Dog Breed Suggestions Round 2!

Hintza

I'm quite surprised at the push for Staffies; not one that I would have thought suitable especially being left alone for extended periods. Try reading Jock of the Bushveld.

I put your info into PetPlanet and they suggest the Standard Schnauzer which might be worth looking into. In second place came a Shar Pei! And in third was the Papillon.

candygirl

Hintza wrote: »

I'm quite surprised at the push for Staffies; not one that I would have thought suitable especially being left alone for extended periods. Try reading Jock of the Bushveld.

I put your info into PetPlanet and they suggest the Standard Schnauzer which might be worth looking into. In second place came a Shar Pei! And in third was the Papillon.

Mine are fine when left alone, but do have a massive garden to play in:D

foreign_correspondent

I suppose it depends on personal experience to an extent - all the people I know with Staffies are able to leave them at home quite happily.

OP, it is worth considering that some staffies are very dog friendly, and there are plenty of dogs of all breeds in that are tried, tested and proven with other dogs... however, some individual dogs of all breeds can be less than dog friendly - there are a few dogs individual round here that I know to keep my dog well away from - they include a westie, a collie, a german shepherd and a boxer - however, I also know other individuals of the same breeds that are fab with dogs!

I think that in almost any breed of dog you could find individuals that fit your needs. However, I am a little surprised by the suggestion of a SharPei and Papillion to be honest! (but maybe that is simply because the papillions I have met have tended towards yappy, and Shar pei are big, heavy dogs, again with a tendancy to be dog aggressive I believe! I think they are also relatively hard to train?) - however, this is not to say that it is not useful to research the tendencies of particular breeds but to remember that all dogs of that breed are not the same - for example, just as many greyhounds are not cat friendly, some love noting better than snuggling up with the family cat!

peachyprice

CFC wrote: »

Yorkies are a potential - how trainable are they and are they 'barkers'; I'm thinking of when he/she would be home alone? OK - my husband would feel like a ninny walking such a small dog, but that's tough

They're incredibly trainable, and very good recall when off the lead.

Mine is a bit woofy if he can see out the window, when we're in he sometimes sits on the stairs from where he can see people walking past and will woof, but not incessantly. When we're out he's in the kitchen and doesn't really bark much at all. It is a bark rather than a yap though. He thinks he's a big, dog poor boy.

As for size, my boy is pretty big, and looks even bigger when his hair is long.:D

mariauk

I have a lovely stafford of almost 3 who is left for up to 4 hours a day when I am at work has never chewed (Kong toys are amazing for any dog) She loves everyone and everything and has never shown aggresion to any other dog. She has always been very well socialised and I would say that our cat rules the roost out of the 2 of them. Please don`t overlook a stafford because of the media scaremoungering. All dogs can be a risk, its all about on going training and tlc.

Frugalista

Hintza wrote: »

I'm quite surprised at the push for Staffies.

Me too - especially as the OP has already indicated that they are not really a breed she is particularly interested in ...

CFC wrote: »

Staffies - feedback is that they're a bit dog aggressive, I do want a dog breed not known for aggression towards dogs or people.

This does seem to be turning into a major Staffie Appreciation thread :rolleyes:.

As the previous thread was closed for going off topic perhaps we should bear that in mind and suggest breeds other than Staffies .

As Hinza has suggested Standard (and Mini) Schnauzers are delightful breeds. Border Terriers, Tibetan Terriers or Tibetan Spaniels may also be worth consideration.

I agree with lostinrates suggestion of visiting Discover Dogs - though would suggest that you go with a shortlist of breeds in mind as it is such a big event to get around. The website she has posted is also worth exploring.

foreign correspondent - I am surprised that you think Shar Pei are big, heavy dogs - certainly the ones I have seen around the shows would be considered a medium sized dog. I don't have the breed standard to hand but I think they are only around 22" at the shoulder. I would agree, however, that they can be quite stubborn characters. As for Papillons - some can be yappy, but a lot are not. They are very intelligent little dogs and a lot of people do obedience and agility with them - they are definately not just a lap-dog!

OP have you started to make a list of breeds/crossbreeds for further consideration yet? Go on - give us a clue . HTH.

ETA - Shar Pei are 18-20 inches tall.

elsien

My aunt has yorkies and so does the next door neighbour. Perhaps I'm just unlucky but they're both terrible for barking. My aunt's has a go every time anyone walks past the window, which is most of the time, and next door's does it's nut everytime I go out the back. 10 years I've lived there and it still treats me like an intruder! Does spoil my enjoyment of the garden though as it's quite an annoying yappy sound and it can go on all the time I'm outside.
But my aunt and neighbour wouldn't consider any other breed, so each to their own I suppose.

(I'd best not recommend english bull terriers, given that we've now definitely confirmed this is not the official bull terrier appreciation society thread.:D)

Hughesy84

Get a staffy - fits your bill perfect

UKTigerlily

Agree any dog can be dog aggressive, personally i'd go to look round local rescue centres & see what they match you with! I was after a CKCS type & ended up with a Staffy & yes, she's fine being left!

hethmar

Sharpei's have such skin probs and eye problems - dont encourage the breeding of them poor things. They are turning up more in rescues now when people find out how much the meds will cost for their skins.

Yorkie cross may be better for you/your OH to take out

Borders are wonderful, well mine is anyway. But most need a fair bit of exercise.