Help me Pick a Dog ?
#1
Help me Pick a Dog ?
I'm moving into my first (bought) house in August and we've decided we'd like to get a dog. Ideally as most we want a Puppy as we plan to have Children in the next few years and want a dog that we know (as much as possible) will be safe around the kids.
SO
Its a three bedroom semi with a large garden. Its not a big house but as I say the garden is on all three sides. There is a park across the road and due to the times I work the dog would only ever be alone for 2 hours a day. My dad also lives down the road so he could look after it if needs must.
I know A LOT of you are very knowledgable when it comes to dogs so?
Oh and I want a dog that will be at least a threat to someone trying to break in! No a little Yorkie or something.
I was thinking alsation, as my dad had them whilst I was growning up and I loved them..
Also if anyone on here has any puppies that would be ready late August let me know please... including price
Thanks a lot guys
SO
Its a three bedroom semi with a large garden. Its not a big house but as I say the garden is on all three sides. There is a park across the road and due to the times I work the dog would only ever be alone for 2 hours a day. My dad also lives down the road so he could look after it if needs must.
I know A LOT of you are very knowledgable when it comes to dogs so?
Oh and I want a dog that will be at least a threat to someone trying to break in! No a little Yorkie or something.
I was thinking alsation, as my dad had them whilst I was growning up and I loved them..
Also if anyone on here has any puppies that would be ready late August let me know please... including price
Thanks a lot guys
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Couch Spud
Posts: 9,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chocolate Lab
But not Scooby LOL
A Lab will chew a lot of things, if not everything
I will say this though, whatever you get, make sure you get Insurance !!!
But not Scooby LOL
A Lab will chew a lot of things, if not everything
I will say this though, whatever you get, make sure you get Insurance !!!
#4
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fife - Scotland
Posts: 4,455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lab / collie cross, owned " cala " now for 13 years and would recommend this particular breed off dog to anyone.
why not have a trip down to your local cat and dog home and give another one a chance sure they will have a few pups in should you deffinatly want a pub as opposed to a fully grown dog.
you wont regrett it mate, let us know how you get on ??
cheer
why not have a trip down to your local cat and dog home and give another one a chance sure they will have a few pups in should you deffinatly want a pub as opposed to a fully grown dog.
you wont regrett it mate, let us know how you get on ??
cheer
#6
GSD make excellent loyal family dogs
Unfortunately due to poor / over breeding and the fact that many are owned because their owners want to look hard and shouldn't be allowed to have dogs in the first place (same with Rotts, Dobes, Bull breeds)
The only dog that has ever bitten me in 20 years of dog training was a chocolate lab 4 months old and it went for my face - later found out it was from a puppy farm - bad breeding
If you are going to get a dog
Go to a reputable breeder - not loot
Make sure you can see the mother and father if not at least the mother
Socialise the dog properly
Enrol at a good local dog training club (another minefield)
Avoid farm bred working border collies because they CAN be hard work and not always suitable for families
Having just (Thursday) put my 17 year old Golden Retriever to sleep I would actually recommend a Goldie they are big, protective, loyal, very biddable, usually have good temperaments, usually good with other animals and children
Rescue dogs are great all mine except for the Goldie have been but they can be hard work.
Also good dogs don't just happen it is also what you put to your training and socialisation
Andy
owner of a long coat GSD that wouldn't harm a fly
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: In a village in Hants
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought a Westy last december. Fantastic little guy and a great personallity. I didn't enjoy the first 3 months as he dumped his guts out wherever he wanted too Insurance is cheap and it only costs about £7 per week to feed him
Last edited by 47 NAT; 21 July 2007 at 03:46 PM. Reason: .
Trending Topics
#8
Don't get a Yorkie, whatever you do. Ex's nan had about 11 at one point! All to live with her in her house! Bleddy nightmares! You go to her house, and all of them want to sit in your lap! Now 5 of them are surviving.
5 can be handled, but they are massively affectionate, very agile and serious attention seekers! It's like having a baby in the house, LOL Can't knock that they are very enjoyable , but they need high maintenance with their regular haircuts etc.
5 can be handled, but they are massively affectionate, very agile and serious attention seekers! It's like having a baby in the house, LOL Can't knock that they are very enjoyable , but they need high maintenance with their regular haircuts etc.
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: riding the crest of a wave ...
Posts: 46,493
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
jr
lots of noise when threatened can of course be trained like any dog,too small to take your arm off ( even the kids) affectionate as hell - and wont take up half the sofa
lots of noise when threatened can of course be trained like any dog,too small to take your arm off ( even the kids) affectionate as hell - and wont take up half the sofa
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rubbish and a sweeping statement - as a professionally qualified dog trainer (BIPDT) and instructor at a number of dog training clubs GSDs are no more or less likely to bite than any other breed of dog - PROVIDING that they have been bred by a reputable breeder for temperament and are trained and socialised correctly
GSD make excellent loyal family dogs
Unfortunately due to poor / over breeding and the fact that many are owned because their owners want to look hard and shouldn't be allowed to have dogs in the first place (same with Rotts, Dobes, Bull breeds)
The only dog that has ever bitten me in 20 years of dog training was a chocolate lab 4 months old and it went for my face - later found out it was from a puppy farm - bad breeding
If you are going to get a dog
Go to a reputable breeder - not loot
Make sure you can see the mother and father if not at least the mother
Socialise the dog properly
Enrol at a good local dog training club (another minefield)
Avoid farm bred working border collies because they CAN be hard work and not always suitable for families
Having just (Thursday) put my 17 year old Golden Retriever to sleep I would actually recommend a Goldie they are big, protective, loyal, very biddable, usually have good temperaments, usually good with other animals and children
Rescue dogs are great all mine except for the Goldie have been but they can be hard work.
Also good dogs don't just happen it is also what you put to your training and socialisation
Andy
owner of a long coat GSD that wouldn't harm a fly
GSD make excellent loyal family dogs
Unfortunately due to poor / over breeding and the fact that many are owned because their owners want to look hard and shouldn't be allowed to have dogs in the first place (same with Rotts, Dobes, Bull breeds)
The only dog that has ever bitten me in 20 years of dog training was a chocolate lab 4 months old and it went for my face - later found out it was from a puppy farm - bad breeding
If you are going to get a dog
Go to a reputable breeder - not loot
Make sure you can see the mother and father if not at least the mother
Socialise the dog properly
Enrol at a good local dog training club (another minefield)
Avoid farm bred working border collies because they CAN be hard work and not always suitable for families
Having just (Thursday) put my 17 year old Golden Retriever to sleep I would actually recommend a Goldie they are big, protective, loyal, very biddable, usually have good temperaments, usually good with other animals and children
Rescue dogs are great all mine except for the Goldie have been but they can be hard work.
Also good dogs don't just happen it is also what you put to your training and socialisation
Andy
owner of a long coat GSD that wouldn't harm a fly
I can recommend a good retriever breeder in chester if you decide on one(will prob be £500 a puppy) and a local dog training school also.
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dont bother getting a big smelly Labrador or German Shepard.
in fact Staffordshire bull terriers are the only dogs i would trust near our 3 kids.....
thats why we got one.
in fact Staffordshire bull terriers are the only dogs i would trust near our 3 kids.....
thats why we got one.
#15
Well this thread has completely confused me even more so now... er..
I can't go to a dog shelter it would kill me.. I have too much love for animals and seeing them I would want them all. I'm more than happy to take a cross bread from a home but it has to be young due to the whole.. not knowing its past.
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Gamertag xxxenonnn
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boxer - great round kids, dosn't shed too much fur, easy to clean due to short coat, don't smell too much (again due to short coat), generally quite quiet although will bark when spooked.
On the downsides they do need a firm hand as they can be quite independent - so need to be contained/controlled until they know their place. Along with Labs/roties/staffie will eat anything(!) so expect a few visits to the vets in year 1.
Whatever you get, remember that they are puppies for at least 18 months so it is hard work for a fair while and do get insurance!
Richard
On the downsides they do need a firm hand as they can be quite independent - so need to be contained/controlled until they know their place. Along with Labs/roties/staffie will eat anything(!) so expect a few visits to the vets in year 1.
Whatever you get, remember that they are puppies for at least 18 months so it is hard work for a fair while and do get insurance!
Richard
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Logged Out
Posts: 10,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All what Rhana says plus:
I'd say German Shepherd Dog but only if you buy it from a breeder who can offer you the parents hip scores, even better the elbow scores too. People who breed any dog prone to hip dysplasia without these are simply after the money and have no interest in bettering the breed and should be stopped.
Also a good breeder will sell you the correct puppy i.e show or working line. I would say without experience you won't be wanting a puppy with good working lines. The drives would be far too demanding for anybody just wanting a pet.
A GSD puppy with decent proven bloodlines would be very hard to beat indeed for temperament, obedience and family protection.
If you aren't prepared to do it right and fancy buying your mates uncles GSD puppy because it looks cute then don't do it at all. Underneath the cute puppy look you could be in for years of problems.
PM me if you need breeder information.
I'd say German Shepherd Dog but only if you buy it from a breeder who can offer you the parents hip scores, even better the elbow scores too. People who breed any dog prone to hip dysplasia without these are simply after the money and have no interest in bettering the breed and should be stopped.
Also a good breeder will sell you the correct puppy i.e show or working line. I would say without experience you won't be wanting a puppy with good working lines. The drives would be far too demanding for anybody just wanting a pet.
A GSD puppy with decent proven bloodlines would be very hard to beat indeed for temperament, obedience and family protection.
If you aren't prepared to do it right and fancy buying your mates uncles GSD puppy because it looks cute then don't do it at all. Underneath the cute puppy look you could be in for years of problems.
PM me if you need breeder information.
#19
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Swindon
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We got our Border Collie from a rescue centre about 18 months ago - she is now 3 - a great Dog - soft as they come but nice and mouthy if anyone comes near the House but wouldnt harm a fly in reality
#20
#21
don't talk bollocks, another sweeping statement - pedigree dogs are bred for a reason, OK there are often two lines like working dogs and show dogs and they can be completely different within a breed.
What reasons are you giving for not choosing a pedigree?
There is a lot of bad breeding but you have to choose a good breeder and as another post say don't expect them to be cheep
Why are most guide dogs Lab / Retriever crosses? Because the facets of the two breeds mix for the job they are required to do
If I wanted a dog and I was planning on having children I would want to know the basic characteristics of the dog. Some dogs aren't good with children some are better. Some breeds are easier to train some aren't etc etc
Andy
Not particulary bothered about the type of dog but have
Golden Retriever lasted to 17, spent no more than £100.00 in vet bills in 17 years (except for inoculations)
Rescue Mongrel 14 years old still working at full height agility OK not winning but WTF
5 year old rescue GSD very predictable totally un-agressive - but you have to invited to come in my house
What reasons are you giving for not choosing a pedigree?
There is a lot of bad breeding but you have to choose a good breeder and as another post say don't expect them to be cheep
Why are most guide dogs Lab / Retriever crosses? Because the facets of the two breeds mix for the job they are required to do
If I wanted a dog and I was planning on having children I would want to know the basic characteristics of the dog. Some dogs aren't good with children some are better. Some breeds are easier to train some aren't etc etc
Andy
Not particulary bothered about the type of dog but have
Golden Retriever lasted to 17, spent no more than £100.00 in vet bills in 17 years (except for inoculations)
Rescue Mongrel 14 years old still working at full height agility OK not winning but WTF
5 year old rescue GSD very predictable totally un-agressive - but you have to invited to come in my house
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Another vote for Golden Retriever or Labrador as I grew up with both and they are extremely loyal and good with children. I would say Golden Retriever for better behaviour (Labs chew everything in sight and eat other animals excrement when given half a chance plus roll in it) but if you want house protection as well then the Labrador will be better than the GR in my opinion.
However, no matter what opinions you listen to on here as to how amazing a particular breed is with children every breed has its bad apples and no dog should ever be left alone with babies/young children.
However, no matter what opinions you listen to on here as to how amazing a particular breed is with children every breed has its bad apples and no dog should ever be left alone with babies/young children.
#23
Totally agree go with a breeder with a good history. If they are responsible you should be able to get history from other owners
We have a local breeder she recommended that all her dogs came to our training club - we trained probably 50 over the years all ace dogs with good temperaments and stunning looks.
But not cheap and if you didn't pass the test you wouldn't get one
Last edited by Rhana; 21 July 2007 at 07:07 PM.
#24
Another vote for Golden Retriever or Labrador as I grew up with both and they are extremely loyal and good with children. I would say Golden Retriever for better behaviour (Labs chew everything in sight and eat other animals excrement when given half a chance plus roll in it) but if you want house protection as well then the Labrador will be better than the GR in my opinion.
However, no matter what opinions you listen to on here as to how amazing a particular breed is with children every breed has its bad apples and no dog should ever be left alone with babies/young children.
However, no matter what opinions you listen to on here as to how amazing a particular breed is with children every breed has its bad apples and no dog should ever be left alone with babies/young children.
#25
Another vote for a staff, brilliant with kids, brilliant with other dogs. Ignore all the bad press they get - any breed can be dangerous if treated poorly.
Whatever you get, put in a little bit of time to do some puppy training with a group of other dogs, socialising them at a young age works wonders
Any excuse for a picture
Whatever you get, put in a little bit of time to do some puppy training with a group of other dogs, socialising them at a young age works wonders
Any excuse for a picture
#26
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Jaguar 3.0 sport now bought, Am loving it!!!!!
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boxer - great round kids, dosn't shed too much fur, easy to clean due to short coat, don't smell too much (again due to short coat), generally quite quiet although will bark when spooked.
On the downsides they do need a firm hand as they can be quite independent - so need to be contained/controlled until they know their place. Along with Labs/roties/staffie will eat anything(!) so expect a few visits to the vets in year 1.
Whatever you get, remember that they are puppies for at least 18 months so it is hard work for a fair while and do get insurance!
Richard
On the downsides they do need a firm hand as they can be quite independent - so need to be contained/controlled until they know their place. Along with Labs/roties/staffie will eat anything(!) so expect a few visits to the vets in year 1.
Whatever you get, remember that they are puppies for at least 18 months so it is hard work for a fair while and do get insurance!
Richard
Cheers
Colin
P.S. Cue P.G.
#27
Scooby Senior
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Passing ...............
Posts: 13,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cue Sti-04!!
I have a boxer ableit a young pup, he has been fantastic in every sense. He can be a bit boisterous at times but hey thats a boys thing aint it
He doesnt cast & doesnt make any mess. House training was a doddle plus he has loads of room at my place to run around. He can be left alone for a few hours but he has to be kept in a room with nothing destroyable in it.
Get one if you have the time for it, but that should be said about all breeds of dogs.
Cheers
S
I have a boxer ableit a young pup, he has been fantastic in every sense. He can be a bit boisterous at times but hey thats a boys thing aint it
He doesnt cast & doesnt make any mess. House training was a doddle plus he has loads of room at my place to run around. He can be left alone for a few hours but he has to be kept in a room with nothing destroyable in it.
Get one if you have the time for it, but that should be said about all breeds of dogs.
Cheers
S
#28
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: sweating my ass off in a busy kitchen
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it would have to be a lab for me every time. Struck lucky and got ours from dogs trust.he was a bit of a handfull at first cuz he had had no training what so ever. He also had a really bad obsetion with *****. As in if he saw a ball he had to have it. took him to a gundog trainer and she has worked wonders. comes when called walks to heal off the lead etc.
just shows the nature of the breed realy.He'd had a realy bad start to life but with proper training he turned 180 and is now a fantastic dog. he's great with my brothers new born as well. Fantastic watch dog as well! but the worst he would ever do is lick your hand or lob a paw at you to give u 5 lol
just shows the nature of the breed realy.He'd had a realy bad start to life but with proper training he turned 180 and is now a fantastic dog. he's great with my brothers new born as well. Fantastic watch dog as well! but the worst he would ever do is lick your hand or lob a paw at you to give u 5 lol
#29
#30
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Logged Out
Posts: 10,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts