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Clodagh

Clodagh

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Not wanting to off track the other thread, I replied on there but moved it to here!

TBH Tim most dogs are absolutely fine, even labradors! I wouldn't have a collie with small children though. Would you get a pup or a rescue? We have had all sorts with our children, terriers, lurchers, labs, some as pups and some as adult rehomes and apart from both being nipped by a terrier (different terrier and different children) we have had no trouble at all.
 
When looking for a suitable family dog, you need to look at your lifestyle (how much exercise, training and company a dog can expect) and what the purpose for the dog is - ie purely a pet, a pet with sport ability, a pet with working ability etc.

I have had dogs since before my children were born. My sons grew up with border collies (working sheepdogs) and german shepherds. While it is imperative to choose a dog based on your lifestyle in terms of temperament, drive and instincts, it is equally important to train any breed to respect your children and vice versa.
 
While I wholeheartedly agree that everyone getting a dog should always consider the dog's lifestyle needs and whether this fits in with the type of home you can provide, ie exercise, training and so on - but I would also encourage any new pet owner to consider the coat care and whether the breed you choose has needs that outstrip your willingness and capability to care for it. While coat care may seem a cosmetic thing, it in fact is an important part of the overall health of a dog and must be carefully considered. I've had people who have had LHGSDs that they refused to brush and the dog lived outside, would bring to me in the winter and my only choice would be either send away til spring or shave off (please don't beat me GSD people ;) but I promise I don't shave willy nilly).

If I had a penny for every time a person brought me a matted beyond salvage coated dog, I would have retired long by now.
 
I was brought up with Labradors, my parents had one before I was born and after him, we always had multiples. They make fabulous family dogs ime, neighbours' children would come into the house and investigate ears and noses etc and only ever received a lick back. The show bred Labs are easier, in that they don't usually have such active minds.
 
PucciNPoni said:
While I wholeheartedly agree that everyone getting a dog should always consider the dog's lifestyle needs and whether this fits in with the type of home you can provide, ie exercise, training and so on - but I would also encourage any new pet owner to consider the coat care and whether the breed you choose has needs that outstrip your willingness and capability to care for it. While coat care may seem a cosmetic thing, it in fact is an important part of the overall health of a dog and must be carefully considered. I've had people who have had LHGSDs that they refused to brush and the dog lived outside, would bring to me in the winter and my only choice would be either send away til spring or shave off (please don't beat me GSD people ;) but I promise I don't shave willy nilly).

If I had a penny for every time a person brought me a matted beyond salvage coated dog, I would have retired long by now.
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That is a good point - friends bought cockerpoos last year and only one keeps on top of the coat, the others (four friends got a pup each) have real trouble and they have to be shaved.
 
My own thread! Thanks, definitely agree with a separate one.

My wife has had dogs all her life until she met me then they stayed with her parents. I'm the more physical one out of the two of us, I shoot (when I get the chance) so am happy to train up a working dog, we live opposite a park so my wife/girls can get over there frequently. We're aiming for rescue/re-homing simply to give a dog a home rather than have it stuck somewhere unwanted. Coat care.. believe me we've discussed and agreed that a frequently moulting beast is not for us..

I wouldn't mind a GSD or Cocker, not sure they're high up on the rest of the families list though..
 
On coat care - frequently moutling is messier but might be easier -falls out before it gets truly matted (see above comments about the poodle cross types which don't shed very much at all)!

No reason you can't get a rehomed dog but you may well find that very few of the larger charities will risk putting a dog into a home with young children. Mine arrived via a private rehome arrangement and I have no doubt that he is far better off with me than many other options - although it could, of course, have worked out well for him with another new owner too.

With a private arrangement you have to be willing to act swiftly and with minimal/no return option. I went for a small cross breed who is not of a size to seriously harm a child without very sustained effort. Personally I wouldn't risk anything rehomed that could hurt your kids badly in seconds as they are of an age to be relatively independent. Mine is entirely trustworthy but I certainly didn't leave him 'guarding' a sleeping child for the first few months.
 
Gundog Rescue and Rehoming seem good, they are on FB and although source a lot of stock from Ireland they come across as excellent.
 
We are on our third border terrier, our daughter was ten when we got our first. TBH I wouldn't have a BT, Jack Russell or patterdale with small children. IMHO they are just a bit too sharp (I know there are exceptions) but although we had lovely happy friendly little dogs that were neutered, they didn't appreciate being pulled around or stared in the face and I would never have left them alone with little children (actually, there are few dogs that I think can be trusted absolutely).
 
oldie48 said:
We are on our third border terrier, our daughter was ten when we got our first. TBH I wouldn't have a BT, Jack Russell or patterdale with small children. IMHO they are just a bit too sharp (I know there are exceptions) but although we had lovely happy friendly little dogs that were neutered, they didn't appreciate being pulled around or stared in the face and I would never have left them alone with little children (actually, there are few dogs that I think can be trusted absolutely).
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I agree with this. We had border collies when our children were born. One of them was frightened of toddlers but will still got through it without incident. This was because they were NEVER left unsupervised. I remember the dog used to come with me to the loo as it was easier than taking the child as long as they were safe. The dogs also had their own space, where the kids weren't allowed. Mainly it's about teaching the children to respect the dog. Mine were never allowed to stroke the one that didn't like kids as I couldn't be sure.

I do have a JRT who is the best family dog so there are exceptions. The only dog I possibly wouldn't choose would be a German Shepherd, but only because they are big and hairy and moult a lot, so aren't the easiest thing to live with smaller children.

I couldn't have a dog that needed a lot of coat care. My Springer is high maintenance enough for me! I agree, plenty of people don't even consider it.
 
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If you shoot occasionally, do you want a gun dog or just a dog to accompany you and look the part? Presumably you won't be picking up? I'd have a look at a rescue, but a pp is right, not many rescues will want to put a rescue in a home with young kids. Have a look at the gunshot rescue Clodagh mentioned.
 
My shooting is pest control rather than game, if suitable it'd be doing a bit of picking up bit mainly getting exercised as i wonder about.

Funny enough I was on the Spaniel Aid website earlier!
 
'evening tim_.

There may well be a revolt now, but I'll risk it!! I would advise extreme caution when considering ANY rescue dog. If you're hoping for a companion as you rough shoot, then any dog over the age of 12-18 months will most probably be so set in its ways as to be effectively deaf to any blandishments or pleadings! Those dogs which are handed in to rescues, NOT always, I accept, but more often than not, arrive with considerable baggage. How often do we read on here and elsewhere too of those who've taken in dogs and they're the fourth re-home effort. Now whilst I admire the determination of those who take on these liabilities, and I do, I really wonder about the attraction of a hair-shirt. Why do it? Why put ourselves through the torment of a dog which has been so ******-up by the initial owners that there are scars which never heal? Why? Often to have ourselves like ourselves a little more and whilst that's an admirable ambition, the reality is that we assume the afore mentioned torturous shirt.

The answer is a puppy. A puppy which we bring in to the home with our young family and allow them to grow together with the children learning to respect the puppy, it is NOT a toy, and the puppy learning that it's bed is a place of sanctuary. A breed? I'd suggest an ESS from parents which have all the bolts and washers aligned!

Right, there yer go, it'll be interesting to hear how you progress.

Alec.
 
Alec, I must admit that I read the Spaniel UK's dogs available and my heart sinks, they are all so complicated! Must be only dog/ no children/ cannot be let off lead/ experienced owner only etc., etc, so you indeed have a point.
also, though Gundog Rescue and Rehoming, Druid on here knows the couple involved I think, seem to have quite normal dogs, but I suspect the normal ones get rehomed before you can blink!
On FB there are some gundog sites where people have run on several litter mates and choose to keep one, that is a good way of getting a dog who the pros have started.
 
Clodagh said:
Gundog Rescue and Rehoming seem good, they are on FB and although source a lot of stock from Ireland they come across as excellent.
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I work with them and agree, very sensible criteria for homes and eac dog is considered an individual
 
I've had four rescues, only one had issues (although he had many)-the others were all well trained, well socialised mongrels (one was epileptic and I lost her to it but took her on knowing about it). The three nice ones were all great with kids and rehomed due to owner illness/death rather than being 'bad'. (I knew the bad one I had was bad, but was young and thought I should save him). puppies are probably less of a crap shoot though if people have half a clue. here in Scotland we have a couple of rescues that specialise in private home-home rehoming with different conditions ie trials etc and reasonable, pragmatic welfare officers-not sure if there is anything like that near you tim?the welfare officers see them in their own homes and therefore have a handle on what any issues might be if any.

my experience last year with breed specific rescues was not great-ridiculous terms and every dog (particularly springer rescue) was reactive/bad with stock/kids etc etc I also git very annoyed with DT and ended up sick of the lot of them and went and bought from breeders instead.
 
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