Which Breed of Dog next???

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Vicstress

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My housemate will probably move out in the spring and I want to start looking around for a friend for arch on the rare days that I'm out all day.

I work from home so happy to take on a pup but have been looking at what breed to go for.

My housemate has a lab and I have my working cocker spangle and they're both great with other dogs. I don't think that I want another spangle as I think we're pretty lucky with these too in that they're not overly hyper!

I have been considering a Great Dane (mum used to breed them so know the breed well) but nothing else is really ticking all the boxes! I'd prefer a breed that won't climb the walls if it only gets an hour a day exercise and something that will be able to run with us when it's fully grown. Definitely want a larger dog but not a long haired or one that moults permanently (like our Lab!)

I have a large 4 bed house but not an overly large garden - dogs get exercised morning and evening for a good run.

Any ideas?
 
Greyhound/whippet. Or a non shedding breed like a Schnauzer, three sizes to choose from :p
With a GD you'd have to leave it longer before you go running with it as it is a very large late maturing breed as you know, and you'd need to minimise impact on the joints.
 
CaveCanem said:
Greyhound/whippet. Or a non shedding breed like a Schnauzer, three sizes to choose from :p
With a GD you'd have to leave it longer before you go running with it as it is a very large late maturing breed as you know, and you'd need to minimise impact on the joints.
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Yes that was the only thing holding me back from a Dane but it would probably do it good to be alone for an hour occasionally while I take the spangle running......I've just done a 'breed choser' thing and it came back with a Old Danish Pointer. Always liked pointers and apparently they're quite chilled in the house but can run and run outside.

I've just found a website with agility Danes and nearly spat tea on my keyboard....they have to be one of the hardest breeds to train as they just don't listen.....wonderful dogs though and I'm leaning quite strongly towards having one.
 
Just shows you how silly those breed choosers are - never heard of an Old Danish Pointer and not aware if there are any breeders in the UK?!

Why don't you go to a rescue centre and see if there's anyone there who would suit?
Although my mate went to Battersea to get something she could go running with and came back with a 12 year old Norwich terrier :p
 
CaveCanem said:
Just shows you how silly those breed choosers are - never heard of an Old Danish Pointer and not aware if there are any breeders in the UK?!

Why don't you go to a rescue centre and see if there's anyone there who would suit?
Although my mate went to Battersea to get something she could go running with and came back with a 12 year old Norwich terrier :p
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I rescued Arch and was so lucky with him but I need to be careful that whatever I get doesn't create havoc (well, no more than usual!)

I know who I'd get my Great Dane from as she's still breeding....some of the Danes you see out there are awful.....I know that some breeders are breeding Bull Mastiffs into their lines because people want 'chunkier' danes and they look awful.

Could be tempted by a Pointer........

Why do I have a horrible feeling I'll end up with a houseload of dogs? :D
 
Ha, if you think you think you run the risk of having a nutty Spangle, you ain't seen nothing until you meet a nutty Pointer! They are bred to work huge distances on their own, so can be independant, intelligent, fast and have stamina to burn!!
Anyone who says their Pointer/HPR breed is quiet in the house probably thinks walking for 3 hours a day is what every dog walker does! :D
 
I have a couple of GSP's and they can run and run all day and when you get them home, they'll have a 20min power nap and then be on the go again.

Mine have noticeably slowed down at home this year, they will be 10 in February but are still loons out on their walks.
 
Vicstress said:
sorry, should have said rescued not rehomed!!! saying that there's alot more to his story, but won't go into it on here! :D:rolleyes:
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Aye, I do remember you saying you'd spoken to his breeder to ask if he had Clumber in him/that he was from a house with kids in or the woman was pregnant? Again, apologies if I am wrong. Stoopid geek brain!
 
CaveCanem said:
Aye, I do remember you saying you'd spoken to his breeder to ask if he had Clumber in him/that he was from a house with kids in or the woman was pregnant? Again, apologies if I am wrong. Stoopid geek brain!
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Let's just say I didn't get the whole truth about him....but love him none the less! :D
 
I've got a pointer (German) - have to say she is pretty daft!! She is quite settled around the house now though and generally well behaved. She's a lovely happy dog though and makes us laugh lots!! Would love going running!!

Only thing with Star, not sure if all pointers are like this, but she's a bit needy and wants lots of attention from everyone and anyone!
 
If at home, my Pointer does nothing but sleep!!

True though, that if cuddles are on offer that is where he'll be!!

When out walking he'll run and run and run. I only notice if I go walking with a Lab or Retriever who just plod along! But I wouldn't call him nuts.... I'd say Spaniels are a lot more manic! He's 1, mooches up the yard am and pm and has one 1hr walk on average a day. He'll play ball all day long!

Brill with horses, kids etc.
 
I have the wirehaired variety of a pointer:D and I have never seen a dog cover the ground he does in all the breeds I have dealt with, he is fabulously well behaved, fab indoors but he does get amounts of exercise here, he is also very clever.
As suggested not a breed I would suggest unless you can put the exercise in
No suggest though, mastiff maybe? as you have mentioned, or maybe I made that up:o:D
 
I would say JRT as that's what I've got but they can be loons.

If you like Pointers but want something calmer I'd suggest a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - not that I'm biased :p But they'll cover all you require and be really laid back, will take what ever exercise you give them. Because mum has the number she does she walks them in 2 groups and 1 group goes one day the 2nd goes the next, never had any probs with hyperactivity. They will cover ground but lack the GWP/GSP ignorance and come back when you want them not when then want to. Will get on well with your Spaniel too, or anything else for that matter, my JRTs live with my mum at the mo and live fine with the Vizzy's
 
I have an English Pointer. She is amazing and I'd never have any other breed now. She's brilliant with people and horses. You do have to give them a quite a lot of exercise though, otherwise you wont be left alone, and they'll be shoving toys in your hand wanting to play all day (very annoying when you work from home and have deadlines!)

My Pointer's usual routine is: My other half takes her jogging early every morning before work, then when they get back, I take her up to the yard with me, and I spend an hour or two there, and she does her own thing. By the time I come home, she's been on the go for at least three hours and that's enough to satisfy her, and she'll happily sleep all day until tea time, then she either comes up to the yard with me at tea time, or has a short walk with my other half.

There have been times when we've not been allowed to walk her (recovering from an injury usually). Then she can be a right pain in the ****, and that is when she'll start trying to dig up the carpet and chew up the cushions etc, and she will pace up and down the room whining. However, I have discovered a trick to calm her down in these situations though! I PUT THE HEATING ON! A Pointer LOVES heat, and by keeping them really hot, it keeps them sleepy. LOL
 
gahhhh, I just wrote a long reply and it disappeared!

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've always wanted a Dane again and never thought I'd be in a position to have one. I now have a more than big enough house and work from home so have the time.

Just took the spangle out for a run and he's crashed out - realistically I do need a dog that once exercised will leave me alone for a few hours to get on with my work.....I realise that a pup won't be like that for a while but they'll settle eventually!

I've looked everywhere for my mum's Dane lines and apparently they're really hard to find now. Just because, here's a clipping on my mums best Dane, Arianne of Auldmoor (Dane of the Year at Crufts). Bottom Left:

jf99020.jpg


But who wouldn't want one of these:

great-dane-puppy_1_.jpg
 
Starbucks said:
I've got a pointer (German) - have to say she is pretty daft!! She is quite settled around the house now though and generally well behaved. She's a lovely happy dog though and makes us laugh lots!! Would love going running!!

Only thing with Star, not sure if all pointers are like this, but she's a bit needy and wants lots of attention from everyone and anyone!
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I have a GSP- He is very needy never met a dog like him. He has to be in the same room as people or our other dog.

Hes can run, run and run all day, after a 3 1/2hour runm swimming etc he still had enough energy to go down the yard with only 20mins nap. At home he is settled but he does go to the yard for 5hours 7hours a day.
 
My bf has a pointer x spinger and my pointer is much carmer than him. My pointer isnt hyper all the time, he just loves to run and when hes not running he loves cuddles.
 
Personally I'd go to a rescue that uses foster homes, register what type/breed/size/temperment etc you want and wait. Guaranteed something will match your requirements and with it being fostered you'll know exactly what it's like in the house etc. No point thinking just because a breed discription says it will be a certain way means it will be, I've known manic spaniels, quiet one's and boring as hell ones...I've had foster greyhounds who are hyperactive and one's who sleep forever! Dogs don't always do what they say on the tin, which is why I prefer to adopt rescues who have been fostered...that way I know what I'm getting (this is from the woman who's latest addition was caged for 7 months...DON'T go that route if you want quiet well behaved!!!:rolleyes:)
 
jsr said:
Personally I'd go to a rescue that uses foster homes, register what type/breed/size/temperment etc you want and wait. Guaranteed something will match your requirements and with it being fostered you'll know exactly what it's like in the house etc. No point thinking just because a breed discription says it will be a certain way means it will be, I've known manic spaniels, quiet one's and boring as hell ones...I've had foster greyhounds who are hyperactive and one's who sleep forever! Dogs don't always do what they say on the tin, which is why I prefer to adopt rescues who have been fostered...that way I know what I'm getting (this is from the woman who's latest addition was caged for 7 months...DON'T go that route if you want quiet well behaved!!!:rolleyes:)
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We had great danes for over 20 years, so know the breed well!

I guess I was looking at alternatives but I think I'm sold on another GD....:D

ETS, that although people may not agree, Great Danes have enough health problems without rescuing a badly bred one - I couldn't deal with the heartache....wobblers, for one, is something I just wouldn't want to have to deal with in a Dane....
 
WOW Vicstress !! Auldmoor was a VERY respected dane line indeed. Hopeless really ..if you were brought up as a GD that is the dog you will prefer:D
 
echodomino said:
I would say JRT as that's what I've got but they can be loons.

If you like Pointers but want something calmer I'd suggest a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - not that I'm biased :p But they'll cover all you require and be really laid back, will take what ever exercise you give them. Because mum has the number she does she walks them in 2 groups and 1 group goes one day the 2nd goes the next, never had any probs with hyperactivity. They will cover ground but lack the GWP/GSP ignorance and come back when you want them not when then want to. Will get on well with your Spaniel too, or anything else for that matter, my JRTs live with my mum at the mo and live fine with the Vizzy's
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I'd say GSP's are far from ignorant, they're DESPERATE to please. They are very easy to train and willing to please. My boy was out of puppy class and in with the big boys within weeks. (I know several like it, my boys not just a fluke!) recall, off lead heel, immediate down at distance etc etc all very easily installed! ;)

My dog trainer likes their attitude so much that she said she would have one. That's someone who does competitive obedience with her collies, so I think that shows what they're like to train.

I do love Wirehaired Vizlas though! :)
 
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