What dogs do you have?

F

flurryjuno

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 April 2013
Messages
379
Location
Co.Down
Visit site
Thinking of adding a new furry friend to the family in the new year! Currently mine is a shih tzu who is fed up being outside after 30 mins and would rather be lying in front of the fire! Jenny can stick to being the little princess lapdog however I'm looking for something that can keep up with me all day eg. 20 minute walk to the beach for a kickabout and out to the yard with me during the day, but a good medium sized family dog with a happy personality, obedient and doesn't mind running about mucky fields and being around horses and other animals. So far the only thing that springs to mind is a springer girl, always grew up with at least 4 spaniels or spaniel types and they fit the bill plus I miss having my little pack! Any other ideas or particular favourite breeds? :)
 
Reading your post, a spaniel was the first thing I thought of too. Or collie or lab.

Or a trip to your local rescue.....
 
I have a cocker spaniel :) She's great but doesn't have a huge amount of energy, not a typical spaniel haha! I would recommend a working cocker or a springer as they usually have so so much energy so will be fine being out all day
 
I know you said medium sized but we currently have 2 small dogs. A pug x jack russell and a border terrier x poodle. Both are really clever, bright little dogs. Love being at the yard and going for long walks. The JR x has the heart of a lion and comes out for hacks when I take the horse and happily trots alongside. We rescued the 'borderpoo' and he has just been an absolute delight. So much so that I'm nagging to get another and then we can have a mini pack :D I would go look round your local rescue and see what's suitable for you :)
 
I have a 10yr old Shih Tzu x Jack russel (we think, mum was defo Shih Tzu, dad's anyones guess, Looks JR to me)
and 2 Labradors, One completely unintentional, was born with deformed legs so I was given him and have to say he's the happiest, most playful and loving little dog ever! He's now almost 18 months and Is my world!
We have just got a black lab puppy, a full brother to the above but obviously with 4 good legs- he will be a gun/farm dog- although at the minute quite likes being a wood burner dog! ;)
Love Labs
 
In answer to your question, I have to Chihuahuas, one long haired, one short. Don't think they are what you are looking for though :)
 
lurcher and collie cross....lurcher would not be happy very far from her bed and fire , collie cross would absolutely love to be out and about all day, although is now fast asleep on the sofa!!
 
I've a mini schnauzer, a lab and a lab x rottie. The last two are rescues. All 3 make good yard dogs and have spent time at the yard. Although the mini schnauzer is the least suited coat wise as she'd get shavings in her beard and mud was a nightmare to wash out of her coat :D plus she's 13 now so prefers a quiet life!
 
I have 4 dogs - a lab x springer, a Skipperkee, a patter Dale and a Lhasa Apso. They are all good around the horses though the patter dale wants to play with them. The skip is a bit woosy now he has been zapped by the electric fence. The llasa is good but will run off luckily we are well fenced around the perimeter, I never thought the day would come I would say it but my patterdale is the most reliable and willing companion at the yard. He lives to come with me and now he has grown his brain finally he is a sheer joy to have around.
 
BSL said:
In answer to your question, I have to Chihuahuas, one long haired, one short. Don't think they are what you are looking for though :)
Click to expand...

Haha, not typical 'yard dogs' I guess.

My Yorkshire Terrier is not your typical country dog, but she's always adored coming down to the yard and used to hack out quite happily with me for years - she was super fit. Sadly I don't take her with me anymore due to her advancing years, she has slowed down. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes the less typical breeds can be just as good as the spaniels etc.
 
A Collie & Doberman :) Collie is kind and loyal, but can be a bit hyper, Doberman is the also very loyal and gentle, she's the kindest and sweetest dog in the land! Such a sweetheart, and cuddly, *sleeps a lot* teddy bear!

Used to have a Greyhound, she was very kind and gentle too.
 
Last edited:
Yes to Corgis and schikpperkes getting a mention on here. Breeds that rarely get a mention, but have owned both and are fantastic pets and companions. Skips are brilliant guard dogs, too.
Also, just a nod to border terriers. They look like terrific little dogs.
 
Dalmatian. She's a brilliant little yard dog, albeit not the most obedient when it comes to coming back from the fields! Runs all day or will sit infront of the fire all say with a 20 min walk each end!
Only downside is she has to be well rugged in winter as anything under 10c gets her shivering!
 
Collies and springers both get my vote. Intelligent, boundless energy, affable, easy to train. I have two collie crosses (one is part springer) and they are so clever and can go all day.

P
 
We have a jrt, 2 working lakelands, a dobie and a staffy x.

The dobie is a gentle girl and easily the best behaved. The terriers are well, terriers! And the Staffy x is a lap dog that wants to cuddle you 24/7. OH calls him my velcro dog and he's permanently stuck to my side ☺️
 
Cocker spaniels every time! They have endless energy (my two do anyway), love being outside with the horses, feeding cattle, long walks, shooting, etc but also love lying in front of the fire for hours on end. They are great in the house, small enough to not get in the way but big enough to be proper dogs and have a decent bark on them when someone arrives. They are also such happy characters, always a waggy tail to cheer you up on a bad day!
 
I have a Hungarian Vizsla, got him as a pup and he's now just over 1 year. I've had lurchers, Springers and a pointer in the past and can honestly say the Vizsla has blown me away, I couldn't imagine life without a Vizsla now! He has limitless energy, is incredibly friendly and affectionate and adores my kids. At the yard he is great, pretty much ignores the horses (would never chase or worry them) and is quite happy sniffing about doing his own thing but never too far away from you. And of course they are the most stunning looking dogs known to man ;)
His bad points - well as a small puppy he was very trying more trying than any other breed I have known as a pup. (Though he was pretty much house trained within 14 days of coming home). He is quite clingy though not as bad as I worried he might be after reading about their 'Velcro dog' tendencies. You will never take a wee or a bath alone again. Ours was so easy to train, they are such an intelligent breed though since he has hit one year we are going through a rebellious stage!!
I worship mine and think he is the best move I ever made though they may not be for everyone. Good luck :)
 
I've got two border terriers, one came from a working breed (local terrier man) the other from a showing home. They are chalk and cheese. The one from the showing home is the worst example of a BT you will ever see, they must have seen us coming. We call him the borderline terrier but he is a fab family dog. Other BT is now very elderly but was the most determined rat catcher with the patience to sit and wait all day. They are great dogs but do have selective hearing.
 
I've got a basset and can honestly say she's fab once you've got used to a few of the bad traits lol she'll go all day with me, in fact helped me mark out a pleasure ride - all 16 miles of it! If the yards enclosed no need to worry but if not then lunge lines are your best friend :) she is an out and out thief but you soon learn not to leave anything within reach - which is anywhere! Wonderful temperament and people always stop for a chat and a stroke.
 
I've got 2 Dalmatians and 2 Springers, they sound like they would suit your needs, but also had a Collie and a Retriever x and they also sounds like they would also suit you. :)
 
I really want an Italian spinone! They are HPR but not excessively high energy like your spaniels, nice size, (well to me nice size as I class big dogs as your newfies and Great Danes!) and obedient :) There aren't that many breeders, or perhaps consider an older rescue lab? A friend has one and hacks out with him off lead and he very responsive and obedient.
 
I have a Great Dane.... who thinks she is a princess and doesn't do mud, or cold and most certainly not rain! I grew up with them and love them however we also had a collie who was much more practically minded! I'm working on my other half to let me have a manchester terrier. They are nice and short haired and not as light weight or delicate as they look!
 
Welsh sheepdog and a JRT - both did a 4 hour, roughly 6 mile walk yesterday and were still full of energy when we got home (which was rather unfortunate as both myself and my friend were shattered and broken by the end of it!). The sheepdog is now 8 so when he was younger would quite happily come out with me from about 6.30 am to 7.30 pm (I took him to work when I was a groom) and still be bouncing at the door when I did late night checks on my two at around 11 pm!
 
madmav said:
Yes to Corgis and schikpperkes getting a mention on here. Breeds that rarely get a mention, but have owned both and are fantastic pets and companions. Skips are brilliant guard dogs, too.
Also, just a nod to border terriers. They look like terrific little dogs.
Click to expand...

They are, my friend has a border terrier x patterdale and she is a cracking little dog. Also a rescue so still hard work but very loving and - unfortunately at times! - extremely intelligent.
 
I have a rescue mutt (ridgeback/ collie/ greyhound we think). He loves coming to the yard, but is kept on a lead/ in the stable as he tends to wander off sometimes. However, he loves coming out on hacks and is perfectly behaved 99% of the time. But if he can only have a couple of short walks on some days he is content with that too. But I'm not sure if that is his breeding or just him - the joys of cross breeds :)

I think a spaniel, collie or lab (or cross) would suit your situation and would also suggest a rescue if possible :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top