The Bloke On Who Wants To Be A...
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Advice needed re dog breeds
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Hi all! we are thinking about getting a dog. We had dogs when I was a kid but this will be the first one as an adult. We are looking for a family pet as I have a 5 and 7 yr old. I work part time mostly from home. We would like something that is hopefully easy to train, we all enjoy long walks and with me being home, exercising it won't be a problem. Don't really want a small dog but nothing to large either. What dogs do you have and what breeds do you recommend for us as a family? Any help greatly appreciated. Daffi x
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pop along to Discover Dogs at Earls Court in November, where you can see all the different breeds, speak to the owners/breeders and see what suits your family circumstances.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/discove r_dogs.html
or take a look at the kennel club site
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/
I have rough collies and wouldnt have another breed, as they arnt too boistrous, (like labradors) and if bought up with children are very loyal, they dont need too much exercise, but will gladly walk with you for miles if you want, but they do moult once or twice a year, and need regular grooming to keep their coats looking in good condition.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/discove r_dogs.html
or take a look at the kennel club site
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/
I have rough collies and wouldnt have another breed, as they arnt too boistrous, (like labradors) and if bought up with children are very loyal, they dont need too much exercise, but will gladly walk with you for miles if you want, but they do moult once or twice a year, and need regular grooming to keep their coats looking in good condition.
Yes annemollie, there are some lovely dogs that need re homing, and most make excellent loyal pets. But with having a puppy x breed you dont know how big it is going to get, and with an adult dog you dont know its background, and with a young family at home, you could be taking a risk.
You could always pop along to your local dogs home and see what they have to offer and speak to the staff, any dog taken from a dogs home is vet tested, usually speyed, given all its injections and if things dont work out at home, they will have them back. My son has a gorgeous dog from a pound in New Orleans, she looks like a small white GSD, but she was hard work to start with as she didnt like them to leave her, even for a short period of time, but 18 months later, is a lovely loyal dog.
You could always pop along to your local dogs home and see what they have to offer and speak to the staff, any dog taken from a dogs home is vet tested, usually speyed, given all its injections and if things dont work out at home, they will have them back. My son has a gorgeous dog from a pound in New Orleans, she looks like a small white GSD, but she was hard work to start with as she didnt like them to leave her, even for a short period of time, but 18 months later, is a lovely loyal dog.
Most of the 'gun dog' breeds make good pets that are reasonably easily trained. Terriers, spanials and labs are all good. I was a bit nervous of dogs when I was younger but my husband was desperate for a dog when we got married. We started of with a golden cocker spaniel who was adorable but as a breed the goldens can be 'mad'
we then got a Jack Russell terrier who was fantastic the only problem we had with him was that he was extremely protective of any children and once in a park he started barking at a father who was chasing his daughter who was screaming, we had to ask him to stop and the child to stop screaming so that jack would leave him alone, luckily he saw that he was trying to protect his daughter and was amazed. We then had a golden lab who we took on because his owner couldnot handle him he was gentle loyal and loved my daughter who was 2 ish when we got him it was not uncommon to find them both asleep in his basket. Now we have another Jack Russell and an Lab-rottwieller cross. both are lovely dogs. The lab-rotty cross was breed my sister in law from her 2 lab rotty crosses they turned out to be lovely dogs with the temperement of labs but none of the problems ie hip displacer. What ever dog you choose to go for try and see both of the parents but especially the mother. Jack Russells are lovely dogs but they do need alot of exercise which they often do not get after an hours walk my one is still ready for more.
we then got a Jack Russell terrier who was fantastic the only problem we had with him was that he was extremely protective of any children and once in a park he started barking at a father who was chasing his daughter who was screaming, we had to ask him to stop and the child to stop screaming so that jack would leave him alone, luckily he saw that he was trying to protect his daughter and was amazed. We then had a golden lab who we took on because his owner couldnot handle him he was gentle loyal and loved my daughter who was 2 ish when we got him it was not uncommon to find them both asleep in his basket. Now we have another Jack Russell and an Lab-rottwieller cross. both are lovely dogs. The lab-rotty cross was breed my sister in law from her 2 lab rotty crosses they turned out to be lovely dogs with the temperement of labs but none of the problems ie hip displacer. What ever dog you choose to go for try and see both of the parents but especially the mother. Jack Russells are lovely dogs but they do need alot of exercise which they often do not get after an hours walk my one is still ready for more.
First of all I'd set out your priorities - do you want a dog that needs lots of exercise, or one that will lay around, one that needs grooming/trimming or a short coat, one that will guard/protect you and your family or one that would let a burglar in and lick it to death, one that eats anything and everything or a dog that will only need small meals, one that will live indoors or out, are you willing to do obedience training or do you want one that isn't one of the 'usual' obedience type breeds? Will the children be able to handle the dog or will it be too much for them to hold if it pulls. There are lots more questions, but for a start read the posts re Huskies and Springers(in 'pets' section) as these owners didn't bother to find out what sort of temperament their dogs had and are now finding out!
Discover Dogs is a great place to start, but it would help if you had a short list to start with, as there are almost 200 breeds represented. Ask people you see with a dog what they are like, and consider whether you like the look of them.
Remember that the working breeds like Border Collies, the Gundogs, and any of the spitz breeds needs loads of exercise/mental stimulation, so make sure your chosen breed suits your lifestyle. Don't just consider the usual breeds, there are many others that many people have not heard of, but make super pets. For example, Jules mentioned her Rough Collies need lots of grooming - how about the Smooth Collie - exactly the same dog but with a short coat.
Discover Dogs is a great place to start, but it would help if you had a short list to start with, as there are almost 200 breeds represented. Ask people you see with a dog what they are like, and consider whether you like the look of them.
Remember that the working breeds like Border Collies, the Gundogs, and any of the spitz breeds needs loads of exercise/mental stimulation, so make sure your chosen breed suits your lifestyle. Don't just consider the usual breeds, there are many others that many people have not heard of, but make super pets. For example, Jules mentioned her Rough Collies need lots of grooming - how about the Smooth Collie - exactly the same dog but with a short coat.
I have a samoyed, he is a lovely lovely boy, far to soft for his own good, but he is hard work when it comes to his coat!
I have him at training at the mo, and the other dogs are all great, apart from 2! That are owned by the same people and to be honest, they are not nice around other dogs!
They would together try and attack any other dog that goes to close, we saw that a couple of times last week!
And im sad to say, they are both Border Collies.
I have no experience with the breed other then the 2 I have seen at the training classes, so I may not have the right to say that I personally would steer clear.
I am only going on my own experience of them, all though it is very little, I just thought id have an in put! :)
I have him at training at the mo, and the other dogs are all great, apart from 2! That are owned by the same people and to be honest, they are not nice around other dogs!
They would together try and attack any other dog that goes to close, we saw that a couple of times last week!
And im sad to say, they are both Border Collies.
I have no experience with the breed other then the 2 I have seen at the training classes, so I may not have the right to say that I personally would steer clear.
I am only going on my own experience of them, all though it is very little, I just thought id have an in put! :)
Yes Wiggal, border collies can be a little sharp, and not always the most predictable around children. Although I have to say that I wouldnt have a labrador either, historically everyone thinks they are the best dog around children, but I know a number of 'nasty' ones, and the others are so boistrous around the house, they may knock a child over. I have quite a few friends with labs, even with loads of exercise and training, they are jumping around the house everywhere, two of them have actually knocked me backwards, and a couple of them have attacked other dogs.
Hi daffi, some good advice so far, I just wanted to wish you luck in your search.
I have a Border Collie, and he is entirely unsuitable as a dog for children-we have to steer well clear of kids in the park. However, he came to us late with no socialisation etc. and I know of some families who have BCs who are very child-friendly. They aren't traditional pets, though, as has been said, and you will need to work very hard to ensure a balance-a bored or lonely Collie will be a little neurotic (or a lot neurotic!) I only have first-hand experience of my own, so can't speak for all dogs or owners, but there is no chance of a "day off" with a Collie-whereas some breeds can go without a long walk for a day, Jack is bouncing off the walls by mid-afternoon if I haven't had him out to the park with his frisbee! I know you say you're happy to give lots of exercis, and that's fab, but I know also that family life can sometimes overtake, and there may be a day when there's just too much to do to fit in a long walk or two as well!
Staffs, if trained well, are meant to be great with kids, but can be snappy with other dogs, I am told. Even if you don't pick a rescue dog, your local rescue centre will have lots of advice to give you. I am usually keen to suggest a rescue dog, but it can be hard work, and isn't worth risking your kids' safety for.
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I have a Border Collie, and he is entirely unsuitable as a dog for children-we have to steer well clear of kids in the park. However, he came to us late with no socialisation etc. and I know of some families who have BCs who are very child-friendly. They aren't traditional pets, though, as has been said, and you will need to work very hard to ensure a balance-a bored or lonely Collie will be a little neurotic (or a lot neurotic!) I only have first-hand experience of my own, so can't speak for all dogs or owners, but there is no chance of a "day off" with a Collie-whereas some breeds can go without a long walk for a day, Jack is bouncing off the walls by mid-afternoon if I haven't had him out to the park with his frisbee! I know you say you're happy to give lots of exercis, and that's fab, but I know also that family life can sometimes overtake, and there may be a day when there's just too much to do to fit in a long walk or two as well!
Staffs, if trained well, are meant to be great with kids, but can be snappy with other dogs, I am told. Even if you don't pick a rescue dog, your local rescue centre will have lots of advice to give you. I am usually keen to suggest a rescue dog, but it can be hard work, and isn't worth risking your kids' safety for.
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Why not have a read through sites like:-
http://www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/dogslo okingforhomes.htm
they have lots of rescue/pedigree dogs and give a good run down of what each dog is like, it also allows you to see the problems other people have come up against and why they have given up their dogs.
Remember that the dog you take on will be a major part of your family life for (hopefully) a good 10-15 years.
http://www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/dogslo okingforhomes.htm
they have lots of rescue/pedigree dogs and give a good run down of what each dog is like, it also allows you to see the problems other people have come up against and why they have given up their dogs.
Remember that the dog you take on will be a major part of your family life for (hopefully) a good 10-15 years.
We've got a border collie and he is a brilliant dog, before him we had a collie x from a local rescue centre.
Our BC behaves perfectly around my neice, he will play happily with her and if she bothers him by pulling his tail etc he never snaps but just walks away from her.
Like everyone has already said, BCs need to be physically stimulated by long walks to get rid of their boundless energy but also mentally stimulated, you sound like you'd have plenty of time to spend with your dog so Im sure that wouldn't be a problem.
Our BC was relatively easy to train, he had an amazing desire to please and would do anything for the reward of a treat! They are probably the perfect size for you aswell as you say you dont want anything too small or too big.
Good luck in whatever you decide to go with and Im sure your dog will provide you with so much love and fun!
x
Our BC behaves perfectly around my neice, he will play happily with her and if she bothers him by pulling his tail etc he never snaps but just walks away from her.
Like everyone has already said, BCs need to be physically stimulated by long walks to get rid of their boundless energy but also mentally stimulated, you sound like you'd have plenty of time to spend with your dog so Im sure that wouldn't be a problem.
Our BC was relatively easy to train, he had an amazing desire to please and would do anything for the reward of a treat! They are probably the perfect size for you aswell as you say you dont want anything too small or too big.
Good luck in whatever you decide to go with and Im sure your dog will provide you with so much love and fun!
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