A Denbighshire family looking to adopt a dog were given two to chose from as part of a TV experiment. Hidden cameras in their home filmed what happened next – and the result was not what they were expecting.
Ceri and Duncan Midgley from Rhuddlan had their hearts set on a Cockapoo – they have two sons, Cai and Bobi, and the breed has a reputation for being good with children. But for the programme, on S4C, dog expert Dylan Davies threw them a curveball.
Ceri, who works at a school, was convinced a Cavapoo or a Cavapoochon was the way forward as they have good temperaments and “aren’t too wild.” She said: “Having a dog is something we’ve considered for a long time. We need a dog that’s hypoallergenic as it would come to my school as well. Dogs can make such a difference to school kids, but to also have a dog as a part of our family would be great.”
For the new series, Y Ci Perffaith (The Perfect Dog), canine expert Dylan Wyn Davies set out to match up four families with pairs of dogs that might be suitable for them. Each dog then spent time with their family, who are then forced to choose between them. For most, it’s an agonising decision: young Cai couldn’t stop crying when meeting both dogs – and when leaving them.
For the first programme, Dylan paired the Midgleys with their preferred breed, a Cockapoo – a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle. But he also suggested they spend time with an Airdale Terrier as well. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Explaining his decision, he said both breeds are hypoallergenic – they are less likely to cause allergic reactions. While Cockapoos have lots of energy, they can suffer from separation anxiety, he said. Miniature Schnauzers or a Bijon Frise were other options he but said: “They are very loyal but quite yappy!” On the other hand Airdale Terriers, while bigger, ticked a lot of boxes. “It’s a dog that you probably wouldn’t think about,” he tells the family.
Both dogs spend time with the Midgleys, who form emotional bonds that become tough to break. Duncan said being made to choose between the two dogs was hard. “Thanks for the headache!” he tells Dylan and series presenter Heledd Cynwal. “I thought we knew straight away what we were going to choose but it’s become a very difficult choice.” His wife said they went “over and over” the choice, admitting: “We’ve had a few sleepless nights.”
The Midgleys must make their decision – and little Cai is distraught at having to say goodbye to one of the dogs
(Image: S4C)
Despite everything, they chose the Airdale Terrier, a bitch called Mali. “We all fell in love with her,” said Ceri. “Cai cried, she was so quiet. Her demeanour was lovely. She’s dead chilled, and I think all four of us really liked her. She’s going to have a good life, she’s going to be one spoiled dog, that’s for sure.”
Six months after each of the four families made their choices, Heledd returned to their homes to see if their chosen dogs have settled in. Featured in episode two are Gwyn Jones and wife Mary from Bangor, Gwynedd – they were given two shelter dogs to see which one best suited their needs. Also in series are a family from Carmarthen and a couple from Pontgarreg near Llangrannog.
To Heledd, it soon becomes clear the Midgley made the right decision. According to Ceri, Mali had “changed our lives”. She added: “She’s one of the family. She’s like a daughter I never had. She’s my girl!
“We introduced her slowly to the school. I can’t walk the corridors without children coming up to her, but that’s why I wanted her at the school.”
Duncan is also a convert – and he’s not the only one. “Growing up I was used to having dogs outside, not inside, then Mali came,” he tells Heledd. “She’s even sleeping in mum and dad’s bed now. I proper caved in!
“The Airdale Terrier – what a lovely dog. I hadn’t really heard of it before. I think doing your research before getting a dog is very important, I’ve learnt that.”
Gwyn Jones and wife Mary from Bangor are featured in the second episode. They have a track record for taking in rescue dogs – now they must choose between two after living with both for a while
(Image: S4C)
Dog tips from the expert
Y Ci Perffaith expert Dylan Wyn Davies, who runs a dog grooming business, has shared some of his tips for living with a dog. He said making the right choice can be tough as “no one size fits all” – there are some factors that should be considered.
Exercise
“Some dogs require more exercise, for example Cocker spaniel or Labrador, and other dogs don’t require as much, such as Dachshund or Chihuahua. The owner’s lifestyle can affect the dog’s exercise.
I had one retired woman (customer) who wanted a Cockapoo. I advised her not to, as the combination of Poodle and Cocker requires at least two or three hours of exercise a day. If they don’t get the exercise, they become destructive as they need to get rid of their energy. So a type or breed of dog and the owner’s lifestyle is an extremely important combination to consider.”
Dog treats
“Treats are acceptable to a certain extent. When giving the dog credit – teaching it to sit, lie down, wait – rewarding the dog is fine. It’s also acceptable to give a treat now and then.
I would recommend natural ones – dry food treats rather than boiled or dried ones as these contain chemicals. My dog receives a rabbit’s ear every other day, and the hair on the ear is a natural way to help eliminate worms. However, raw isn’t suitable for all dogs either!”
Dog expert Dylan Wyn Davies sets out to match up four families with suitable pooches – with a little help from series presenter Heledd Cynwal
(Image: S4C)
Washing dogs
“This again depends on the dog. Do not wash every day as the skin and hair need the natural oil. It’s okay to rinse the dog with lukewarm water, but you don’t need to shampoo too often.
Wholesome food means a healthy coat for the dog, just like the owner – you are what you eat. Brushing the dog every day means a more healthy coat, even for dogs with short hair.
The most important tip for winter is if walking the dog on pavement or a road: be careful of the salt that has been on the roads – the dog’s paws will need to be washed.”
Dog mess
“Remember to take bags when taking the dog for a walk. The waste needs to be disposed of properly – try to get biodegradable bags. What’s worse than dog poo on the road is a bag with dog faeces in it on the road!”
Other considerations
- Look into who breeds the dogs or from which shelter the dog comes from
- Is a local vet available? Spaces fill up quickly
- Is there a helping hand available – family member, kennel or dog caretaker?
- If getting a puppy, it’s worth booking into a groomer and for puppy exercise classes
Dog names
“I have a Welsh Terrier called Siani and Heledd Cynwal has a Miniature Schnauzer called Wil. From experience, the most popular name is Ted or Teddy and that’s usually on a Cockapoo dog as they look similar to a teddy bear!”
Y Ci Perffaith got underway on S4C on Monday, January 6 at 8.25pm. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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