Help - Which breed of dog?

henm01

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Its difficult to advise on a breed, as individuals within the breed vary; someone earlier said terriers tend to be yappy, and a collie may be a good choice - whilst I agree with the rest of her post, (and many terriers are yappy!) I owned the most laid back, non yappy terrier ever, who was a real chilled out dog!

I also would not generally advise a collie for a novice dog owner, unless it was an older, steady dog, many collies can become nervous to the point of neurotic, and nip heels, they become bored to death if not constantly busy, and will find something to do to occupy themselves, generally chewing anything they can find... a collie needs loads of exercise and training every day really, which can be very hard work.

For an easy dog I would generally choose a sensible dog, past the age of two, who should be past the hooligan teenage stage - but again, call your local rescues, explain the sort of dog you want, and see what they have that fits the bill!

Whereabouts in the country are you?

South London/Surrey.

henm01

hflower74 wrote: »

This is a good place to look for a rescue dog

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=29

Thank you. So sad all those dogs looking for homes. I didn't realise there were so many rescue centres.

mum.s

Whichever dog you go for you have to do your re-search first as every breed is different, some needing more exercise, company with other dogs, special requirments in there older years. We had a Siberrian Husky, we researched the breed for 15 months including picking the breeder, He was our first dog and was a fantastic dog. But he had a lot of requirements, grooming, not being let of the lead, 7ft fences, concreted bases, no windows open, a burgular was a mate etc... but we loved him.

foreign_correspondent

there are some lovely, easy dogs in rescues which are still young but past the very hard work stage, have a look at these guys:
http://www.dogsblog.com/sam-29/

http://www.dogsblog.com/susie-5/

http://www.dogsblog.com/ruff/

http://www.dogsblog.com/rory-2/

(well when I say easy, I mean easy as far as dogs go, they all need a lot of time and exercise! However, these guys will generally be a lot less hassle than a widdling, pooping chewing machine of a pup!!)

Bromley86

A vote for the selfish raise-from-pup option. Labs or spaniels. Girls rather than boys (for the lack of bits rather than temperment).

foreign_correspondent

I dont think the raise from pup option is selfish, I think its very hard work and not for everyone (hence the high numbers of 6-10 month old pups in rescues!) - for me a dog past the toilet training and and chewing stage is ideal!

However, its worth remembering that you can raise-from-pup and rescue at the same time, as there are soo many pups being born in rescue, or handed in very young at the moment...

However, the big advantage of having an adult dog is that when you have specific likes and dislikes, such as these, you can chose an adult dog with the right character - some pups can be raised with kids and still not grown into particularly child friendly dogs, the OP could easily find an adult dog who is known to be confident and child friendly, who is not an escape artist (some dogs are, by their nature, I had a terrier that could shoot through the tiniest gap and go off for a walk on her own!) and who does not bark too much:

Dislikes
Loud barking all the time (my mum's dog barks all the time at children playing in the garden)
A dog who will wish to escape at every opportunity - I guess I mean one I can't train?

Likes
Not worried about fur
Friendly dog
Children plus their noisy friends visiting.

clareyocs

I'm sat here with an Akita, Collie and Cocker Spaniel.
Akita raise from pup and Cocker (18 months) raised from pup, house has been chewed, torn and hall way scratched down to the brickwork.
Collie raised from 2 weeks old a rescue the collie was an angel, the akita is a pain in the B*m and the cocker well she is really hard work!

UKTigerlily

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I dont think the raise from pup option is selfish, I think its very hard work and not for everyone (hence the high numbers of 6-10 month old pups in rescues!) - for me a dog past the toilet training and and chewing stage is ideal!

However, its worth remembering that you can raise-from-pup and rescue at the same time, as there are soo many pups being born in rescue, or handed in very young at the moment...

However, the big advantage of having an adult dog is that when you have specific likes and dislikes, such as these, you can chose an adult dog with the right character - some pups can be raised with kids and still not grown into particularly child friendly dogs, the OP could easily find an adult dog who is known to be confident and child friendly, who is not an escape artist (some dogs are, by their nature, I had a terrier that could shoot through the tiniest gap and go off for a walk on her own!) and who does not bark too much:

Definitely, I got a 5yr old Staffy from Rescue in December who hasn't once barked in the house (Rarely when outside playing), hasn't had a single accident, doesn't pull on the lead, loves travelling & kids & even accepted the Cat, though she will still chase them outside, or try to, her lead gets in the way! I'd be terrified of getting another once she passes on, I think none could replace her she's so perfect but many are already house trained & the rescues know their histories & will know if they do or don't do x/y or z!

lilac_lady

Retired greyhounds and whippets have lovely natures and don't bark much. My aunt had 2 whippets and they were the quietest, sweetnatured dogs I've ever met.

sammy_kaye18

Lol

Well Im all in favour of JRTs - mine barely barks other than the door being knocked etc, and if hes a bit boisterous whilst we are out playing - he doesn't bark at other dogs etc.

Plus hes full of energy and will literally keep going and going and going and and going and going and going and going and going and going for as long as you can stand it.

Good little dog, very affectionate and loves his cuddles. (oh and hes a rescue!)

Lol can you guess who his best buddy is?? (FYI we rehomed Bruno from a reputable rescue when Ben - my son - was only 2 years old)







Sorry I couldnt resist!!!