Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => Pets without Feathers => Topic started by: JaK on September 29, 2015, 10:57
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We have started looking into getting a dog and are trying to figure out what type of dog would suit us. We don't want one that is a very large breed due to space inside our house. Must be good with children (our youngest is 7) and must be able to walk a good distance as we live on Dartmoor. My ideal dog would also be happy to visit the allotment with me too.
I look after a springer spanial for a friend and he is a wonderful, well trained dog so already I'm leaning towards that breed.
I'm not overly fussed about getting a puppy so would probably start looking for adoption centers to begin with.
Any suggestions of breeds (and why) would be great as we may have overlooked a breed that could be perfect.
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I've had one two Heinz 57 dogs and a Westie - Both of the Heinz 57's were fantastic family dogs and the Westie was great but they are prone to suffer with skin problems when can be very expensive to keep under control. Pedigrees do tend to have ailments and weaknesses that are indicative to the particular breed.
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I wouldn't usually promote a particular breed, but my friend's miniature labradoodle is just amazing. She's friendly, trainable, really good with kids, and not a big dog, though not small. But she can run for miles and is happiest being with people. I'm allergic to dogs & cats and don't react to her either. She's 9 now and has had no health problems other than a sporadically gummy ear.
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All breeds can have good and bad dogs in them (just like humans). My advice would be to go to a good rescue centre that vets perspective adopters well. if they check the homes and families are suitable for the dogs you can bet that they will also make sure that the dog is suitable for you. I have had four dogs which I got via this route and they have all turned out to be great (a German shepherd, a boxer mix, a Belgium Shepherd and a pure bred Boxer).
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I thought that too but need to be sure they will have something we would be interested in, the majority of the shelters in this area are full of staff's and I really don't want one of those. I think we would have to travel further afield to find a shelter so need to be sure of what breed/mixed breed we want first as lot's of places concentrate on re homing specific breed types.
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You could do worse than have a look here, they have lots of breeds, from all over UK. www.dogsblog.com
May be of interest?
Cheers
Aled
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... the majority of the shelters in this area are full of staff's and I really don't want one of those.
They do fit all of your specifications, I can understand your trepidation but take 5 mins to cuddle a few in the shelter - they're not all thugs and so many need homes. :(
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Over the years we have a Labrodor dog, four Flatcoated Retrievers and a Terveuren - Belgian Shepherd dog. All quite big, but.... The Labrador was, er, anxious, to spread his genes and an escape artist, but a great family dog if you can stand the strain. The Flatcoated Retrievers are fantastic family fogs if you can take the pace, they are very energetic and great with children. Our current Flatcoat is the second rescue and has fitted in very well. Our daughter had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but do not be put off by their reputation. They were formally known as the 'Nanny Dog' and Lilly was a very gentle soul, people seemed to rush up to pat her in a crowd in favour of any other.
Malcolm
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Here are some of our various cats and dogs from over the years:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/norwichhouse-oakridge/albums/72157655676961395
Malcolm
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I too have had a lot of dogs over the years. My favourites were my corgi that I had when I lived in Malta in 1970, she was a real sweetie, not too big, very good and well behaved. My most favourite is Penny, the lab x springer we have now. We got her as a rescue when she was 11 months old, but we did know her previous owners.
She was a mad March hare when we got her, but although she was very bouncy, she never jumped up at people. She should have been named Tigger I think! :D ;)
She has never tried to escape from our garden, even though we have conifers, but nothing is fenced. She has never tried to bite or attack anyone, we can leave her indoors for 14 hours and she has never got onto the furniture, apart from one occasion, which was my fault, she has never messed indoors while we were out, and she has been very good with others dogs.
Saying that though, if you've ever watched Cesar Millan, he always says there are no bad dogs, just bad owners!
As to Staffies. I too am not keen on them, but I do know lots of people who have them, and there is a group of Facebook that I joined because it is run by my friend Joyfull (who is a member here!), and ALL the owners say what wonderful family dogs they are. Friendly, loyal, and as Oakridge said, make good Nanny's! LOL
I do so hope you find the right dog. Penny has given us nothing but love for the past 13 years! xxx
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I posted the link on the pets page as well, but I have been told it doesn't work so I am collecting some actual pictures together - watch this space.
Malcolm
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Your lifestyle will come into it too. Working dog breeds do need stimulation and excercise to keep their exuberance in check. Please don't think that one Springer will be the same as another, as with some other breeds you can get the soft and gentle, biddable types and the totally bonkers types, all with lovely natures but some needing constant work. All dogs, like people, are individuals.
I like Staffs too, but not sure I would get a rescue with small children as you have no idea how they were raised. Our little lab, though as soft as butter and would have been a great family dog, has issues which relate to her past life in an abusive home which we knew nothing about until she had lived with us a while. We thought she was quiet and well behaved (dare I say boringly so) because she was a good girl and her issues and character came out later, as did more info on her past.
Good luck with your search, but try not to get hung up on breeds. Do your research as already mentioned, many breeds have health issues which a breed enthusiast may just gloss over in their adoration. There is lots of information on line. And insurance costs for problematic breeds can be high, especially as they get older
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Labs! Incredibly smart, easy to train(food motivated), very few health problems, if any, easy care coat, sweet to the max and love children, other dogs, cats, etc....well..they just love everyone. I've always had Labs or Lab mix dogs and each one was a pure gem and gave me no problems whatsoever, no health issues at all and were wonderful family dogs. Two of them were shelter dogs and came to me fully grown...and also fully trained. The third I got as a pup and he's brilliant as well. He currently watches my chicken flock for me and really gets attached to his birds. Not one of those dogs ever growled at a human being....nothing but pure love covered in fur, they live for affection and will do most anything to gain it.
Loyal, sweet natured, intelligent, beautiful, trustworthy and easy to keep.
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Beekissed, lab fan that I am, having been involved with Lab rescue in the UK, the fact that labs have no health problems is a myth. They are surprisingly susceptible to digestion problems, renowned for joint problems in a big way, often get cancer, need plenty of work or get fat on fresh air. Temperament wise no breed is good tempered in a blanket way, even the best bred can have issues (know from experience) and unfortunately, though many think they are born trained, they do need work and can be very boisetrous as teenagers. And most will eat the most unsuitable foods as youngsters, including chair legs and cables, toys and any human food available.
But I love them and I have to say our girl (well bred for working) has been an absolute joy with a temperament to die for, despite her traumatic first three years. Not dissing labs at all, just that no breed is perfect which is why I said earlier not to get hung up on breed, but look at individuals.
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Maybe American labs have more hybrid vigor? Not sure. But any that I have known~not just my own~have enjoyed good health into old age. Yes, cancer is often their killer but until then, when given the opportunity to live a healthy life, they stay pretty healthy...and no breed lasts forever. They all die eventually of one thing or another. I wouldn't advocate anyone keep them in the home all the time if they want any breed to be a healthy dog, as a house is not a natural habitat for any dog. They were created for outdoor living...plenty of exercise, things to chew upon that are more appropriate then furniture and rugs, and the ability to regulate their own digestive systems by consuming things in nature that help with that.
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The main probs we've had with Penny, now she is almost 14, is a touch of arthritis in her back legs, and an ear infection quite often.
Now she is taking tablets for her joints, she is very active again, although she can sometimes sleep until 10am! LOL She has wonderful teeth, although I've never cleaned them, and the vet said he wuld be proud to own a dog like that at her age!
But like the others have said, you can get really docile ones, or total mad ones in any breed. The trick is in the training I think.
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I have a 2 year old springer who has such a lovely personality that we've just got a working cocker puppy. Yes they need a lot of exercise but they are quite laid back once they've been to the park. They are very friendly and not at all vicious. My vote is spaniel.
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I think spaniels are over excitable and need lots of exercise, so you have to be able to keep up with them if you are to do them justice. My brother has them and he knows that to keep them stimulated he has to walk them a lot!
Lifestyle comes into more than the breed type. Get a dog to suit your home and how much exercise you are prepared to put in. How much are you at home. Don't get a dog if you're out all day.
The little lahsa apso types, pug shitzu type dogs are biddable and friendly and have modest exercise needs but are lovely affectionate little dogs with bags of character.
The dog I walk for my neighbour was bought with children in mind yet it is far too big and powerful for the kid to walk, or the missus, so I get to walk it for them! Wrong choice entirely! The dog needs to be worked really to give it what it needs. Poor choice. Planning ahead is so important. good luck! :)
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Thanks everyone, we have decided to start looking for our new four legged friend after Christmas.
I think we are going to go for a springer spaniel, collie or a cross. I know these are higher energy dogs but that is exactly what we would need, it will have to keep up with us! Also they seem to be a good size, not too big but not a small yappy thing either. I have seen a couple that would be perfect already but the timing isn't quite right (we lost our cat a couple of days ago and feel a little break would be good in between pets).
Keep any more breed related ideas coming though. :)
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I've heard good things about Shelties, as far as intelligence and standard poodles for the same. Every standard poodle I've ever met seemed to be extremely intelligent and affectionate. Not so much the miniature...very yappy, cranky, over excited.
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High maintenance to keep the coat in good nick, would be my only reservation. Dog hairs everywhere!
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We had a sheltie as I was growing up. Quite a shy dog, and yes you need to brush them daily. But they will take as much walking as you want to give them (won't get destructive and bored like an underwalked border collie) and he was a lovely dog.
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My BIL has been working on the moors in Lancs and they found one up there, looking like it had been there ages, and in terrible condition. They weren't aware of the breed until one of the lads took it home and gave it a bath :) Beautiful dogs indeed :)
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for a family dog I would always say get a staffy, they are one of only two breeds that the kennel club recommend as being good with all the family - remember they were known as the nanny dog before the idiots got hold of them and turned them into status dogs. I myself would never have a working breed (collie or spaniel). As for my favourite breed then that will always be a rescue.
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I am looking after a pugzu and I have to say he's gorgeous, so placid and kind, and so easy to walk. He doesn't pull and is very friendly. He doesn't need a ton of exercise and he's easy to keep clean :)
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Pugzu, that sounds very cute!
Although I know we are not getting one for a couple of moths, I still keep looking. There are some great looking crosses out there, so far the ones that caught my eye are a springer cross boxer, springer cross poodle and a springer cross jack russel terrier.
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Jack Russells! :ohmy: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! I had one. Never again! He nearly drove me insane! :nowink: Not a family dog, they are terriers and ruddy hard work. Mine was only good when he was exhausted
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Jak - firstly, I'm really sorry about you losing your cat. I'm very much a cat person and not at all keen on dogs; having said that, years ago I really took to a little whippet, then a few years ago took to a Jack Russell called Ruby who was just an absolute sweetheart and completely the opposite to one my mum once had and had to return it to the kennels as it was completely uncontrollable. No matter what the animal is, what breed and, to a certain extent, its upbringing, they are all unique like us and totally unpredictable! Maybe this break will give you more time to make a decision, plus I believe that the right dog for you will come at the right time and not before.
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Flatcoated retriever all the way. Super friendly, love kids and other dogs, lots of energy, adore cuddles and born comedians. They're not called the 'Peter pans of the dog world' for nothing!
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I couldn't agree more Diddy Gardener. We are on our fourth Flatcoat and they are a great pal, but.... they are very energetic although Hugo has turned into a bit of a Nigel, as in 'Gardener's World', when I have him with me in the yard. When we had the livestock I could put the two we had then in with the chickens or goats so I new where they were with no worries. At that time we had lots of local children visiting and if we took the dogs for a walk I could give William's lead to a four year old and he would be as gentle lamb, but he would drag ten year olds through bushes and have a great time. They are great swimmers having inherited webbed feet from their Newfoundland ancestors and can spot water a mile off and be gone.
Malcolm
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Haha! Yes! Mine hated water as a pup, would go out of his way to avoid a puddle. Now there's no keeping him out :nowink: I just think they're the most adorable, crazy breed...just such a shame they have relatively short lives :(
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You say that you're leaning towards a Springer spaniel, which is fair enough - lovely dogs. But have you ever thought about the slightly smaller Cocker spaniel?
Just a thought.
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Of the four Flatcoats we have had the first two came as pups, were extremely active and died at 10 and 12 of cancer, Seve, a rescue was so laid back he lived to thirteen, Hugo is coming up four and has two speeds, zonked out and let's break the speed limit. They are all extremely good at removing ice creams from the hands of toddlers and are better goalies than most adults.
Malcolm
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The only one I have had dealings with was a pup on a house sit along with a retriever of the same age. They were new to the family and they hadn't bargained on being away so soon, but the flatcoat was house trained within two days, the other was still struggling ten days later. She made a big impression on me altogether, a lovely animal. Active, yes, but easily trained. I did think of having one once, but after hearing of health problems settled on a rescue lab also known for health problems. (!) But what a brilliant choice. My sister's lab, who is staying here at the moment, is not the nicest dog, very large (as in tall) despite a small mother, aggressive towards other animals (had a go at all my dog/cat family, despite my gentle lab being rather frail) and not very welcoming of visitors, not very lab-like
The point of this is, you should choose for temperament rather than breed, and a size to suit you and your family
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We do have a great advantage with big, active dogs in that there is 250 acres of open woodland at the top of the garden and I have 1.25 acres of this as my 'yard' where I have the fruit and vegetables etc. So there is plenty of play area.
When we had Ben and Willie, the first two Flatcoats along with Sheba, the Belgian Shepherd, I used to reckon that walking in the woods at night was like being on a battleship because Ben and Willie would alert me to anybody within 200 yards but Sheba would not respond until they were within 50 yards. Sheba was very fast indeed and once gave a fox a terrible fright all but catching it but once anything was further than 25 yards away she considered them no longer a danger and left them. Sheba, another rescue, had a very strong personality and had 'the look' and came with a 'not recommended for beginners' label although she turned out to be very biddable. Once the boar managed to get out of the field but Sheba, with no training, went ahead and turned him into the field. We were very impressed..
Malcolm
P.S. I could go on and on with animal stories.
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We signed up with a few rescue centers to let them know we would be looking for a new pal. We never bargained on coming away with a dog so soon! But our newest family member 'Bob the dog' (2 year old collie cross) has been with us just over 3 weeks, he has settled in beautifully, was house trained in just over a week and is now walking/running off lead. :D
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That's great news. ;) But for some reason I can't see the pics.....you have taken pics haven't you? :lol:
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Nice one Jak, that's great news. Now how can I convince my wife we need a dog..... :unsure:
Cheers
Aled
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Here's Bob. :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/jenny80/b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jenny80/media/b.jpg.html)
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Awww lovely. Love those generous ears! :)
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Haha, he really is 90% ears, 10% dog . I think his mother thought he'd grow into them. :lol:
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Maybe American labs have more hybrid vigor? Not sure. But any that I have known~not just my own~have enjoyed good health into old age. Yes, cancer is often their killer but until then, when given the opportunity to live a healthy life, they stay pretty healthy...and no breed lasts forever. They all die eventually of one thing or another. I wouldn't advocate anyone keep them in the home all the time if they want any breed to be a healthy dog, as a house is not a natural habitat for any dog. They were created for outdoor living...plenty of exercise, things to chew upon that are more appropriate then furniture and rugs, and the ability to regulate their own digestive systems by consuming things in nature that help with that.
We have 6 dogs, all from rescue groups- starting with a JR Cross, a mutt (born in the olive groves) a pure Lab, a small terrier type, a shaggy terrier type and then a Podenco Maneto. All are good dogs- we have fostered many dogs over the past 2 years, Charlie our Lab has been adored by them all, except one dog, a Teckel- he hated Charlie and would attack at every chance, in the end one day Charlie fought back- Charlie was terrified of Chechu. We had to keep Chechu caged until he went to his forever home. Charlie has had ´tummy troubles´ ever since we had him and chewed one leg badly- for the past 2 months I have been cooking his food, chicken, potato, carrot then added pasta and when served a couple of large tinned sardines- straight away his runny poo cleared up and now his chewed legs are all but better. All 6 are good dogs, maybe it is better to get a dog that has been in foster care for a rescue group- then you know within reason, how that dog is in a family situation.
Pamela
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Are you sure Bob isn´t part Spanish Podence with those ears? That is the trademark of the Podence, huge ears. We are fostering a Ibizan Podenco at the moment, she is taller than our Labrador, and he is tall. We have the smallest of the Podenco type too, a Manuto.
Hopefully here is a link to the Podenco dogs.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrBT7Q8YXVWOnQA57VXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0bGdlM3J0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjEyNTNfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=spanish+podenco&fr=mcafee&fr2=piv-web#id=14&iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.craigmcginty.com%2F.a%2F6a00d8341c7e8653ef01127910a49828a4-800wi&action=click
Pamela
PS Well done adopting!!
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Wow, he could be couldn't he? Bob certainly has the ears, similar shaped face and slender build but with the collie tail and shaggy scruff round his neck.
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I had a Beagle for years, he was awesome with kids, they love to be at the heart of the family. They are very loving and loyal dogs, quite active, very intelligent, easy to train dogs and I would have one again in a heart beat. If I was to say anything negative about them, I would say they do much better on a lead than off, in my opinion all dogs should be kept on a lead when out walking, although I have known some Beagles to walk off lead quite well. Great size and very good looking too!You can adopt ex Lab testing Beagles too. Whatever breed you choose I wish you all the best :)
Ok silly me, just noticed you have already adopted Bob, but will leave my comment in case it helps another who is looking for a dog. Your new family member looks very sweet, I hope he gives you a lifetime of love and fun x