which breed? Can't make up my mind!

MotherOfChickens said:
thanks Chilipup=hope she finds a great home. I am really anti these rescues spaying at such a young age-I understand why but its not justifiable IMO, 6 months is way too young.
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My vet spayed my youngest Stafford at 7 months as she was going under for X-rays and was adamant it would be fine. My dog bounced back immediately. Just a note back to the dominance of your staffy X. It's not a Stafford trait per se, more a bitch trying to be top dog. My Stafford boy is actually pretty hen pecked..not what the normal perception of a Stafford!

And my advice after reading all the threads is...the advice and comments are interesting but just follow your heart. We all get to know and love "our" breeds and there are certain traits which you could miss in a different breed. So as an example, my 3 are big people lovers and pleasers, exceptionally cuddley and stick to me like glue when out. This would annoy some people but I don't like dogs who are more standoffish!
 
Luci07 said:
My vet spayed my youngest Stafford at 7 months as she was going under for X-rays and was adamant it would be fine. My dog bounced back immediately. Just a note back to the dominance of your staffy X. It's not a Stafford trait per se, more a bitch trying to be top dog. My Stafford boy is actually pretty hen pecked..not what the normal perception of a Stafford!
!
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ah, thanks for that-she's just a bit of a madam ;) , spaying young just not something I would choose to do in my own dog, especially a large dog. I'd just prefer to wait until they are grown.
 
Whats wrong with a "hybrid"? Adore our labradoodle - fantastic dog who is the most perfect family dog, great with my horses and cats and very easy to do. She's just the easiest dog to have around, always happy :)
 
MagicMelon said:
Whats wrong with a "hybrid"? Adore our labradoodle - fantastic dog who is the most perfect family dog, great with my horses and cats and very easy to do. She's just the easiest dog to have around, always happy :)
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I know some lovely ones, but I don't want one and I don't want to pay £££ for one. Obviously there are breeders that do it properly but I think many people's problem with them is that mostly they aren't done well (health testing etc).
 
Did you see the BBC 2 programme last night. The family buying the Cavapoo? It was explained briefly about health testing and that it was just as important for a X breed. The pup the family bought was £900 from unhealth tested parents!!!!!!
 
Thistle said:
Did you see the BBC 2 programme last night. The family buying the Cavapoo? It was explained briefly about health testing and that it was just as important for a X breed. The pup the family bought was £900 from unhealth tested parents!!!!!!
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You have to wonder!
Our keeper's lab doesn't show her seasons and his springer dog caught her. (Both fully health tested in this case although not relevant). He said he decided not to have her jabbed as the pups as 'springadors' would be worth more than pure breeds - nuts!
 
Clodagh said:
You have to wonder!
Our keeper's lab doesn't show her seasons and his springer dog caught her. (Both fully health tested in this case although not relevant). He said he decided not to have her jabbed as the pups as 'springadors' would be worth more than pure breeds - nuts!
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Our local shoot has a springardor, it loves to hunt but will not retrieve . It has the drive and craziness of the spaniel and the slight laziness of some labs when it comes to multiple retrieves. Does one or two then downs tools.

My little Springer will hunt and retrieve to hand all day.


To be fair the dog was an accident and given to him by a keeper.

It's crazy how they get designer titles. I have nothing against x breeding for a purpose, eg original Labradoodles from Australia where they were bred a no shed guide dogs for people with allergies.

If health tests are available for the pure breeds then they should be applied when breeding no matter what the x.

Someone local wants to use my ESS over her cocker. Her bitch is working strain and docked but comes from a back yard breeder who had multiple litters of different breeds, who didn't even know exact dates of birth.

My dog has the potential to become a desirable sire as he is a good worker and as a product of fully health tested parents we know he cannot carry some genetically inherited diseases. As an owner I wouldn't want him siring pups who may carry problems.
 
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MofC ..if you have set your heart on a smooth collie you could ask the breeder to do the swab test for mdr1 on a pup before you buy..lt only costs 30 pounds so would be worth it...plus choose a breeder who tests the parents and you are sailing free..
I've followed your thread and this breed would be a great choice for your set up..or a lab ..:)
 
Bellasophia said:
MofC ..if you have set your heart on a smooth collie you could ask the breeder to do the swab test for mdr1 on a pup before you buy..lt only costs 30 pounds so would be worth it...plus choose a breeder who tests the parents and you are sailing free..
I've followed your thread and this breed would be a great choice for your set up..or a lab ..:)
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of all the breeders I've looked at so far-of those testing and expecting pups noone is using parents that are clear-they are crossing homozygous with heterozygous 'carriers' (i.e. partially affected). Some are not testing at all as they work on the premis that its best to treat all of them as though they are affected anyway. It seems as though they are mostly shown here and the breeders don't seem bothered by it.

On the one hand I think the risks can be avoided, but then your are talking of avoiding those risks for 12 years or so.
 
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