[Food] Getting a dog

[Sussexscots]

If you're getting a puppy, remember that the descriptions you'll read online are what the dog may become as an adult. You are buying potential and a pup will require many hours of training and socialisation to become a dog you will be proud of and, more importantly, a dog that will be settled and happy.

If you buy an adult like a rescue or retired Greyhound, the dog will already have developed much of its personality. You need to decide what fits in with you and your family expectations .

We've always had Bullmastiffs and when properly trained and socialised, they are sweet natured, gentle dogs that don't need tons of exercise. Calm and don't yap or bark much. After a while, you scarcely notice them around the house; but they are extremely strong and not suitable for a youngster to walk on their own.

Choose wisely and you'll have an addition to your family that will give you so much love and affection.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Doonhamer7]

After trying for ages to get a dog through rescue place for ages (they said having a 13year old daughter made most dogs unsuitable for us!?), we just kept looking at pets4homes for a rehoming and 4 weeks later found a 7month old Airedale. She has been superb, hardly molts at all, very friendly, terrier mentality ( we had a Jack russell before) but lab size dog so ‘King of the Terriers’ and we’ve found she is a conversation starter everywhere we go

 

[vegster]

I have been under pressure for some time to get a dog and I am fighting gamely on. Too many negatives for me, the poor thing would be stuck in the house most of the day unless I did the walking duties. Was close to getting an ex Racing Greyhound once as a friend had a pair and they were lovely..

I think you have to be a Dog Person as you have to fully commit.

 

[Frankie]

I do like staffies, having walked a few for the RSPCA (obviously, and sadly, one of their most common breeds needing rehoming, along with the Lurcher From Ireland). I know they're Kennel Club approved to be around children and are generally great with humans but how was yours with other dogs?
When I walk other breeds they do often have an "issue" when they come across staffies and often I'm not sure who's the aggressor. I do like them but I'd like a dog that gets on with other dogs, as I'd mostly be walking in the local park.

She's scared of her own shadow , and avoids all contact with other dogs as much as possible , apart from Pugs which she will happily play with , strange but perhaps she was around a Pug before we got her , she still flinches when we stroke her even while she's sat next to us .

She loves to be in contact with humans and will tolerate rowdy children , if they smother her she escapes to the kitchen , one other strange thing is she doesn't bark whatsoever just grunts when she wants dinner or letting out , the dogs home we got her from said it has been known for dogs in their care that have had the bark beaten out of them .

 

[Chicken Run]

She's scared of her own shadow , and avoids all contact with other dogs as much as possible , apart from Pugs which she will happily play with , strange but perhaps she was around a Pug before we got her , she still flinches when we stroke her even while she's sat next to us .

She loves to be in contact with humans and will tolerate rowdy children , if they smother her she escapes to the kitchen , one other strange thing is she doesn't bark whatsoever just grunts when she wants dinner or letting out , the dogs home we got her from said it has been known for dogs in their care that have had the bark beaten out of them .

Well she has a lovely home now.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Personally, I would avoid any of the 'designer' breeds. We used to have great fun at the Dog Training Club I used to be a trainer at, when someone would be very proud of their ridiculously expensive bundle of fluff, 'its a Cavapoochon!', 'you paid £2k for a mongrel then?'.

Careful Doc, you will upset someone

 

[Questions]

I now have a Cavoodle permanently, no drugs required.

Never be too hasty in turning down drugs................trust me.

 

[Jim Van Winkle]

We got a rescue in January. Took a couple of months to get him under control (just as his previous owners were useless and didn’t teach him a thing). He’s a 4 year old husky x American bulldog. Wouldn’t recommend that breed as he is a bit of a mare for shedding. He has a 45 minute walk in the morning and 45 minute walk in the evening daily (with more at the weekends) and then free reign in the garden the rest of the day which suits him. We also have one of us at home permanently.

We don’t have kids at the moment though so expect that was an easier journey. He was due to go to a family with a 4 year old before us though but fell through at the last minute. Raystede was who we went to and they were very good.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

I have been under pressure for some time to get a dog and I am fighting gamely on. Too many negatives for me, the poor thing would be stuck in the house most of the day unless I did the walking duties. Was close to getting an ex Racing Greyhound once as a friend had a pair and they were lovely..

I think you have to be a Dog Person as you have to fully commit.

Plus the ability to cope with a bag of warm stinking poo in your hand twice a day.

 

[Seasider78]

For years, my wife and kids have been nagging to get a dog and my efforts to postpone the inevitable are as flimsy as Boris defence of the Cumquat. Whilst I know what will happen - after 2 weeks I'll be the only one walking the thing whilst the kids smash the PS4 - I've cracked and starting to think of the practicalities of owning one and bagging a turd in the morning before work.

Advice from the floor please as I don't know where to start

Do's, don'ts, makes, models, stories of how it changes the dynamic in the house but none about dogs at work. I've read enough about those on here. One of us is working at home so it won't be lonely.

I guess we want one that isn't on the go all the time, not massive or has more hair than Richard Keyes and I don't want a small yappy one like scrappy do or an angry one that looks like it wants to eat small children. Mrs would like a cockapoo or similar but they are upwards of a grand FFS.

I have a Beagle which I have had since a pup and they have an amazing temperament and are very good around kids. My advice is owning a dog is a big upheaval and you have to be prepared to put the hours in but they more than pay back for that. Also make sure you have decent insurance in place as they can become costly over time and be prepared for some of your home to be given up (hairs on the carpet, muddy paw prints etc).

 

[Da Man Clay]

My apologies - here he is!

 

[vegster]

Why did poofy dogs become so popular anyway?

We won't have a dog unless we get two. One I am happy to be seen walking and one, no fukken chance.

Lots of fannylickers and rats about these days, I wouldn't be seen dead with some of the powderpuff excuses for a dog these days. I remember almost every other dog being an Alsatian or Doberman called either Satan or lucifer, usually attached by a heavy chain to a tattooed meathead in a vest top

 

[vegster]

Plus the ability to cope with a bag of warm stinking poo in your hand twice a day.

You have nailed the biggest drawback in dog ownership, this probably explains the demise of the Great Dane. You need a bucket.

 

[Triggaaar]

Mrs would like a cockapoo

Dogs are nice, so whatever breed of dog (no doubt with a few exceptions) someone gets, they can have a nice dog, but I do not get the excessive trend in getting a cockapoo.

I'm not sure which breed is right for you, but I'd recommend waiting until the lockdown is fully over, so people can socialise with your new dog properly, and you can get training. On that note, I'd highly recommend the Dogs Trust for training, they're fantastic.

 

[theboybilly]

Rescue. Every time

 

[Iford Albion]

I have really enjoyed this thread and some of the debates it has stirred up. Including the chippy, pious and pompous stuff. I have a patterdale terrier who is an absolute maniac. She is also loyal, intelligent, brave, affectionate and a truly wonderful member of our family. She looks like Benedict Cumberbatch and has a beard so everyone thinks she's a boy. And she once scared Diane Abbot by barking at a nearby pigeon. Great with kids though. Get a dog, look after it well, try to understand it and it will reward you.

 

[pastafarian]

When i was a kid my parents got a mongrel from a rescue centre, he was effing nuts. Had a strange habit of chasing cars and barking at their hubcabs if he didnt like them and was the only dog in the history of the small town i lived in to be arrested by the local bobby ( first day on the job) and placed in the cells, much to the amusement of the chief copper who explained to him he was sort of stretching his powers a little.
I loved that dog. Had a heart of gold and a great friend.
Mongrels are champions!

 

[arewethereyet?]

We done a bit of research and was between a miniature dachshund and a cavalier king Charles spaniel. Decided on the spaniel as it sounded easier to train.
Our landlord said no though.

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Keep an eye out some time this year as the Government are publishing an overhaul of the tenancy agreements that will allow pets in rented properties. It may not help your current tenancy but you will be able to find a new property a lot easier that will have to accept pets.

 

[Live by the sea]

Golden retrievers are great with young children as are bishon’s and lots of the cross breeds like Cavapoos etc . Also King Charles cavaliers etc and Labs.

I’m no expert but know lots of dog owners . All have said never buy a dog unless you have a least seen the mother with the puppy in it’s normal environment.

Never buy a rescue dog as lots have understandably issues as they have often not be well treated and are much more likely to bite .

Never ever buy a big powerful dog like a staffy etc as yes whilst most of the time they are loving and gentle if raised correctly , if they do turn and any animal can turn , because of their immense power in the jaws they can seriously hurt a child and even kill.

Unfortunately also these big powerful dogs often attract the wrong type of owners .

 

[Brighthelmstone]

we've had our Labradoodle for 9 years now and love her to bits. biggest issue though is cost when they get older, we spend circa £350 a month on her and increasing. the other thing is to take into account having people to look after them when you go out. we have a 4 year old daughter now as well and the dog is far more of a bind, cant go out for more than a few hours, can't take her with you when you go out to most places, holidays involve the extra cost of kennels as do days out if you want them (usually £25 a day approx)

As stat mentioned, you'll love it to bits and want to be with it more than the family soon enough though!