which dog for me?

jetta_wales

Barneysmom wrote: »

Why do you want a dog, it's a big change at your age (no offence meant).

That's just a tad patronising.

Jay_Tee

As intelligence is a major characteristic you're interested in you might find this worth a read>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs

estelle123

How about a poodle i have had standards and minis,you cant beat them loyal,intelligent and loving.They also dont moult,best dog in the world.

moneylover

Yes, I agree about poodles and all their good points but they dont tug at my heartstrings!
Post on intelligence is very useful. So lab would be great, spaniel very okay and a KC spaniel not so good.
Golden retrievers right up the top - my cousin has one, nice dog but very fat! Are they bigger than labs or about the same - cannot quite visualise. Do they moult as much as labs supposedly do? I wonder why they are not generally used as guide dogs if so good at commands?

mountainofdebt

Would also suggest a beagle....they certainly win in the looks department (as OH will testify when I left him outside a supermarket with our beagle pup for 5 minutes recently)

Like all beagles, he can be stubborn and thinks everyone wants to be his friend (apparently they make useless guard dogs as they would probably lick the burglar to death first!). However he has picked up simply commands quickly. Although he is abit of a chowhound - they put on weight easily so you need to be strict with them as far as treats are concerned

As for exercise I think adult beagles need at least 2 1hr walking sessions but in fairness I thought I would find it hard exercising the pup but I found I really enjoy the walks we go on - even though at the mo they're quite short becuase of his age.

skintbint_2

moneylover wrote: »

Yes, I agree about poodles and all their good points but they dont tug at my heartstrings!
Post on intelligence is very useful. So lab would be great, spaniel very okay and a KC spaniel not so good.
Golden retrievers right up the top - my cousin has one, nice dog but very fat! Are they bigger than labs or about the same - cannot quite visualise. Do they moult as much as labs supposedly do? I wonder why they are not generally used as guide dogs if so good at commands?

have a friend who is a puppy walker for RNIB and has had golden retrievers. (does moult everywhere)She has had 11! looks after them and trains to a certain extent until they are around a year old then they go to get fully trained for guide dogs if they meet the mark - a really worthwhile cause but you need a big heart to let go! i think you get the opportunity to keep them if they dont pass the testing. have you thought of that angle?

Barneysmom

jetta_wales wrote: »

That's just a tad patronising.

No it's not, I said no offence meant.
As someone with 2 dogs I know the work involved and the costs.

Jay_Tee

moneylover wrote: »

Yes, I agree about poodles and all their good points but they dont tug at my heartstrings!
Post on intelligence is very useful. So lab would be great, spaniel very okay and a KC spaniel not so good.
Golden retrievers right up the top - my cousin has one, nice dog but very fat! Are they bigger than labs or about the same - cannot quite visualise. Do they moult as much as labs supposedly do? I wonder why they are not generally used as guide dogs if so good at commands?

I don't know when you are planning to get a dog, but it it's a while off you could go to Discover Dogs in November www.discoverdogs.org.uk it's an exhibition where most dog breeds are represented and you get the chance to meet the dogs and chat to owners of that breed. Just a thought.

moneylover

yes I went last year and willl go again it was all a bit muddly first time as I didnt know what I wanted at all

Fire_Fox

Barneysmom wrote: »

Why do you want a dog, it's a big change at your age (no offence meant).

Getting your first dog is a big change at any age, someone in their sixties has been coping with change for sixty decades!

Barneysmom wrote: »

No it's not, I said no offence meant.
As someone with 2 dogs I know the work involved and the costs.

Not everyone who retires is skint/ incapable of managing their finances/ short on time/ lazy. There are sixty-somethings touring the world (to China, around South America) in a motorhome, seventy-somethings getting a degree, eighty and ninety year olds on Facebook. :rotfl: