why is your dog perfect for you?

mollichop

mollichop

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Following on from the recent 'which breed' threads and Blackcob's v Davisn's differing accounts of their dogs lives, what makes your dog right for you?

O.k i'll start.

Paddington: Vizsla x Ridgeback and Hector: Vizsla x Wirehaired Pointer.

I mountain bike approx 3 times per week for 2-3 hours and also hack out. I wanted dogs that were long legged and rangy paced to be able to come with me and keep up comfortably.

Whilst I ride in the field or poo pick, it was important that my dogs could mooch around without having the desire to piss off hunting.

My house is old so didn't want a heavily coated breed so they could cope with fires/heating on in winter as I like to be warm and they are house dogs.

I also beat and pick up a couple of times a week on 2 shoots so ideally had to have some gundog breeding to train towards this.

They are ridiculously stoopid (dog most like their owner? :D) and also very adaptable. I needed dogs that would happily come running for several miles with me in the mornings yet also chill out in the beer garden in the evenngs. So had to have friendly natures so strangers and children could fuss them.

So what does your dogs life involve and how does this suit their breed? :)
 
I needed a dog friendly enough to come into the office and meet new people everyday

Good with other dogs

Good with children, as we sometimes encounter them at work

Robust enough to enjoy long walks in the country

Adaptable enough to settle quickly in new places when we go away for weekends

Small enough to fit in my tiny house

Snuggly enough to keep my feet warm in winter

Clever enough to be trainable, not clever enough to be too difficult :p

Robust enough to cope with me losing my rag in the car, or when things go wrong (like the entire mailmerge that I have just printed off only to realise it went wrong, and now I have to do a load of address label too - ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH **chucks computer out of window**:mad:) without having a breakdown

The gundog thing was an added bonus, but I think it was meant to be and now I will definitely only have gundogs in future:D

Hence - Henry, the cocker:)
 
JRTs
Pretty innoffensive to cope with the fact I move round a lot :) they don't smell, the white one moults though :(
Super dooper up for it and ready for whatever crazyness I'm up to, 4hr walks/running/swimming in the river etc
Completely cuddlicious and lovely
 
Both my dogs were rescued from their previous homes and are completely different and I have adapted my life in a way to fit around them. The one is terrified of people - even after 7 years - once she knows you she is the most loving dog - the other a JRT is lovely with people and cheeky with other dogs (I think he thinks he is actually a rottweiler). I wouldnt call either of them well behaved and have never been able to make them accept the chickens but are great poo picking with me - one of my horses hates dogs and will often come over to see if she can cause trouble and I shout RUN and both run out of the paddock and stand on other side of the fencing lol till I call them back. :) I had rescues before and always say - my next dog will be this ... or that .... and it never happens! :)
 
We've always had GSDs and my mother's initial contact with them was because she loved Champion the Wonder Horse and got hooked. Nothing more, nothing less :p

I need a large, agile, athletic dog that can spend hours hiking and still be ready for more.
Tough as old boots and fine with harsh conditions and living out but sensible when I get all soft and bring them inside :p
Confident, biddable, tractable and trainable but yet ready to think for themselves if need be and learn quickly and can take part in a range of activities.
Good with people and children but wary of strangers until properly introduced (then he's a total attention whore :p) and prepared to defend both me and our property where appropriate.

I'd prefer him to be better with other dogs and other animals in general and be more interested in sport but those are things we are working on and he is miles better with other dogs than he used to be (including getting mugged by a big arsey puppy with hackles up last week :p)

My female, his sister, by contrast, doesn't really like the great outdoors, is quite stressy, and would like nothing better than to lie on the rug in front of the fire all day and snooze. For that reason I don't really gel as well with her, although she is a lovely dog.
 
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Cocker spangles.... loyal, loving, always happy, up for anything at anytime but also quite happy to curl up and snore if needs be.

If you were to ask Ruby or any of the others I have had in the past they will tell you that they have been vital in assisting me in my day to day living. Laundry sorting, especially tricky things like socks and underwear, policing cats, accompanying me to the bathroom and supervising bathing, having a wee and any other personal requirements. Guarding the house from terrors such as the postman and binmen. Travelling companion and car guard (and Im amazed they are capable of doing this whilst deeply asleep). Shopping assistant....note to self do not leave carrier bags on the kitchen floor and expect dog to resist the temptation to rummage.

Hedge dog, clown, limitless supplier of cuddles, all round good egg who completes my life.

I need a small ish dog who can fit in with my indoor and outdoor lifestyle.
 
British Bulldog because at the time I lived in a garden flat in London and wanted a small proper dog and not a fluffball thing. Also I needed a dog who was happy to 'hang out' and not need 4hrs a day exercise.

Now I have moved though I am looking forward to collecting my bullmastiff as I have the space and time to go for proper walks and being another bull breed she will also be happy to mooch around the stable yard.
 
Never actually chosen my breed per se. When I was born my mother had a large kennel of GSDs (or Alsatians as they were then) and I grew up surrounded by them. I would never be without one unless I become too old and doddery to manage one. They do fit in well with my current lifestyle, I have space for them and as I live in a fairly rural spot it is reassuring to have dogs that will hopefully protect my children and I.
However when I lived in a tiny 2 up 2 down terrace I still had GSDs, wasn't ideal but they were part of the family, but maybe not perfect for me then. I have had other breeds as add ons, my Dad had whippets and have a soft spot for them, also had JRTs and more recently a Lancashire Heeler, for my daughter to do agility with when she was little. Although I like JRTs not sure if I would have another as one could be quite snappy with children, coudl also be a problem where I live now as I suspect it would always be disappearing down rabbit holes. The Heeler was a lovely little dog, a mini shepherd really and fitted well into our lifestyle. Would walk for miles with us but was also quite happy to be a lap dog.
 
mollichop said:
Hector: Vizsla x Wirehaired Pointer.
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I thought he was just a lab with a 'tash! :eek: :D

In all honesty I fit into my dog's life, not the other way round; this is not what most dog owners can cope with, I assume, but I'm a nutter and am happy to do it. Given more time - we've already made huge improvements from the incontinent death-howls of six months ago :p - the relationship will even out again in my favour.

My biggest regret is that she can't come out riding with me. I knew this when I picked her but it's made things more difficult than I hoped and it galls me that she's locked up at home while I rush out to ride as it'd be the perfect exercise for her.

After all the negativity of this and the other thread, the good bits!

- She's the best, most enthusiastic and untireable trekking partner I could wish for

- Winter sports - bikejoring and canicross for us. I was into mountain biking anyway and now I don't have to pedal. :D My fitness has improved immeasurably, I've dropped a dress size and feel awesome for it

- The second there's snow on the ground, I can be irrepressibly smug as I hurtle round the playing fields in a plastic sled being towed by a dog who won't dither about in the cold :p

- Training is so frustratingly difficult that the smallest success feels awesome

- She's soppy and affectionate with strangers and can be trusted entirely with kids

- She's a clown - mischievous, clumsy, playful and utterly daft. She makes me laugh every day

- I've never been so fit in my entire life and have been inspired to try pasttimes and sports that I never would have tried before. I've also met some lovely (utterly, utterly mad but lovely) breed people (and you lot!)

There's my justification for what is probably entirely the wrong breed of dog, but one which I would now never be without.
 
Totally off topic, but BC, just wanted to say I think you are an inspiration to all dog owners. I am sure I am not the only one on here who cringed when you said you were taking on Dax, it sounded like a recipe for disaster. You battled on through the howling and mess in your house when many others would have given up, and although it probably seems like a life time for you, I think you have achieved an amazing turn round in a very short time. Dax is gorgeous, and I think she is a very lucky dog to have found you. Her life could have been so very different in the wrong hands.:(
 
MurphysMinder said:
Totally off topic, but BC, just wanted to say I think you are an inspiration to all dog owners. I am sure I am not the only one on here who cringed when you said you were taking on Dax, it sounded like a recipe for disaster. You battled on through the howling and mess in your house when many others would have given up, and although it probably seems like a life time for you, I think you have achieved an amazing turn round in a very short time. Dax is gorgeous, and I think she is a very lucky dog to have found you. Her life could have been so very different in the wrong hands.:(
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Hear hear, well said and well done BC :D
Wish there were many more like you and I look forward to the day when you open a 101 Dalmatians - style respite home for all the poor sods who are churned out and end up on Dumbtree and give them a new lease of life :D
I don't often like being ignored but for Dax's sake I'm so glad you did :p
 
My R-dozy JRT.

Perfect in every way. The MOST amusing and full of character little dog ever.

Like spaniel's, she assists with laundry (will pre wash everything), and supervises toilet and bathing duties.

She's knackered after a half mile walk, but will run round the ponies' field all day.

She gets on with other dogs.

She's fab with kids, but hates the kids down the road and won't let them in my garden (which is fine by me as they're little sods).

She frightens off the burglar who tries to come through the letterbox every morning, and stands on the windowsill and tells off everyone who has the audacity to walk past the house. Is also able to warn off potential burglars in her sleep, and remain asleep.

She cleans the oldest cat and gives the grumpiest cat exercise.

She insists that I will get cold at night. I'll tell her to go to her bed, only to awake and find her curled round my toes under the duvet. On hot nights she'll be on my pillow fanning me with her tail. If I scold her she'll go back to her bed, then sneak back up slowly, crawl across the bed on her belly and hide under the pillows, certain that I cannot recognise her from her backside sticking out, just so long as she stays oh-so-still.

She shares my dislike of water, and will crawl on her belly across bridges, looking at me and warning me to "get down mum! you might fall in!"

She's really lazy, which suits my 2 bed terrace.

If the kids have annoying toys, ie musical toys, she kills them.

We share a love of television, me laying on the sofa, her laying across my chest....
 
I have a small house and a small car, and a postage stamp garden, so a small dog was an obvious choice (after i spent 2 months persuading OH that a border collie would not be the right choice for us!).

Stan (jack russell x border terrier) is perfect because he is small, cuddly, fun and utterly adorable. He has been around horses, cats, other dogs, kids, cows etc since birth and has never been anything but friendly (his only 'problem' is that he is over-friendly) to any oone or anything he meets. We work full time, and he has no issues with being home alone, and loves coming to the yard with me...he comes eveywhere with us really! And he keeps my OH busy by playing fetch endlessly from the day we got him - we didn't have to train him to do it.
 
I wonder if I can think of anything nice to say about Betsy..... this morning the chewed a hole into my only respectable jods.

I have 2 Border terriers, Betsy - 5 and a half months and Charlie - 14 years.

Charlie lives with my parents but has been a huge part of my life since I was 8, I really had nothing to do with choosing a breed (santa brought him) but now I cannot imagine my life without a BT in the house.

Betsy has her good bits I suppose, she is teeny so she fits quite nicely in my teeny house, she has picked up on all training very quickly so can now tire herself out in the fields off lead :) She gets up whenever I get up on a morning and only whinges if she is desperate for the loo. She insists on cuddles on a night time, she will strop if she doesnt get them! She supervises all bathroom activities (Bit off putting sometimes!) and tries to get in the bath with you. She pre cleans anything in the dishwasher. She barks at anyone near the gate on a night time (makes me feel a bit safer - even if her bark is still a pathetic little yap) but is very friendly with anyone who walks past in the day.

I'm still working on her being perfect! Once she will happily wonder through a field of horses off lead without even looking at them I will be happy!

Charlie, of course, is the best dog known to man (ignoring his dog agression issues....) and I think every little girl should have a dog like him :)
 
We have always had labs as a family (after a Italian Greyhound:eek: and an Irish Setter) my granparents had a spangle.:)

As breeds both of them are great family dogs and generally sociable types which I need them to be as the livery yard/farm where I live is great for them as they have fields to run in but also has lots of other dogs on a daily basis. :)

Ditto Spaniels description - it applies to both of mine!!:D The other reason I got Max was I needed a big shouty dog as I live in the middle of nowhere - he is of course all mouth and no trousers!!:rolleyes::D:D

All in all I wanted friendly, lovable dogs that enjoy big walks with me and will socilaise happily with other dogs, good around other animals (horses and sheep - hares and bunnies are fair game!:D) and children - they both adore children as they have cottoned on to them being the best and most reliable food donors:rolleyes:.................As well wanted dogs who would be happy snoozing in the house with me -both are experts at that and sofa/armchair room is at a premium round here.............
:eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::D
The downside is of course that both of the regularly walk around with something in their mouths so i regularly find shoes, boots, socks, teatowels, post, laundry etc spread around the garden..................:rolleyes::rolleyes::D:D:D
 
She's an utter mutt (well a JRT of sorts) so lots of hybrid vigour, cost about £200 quid in vets fees over her whole life, and £100 of that was being spayed. :D The rest she does tend to get bitten by things, or get things embedded in her... And as I'm generally skint, this is good!

She's small and compact without looking like a rat on a string. :D Fits in my house/car and I can pick her up easily if needs be.

She's quiet and sane, I can leave her all day to potter about by herself and shes content.

She's a good hunter, keeps the pests down. Although its best not to be dismembering bunnies on the lawn when the cousins are visiting. :o

She's been a perfect little allrounder, happy to whizz around "agility" courses when I was kid, and now shes happy to come on hikes or spend days pottering around country fairs and 3day events.

She also suits my tweed, cords and muddy boots style. A Dalmation just wouldnt work. :D

She is good with wellbehaved kids, but could be snappy if they are rough, a bit like me :o so its a good excuse to keep the house clear of brats!
 
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MM and CC, you've gone all mushy on me! Where's the teary-eyed smiley when you need it... :eek:

MM, I won't lie, the three weeks or so where she howled and crapped and peed on the floor at every opportunity was utter hell and there was more than one time where I reached for the phone fully intending to call up her old owner and take her back. I am so, so glad now that I didn't and it does all seem such a long time ago. I'll probably look back again in a year's time and think how much has changed all over again.

Don't think my OH would miss her if she were gone, mind you, and my carpet will never be the same. :p

CC, I shall take that as permission to ignore you again in the future. :D
 
I have a Sloughi from Lurcher Link, we rescued him when he was about 8, I live with my mother who is getting on and I needed a dog that was quite happy to pootle about with her but also had the opportunity to come out with me and be as active as he liked. He is perfect in everyway, happy mooching with my mother on her 20 minute walk with him where she lets him sniff absolutely everything and happy coming with me for a few miles. And big enough to not get under her feet!

A x
 
Gladioli said:
I have a Sloughi from Lurcher Link, we rescued him when he was about 8, I live with my mother who is getting on and I needed a dog that was quite happy to pootle about with her but also had the opportunity to come out with me and be as active as he liked. He is perfect in everyway, happy mooching with my mother on her 20 minute walk with him where she lets him sniff absolutely everything and happy coming with me for a few miles. And big enough to not get under her feet!

A x
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This just sums up for me that there is a perfect dog for everybody, it's just a case of finding the right one for you - thanks everyone, what lucky dogs we have eh? :D
 
My dogs are perfect for me because greyhounds are perfect dogs? :rolleyes:

Clean, quiet, adaptable, laid back, easy to have around, sleep a lot (which is needed as I work full time), beautiful.....

And they say dogs are like their owners - hmmmmm :p:D:D
 
I guess I covered most of this yesterday, but here goes....

After a stressful 6 months with a rescue border collie which took off at every opportunity & constantly living with the worry that the local farmers would shoot him or me, not the best way to make friends in a new area, I needed something 'easier'.

I wanted a dog:

Which I would be happy having off lead while I did the chores, even if I shifted my attention off him for a second or 2. We have 45 acres to play in, but we hadn't finished renewing all the fencing.

Could cope with our horses, chickens, pigs, cattle, sheep.

Could sleep outside (in a good windproof kennel) even in winter, half way up a welsh mountain.

Wouldn't be a stress-head on the rare times I go out. Would happily stay in the large run I had built.

Friendly with visitors & other dogs, but would tell me if there was someone around who shouldn't be. (unfortunately this includes my OH as far as Dylan is concerned but hey ho).

Relatively easy to train, nothing to fancy or advanced, but if we both enjoy it, then could go further.

Who would enjoy romping over the welsh hills or the beach with me, chasing a ball or frizbee, then sit in the pub while I have a pint!

Would hopefully manage to come with me when I hack the horses out, but when the weather was really bad, would be just as happy sat in front of the wood-burner all day.

Someone who could keep me company as I spend most of the time on my own. Make me laugh, give me kisses & cuddles, listen to my problems - be a good friend.


Gosh that list is very demanding - it makes me sound very selfish. What a lucky girl I am that I finally found Dylan. At less than a year old he already does most of the above & is showing potential with the others. Love him to bits.
 
I used to have a rescue greyhound when I worked full-time. He was perfect for me at that time in my life, but wouldn't cope with the winters up here. I used to have to put a coat on him when I lived in Somerset. In fact I can remember having to get him some bootees when we had that really cold spell over Christmas/New Year about 15 years ago - blinking heck, am I that old? Where did the time go?
 
Don't have any pictures on my work computer (yes at work!!!!:eek:)
But i'll try to get some on tonight.

Yes major Greyhound fan, why would you have anything else, when you can have a dog that doesn't smell, isn't after constant attention. Loves you like crazy. Makes you laugh at least a dozen times a day even when in a foul mood.

My boy is my shadow, can't move without him being there, when he's awake that is. lol
 
My family seem to like collecting oddballs, so we've got a three legged border Terrier (Tilly) and a dachshund x whippet (yes, you read that right :D)

Tilly is now a dream. She used to bugger off at every oppurtunity but around here everyone's quite forgiving and would just return her for us! Out the cat flap she'd go and off to the wide wide world! Used to go down rabbit holes and chase anything that moved. Once she hit two she seemed to just mellow, excellent around kids, loves giving kisses. Very trusting sweet dog, which was how she lost her leg. Mum reversed the trailer, next doors ridgeback chased her under the car and no more leg for Tilly! But she's been a little trooper, so sweet, she loves going to the vets and is still as friendly and active as ever. She still does agility, will go for long walks, keep up with a galloping horse, mouse for us and is now fine with the cat. Won't take her for hacks any more though as am scared she will get hit again - she still wanders in front of cars! Total dope. Her only real flaw is if something snaps at her she'll snap right back and won't back off, but is usually friendly with other dogs. Doesn't like small scrappy ones though as she fully believes she's a big dog ;)

Otto is now 11 weeks and a bugger! He's in the chew-everything-nom-nom stage and likes to drag his bed (sometimes with Tilly on it) everywhere. However he is very sweet (slightly strange looking though!) when he wants to be and loves cuddles. Quite cruel to Tilly and goes for her only back leg though! Too clever for his own good, will decide what he wants to do and when he wants to do it. Good with children though apart from some nibbling. Can't wait for her to mature a bit though :P
 
I wanted a dog that could be my constant companion, come to the yard with me, come out on rides, basically be my little shadow and wander around my heel gazing adoringly at me. I wanted a Springer because of my old (and most perfect) dog and I had intentions of going out beating occasionally with him.

Somehow, however I ended up with Otto. The thug that refused to come back. The world's most ignorant dog that couldn't have given two hoots whether I was there on not. The only role he filled was that he was a Springer!

He is still not what I wanted, and I doubt he ever will be, he still has moments where his brain disengages from his nose, he can't be trusted with other dogs and I don't think he will ever be well enough behaved to beat off the lead.
But I wouldn't swap him from the world. We have lovely walks, he is better behaved than I ever hoped (I didn't think he would ever be off the lead!), he adores people - small children drape themselves over him and he just grins and wags his tail! Plus he makes me smile.

He may not have turned into what I had hoped, but he is pretty perfect really :D
 
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