What sort of dog?

Twiglet

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2004
Messages
8,368
Location
Clapham
Visit site
Next year, I'll be buying a new house with garden, and hope to finally get a dog (haven't had one since moving out of parents' house, and miss canine contact terribly!).

Which sort of breed would people recommend for us? This is the sort of set up we would have:

Would have min. two bedroom house with garden, off main road.

I work very full time, and have ned on full livery.

However, OH works locally, and has his own garden design/landscaping business and shop - so he would be taking the dog to work Mon-Fri.

My horse is kept at a yard locally - it is on the edges of a large country park, and I would like a dog to be safe and sensible enough to come hacking with me.

Lots of my family have dogs, and I would want a dog that was able to be well socialised with those belonging to my relatives.

I have two cats at the moment - although this may change as the cats don't have a good relationship with each other unfortunately. No.1 cat is very adaptable and has been introduced to dogs without issues. Would rather get a puppy so as to make the transition easier though.

I've grown up with dogs and have had experience with a number of breeds.


I'm hoping that we'd be able to offer a dog a secure and loving home (that's the plan!), and we're willing to wait until we're in a position to be better equipped to have one - ie. when we have a bigger house and garden.
 
I always say Boston Terrier because that's what I have and she's fabulous. They are so expressive, so smart. They rarely bark, tune-in to whatever your schedule is, are loving with everyone, strangers and family alike, and love to play with other dogs. They are the comedians of the dog world and will forever keep you amused. I live in the States and know plenty of people who have both horses and Bostons. Mine is cool as a cucumber around them -- as she is with cats.

I've attached various pics to prove how sociable she is with strangers, her playfulness and obvious cuteness
smile.gif


(Other small-ish dogs I like are Border Terriers, Schipperkes, Italian Greyhounds and Miniature Pinschers.)

[image]
2cfy6gy.jpg
[/image]

[image]
30b2yv6.jpg
[/image]

[image]
47a0osx.jpg
[/image]

[image]
2aihd8k.jpg
[/image]
 
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
laugh.gif

They're not too big, loyal, happy to spend te day sleeping but they're equally as happy to go out for long walks or go hacking (when I worked on a yard I took my king charles with me and she spent her time sleeping on the mounting block an came out on long hacks with me 3 times a day). They're quiet, cuddly, not too big and not too small, they're just fantastic!
Here's some pictures so you can see the cuteness
grin.gif


Camera034.jpg

DSC00039.jpg

DSC00040.jpg

DSC00041.jpg

DSC00043.jpg

23-10-05_1346.jpg

25-10-05_1119.jpg

06-11-05_2303.jpg
 
I would say a whippet everytime. I have two other breeds of dog, but the whippet is by far the easiest - not too big, easy to keep clean and very loyal. Doesn't mind if you don't have time for a mega walk as long as they can have a cuddle and get under the duvet!!!!
 
How about a labrador? It would be easy to train, go up the yard with the horses ok, should be fine with the cats. Sleep in your OH's car for a few hours if he's busy at work. It wouldn't bark much. And a garden would be big enough for it to play in during the summer when you were having BBQ's and stuff.
 
Have you thought about a Cairn terrier??

They aren't too big, cheap to keep and make lovely companions. Mine gets on with dogs and cats alike (although shes not too keen on my boxer) and will follow you around all day. They do not require hours of exercise and are just as happy cuddling up with you on the sofa.

Here are a few piccies of my cairn Poppy:
DSCF0517.jpg

DSCF0544.jpg

DSC03155.jpg


Good luck with your search!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Oh see these are the times when I really hate my work servers for stopping me looking at photos!

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay then, just imagine the cutest thing you've ever seen.........That is what those photos show!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
How about a labrador? It would be easy to train, go up the yard with the horses ok, should be fine with the cats. Sleep in your OH's car for a few hours if he's busy at work. It wouldn't bark much. And a garden would be big enough for it to play in during the summer when you were having BBQ's and stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've always loved labs - they're sort of our family dog! I would definitely consider one - my aunt is planning on breeding her working black lab next year, so hopefully we can think about having one of the pups.

But am still considering other dogs - my OH is desperate for an Alsation, but they're not really the sort of thing I'm looking for!
 
You have quite a huge choice available to you .....my advice would be to go along to Crufts ( in March) and look at Discover dogs - they will have all the recognised breeds available for you to see and cuddle
smirk.gif
and you can talk frankly to experienced owners and breeders to find out what they are really like to live with. As a rule of thumb breeds can be separated into these main groups;

Toys - loving, need little excercise but can be yappy and difficult to house train

Terriers - full of character, hardy, very likely to be arguementative with other dogs, can be noisy

Hounds - generally lazy and peaceful, quiet, good with people and other dogs, difficult to train, will chase ANYTHING given the chance

Gundogs - cheerful, good natured, generally easy to train, good with people and other dogs, need a lot of excercise, working lines can be MANIC

Working -generally easy to train, adaptable, need lots of excercise and a job of work to do, can be destructive and noisy if bored, often have a natural tendency to guard

Pastoral - brightest group of the lot ! - intensely loyal, natural tendency to herd, rarely stray from owners, ned lots of excercise, love to work but can be hell to live with if bored.

Utility - that's all the dogs that do not fit into the other catagories ( such as the Dalmation, Shar-pei, Chow-Chow etc) - very diverse group with few common charcteristics.
shocked.gif
 
All these dogs are looovely! Loving the Boston Terrier! Ok so everyone is showing piccies to back up their dog...here's the Beast she's a 5 and a half year old mini schnauzer (on the larger side though!) great family pets, apparently good around horses (Beastie isn't though. She's a wuss!) good with other dogs, easily trained, don't shed hair...ermmm...furry and huggable!
laugh.gif


Late.jpg


She can be grumpy...
Cross.jpg


Likes to be comfy
Doyouthinkshescomfy.jpg


Freshly clipped
AllPretty.jpg


Sometimes evil though...
lindasbday015.jpg


Oh if you like labs...
Windsor (12 year old retired gundog)
WindsorMillisle.jpg


And Tina (6 year old working gundog) having a baywatch moment..
Tina.jpg
 
Are you looking for a big dog or an incy wincy dog...or just somewhere inbetween?

I'm with your OH...can't beat a good GSD, loyal and easy to train!
 
LABRADOR, LABRADOR, LABRADOR *chants*
Most definitely one of the best dogs in the world, loyal, intelligent, kind, friendly, always pleased to see you, best friend, loyal, always ready to drool on your leg at the slightest sniff of food, the list goes on...........
looking guilty because she knew she shouldnt of been taking a nap upstars on my bed, not that i really minded
smile.gif

100_0146.jpg

100_0145.jpg
 
I agree with Breezebenefactor, if you are looking for a larger dog with plenty of energy, you cannot beat a boxer. My boxer bitch is extremely loveable and loyal and is good with other dogs, cats and children. I am now a boxer convert and absolutely love them!!
 
Three breeds I can vouch for are Border Terriers, Lurchers and Bassets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Got at least two of each and they would all suit your type of lifestyle I think and they've all got great personalities too!

The Borders are great fun, love to play and get on with everyone, are not arguementative at all, very easy.
The Bassets are just loveable hunks and will do anything you want.
The lurchers are just great! They always want to be with you whatever you are doing and some of the pups (one at a time though!) go with the men fencing all day; they usually end up curling by the feet or on a coat fast asleep but are instantly awake if they move!
6c39edcb.jpg

DSCI0089.jpg

scan0004.jpg

DSCI0081.jpg

792537a4.jpg

7f261637.jpg


As long as whatever you pick in the end has a great temperment and from good natured parents, you shouldn't go far wrong!
 
I would recommend a staffie to anyone! They are loyal have loads of energy and great with people and most are good with other dogs and animals! My 4 just love everyone! (to the point that my male staff won't even kill spiders! Here's my male staff with some pups attached to his head!
basandpups.jpg
 
Looks like they're next in the line of bad press though...

"In another incident, three children escaped with minor injuries after a 'Staffordshire bull terrier type' dog rampaged through West Denton, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Two boys, aged ten and six, were bitten on the leg, and a six-year-old girl suffered a minor scratch. The dog was later captured alive."

Thats since the little girl was mauled to death.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Looks like they're next in the line of bad press though...

"In another incident, three children escaped with minor injuries after a 'Staffordshire bull terrier type' dog rampaged through West Denton, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Two boys, aged ten and six, were bitten on the leg, and a six-year-old girl suffered a minor scratch. The dog was later captured alive."

Thats since the little girl was mauled to death.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know they are which is not good but The kids suffered minor puncture wounds! And the dog had been missing for 3 days so was probably just scared and upset.! The kid that was bit on the leg went to touch the dog as he has a staff at home! Justa nasty accident that could hapen to anyone! However the pitbull story is different!
 
IMO there is nothing much else to have a bitch about and dangerous dogs are always a popular topic to have a go at.
Give it a few weeks and all will be forgotten...not seen any calls to ban rotties fro a while now.
 
[ QUOTE ]
IMO there is nothing much else to have a bitch about and dangerous dogs are always a popular topic to have a go at.
Give it a few weeks and all will be forgotten...not seen any calls to ban rotties fro a while now.

[/ QUOTE ]

No and that was headlines for long enough!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

[image]
2aihd8k.jpg
[/image]

[/ QUOTE ]

omg i am so in love
grin.gif
this dog looks so goegrous!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Aw, thank you. She is certainly a character, that's for sure. Here's one more pic in her snazzy Puppia harness (sorry for the hijack
blush.gif
) [image]
2n8oapk.jpg
[/image]
 
Top