Recommend me a breed of dog for our life-style

cob&onion

cob&onion

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Me and the OH have decided on getting a dog. We have 2 children aged 5 and 7 , a cat and 3 horses. We live in the countryside in a beautiful setting with loads of lovely places for walks. We are looking for a smaller dog, good with children and horses, will be happy being with my OH whilst he works down the woods (most days) or with me whilst am with my horses. Something easy to train and intelligent :) easy to groom and care for, quite like the wiry coats :)

We have been looking at patterdales and border terriers, the border terriers seem like nice little dogs from what i have read - does anyone have one?
Thanks
 
I have a Border Terrier and my lifestyle seems very similar to yours!
They are really tough hardy no nonsense little dogs. Great coats that seem to repel most things but need stripping to stop the old doormat look! My old Border has been perfect in every way...he is now nearly 15 and still walks for a few miles every day. He has never req. much vets attention other than the routine stuff so I would highly recommend them. In fact what attracted me to them years ago was that I read an article about why they were a really popular choice of dogs for vets to own because they are so healthy! Only down side with him was rabbit holes and hedgehogs (he's too old for that nonsense now) but used to be very single minded on that front - more so than all the JRT's we have had over the years.
 
^^ Much as I agree, in your case you probably need a puppy you can train as rescue dogs often come with baggage. I'm thinking about the need to have a dog you can trust to stay with you, given the freedom it is going to be lucky to have. Terriers can be a bit of a liability as they do like to run off after things, and get stuck down rabbit holes ....etc.

If you could cope with getting something a little bigger, Springer Spaniels are great with children, loyal, very intelligent, and would love the lifestyle you can offer.
 
brightmount said:
^^ Much as I agree, in your case you probably need a puppy you can train as rescue dogs often come with baggage. I'm thinking about the need to have a dog you can trust to stay with you, given the freedom it is going to be lucky to have. Terriers can be a bit of a liability as they do like to run off after things, and get stuck down rabbit holes ....etc.
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In the nicest possible way that is utter b*llocks :rolleyes: :) IME if you give a dog unlimited freedom (as long as that comes with sufficient stimulation and exercise) it is actually less likely to run off! To give an example my latest rescue whippet came to me as an uncatchable runaway but after only a couple of weeks on the longline he had complete freedom to roam the farm and sticks with me like glue most of the time. The only times he is away from me are when I send him off bunny chasing or he has to have a nap!


Oh yeah and my oh's terrier has never run off in her whole life plus the only springer I know is permanently buried in a hedge 3 fields away from her owner lol
 
A rescue dog needn't have baggage, and they're generally assessed before they're re-homed. Not to mention they usually have great back up if you and the dog don't gel together :)

I'd recommend a nice lab from your post, although slightly bigger than the dogs you've been looking at. :) Intelligent dogs aren't necessarily easier to train in terms of the basics... a lot of the most intelligent breeds need a job to do or they will invent one for themselves (it will usually be a job role you really never, ever wanted filling :D). Labs are great as the intelligence has an on/off switch... present food = smart lab. No food = lab chilled out wherever you left him. The 'house rules' tend to settle on their minds without too much effort, so long as you're consistent. (Watch for bin raiding and counter surfing though!) :) This all being based on my experience living with labs of course. I'm prepared to be inundated with statements declaring the opposite :D

So yes, a lab. A bit bigger but easy to train, smart enough without being difficult and mental, generally fairly happy to do whatever is on the menu for the day... don't tend towards being snappish at all in terms of children or other animals (or they shouldn't if well bred/brought up!) and they make excellent snuggle partners on the sofa.

Plus if you went with an adult rescue lab you can bypass the toilet training/chewing etc. :)

Of course I'm biased, I grew up around labs and our first dog was a lab. Nothing pleases a 5 year old more than having her bed taken over by an enormous hairy Labrador monster. Especially if the monster has spent the day merrily following said wicked child around and assisting in harmless skulduggery :D
 
Dont rule out a rescue you can get puppies as well as adult dogs and they dont all come with baggage or as cruelty cases.

A lot of dogs are being handed over due to a change in peoples circumstances whether its financial or a marriage breakdown.
 
If I could have a dog it would be a whippet! It's a throwback to my Yorkshire roots I think. I did have border terrier growing up and he was lovely. I would go with a rescue dog. Just go to the RSPCA and let your heart choose!
 
Border Terrier ,or working Lakeland;both tough and hardy for cold or wet days in the woods and extremely healthy and long lived. Whippets would simply hate days in damp woods hanging about,far too cold,and staffies would too!
 
Mini schnauzer, small dog who thinks he is a big dog. Great fun , good with kids, doesn't shed, loves long walks but fine if only gets a quick one. Very playful, loyal and loving.
(Guess what breed my pup is? :) )
 
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I have two "yard" dogs. A yellow lab bitch and a Westie bitch. Both love life with the ponies and all that goes with life and horses. They love the wagon too. Both easy to control, and as these two are the only bitches I have ever had, I see them to be more loyal and obedient than dogs I have had previously.
 
what about a lurcher..come in all shapes and sizes,short/ long coat all depending on the cross
lots in rescue centres..'lurcherlink'

working whippets/lurchers work in all weathers including the rain
 
I have a rescue JRT...he was 10 months when I got him and was really hard work to train and I thought I would never be able to let him off the lead as he always used to run off...but through walking in large areas and giving him complete freedom he is a completely different dog...obediant but still has that stubborn terrier that if he wants to run off and chase something he will, and will return later with a look on his face wondering why I was so worried. I did have an issue as well that he wanted to chase the horses and once escaped and chased a horse i was lunging round the school...but he thought he got kicked and is now slightly wiser although I wouldnt put anything past him. He has an absolutely amazing personality and is thankful for every minute he is outside running about.

A terrier would be perfect for your lifestyle but due to their temperement it is possibly a better idea to get a puppy as they would need to fit in with children, cats as well as horses, so you can start all that straight away. Don't give up hope if the training is hard at first...it definitley pays off if you work hard.

Keep us updated on what you decide on.
 
We have and breed patterdale terriers and they are great little dogs.

They are very loving and our like nothing more than curling up on your lap in the evening, they do have loads of energy for running round all day though too!

They are working dogs so do tend to chase small furry creatures but then so will any terrier, its in their nature!!! They are very effective ratters for round the stables.
Cats will be fine if they are brought up with them from a pup, although we don't have kids yet (Our first is due in 1 week!!!) a lot of ours have gone to family homes with young children and our adults love kids too.
They come in different colours too.
Most common black
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Chocolate
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Grizzle / Red
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Also come in black and tan but although we have produced quite a few don't have any pics on photo bucket!!... well except the accident, our stud dog over our rottie... we managed to produce a rotterdale!!
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