where have all the mongrels gone?

Are you sure you don't mean a Shihpoo, seasider?
It's a cross between a Shih Tzu and Poodle.
They are commonly referred to as "designer dogs" and are one of the most popular of the crosses.

seasider Have you heard of the 'many tears' website? They specialise in rescuing ex breeding dogs of all breeds as well as strays of all shapes and sizes and there are some sad stories on there. They are based in Wales. The only thing is, ex breeding dogs often need to be placed with other dogs as they are not used to being around people. However they sometimes have puppies and you may find something suitable.
Just a point: Staffies are actually very good with children, their bad reputation is not deserved and has only come about because they are owned by idiots. I assessed some prospective foster carers who had a staffy, a German Shepherd and two whippets and I would have trusted them around my own grandchildren - don't write them off
And now I really am going to bed, done nothing all day except post on here. Goodnight

I think a lot of designer dogs started of as 'anti allergy' dogs; I'd imagine a Shihpoo is pretty good in that respect. Some of the labradoodles I've seen are enormous; I'm not sure what makes them grow so big but they're bigger than both labradors and poodles. I'm sure I spoke to someone the other day about a springer spaniel rescue organisation [oh my memory or lack of it]; lovely dogs that people sometimes just don't have time to give enough exercise to.

Crikey; just looked up a cocker spaniel rescue site [always think cockers are great family pets] and most of them seem to need a new home as they're nasty with young children [a lot of people tend to treat them like babies and, when the babies come along they get jealous]. Can't help but feel that rescue dogs tend to come with problems and it's best to get a puppy.

We got our mongrel puppy through the RSPCA. We wanted a puppy, if possible, as we had an elderly cat who wouldn't have tolerated an adult dog.
The mother dog had "escaped" and got pregnant by accident. The owners asked the RSPCA to rehome the puppies for them, but they were able to stay with their mother until old enough to leave. I don't suppose this happens very often but it's worth enquiring.

How about a retired racing greyhound? Very gentle and don't need a lot of exercise contrary to general belief? Like nothing better than lolling around looking elegant!

Gagagran, that`s a great idea! We had a greyhound cross a few years ago, and she had the most lovely temperament, great with all ages and sexes.

I know several retired greyhounds and they are lovely. If you stop when you're out for a walk, they take the opportunity to have a little lie down, or just lean gently against your leg. Sweet things.

I'd go for a rescue dog anyday and you are right to want a mongrel. They are the healthiest. My niece in Germany has a rescue dog from the Canary Islands. A lot of German tourists bring them back to Europe and they are lovely good natured dogs but big and need a lot of exercise.
Here in the UK go for a greyhound. I've heard they are intelligent and lovely natured. The trouble with expensive breeds of dogs - and cats, is the wrong people buy them and for the wrong reasons.
If your son wants something more cuddly then the RSPCA have enough dogs and they will advise you. Remember though it means walkies at least twice day if the dog is to remain healthy amd even tempered. You will keep healthy as well!

Charlotta you've said what I was going to say, but better.
Only mongrels for us - I couldn't justify have a dog bred, when there are so many poor dogs needing a home, and when they are bred for looks rather than health.

granjura you are probably like me I get so upset with people buying fancy breeds of dogs and the poor Alsations with their deformed hind legs. My BIL has a dog only two years old which has already been operated on for arthrose or arthritis on its hip joint.
I grew up with dogs which went to the park everyday on their own and came home for dinner. That was in the 40s but the dogs were good tempered. My father trained them well and when we were in the park and whistled them over they came immediately.
DD1 has a dog and I love to see him but now have cat myself.

There are several smaller rescue organisations of you Google "dog rescue" or something similar in your area. We found our newest addition to the family (a sort of lab/collie cross) through a tiny rescue place that takes dogs from Ireland. They have a different euthanasia policy in Ireland, any dog that is not claimed or re-homed in seven days is put down, so some people ship them over here and re-home them in England.

I wouldn't recommend a sighthound as a childs pet. Not that they're not wonderful with kids [I wouldn't have any other dog] but I think children like dogs that they can throw balls for etc and sighthounds just go 'why? you throw it, I bring it back, you throw it again; that's stupid!'

We have always had rescue dogs as well as full breed dogs over the years,at one time we had four rescue dogs which we took in to access over the required one month and one day period prior to adoption what kind of home would be suitable ie: children/no children/cats/no cats etc. I can say that none of the dogs we had had to be put down due to not being rehomed I thinkSeasider you need to get in touch with a small fostering charity and go from there,sometimes dogs are needing homes when their owners can't care for them or the owner has died.The most marvelous Labrador came to us once aged 3 yrs the owners had a new baby who was taking all their time and they could not find the time for her,she came for accessment and stayed for 13 yrs.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. We will look again. We have thought long and hard before deciding to get a dog but we both had the joy of growing up with a dog and now feel out youngest son is now old enough to share the responsibility. I grew up in a rural area so our dogs were border collies crosses and I remember being distraught when my first dog died when he was 13. My dad came home a few weeks later with a little bundle he had bought from a local farm for £10 and we had her for 15 years.

you are all so lucky to be able to have a dog , we look after DS and DIL"s when they need us to and because he"s not very keen on other dogs feel we couldn"t have our own pet , still I suppose it"s better than nothing [ mixed emotion]

Nonu With your love of dogs have you never thought of volunteering to be a helper at one of the doggy kennels,maybe just walking a dog for an hour or so during the week it is so satisfying to be able to give just a wee bit of help to these charities.

Glammanana that is a good idea , something to give thought to

Also Nonu, the Cinnamon Trust is always looking for volunteers to walk dogs for the elderly or terminally ill. Their website has details.

www.cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

Thanks , trouble with me is I would meet one and fall "in love " and want to bring them home to live

Nonu That same thing happened to us when we used to foster dogs before they where rehomed,we where supposed to determine if the dogs where children/cat/house friendly before they went to on to the adoption list,I kept an Old English,a mongrel called rags (found in a bin)a labrador who stayed for 16 yrs,I used to go off to work in the morning and if mr.glamma had a phone call from the charity by the time I got back home at tea time another 4 legged friend had appeared.

Can't speak highly enough of Dogs Trust....we adopted a 9 month old Springer cross in January who is as mad as a bag of spaniels but is really filling our lives with love as well as madness!. There are far too many puppies being bred and adopting one thats already around is a much better bet. Ours came beautifully house trained but little else so shes needed her basic training - but we visited her several times at the Dogs Trust home and were thoroughly 'vetted' so we could more or less see what we were getting. Now that shes well trained to return to a whistle its a joy to watch her run and run around the local fields (farmers permission well and truely gained - in fact he offered its, amazing how many folks love a good soppy dog hard luck story).

Fantastic Hilda. The daycare place where my dog goes to hang out twice a week has just sold all our donations at a car boot and raised over £600 for the Dogs Trust. They do an amazing job and need more help if anyone is abe to donate.

We saw some Doggy Daycare in the U.S. on a recent visit...........these are businesses and seem to be very popular...the 'playground' was full of dogs all shapes and sizes having huge fun!