Doggy Advice Needed

orlao

CFC wrote: »

I guess my ideal dog is:

not an escape artist
not destructive
willing to take direction and enjoy being trained
affectionate
playful
intelligent.

Then it could be a terrier but there is no doubt that a terrier would probably be harder work.

Take my two, both laaaaadiies *said in a David Walliams voice*

One is 18 going on 19 now, a rescue at about 2 years old who was very easy to train (mainly because she attached herself to me like glue when I took her home) but who has a "working" mentality. In her heyday she used to catch a rabbit a day with no effort and while a very good house dog she needed to be kept occupied or I think she would have caused havoc. Even at her age now, she will happily bumble along out for a couple of hours and still puts plenty of effort into hunting even though more often than not it is unsuccessful due to her hearing, eyesight and speed not being as good as they were. She will still defend me with all she's got if she thinks I'm in danger....she happily lived with 3 cats but despite being well trained there were a couple of occasions where I thought she was going to kill a cat in the garden and there would have been very little I could do about it:eek:

However, the 12 year old is the least typical JRT I've ever met:D Soft as butter, very nervy, a chase instinct that usually leads her in the opposite direction, very very lazy - in this weather she usually tries to refuse to leave the house. She doesn't hunt, is scared of rabbits (they're bigger than her:rotfl:) and frankly, is as thick as two planks put together. She, unlike the average terrier, is all mouth, no trousers with other dogs - then has to hide behind the rottie when it all goes wrong:p. But she is adorable with people, especially kids and the sweetest dog ever - just not typical.

They are like chalk and cheese but neither were as easy as the rottie for instance, to train. Both of them dig and not only can they clear a 4 foot fence with ease, they can tunnel if they wish. When the older one was ratting she could fit into tiny gaps and was extremely persistent while working.

I don't find any of the above a problem but my dogs are kept very occupied IYSWIM and I could see that unless you could really work their brain (a lot of terriers do agility these days;)) you may have a bored dog and that would be hell.

CFC

Thank you for all of your advice, however the rescue seems quite disorganised and have rehomed him elsewhere without any conversation with me whilie I was waiting for the homecheck.
I think I will go elsewhere to find a dog.

Sagz_2

That's a shame - but don't give up on a rescue dog - there are so many out there who need homes.

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/default.aspx

CFC

Thank you Norbertsmum - but I have to say I am quite wary now, if I can find a suitable dog privately where the transaction is completed and done at that moment then that's what I will choose to do. Certainly I took onboard the advice proffered on this forum to try for an older dog, and will try to go that route.
Probably not with a rescue though - I don't like to feel that I am being manipulated; the speed with which the rehoming was done (same day rehoming, the day after I visited) and the fact that I am being directed towards other dogs (who are perhaps more difficult to rehome) leaves a bad taste with me. (rightly or wrongly)

I don't know how I am going to break this to husband when he comes in tonight

moomin5

I wouldn't let it put you off using a rescue, plenty more to adopt from if you don't like how that particular rescue operates. They do give some security that the dog will of had its health & behaviour checked out.

Mutter_2

CFC wrote: »

I guess my ideal dog is:

not an escape artist
not destructive
willing to take direction and enjoy being trained
affectionate
playful
intelligent.

Have you given any thought to a Tibetan Terrier CFC? they are not terriers at all btw but in utility group.

They are great at agility and although have long silky hair, normally they are clipped like a teddy. Have a look on youtube, lots of TT videos on there.

They have a breed rescue which appears to work differently to the norm. Because there are more people wanting one than available, you are put on a waiting list until one turns up. Oh, and because they can afford to pick and choose, they will not rehome to anyone who works.

http://www.tibetanterrierrescue.net/