Thinking about getting a dog..advice required.

elfen

Terriers are mental - and yes, my mum's Patterdale's prey instinct is scary..she will nearly have you over trying ot get rabbits, barks at anything in her garden, goes for cats etc etc
But she is lovable and a terror at the same time.

However, we've had ( as a family) a lab, a sheltie/collie cross, a alsatian and a terrier - all rescue dogs who we've had to work with. And that is something els,e you do need to gain the trust of a rescue dog but they will love you forever.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Yes a dog that doesn't moult is a bonus as I have asthma, although I didn't have much of a problem with my cat.

The only terrier type I have some experience of is West Highland White. My partner's sister has had 2 of them.

I must stress, I do intend attending training lessons regardless of breed of dog.

Person_one

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Yes a dog that doesn't moult is a bonus as I have asthma, although I didn't have much of a problem with my cat.

The only terrier type I have some experience of is West Highland White. My partner's sister has had 2 of them.

I must stress, I do intend attending training lessons regardless of breed of dog.

Westies are lovely, but one of the 'easier' terriers in my experience.

Have you considered a Wheaten Terrier? They don't shed and are great for asthma sufferers and aren't quite as 'terrier' as some others as they were bred for a wider range of tasks. They're still not the easiest of dogs but they might be more suitable as a first dog than a Bedlington.

My top dog breed for first timers who want a non shedding breed is the bichon frise. Easy going, intelligent, friendly, don't need hours and hours of exercise. Apart from the coat which needs daily grooming, they're pretty low maintenance and a good gentle introduction to dog ownership.

pawsies

Although a size up I'd say a greyhound/lurcher/whippet are great first dogs as they don't need a ton of exercise (despite popular belief), are usually quite easy to train and don't need much grooming. They can have a prey drive however which may need extra training- however, some rescue lurchers don't have this drive so it's worth looking around.
I'd recommend fostering dogs of breeds you are interested in, although you won't get the exact same dog and behaviour, it'll give you an idea of the characteristics of the breed and some common behavioural problems you may encounter?

nonnatus

Border Terriers are the best . Really clever and don't moult, just need regular hand stripping. Hardy, nice size and available in a range of beautiful colours (I make them sound like a tea towel!!)

lostinrates

OP, dh and I really ewant a bedlington, and before we got our current second dog had done a lot of reserch into the breed. We fully intend to get one next. I'm throroughly doggy, having been brought up with many, many dogs, but all of a very different type to a bedlington, so it will be a big change for us, but one we're excited about. Longevity really appeals to us too.

the drawbacks, as well as checking for CT include the costs of regular clipping (even if you decide not to have a ''breed clip'' the coat needs clipping/maintaining. (about six weekly breeders all felt). If you are not going to clip yourself (and it can be tricky) this can add significantly to the costs of dog ownership, because some dogs require much less, or indeed, next to nothing.

edit: to add I found the club secretary useful and the breeders I spoke and met with superbly helpful and encouraging, but the rescues next to useless...very uncommunicative. It might mean its a breed that there is almost always a waiting list for and they don't have to be nice to people who live a long way from most breeders!

GH

What about a Sealyham Terrier? Never heard of it? Neither had I until I read this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2053500/Sealyham-terrier-English-dog-thats-rare-tiger.html

ali-t

Like lostinrates said your best bet would be to contact the local breed club and speak to the breed club secretary who can point you in the direction of good breeders, where litters are coming up and what you need to look for. I always thought bedlingtons were funny looking critters until I met a few and they are actually pretty cool wee pooches.

Good luck and don't let people put you off your choice of breed. If you contact the kennel club (I think you may be able to do it through their website) you can access a list of breeders with litters due and you can make contact with them for advice. In both of my chosen breeds I never found a breeder that didn't love to talk about their breed, their expectations of owners and what their dogs are like and need.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks ali-t. I do intend contacting Bedlington Terrier club in the new year. From what I can see on their website, there are about 3 registered breeders in my area.

It'll be a new experience for me as I've only ever owned cats..oh & 4 adopted gerbils

One of the reasons I like Bedlingtons is their unusual look. They are also a nice size dog, not too small but not large that they take over the house.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Just wondering how far people are prepared to travel in search of a puppy?