Pointers, dals - which breed? Which breed for me?

I am doing this on behalf of my friend who is seriously looking at getting a dog..
The breeds she's interested in are ones I don't know masses about so would appreciate some dogsey input..

Whether you have had dogs previously
As far as I know she hasn't had dogs before
Your circumstances - do you work etc?
She works full time, but her hours are quite flexible and she can finish as early as 2. She plans to have a dog walker in during the day to let the dog out to the toilet and provide some exercise and stimulation
How much time you have for exercise
She is planning a similar schedule as to what I do with Kestral;
30 mins before work, an hour after work and longer at the weekend including biking with an additional dog walker.
Whether you have children, other pets etc
She has 2 cats
What characteristics you are looking for
She wants a dog that has plenty of energy but also has an off switch. She wants the dog to be able to run for up to an hour with her each evening so must enjoy exercise.
What breeds you have already looked at and your thoughts on them
She is really keen on short coated working type breeds such as pointers and dalmations. She likes fairly large dogs.
I think looks are reasonably important however, it is more crucial that the dog will be suited to her lifestyle.
Anything else you think might be relevant or important
She is willing to put in a lot to make it work, including dog walkers and training classes.
As she won't be in for up to 6 hours (although obviously less with a dog walker) the dog will need to have an off switch and be happy to chill out a little during the day.

I think she accepts that getting a puppy would be extremely difficult to do and is happy to look at adult rescues although obviously a little concerned about the cats and also whether they would rehome to her.
She would potentially consider private rehomes but only if a behaviorist does an assessment to get a better idea of the dog and any potential issues.
She owns her own house so renting/landlords isn't an issue.

I think she would be willing to get in to training with the dog.
I know not everyone agrees with working and having a dog, but I'd rather this didn't turn in to a debate about that I work and I believe I offer K a happy and fulfilling life.

By 'pointer' do you mean and English pointer?

Not sure about the above types but I know German pointers, or indeed any of the continental pointers, are notorious for their dislike of being left alone. I'm not knocking working and owning a dog, been there myself and raised 2 pups through a full time job, just something she might want to consider, especially if it is a lone dog.

I have a colleague with a GSP and they have had a lot of problems with separation anxiety.

Thanks, I was actually just being lazy - both English pointers and german shorthaired pointers are on her wish list.

I think initially it will indeed be a lone dog..that is good to know they may not be good at being left.. more than anything I know she is concerned about getting the right dog so that it will be happy with the arrangement.

I had Flynn when he was a pup and both me and my partner worked full time - we left early and got home at teatime. He is a very clingy dog by nature so not sure how well he would have fared if he was an only dog at the time. However we already had Jed so he's always had company and has thus been fine with being left.

My ex had a GSP which would start to destroy the house the moment you walked out of the door, even breaking out of my Savic crate in her sheer determination (she bent the door). He had to take her to work with him and leave her in his van all day, and no matter where we went, she had to come with us and stop in the vehicle.

Thanks, it sounds as though they really don't always do well being alone. It would have cats, but that's it! She only really hopes to leave it 3-4 hours at a time but for a dog that has separation issues obviously that's not do-able..

GSPs are probably a bit more sensitive than a Weimaraner, also an HPR but I have had 4 of these and they have been successfully left all day (once they got to a year old) with no problems.

Weis are another breed which some people will insist on calling Velcro Dogs or "prone to SA". That has not been my personal experience.

I would say what I have said when manning the breed stand and Discover Dog Booth to those who express a desire for a shortcoated breed, that the gundogs are NOT Dallys.

Generally speaking, Dallys do NOT have that instinct to hunt which differentiates the HPR, Pointer from breeds such as the Dally and Doberman.

I would also say that Pointers were bred to cover grouse moors and their "personal space" can be much larger than many owners can cope with.

I would strongly suggest that she goes to Discover Dogs at Earls Court in November or at Crufts in March to discuss the pros and cons of the breeds she is interested in.

I would also recommend, particularly with the Pointer, that she goes out with a few to see if she can cope with their range and speed.............

I agree with the others about GSP's. Not the ideal starter dogs if you ask me. Where does your friend live (I remember you were in London)? because most HPR types would find the kind of terrain found in city parks to be pretty dull long term. As others have said, HPR's roam and range wide and are most at home in the countryside.

A young Lab mix, Lurcher or Staffie mix sound perfect for her. Plenty of those to choose from in rescue too.

Thanks I will certainly suggest she comes to crufts with me (or DD if she wishes to sooner). I know dalmations are not gundogs (some poor language used in my initial post ), although thanks for explaining the difference in the space they roam. Do dalmations not tend to roam so far?

Where can you go to meet pointers out walking? We live by NE Cheshire.

Thanks, I'll pass on all the info about GSPs. It sounds as though it wouldn't be the easiest breed to make work.
We live round South Manchester/NE Cheshire. There's plenty of countryside round here so not the same as the parks in London
A lurcher could be an option - obviously it would depend on the mix but do they do alright with endurance (as in running along side a bike, and going on jogs)?
She is after something bigger than a staffie, but could look at some of the larger crosses of the breed. I've heard they can also be hard to leave alone?

I think I've suggested labs but she is after a very short coated breed in an ideal world (although obviously the suitability is most important but that's her preference).

If a lurcher or a cross was is an option you will find 100s of pups in rescue ,
I was just looking at stunning blue lurcher pups and a collie cross greyhound all under 12 weeks...

Yeh I will certainly ask her about it if they could fit her lifestyle No pups I don't think though

Do you think there are many rescues that would rehome based on her circumstances work wise (and there are the cats too )?

I did not mean to suggest you did not know the difference between Dallies and gundog but when I talk to people who want a medium to large shorthaired dog, I have to stress that just because they LOOK similar, does not mean they BEHAVE in a similar fashion if that makes sense.

Something that can have a BIG impact on owners.

I am sure there are gundog clubs near you or a breed club, rescue which can help out with a visit/walk etc. They the latter two will be only too please to help ensure your friend does not make a mistake.

I know some who will if explained to about dog walkers and such ...4 hours without company seems to be the norm ...

What age are they looking for ??
Just an example ...

Has already lived with cats ..lol

Thank you, I will let her know that they are very different in temperament - sounds like it would be worth contacting any breed club that she is interested in to see if she can organise to meet the dogs, and talk with those that do.

Thanks Murf You're a bit of a rehoming match maker, they are very very cute! ! I think probably around 12-18 months so that it's out of the puppy phase and so that it can begin to take the amount of exercise she wants to offer.

There was a Dali bitch on Many tears at around a year old ,but she was scared of everything if i remember rightly ...

1year

English Pointers don't really do classic dog walking. Unless she gets an unusually chilled one, she will need to work it rather than let it pootle along with her. It is fantastically rewarding, but you do find yourself fantasising about going for a normal walk with a dog who galumphs around near you, and doesn't need to be whistled at all the time.

In my limited experience Pointers don't necessarily suffer from SA, just boredom. Given plenty to do they are happy. I haven't yet found the off switch though.

My first thought was greyhound or lurcher, but there's the problem of the cats. My lurcher was absolutely fine with cats though - if she could get a cat friendly greyhound/lurcher I think it would be ideal.

Here's my opinion on Dals

Dalmatians do not hunt and roam like gundog breeds tend to, they are not 'biddable' though and many are given up around a year old.
Darcey my bitch was given up from her last home because they had experience with GSP's and not Dalmatians, and it seems Dalmatians are a whole different kettle of fish.
Training wise they have very short attention spans and you have to make it worth their while, and IME they are always pushing the boundries, so you have to be very firm and fair with them.
They don't really settle down and stop being pups until about 3 years old, even then they are still clowns.
They like their people and are not happy being left on their own for hours, even though I do not see mine for most of the day they prefer someone being in the house, I only leave mine for 2-3 hours in one stretch with no one at home, and I make sure they have a good walk before hand.
They are high maintenance, they are always wanting your attention and do need entertained, I am constantly finding things to keep the spots entertained like feed balls, kongs, hiding things for them to search out, chews ect when the other dogs I have had (Retriever x, Border Colie, Springer) are happy just to chill on the sofa.
They like to be very close to you and I usually always have one of them around me, whether I am in the toilet, outside, or in bed. I have had some real seperation anxiety problems with Darcey my bitch who came to me at 10 months, but Cooper who I've had since 10 weeks has always been fine as I trained him to be left from a young age.
Execise wise I give my 2 at least an hour off lead everyday, they like to go different places and I do find Coopers recall gets worse if he goes to the same place often. They will take any exercise you can give them, running with the bike, being with my horses and going for really long walks they love, but I know people who don't do this and their dogs are perfectly happy.
I have found them to be one person dogs, they love being in a family and soak up any attention they get, but they are bonded to me.
They do suffer from stones and deafness. They will need a special low purine diet all their lives. I feed mine raw and most Dalmatian owners seem to be doing the same as you can ensure no purines in the diet.
They are competely loveable, and very funny but they are hard work and not to everyones taste. I would advise your friend to spend time with some if she can, they can look like well behaved, calm, regal dogs when they are trotting along on the lead, but the reality is a loveable clown who makes you want to pull your hair out on a daily basis.
An older dog might be suit to your friends needs, Dalmatian welfare always has dogs in and they will know what the dog is like around cats and being left alone etc.