Breed help please?!?

A

amage

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 December 2004
Messages
3,888
Visit site
Am now on a fully fledged dog hunt and have decided to throw open my mind and consider everything and anything thats out there! Having great fun researching breeds and met a gorgeous schnauzer on the beach today so was just wondering has anybody experiences of them?? This man is on his third one and couldn't speak highly enough of them as a breed. Whatever I get will have an active life but has to be smallish as they will also be travelling with me for work (i work in agri-sales). They will have the run of a farm and I have experience training dogs. I had my heart set on a working cocker but realistically I do not have the time to do working training with a dog now and would like to shelve that idea for when I have the time to do that justice. So any suggestions???

PS I am also investigating rescues but have posted already this week re that situation so for this post I am essentially talking about pups however any experiences on working with any particular breeds as an older rescue would be of help!
 
Schnauzers are great dogs but please go for a reputable breeder or a rescue - because of their popularity, coat type and relative ease of birth/rearing they are a favourite for puppy farmers here :(
 
I board a fair few (all well behaved and very bidable) they are nice little dogs, do like most smaller breed have tendancy to be attidudey but with some good training and when allowed to be they are active little dogs.
 
They are a very popular breed and I only have experience of the giants which my sister had. They make a very good pet and are good house dogs and my sisters dog deterred a burglar. When her dog went on the alert it was like "The Hound Of The Baskervilles" enough to deter any burglar. Her dog was very stubborn and didnt seem to be very spatialey aware knocking people over when she romped around the field. She had the kindest nature getting on well with horses,cats and other dogs.

I would recommend you read everything about the breed before deciding whether they are the dog for you and then contact reputable breeders or breed rescue.
 
Border Terrier!
My little old BT is a 'proper' terrier and will try to hunt mice all day, despite his failing eyesight and hearing and his nackered leg. He would love a farm life, but at the same time would happily travel with me all day.
My BT bitch seems to think she is a lap dog and a day in the car would be her heaven.

They are such easy dogs to have, IME they are just happy to fit into your life and keep their humins happy.

(Can you tell my dog has been a good girl today?:p)
 
Staffie? and there are puppies in rescues too? We always had staffs and they have always been good country dogs. Highly devoted to their humans and generally love people anyway. Like a routine where their exercise is concerned as are energetic dogs (though not in the realms of a spaniel), and then adapt around it. So mine know they get to go out at lunchtime and the evenings so will happily lie around snoring in between. They have pretty much adopted everyone in the yard as well but do mix in with the other dogs up there, bar 1 JRT who used to be the YO's dog and doesn't like my boy, so rather then see him being chased and yelled at by the JRT I stick him in the crate if she is around!
 
CaveCanem said:
Schnauzers are great dogs but please go for a reputable breeder or a rescue - because of their popularity, coat type and relative ease of birth/rearing they are a favourite for puppy farmers here :(
Click to expand...

Def would be going to reputable breeder! Have already been on to the Kennel Club for breeder info re a couple of breeds! Border terrier is another on my list. I personally am not keen on a Staffy, have never particularly liked the look of them and one thing I have to bear in mind is we do live in a holiday spot and in summer the 3 beaches are busy. The last thing I want is a dog getting reported because it has "the look" of a banned breed. I know they are not banned but back street breeders are doing so much damage. either way I personally am not a fan. Thanks guys
 
If you are not too fussed on what you get, why not have a look around some rescue centres and see if something catches your eye? I don't think you can beat a nice scruffy mix, I've got a Patterdale anda scruffy JRT, neither have cost me a penny other than routine stuff/neutering,vacc,worm.. until old age, pattedale is now on heart meds aged 16 and scruffy one had his eye removed last feb aged 13.. really good doers!

Like others said, if you are going for a pure breed do your homework and check out their breeding history....
 
I knew a giant schnauzer and i loved him to bits, seemed to be a really lovely guy, spoiled to bits but totally easygoing.

I agree with the others about mix breed terriers. They are great. we have one who is 14 and has never spent a day at the vets. people put her age at 6 or so and if i marker penned the grey on her face you would think she really was just a young dog. Shes got so much personality and is my best friend.
 
8921_1253046651126_1378330539_745496_8191402_n.jpg

Mini schnauzer! Can't get cuter! I've never met one without a great temperament, mine loves kids and horses, is very very trainable (go get my socks, shut the door etc) and other than grooming doesn't need 'special' care.
 
SwingHorse said:
8921_1253046651126_1378330539_745496_8191402_n.jpg

Mini schnauzer! Can't get cuter! I've never met one without a great temperament, mine loves kids and horses, is very very trainable (go get my socks, shut the door etc) and other than grooming doesn't need 'special' care.
Click to expand...

Oh my god that is just adorable!!!! I'm not bothered as had to keep Boots my lest fella regularly clipped for the sake of my hoover...he killed two hoovers with his hair in the first year!!
 
Devonshire dumpling said:
If you are not too fussed on what you get, why not have a look around some rescue centres and see if something catches your eye?.
Click to expand...

I am doing but most rescue centres won't even consider me as I have no garden! I posted about it the other day...lack of garden actually not an issue due to OH's farm, dog wll be with me all day at work and lots of walks (I already walk....)
 
amage said:
Def would be going to reputable breeder! Have already been on to the Kennel Club for breeder info re a couple of breeds! Border terrier is another on my list. I personally am not keen on a Staffy, have never particularly liked the look of them and one thing I have to bear in mind is we do live in a holiday spot and in summer the 3 beaches are busy. The last thing I want is a dog getting reported because it has "the look" of a banned breed. I know they are not banned but back street breeders are doing so much damage. either way I personally am not a fan. Thanks guys
Click to expand...

Ah, your response did make me so sad. Your comment really sums up the prejudice against these fab little dogs. I respect your opinions and you must love your dog and it must be your choice but a properly brought up staff would not have a problem with beaches and a "correct" staff is not big either (14" to shoulder for a bitch, 16" for a dog). You are more likely to have a issue with a staffie being overkeen on people than the opposite!. I was hopeful attitudes were changing as I have never been stopped as many times as I was at Badminton with people wanting to stroke my dogs but think reading your post it will take longer.

Good luck with your choices. I can understand why a rescue might think twice so you could be better with a smaller one who would understand that the dog would effectively be out all day regardless. Maybe think of how it would sound to a rescue and how you need to present it to them, so go for the "we are out all day, with my OH on a farm and I do xxx so we are looking for a reasonably active dog to keep up"
 
Luci07 said:
Ah, your response did make me so sad.
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood my response...I am not keen on their looks from a purely aesthetic point of view...similiar to the way I am not a massive fan of toy poodles! My reference to the fact that I am in a holiday area prob misguided that in my previous post! I have in the past played with some fabulous ones and am well aware that they are for the large part lovely dogs.
 
amage said:
I think you misunderstood my response...I am not keen on their looks from a purely aesthetic point of view...similiar to the way I am not a massive fan of toy poodles! My reference to the fact that I am in a holiday area prob misguided that in my previous post! I have in the past played with some fabulous ones and am well aware that they are for the large part lovely dogs.
Click to expand...

oh good!! though my staffie boy still gets the award for the most appealing eyes as he is very doe eyed- reds often are. Good luck in your search!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top