoulders, attracts females of any age.
They can have a number of health problems though, as do all pure bred dogs, particularly the smaller ones, ours is three years old and in need of an MRI which we're currently sweating on the insurance for as he has a problem with his back.
Certainly isn't going to deter any burglars.
Does bark at other dogs on the TV, and for some reason Roy Keane.
Only real drawback, of any dog, is doing anything that involves leaving him alone for more than 4 hours, 5 tops. Not fair on the dog so we either have to limit what we do or find someone to have him.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Anyone who leaves a dog alone all day every day should be put in the stocks for the same amount of time.
Growing up, the rule was the dogs were never left alone more than a few hours at a time and never more than two or three days in a week. When we were young our grandfather lived with us and so they were never alone. By the time he died, Mum was only working part time and so was home most days and she worked around the corner from home so could pop in a let Mickie [named after this thing[^]] out as needed. By the time of our later dogs, they were retired and provided great puppysitting services.
Where we're going, the new house is small but has a good garden for the dog. Where we'll end up has a fuge garden.
veni bibi saltavi
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Get a Wolfdog[^]
Mind you, they turn into cats (alas destroying your home) if left alone for more than 2 hours.
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Puggles[^] rock!
There are two types of people in this world: those that pronounce GIF with a soft G, and those who do not deserve to speak words, ever.
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No, it's Fraggle Rock[^]; puggles bark.
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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Looks lovely, but we had a Beagle/Basset and it was Mr Thickie Mc Thick. He only failed to win the Stupidest Dog in The World Contest because he forget to send in the form!
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Must have been the Basset... 
Our puggle "Nitro" is almost too smart for his own good.
There are two types of people in this world: those that pronounce GIF with a soft G, and those who do not deserve to speak words, ever.
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Mike Mullikin wrote: Our puggle "Nitro" is almost too smart for his own good.
I can vouch for this statement. 
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill
America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde
Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Are we talking straight off the puppy farm  or rescue here  (not that I'm in any way biassed as you can see but all my dogs have come by one route!)? It's easiest with the latter to let the dog(s) choose you! If there's a Dog's Trust Centre somewhere near West of [REDACTED] they'd be happy to have you give a few a test run.
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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I'll never go to a puppy farm, though I will take a pup from a litter where the bitch lives with the family. Most, not all, of my dogs have been rescue dogs and we may go that route or look for an older dog needing rehoming.
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I recently had my first experience with a greyhound of a certain belgian breed. It was a female and much smaller and not so meager-looking than I had pictured greyhounds. Her owner said she has a beautyful temperament, no yapping, quite and cuddly like a cat but yet obedient. I'm not a big fan of dogs but that experience almost made me want to have one of those.
If the brain were so simple we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn't. — Lyall Watson
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For me it's a Labradoodle[^]. Smart, loyal, little to no shedding, no yapping, great for families. However, they need to be groomed periodically.
"the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment
"Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst
"I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle
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