Best breed to buy as pup?

[PinkFairy]

OH and I are talking about getting a puppy in the next few months, and have looked over a huge variety, my preference being huskies, dobermans, rottweilers, dalmations, and some small dogs. However, OH does have two staff bitches who are young, so we may well leave it til next year before introducing a new puppy. Any ideas?

 

[KarynK]

Please don't get a Husky unless you have thoroughly done your research. Though lovely looking dogs they are hard work and not very trainable, except to pull a rig or sled, it is VERY rare to get one that you can trust off a lead, so unless you are prepared to give it huge amounts of exercise then it's going to get bored and they are extremely destructive.

They are not very loyal and will not play with you like a domestic breed, they can be forceful with other breeds in a pack situation and might find staffies a bit too in their face.

They are famous escapers and 6’ fences are no barrier especially when left unattended, they will dig better than a badger and their howl is such that neighbours will complain as it is a sound that really draws attention. So please don’t be swayed by their looks alone.

 

[CAYLA]

Agree 100% with KarynK, if u have not got the time or any breed experience don't get a husky, they are a high energy breed that need a hell of a lot of exercise and stimulation, and persoannly I think they are better kept in packs with their own breed type.

Otherwise in sheer frustration(with is very sad to experiance) they will absoloultely crack up, resulting in trying to escape, chewing, howling also accompanied by alot of behavioural issues, we rehome a fair few husky's amd malamutes, because they are simply misunderstood in the way of the breed and their needs, and their beauty is there down fall.
Again, unless u have experience of handling a heavy weight power house

and u have lots of time and PATIENCE I would also deter you from a dalmation/doberman, they are highly strung and very stubborn breeds that need a firm hand and training from day one, with again a sh!t load of exercise, the frustration in these breeds if their needs are not met can often result in aggression, and at the weight and size they grow, u really don't want that

Dalamation need immense exercise and if this is not met, u will have a hyper heavy weight imbosil

on your hands, doberamns can be commonly naturaly wary of strangers making socialisation crucial, and they whinge for England

, they have to be one of the most stubborn breeds I have ever come across, they learn pretty quick but can back track and loose it all in an instance and take along time to mature

I would recommend either a rotti or a shepherd if you want a larger breed, both more bidable breeds, esp bitches, both teritorial breeds but alot easier to train, and don't need half the amount of exercise as the breeds above to install a little calmness

Shepherds are very intelligent and very easy to train ans try their hardest to please, and IMO make an all round fab large breed family pet, rottis are a little more head strong and not as clever but very loyal and loving and crave attention, a bit like a bigger staffi really, but alot more protective/teritorial with strangers

Hope that helps.

 

[PinkFairy]

Thanks to both of you! OH wanted a husky purely because we came across one in a country park when we took the staffs out and he thought it was the most stunning animal he'd seen (clearly he's never seen a horse

) but we're mainly torn between doberman or rottweiler - am very glad you recommend rotti! I will be the one (happily!) doing the excersising etc, and will have lots of time to give for the new pup. Thanks again

 

[Cyrus]

Agree with everything KarynK and CALA stated about huskies they are damn hard work but I dont regret a single second with my two

If you are seriously interested in having a husky PM me and I`ll do everything I can to help e.g putting you in contact with good respected breeders not one of the millions of puppy farmers out there

I`ll give you a word of warning though, they take over your life like no other breed can, I have given up on having a horse of my own at the moment as I have too much going on with my dogs working them etc and its not an inexpensive hobby but I love seeing my dogs doing what they are bred to do

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Yay get a rotti .

.. my OH has one and his mum has two!! His mums two are rescue dogs that came from a terribly sad and traumatic life

and can be very hard work, very territorial and the two dogs have to be kept apart at ALL times or they will kill each other

, luckily she has a massive house and a huge garden

!! As for Rocky (OH's) he had had him from a puppy and is as genuine as the day is long!! Only thing i would say is they are quite prone to gettin bad ears, Rocky is constantly having ear drops etc but it's not a major problem. His nephew can pull and drag him around, never bats an eyelid!! Very affectionate and altho he loves loves loves walkies he will happily sleep all day (bit like his owner lol

)!!!! Very easy to train and just so much fun in general ... good luck with your decision!!!

 

[AmyMay]

Huskeys are quite high maintenance. And unless you are home with it all day and can give it all the exercise it needs - steer clear. Same with dalmations. And you do have to watch dalmations, especially around kids.

Why buy though, when the rescue centres are begging people to adopt????

 

[Blanche]

I agree with Cala re dalmatians . I've had loads and they are great dogs but they do require alot of exercise and are quite sensitive in temperament . I have found dallies easier to train and much more intelligent than the border collies I have had but they can sense weakness and take the piss if allowed . They are also very , very greedy and (as I've said before !) they shed white hairs twice a year - the first six months of the year and the second six months !! Having said all that they are great dogs to have .

ETA. Just seen AmyMays post re dallies and children . I have never heard of a problem in this respect and never had a problem with my children and my dallies . In my experience if people have any problems with any breed and a child they need to look at how they have trained both dog AND child and not automatically blame the dog .

 

[PinkFairy]

Thank you Cyrus, I will have a chat with my OH and see what he says, although I think we're leaning toward a rottweiler at the moment, as my uncle had a malamute which he found terribly difficult, and had to take back unfortunately.

Scranny_Ann - thanks for the viewpoint

My OH would also sleep all day if he could

AmyMay - we have looked at a few rescue places, and we do prefer the idea of rescuing, we're just a bit concerned that a rescue dog would not be ideal, although my aunt has two rescue dogs who are both incredibly placid and gentle. We're planning to go to some kennels in the future and have a look, but we want to keep both options open.

Blanche - thank you for your input. My other uncle had a dalmation who was really bolshy around nervous people, but I don't know anyone else who may have had a different experience.

Thanks again all!

 

[CorvusCorax]

If he likes the look of a husky, and I agree that they are high-maintenance, why not go for a grey sable German Shepherd, which can be very striking? Preferably a female as they are much easier to deal with than males.

 

[BBH]

Please give a rescue dog a home if you can. My local rescue centre has three beautiful rottie bitches in for rehoming through no fault of their own.

 

[PinkFairy]

Are there any other breeds you all recommend? We like the idea of having a rotti because they are protective etc, as I will be home alone some nights as OH works stupid hours sometimes. I'm taking everything into account, and when the time comes, we will definitely be going to rescue centres to have a look

 

[Shanny]

My only experience with a husky was when next doors dog escaped under the fence. He chased and killed my cockerell.

I caught him red handed, but it was too late. He had pulled all the flesh of of his chest, but our cockerell Fred was still alive, poor thing. Then he decided he would go for one of my cats and chased her up a tree. I took Fred to the vet and had him PTS.

Next door did not understand that our cockerell wasn't just a 'cockerell' and that he was our pet. Every time that dog escaped, he came back to our house. The impression I got from next door is that they found their husky hard work, I don't think they really understood what they had taken on and that he was a working type of dog. I do think they look lovely but really need an experienced handler.

I'm pleased to say the owners and the dog have now moved, thank goodness.

But if I had to choose a breed, I would have to go with a labrador, as they are a good all round family dog, but I don't think labs are on your list!

 

[PinkFairy]

Shanny - thanks for the info, we don't mind looking at other breeds, my aunty has just got two labradors from a rescue centre and they're so lovely! We will definitely take all this in, and have a look on the websites etc. I'm currently on the RSPCA one and they've got loads of staffordshire bull terriers! We may well end up getting a third staffie!

 

[KarynK]

Yep that's a party trick and not just from bored ones! My sisters dogs are worked regularly but that doesn't stop the killing!!!

Little birds pluked out of the air, the odd frog or toad skinned and squashed, tasted then spat out, bugs and insects dug up and eaten, then there are the hedgehogs, rolled onto their backs on the earth, thumped with two very hard paws in the stomach then when they open up killed and eaten if they are lucky, skinned if not!!!!

No plant is allowed to live in their area and pots must be broken somehow, all life must be destroyed and holes must be dug regularly! Oh and kitchen surfaces are no barrier and fair game if no one is around, as are rubbish bins. I love em to bits but they are not for me!!!!

 

[Puppy]

As between the two of you, you already have 3 dogs, which are yet to be accustomed to one another, and you yourself have regularly stated you are not well enough in your health to even pop to the shops, or stand and cook a meal, I would think it a little unrealistic to think you current can take on a puppy, especially of the breeds that you mention (huskies, dobermans, rottweilers, dalmations, staffies are all breeds that need to be well brought up) Perhaps you should postpone thinking about getting another dog until the two of you have moved in together, your existing dogs know one another, and your health is on the up, and assess things then.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

If you want to feel safe when alone at home, it doesn't need to be big breed. I felt safer with my Norwegian Buhunds than with the DobermanX I had, not that she wasn't capable but the Buhunds, well nobody comes anywhere near without them noticing it and if they think there is need for it, the "alarm" goes off and I presume that anyone that wants to do something bad, doesn't want to do it when they've been detected before even coming close.

If you only have one, they're usually actually rather quiet and only barks when there really is need for it, it is when you get more than one that they can trigger each other. Actually even with a spitz like the Finnish Lapphund that really doesn't bark without reason, I don't worry if somebody would forget to lock our door at night, I trust them 100% to not let anybody open our front door without their notice. It took 10 years for my B-I-L to be considered such a part of our family that my Buhunds didn't bark when he opened our door, my nephews and niece in other hand when staying over, could run in and out and they recognized who it was going in and out and didn't bark.

Anyway, my point was more that you don't need a big dog to feel safe. I've read in a book a quote from a thief, saying something like that the dogs he hated most was the small and yappy ones, they never stopped barking and if you tried to kick them or grab them, they where to small and fast and always out of reach.

So personally I'm sticking to medium built breeds, large enough to not look like something you don't need to pay attention to, capable of walking for as long as I want to walk but happy with "medium"-long walks too.

 

[PinkFairy]

Thanks for all the info

Puppy - my dog at home won't be coming with me when we move in, as my mum wants to keep her at home (as she was her mothers dog so is too special to her LOL) We were talking about doing this next year, as we won't be moving in together til then, so I wanted to get all my research together so I know what I'm letting myself in for. I am also well on the way to recovery, (thank God!!

) so that should also be sorted by next year as well.

After talking to him last night, we're really not sure, as the two staffs are a handful as they are, and talking of the future, at some point there WILL be talk of having a baby, and my mum is really not keen on us having two staffs and poss a rotti as well. I don't mind just having the two staffs on their own, but it'd be nice to have another at some point, hence why we're looking around