Dog breed suggestions

bethie

i think you should visit a lot of different rescues and see what dog you like the best - sometimes what you want may not be what you fall in love with!

although some rescue dogs may not have a full history - others might do. there are a lot of puppies born into the centres (although probably not this time of year!).


we got our dog from the RSPCA. she was brought in at 10 weeks old, but due to the court process, wasnt released until she was 10 months old. it was a bit of an extra challenge - bringing home a collie/lab mix in the beginning of her teenage period, and unsocialized to a normal environment, but a year on and you wouldnt really have any idea what she has been through. she now does flyball competitions, agility, and has her kennel club gold award.

i'd also suggest that if you do get a rescue dog, try to bond with it first before it comes home. with the way amber worked out, we visited her practically every week for 3 months before she came home - and that make the transition a lot easier on everyone. she trusted us, and although there was a bit of destruction, it wasnt as bad as it could have been- and, she wasnt terrified of us, only everything else she saw!

good luck getting a dog! and, like some posters have said, some places wont home before christmas - but if you do see a dog you want, rescue centres should allow you to take it on walks - and, it will show that you are really committed, plus, you can get to know them a bit better before making the decision.

bethie

sorry about the size!

tandraig

sorry but i got to say it - a staffy from a good breeder - I adored mine and as i live in a village knew her mum dad and bros and sisters! they were all good dogs but - some were better than others and i am convinced it was how they were brought up! my staffy was the only !!!!! of the litter - she was brilliant with the kids - i called her my best babysitter - if kids cried she would brave the no upstairs ban to get me when they were babies. when the kids got older and took her out she behaved perfectly - apart from not letting anyone within three feet of them! but, if i took her out - she would stand on hind legs to get a look at babies! she adored them - was never happier than when a baby visited she would sit by them for ages. she was just a kid friendly dog! my kids used to dress her up in baby clothes or jewellery. she just seemed to smile. the springer spaniel loved kids too - but prefered to play. tug o war or hide and seek but was brill with other dogs (except she didnt like german shepherds). dogs are individuals hun - a breed has characteristics but - some dogs buck the trend. its like having a baby - you dont really know what you will get!

hethmar

Tons of poor greyhounds in rescue, a friend of mine works as a vollie for the Norfolk greyhound rescue. She has one herself, not very big, very quiet and seems to sleep a lot

I love staffies too but have to admit at my age they would be too strong for me.

Right, if you are all doing cute photos . this is one of mine, rescued from death row in a council pound near Manchester - can you believe that, how could anyone have put this little love down after just 7 days???

foreign_correspondent

alright, if we are off on the piccies again - this one is a bit blurry but shows what a sweetie my rescue dog is! Badger, with her favourite girl, my 94 y/o gran - they are very good pals!:D



Badger was got rid of by her last owners when she was about five, her fur was shaved off and her nails overgrown, but someone had trained her well at some point - god knows what had happened to her between then and her being handed in...

.. my gran often says to her 'I dont know how they could have left you there.." then says to me "how could they leave her?" - I have no idea, she is such a little love.

ETA - Bethie, your dog is gorgeous - great photo - and Hethmar, yours has such a lovely earnest little terrier face!

Fire_Fox

I am sure you would find a rescue to home you the right dog over Christmas if you start looking/ getting homechecked now, and explain that you want to adopt then simply because you are on leave. Most reputable rescues will not home a puppy to you if you are going to be leaving the dog as long as six hours - they are like small children, even six minutes is a long time to start with.

Older dogs don't have to be a major financial commitment, you could get one that is a couple of years out of puppyhood with no known medical conditions and take out good insurance such as AXA. Many rescues will fund treatment on a pre-existing medical condition anyway.

I've only ever had adult rescue cats, and fallen in love with them all. If they are terrified it's wonderful when they start to trust you, if they have had a period in a pen they are often incredibly grateful to be loved. More so I think with a dog!!

moomin5

I think its a good idea to get the rescue to match you to suitable dogs if you not set on a particular breed already and see what takes your fancy. Although i do think its a good idea to have a general idea about what most breeds are like.

Greyhound in compact mode


and extended


Hector's a medium sized male (30kg 28in to shoulder) but you can get some small girls, my friends dog is about the height of a collie and only about 25kg.

These are not my greyhounds but this picture cracks me up with the grey squeezing into a tiny dog/cat bed

CFC

I must say Autumn is a very pretty dog. I'm starting to think that I'm a bit fixated on long hair so might need to consider that as part of the aesthetics.

I didn't realise Salukis were also pretty idle; might have to consider that. But I must say it would be nice to have a dog that was obedient for a change - sighthounds are not, according to my whiz round the web. I think it could be reasonably important - I live in a city, and off lead means a park most of the time. I'm willing to spend the time training, but having had a dog before who considered commands as suggestions only I need to think it over

foreign_correspondent

I think it depends on what you like in dogs and you need to balance up looks against other important traits, like calmness and obedience!

However, we often have dogs that we are drawn to, I personally quite like dogs with short legs, probably because they remind me of a lovely little dog I had! Maybe you like the long haired whippets/saluki look because of similar positive associations with your last dog?

Personally... I love how this little dog looks - she probably isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I think she is very sweet (and just a little bit comical!)...





she is a daschund x staffie, and is described as a 'real sweetie' - I think she is gorgeous!

http://www.dogsblog.com/category/dachshund-cross/

lostinrates

CFC wrote: »

I must say Autumn is a very pretty dog. I'm starting to think that I'm a bit fixated on long hair so might need to consider that as part of the aesthetics.

I didn't realise Salukis were also pretty idle; might have to consider that. But I must say it would be nice to have a dog that was obedient for a change - sighthounds are not, according to my whiz round the web. I think it could be reasonably important - I live in a city, and off lead means a park most of the time. I'm willing to spend the time training, but having had a dog before who considered commands as suggestions only I need to think it over

As a child I was told it would be silly to do other than showring training withour sighthounds. Which I took as a challange. I walk my grey hound with setters and labradors, some of which have worked, and she is, the MOST obediant. I admit, I think an afgan would be harder:D, but I've had a fair few sight hounds now who have all had tricks. Some have been better than others, but ALL have had all the normal ''good ctizen'' type training and none have been ''disobediant''.

Commands as suggestions are NOT how it is in my sighthound house.
In fact, I'm pretty sure part of the reason sighthounds are often considered less trainable is because no one trains them. I'm considering having ago at some agility for fun with my greyhound.

caveat: of lead when they see something running timing is crucial: I genuinely believe their little brains cannot process a command in chase mode. Get them just before launch, they obey, et them as they slow down, they obey, otherwise, its a waste of time.

You mention ''obediant for a change'' what were your disobediant dogs? Did you go toa class with them?

Lurchers have a dash of something else: that something else is usually to provide another virtue: some more stamina, some increased trainability.


There is no ill, in my mind, holding out for a dog you find beautiful