What Breeds Would Suit?

KittenInTheTree

KittenInTheTree

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I'm thinking ahead, by the way, and hope to have my current dog for a good few more years :)

Current dog is an Australian Kelpie cross Smooth Collie, acquired for a token amount five years ago as a surplus puppy - farmer bred a litter for working purposes, litter was bigger than anyone anticipated, and I had the time and fitness levels needed to keep this sort of cross properly as a pet. So I took him, raised him, and am very happy with him. He's incredibly snuggly, very clever, very willing, lives to please, and is just altogether lovely. He's also very healthy: the only big vet bill so far was jellyfish related! (NB - this isn't the blind dog I mentioned in another thread; he belongs to my OH; I just help walk him!)

Unfortunately, I've developed some chronic pain issues during the past three years, which are now managed but won't ever go away. This means that although dog and I still do the same amount of exercising, I move very slowly - about half normal walking speed. I'm also late thirties and not getting younger, so by the time that he shuffles off to the Rainbow Bridge, I'll realistically need something with slightly lower activity levels :(

We live rurally, and career wise there is always one of us at home. I don't drive and I take my dog with me pretty much everywhere, so I want something that can manage a fair bit of mileage, but that doesn't need to have a human who actually runs or cycles, as these activities are beyond me now. It also needs to be as similar to my current dog in attitude as possible, because I really like how he is to handle and train. He's adapted amazingly well to having a pottery owner, and as he's well past the puppy stage, I'm able to let him spend plenty of time running off lead on the beach with a toy and swimming. Did I mention the snuggly part? That's very important too. Oh, and it needs to be okay as a breed around cats, livestock, other dogs, and horses. We don't have children. Obviously socialising and training will be my responsibility!

What breeds should I be researching?
 
I will not give neutral advice lol.

I have a greyhound and yes I agree not all of them are great round cats but a large number are (if introductions are done carefully), they are very snuggly and are generally good with other dogs as most greys are used to living with other dogs, my fella is 40kgs and his best friend is a little JR.
 
What size dog would you be looking for? If size isn't an issue I would have a look at Lancashire Heelers, they tick all the boxes you mention, and have the added bonus of being kelpie mini mes. I know a few people who have both breeds and they find them very similar to train and live with.
 
Yes whippets here too! :P

Some have a high prey drive but they can be trained to be around cats and other animals (My boy is great around the horses). Work on their recall young and you won't have a problem.

They are happy to snooze all day in a nice soft dog bed (or anywhere else comfy for that matter) but are still very up for their walks. So long as they have a good blast it doesn't need to be a long walk, they will then come home and back to snoozing. Our boy is so cuddly it's ridiculous. When he wants a cuddle, he will stand in front of you and stare until you pick him up and cuddle him. He is the cutest thing in the world and doesn't have a bad bone in his body.
 
Prey drive, meh; sometimes our whippet chases the cat, sometimes the cat chases her - they sleep together at night and are best friends. Whippets are the best.....
 
Yes to whippets. I think the best thing is to spend time the litter and ask the breeder which would suit you best. From a litter of ten, I chose the snuggliest and calmest (springer) and he is my Velcro dog, never off my knee, ridiculously bonded, follows me everywhere.
 
MurphysMinder said:
What size dog would you be looking for? If size isn't an issue I would have a look at Lancashire Heelers, they tick all the boxes you mention, and have the added bonus of being kelpie mini mes. I know a few people who have both breeds and they find them very similar to train and live with.
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Oh those are nice little dogs! I hadn't heard of the Lancashire Heeler before, thank you :)

Because of our cats and their highly territorial natures, I will definitely want a pup to raise from scratch, so that rules out an ex-racer. Aside from that, what sort of weather proofing issues do the assorted pointy hounds have, and can they cope with rough terrain? The safest route to the local beach involves clambering down through some rocks - it's that or a fair distance along a main road with no pavement or verge to hop up onto.
 
Border Terriers are game little dogs and seem happy with either lots or little exercise. Some may be more prey driven than others, but if you train recall from a pup then there shouldn't be too many problems when out in the countryside.
 
KittenInTheTree said:
Oh those are nice little dogs! I hadn't heard of the Lancashire Heeler before, thank you :)

Because of our cats and their highly territorial natures, I will definitely want a pup to raise from scratch, so that rules out an ex-racer. Aside from that, what sort of weather proofing issues do the assorted pointy hounds have, and can they cope with rough terrain? The safest route to the local beach involves clambering down through some rocks - it's that or a fair distance along a main road with no pavement or verge to hop up onto.
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Our whippets have never had any problem with terrain. We've taken them on walking holidays and they'd had to scramble a bit and been fine. They have a hell of a jump too!

ETA: In regards to weather. They're pretty up for anything, but their coat is a little on the thin side so if the weather gets cold you might need to invest in a coat for walks if they get cold. Though it varies in the breed - our girl has much more hair then our boy and the boy definitely feels the cold more. But he does more running then her and once he's run about on his walk he's fine without anything extra.
 
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I'll be honest my pointy has a pretty extensive wardrobe (in reality she needs one fleece 'house' coat as my mums house is pretty cold overnight in the winter and one waterproof but where's the fun in that!).

She's fine with terrain but is currently picking and choosing when she is able to jump over even the smallest of things but that is a terrible twos issue rather than a breed thing I think.
 
Very helpful, thanks all :) I will research Lancashire Heelers, Border Terriers, and Whippets more thoroughly as breeds and pick from those three!
 
im another vote for a whippet, mine is a real tomboy. Doesnt wear coats, out in all weathers, loves mud. Amazing with all the farm stock. My farmer friend and I have used my whippet to help herd sheep and shes very very obedient with that. Shes great around the horses too. Yet while I was ill over Christmas she was more than happy to cuddle up with me on the sofa and in bed all day and only nip outside for the necessary poo and wee. No nagging me for long walks. Shell happily take as much or as little exercise as you can give. And if Im not well I can take her into a field, and she will run round like an absolute loon for 10 - 15 mins and then go home to bed. Her prey drive is controllable, as her main focus is me, so I can call her off anything and her recall is 100%. THe only dog I have ever had that I can say that about.
 
Another whippet fan here as well! Have wanted a whippet for years and now have a 20 week old whippet pup. She is everything I hoped she would be - very affectionate and cuddly, eager to please and doesn't leave a tidal wave of hair around the house! Exercise wise she is happy with one walk a day where I walk at normal speed and she runs back and forth and round about when off the lead! The rest of the day she is happy to kip on the sofa or in front of the log-burner or cuddle up to me. She is bright and easy to train - our other dog is a collie cross and I expected the whippet not to be as quick-brained but she has surprised me. So far she has not worn a coat because she is active when out and keeps herself warm, but with the forthcoming cold weather I think I will have to invest in one! I think the cold is probably more of an issue if they are standing around a lot outside, such as when mooching about a stable yard.
 
Update: I have ruled out Border Terriers due to them having CECS as a known health defect. OH's current dog (Labrador/Collie cross) suffers from this and whilst his episodes have been mercifully few and far between and have always responded well to treatment, they are heart breaking to witness :( Thankfully he hasn't had one in the better part of a year now, but I couldn't knowingly take on a breed with this issue.

I really am leaning towards the Lancashire Heeler. My OH is quite taken with the idea of a Whippet, so there may still be a pointy hound joining us :)
 
I have a Lancashire Heeler, Ive had 2 in the past and they are very versatile dogs, my current one lives with 2 Dobes and she is very active, good with cattle and around horses. A lot of LH owners have horses and provided they are introduced properly are happy to co-exist with them. When I had my previous 2 I had 500 free range hens and these dogs would come with me when I collected the eggs and they never batted an eyelid at them, the hens took no notice of them because they were nice and calm and not interested in them.

KittenInTheTree if you are interested and on fb I or MurphysMinder can give you a link to a great fb page of Lancashire Heeler owners and breeders and you can ask as many questions as you like, you will get very honest answers as they are all true LH lovers and adore the breed. You will see how versatile they are too.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I have a Lancashire Heeler, Ive had 2 in the past and they are very versatile dogs, my current one lives with 2 Dobes and she is very active, good with cattle and around horses. A lot of LH owners have horses and provided they are introduced properly are happy to co-exist with them. When I had my previous 2 I had 500 free range hens and these dogs would come with me when I collected the eggs and they never batted an eyelid at them, the hens took no notice of them because they were nice and calm and not interested in them.

KittenInTheTree if you are interested and on fb I or MurphysMinder can give you a link to a great fb page of Lancashire Heeler owners and breeders and you can ask as many questions as you like, you will get very honest answers as they are all true LH lovers and adore the breed. You will see how versatile they are too.
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Thank you, that would be great :)
 
My greyhound loves a good scramble when out walking. She's walked all round the Lakes and the Peaks.

She also has an extensive wardrobe, far bigger than she really needs, but I love dressing her up!
 
My greyhound loves a good scramble when out walking. She's walked all round the Lakes and the Peaks.

She also has an extensive wardrobe, far bigger than she really needs, but I love dressing her up!
 
Update:

Well, I still think that Lancashire Heelers are great little dogs, and I'm really glad that they were suggested. Unfortunately, puppies are currently averaging £900, and this will presumably rise along the way from now to when I anticipate it will be time for my next dog. I don't doubt that breeding and raising healthy pups costs time and money, but there is simply no way that I can justify spending that sort of money on a pet. The fact that other breeds and so-called designer crosses often cost even more is stomach turning, and I'm afraid that I do believe there to be considerable financial gain involved for the breeders. That doesn't sit right with me: these are pets, not livestock - I think there's a difference in how such animals should be valued. Pets shouldn't be profitable, they aren't appropriate as a source of income, IMO.

Anyhow, enough rambling. As it stands, I'm currently leaning towards giving up on having another dog after my current one, and just putting the costs of future dog ownership into sponsoring one via Dog's Trust or similar instead.

Thanks for everyone who posted :)
 
KittenInTheTree said:
Update:

Well, I still think that Lancashire Heelers are great little dogs, and I'm really glad that they were suggested. Unfortunately, puppies are currently averaging £900, and this will presumably rise along the way from now to when I anticipate it will be time for my next dog. I don't doubt that breeding and raising healthy pups costs time and money, but there is simply no way that I can justify spending that sort of money on a pet. The fact that other breeds and so-called designer crosses often cost even more is stomach turning, and I'm afraid that I do believe there to be considerable financial gain involved for the breeders. That doesn't sit right with me: these are pets, not livestock - I think there's a difference in how such animals should be valued. Pets shouldn't be profitable, they aren't appropriate as a source of income, IMO.

Anyhow, enough rambling. As it stands, I'm currently leaning towards giving up on having another dog after my current one, and just putting the costs of future dog ownership into sponsoring one via Dog's Trust or similar instead.

Thanks for everyone who posted :)
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Interesting viewpoint. Personally, I don't think you can put a price on a health tested, well bred pup who will hopefully give years of pleasure and companionship, but do understand that not everyone wants to spend £££ on a pet.

There are 1000s of rescue dogs just looking for the right home who might suit your needs though, so well worth a browse around the various rescue centres and websites.
 
As you may have seen, I commented on that post in the heeler group, and in fairness the general consensus was that £900 was too high for a pup. I couldn't justify paying £1000 for either of my breeds, but that doesn't mean I will rule out having a pup some time in the future. I think you will find the majority of breeders would charge far less than that, I reckon around £500 would be a fair price for a heeler from health tested parents. I hope you find a dog, be it a pup or a rescue.
 
I see no reason why breeders shouldn't make a profit, they are the ones dealing with all that work.
Next pup, a lab, will be £750. Top kennels are charging £1500 but for my needs I don't think I need to pay more than £1000. Up to that I would go.
 
I have looked at a lot of breeders/puppies in the last two years. I've not seen a decent breeder charge anything like £500 for a pup-although some that are not health testing and selling pups to anyone who comes along.

£900 seems about average. My working goldie dog pup cost £750, a show bred one would have cost a bit more. I wouldn't pay anything like that for a cross breed tbh. Rescues can be a bit of a lottery health wise if you don't know the history (and sometimes when you think you do :( ).
 
MotherofChickens, the reason I suggested £500 for a heeler is that breeders are trying to promote the breed (it is a rare breed) . My daughter paid £450 5 years ago for a heeler pup from health tested parents (and he himself was dna tested at 8 weeks). From my experience when breeding GSDs , many breeders will sometimes meet prospective owners on price if they are offering the right home.
 
MurphysMinder said:
MotherofChickens, the reason I suggested £500 for a heeler is that breeders are trying to promote the breed (it is a rare breed) . My daughter paid £450 5 years ago for a heeler pup from health tested parents (and he himself was dna tested at 8 weeks). From my experience when breeding GSDs , many breeders will sometimes meet prospective owners on price if they are offering the right home.
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yeah, fair comment-I've just been offered a pup at a 'discount' (rare breed, top kennel). Still not £500 ;) which is what I was paying for pedigree pups 12 years ago. Maybe the designer crosses have driven the prices up?

I don't think its a bad thing that people make some money off it (if they actually do when taking everything into account).
 
Bear in mind heelers are not very big, so don't eat a huge amount as pups. I reckon if everything went to plan (and lets face it, often vets bills are a part of breeding) then a breeder could still make a little profit. 12 years ago I would have been selling GSD pups for around £350/400, my last litter nearly 5 years ago were sold for an average of £600 , nowadays in my area a well bred GSD from fully health tested parents would still be under £1000.
 
when taking everything into account I also mean all the housing, training and campaigning that (hopefully) goes into keeping and using suitable parents.

rare breeds of anything do seem to sometimes have unfathomable prices but then sometimes no small effort has been made to select decent stock.
 
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