What Type of Dog Would You Reccomend?
Discussion
Thinking of getting a dog, we would be first time owners. I'm about to finish a contract and am planning some time off work, SWMBO is changing jobs and looking to work part-time locally and may be off work around the same time so it appears to be a good time to get one. Our considerations:
Two adults, no children
Must get on with our parrot who spends a lot of time on a free-stander i.e. not caged
Can commit to one longish walk a day plus a couple of shorter out door times
Have a garden
Would like something that doesn't drop lots of hair
Do not like small dogs, want something mid-sized
Will not be left alone lots but will be on occasions so something ok with this
Don't want something that will bark lots but understand this is probably more down to treatment than type
Live in the country, neighbour would walk the dog if we are out all day etc.
Don't mind crossbreeds
Any suggestions?
Two adults, no children
Must get on with our parrot who spends a lot of time on a free-stander i.e. not caged
Can commit to one longish walk a day plus a couple of shorter out door times
Have a garden
Would like something that doesn't drop lots of hair
Do not like small dogs, want something mid-sized
Will not be left alone lots but will be on occasions so something ok with this
Don't want something that will bark lots but understand this is probably more down to treatment than type
Live in the country, neighbour would walk the dog if we are out all day etc.
Don't mind crossbreeds
Any suggestions?
Generally speaking you can't go wrong with a Labrador or Labrador cross.
With respect to the previous poster I think a Border Collie would be unsuitable for a first timer, they can be hard work.
What age of dog?
What about a "pre-loved" model for adoption?
http://www.dogsblog.com/
With respect to the previous poster I think a Border Collie would be unsuitable for a first timer, they can be hard work.
What age of dog?
What about a "pre-loved" model for adoption?
http://www.dogsblog.com/
Thanks some interesting thoughts, keep the suggestions coming.
Feedback on what has been posted so far:
• Not a fan of greyhounds - sorry!
• Border Collie - again, not huge fans also not great for first timers
• Beagle - advised as being distant and barky
• Fox Hound - not great with the parrot?
• Bearded Collie - looks fab but probably couldn't commit to the activity level it needs?
• Labrador - Lovely dog but SWMBO thinks it will drop too much hair, also a little on the big size. A cross could be interesting, the Labradoodle looks interesting
• Miniature schnauzer - a no no with the parrot
• Terrier - not good with other pets and needs lots of exercise?
Happy to go "second hand", been to a rescue centre today to look at what types would be available (we are a few weeks from being in a position to say yes), but as others have pointed out re-housing could be an issue with the parrot.
Also, general advise seems to be avoid hunting dogs when mixing with parrots.
Feedback on what has been posted so far:
• Not a fan of greyhounds - sorry!
• Border Collie - again, not huge fans also not great for first timers
• Beagle - advised as being distant and barky
• Fox Hound - not great with the parrot?
• Bearded Collie - looks fab but probably couldn't commit to the activity level it needs?
• Labrador - Lovely dog but SWMBO thinks it will drop too much hair, also a little on the big size. A cross could be interesting, the Labradoodle looks interesting
• Miniature schnauzer - a no no with the parrot
• Terrier - not good with other pets and needs lots of exercise?
Happy to go "second hand", been to a rescue centre today to look at what types would be available (we are a few weeks from being in a position to say yes), but as others have pointed out re-housing could be an issue with the parrot.
Also, general advise seems to be avoid hunting dogs when mixing with parrots.
If you can wait until November to make a decision, get along to Discover Dogs at Earl's Court.
There are doggy ambassadors from over 200 breeds (lots you wouldn't otherwise have thought of), and you can talk to the breeders about the practicalities of ownership.
There are doggy ambassadors from over 200 breeds (lots you wouldn't otherwise have thought of), and you can talk to the breeders about the practicalities of ownership.
Personally I'd have to say Whippet. medium sized dog, they like walks and runs but also just as happy lazing around at home, not high energy like labs and not as big as greyhounds.
They are gentle, friendly, should be fine with parrot as long as you get a pup (ours lives with cats and doesn't chase)They do moult but they only have a single coat layer (no under coat) which is why they do need a coat in winter.
They have no known hereditary/ genetic health problems.
My hubby was a first time dog owner when we got our whippet and I think it was the best breed he could have started with.
They are not guard dogs but have a good bark when needed but do not bark a lot. And should the situation change they are good with kids (My 7yr old whippet has been perfect with our 14 month old and has always been great with kids)
I am a convert until we got Jimmy I would never ever have thought about having a whippet now I couldn't imagine having any other breed.
That said there are so many good breeds out there so you do need to do some reading but I do not know of any owner having been let down by being a whippet
They are gentle, friendly, should be fine with parrot as long as you get a pup (ours lives with cats and doesn't chase)They do moult but they only have a single coat layer (no under coat) which is why they do need a coat in winter.
They have no known hereditary/ genetic health problems.
My hubby was a first time dog owner when we got our whippet and I think it was the best breed he could have started with.
They are not guard dogs but have a good bark when needed but do not bark a lot. And should the situation change they are good with kids (My 7yr old whippet has been perfect with our 14 month old and has always been great with kids)
I am a convert until we got Jimmy I would never ever have thought about having a whippet now I couldn't imagine having any other breed.
That said there are so many good breeds out there so you do need to do some reading but I do not know of any owner having been let down by being a whippet
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 5th June 16:26
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 5th June 16:35
Mobile Chicane said:
If you can wait until November to make a decision, get along to Discover Dogs at Earl's Court.
There are doggy ambassadors from over 200 breeds (lots you wouldn't otherwise have thought of), and you can talk to the breeders about the practicalities of ownership.
Very good idea for first timers. Have been on the stands for Fox terriers with our Milly and its a great way of speaking to real owners, not just breeders.There are doggy ambassadors from over 200 breeds (lots you wouldn't otherwise have thought of), and you can talk to the breeders about the practicalities of ownership.
Considered a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
As long as it's a pedigree it'll be fine after socialisation with the parrot, providing the parrots ok with him/her I suppose!
Staffy's do leave a fair bit of hair everywhere when they are young but this goes down considerably when they are older. One long walk a day plus a short one in the morning/evening will suffice, when they are puppies bounding around in the garden is plenty of exercise. They shouldn't be walked for more than 15-20 minutes per month at first(from 3 months old), then this increases each month, before the age of approximatley 12 months.
As for being first time dog owners, they're not ideal, but with consistency and patience overall they are quite easy to train. I say not ideal as they can be stubborn, yet they are willing to please. Staff's are very, very easy to toilet train, don't tend to bark too much(when undesirable), and are loyal, loving and a big bundle of fun.
As long as it's a pedigree it'll be fine after socialisation with the parrot, providing the parrots ok with him/her I suppose!
Staffy's do leave a fair bit of hair everywhere when they are young but this goes down considerably when they are older. One long walk a day plus a short one in the morning/evening will suffice, when they are puppies bounding around in the garden is plenty of exercise. They shouldn't be walked for more than 15-20 minutes per month at first(from 3 months old), then this increases each month, before the age of approximatley 12 months.
As for being first time dog owners, they're not ideal, but with consistency and patience overall they are quite easy to train. I say not ideal as they can be stubborn, yet they are willing to please. Staff's are very, very easy to toilet train, don't tend to bark too much(when undesirable), and are loyal, loving and a big bundle of fun.
Edited by NoVetec on Sunday 5th June 16:30
HappySilver said:
Labrador - Lovely dog but SWMBO thinks it will drop too much hair, also a little on the big size. A cross could be interesting, the Labradoodle looks interesting
Every Labradoodle I've met has been considerably larger than a Labrador! They have great natures though. I've recently met two Golden Retriever/Poodles and they were lovely dogs, also quite big though.I'd suggest a Flat-Coated Retriever, but then I'm biased.
NoVetec said:
Considered a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
[/footnote]
As a (very) proud owner of a Staffy, I wouldn't necessarily advise them for a first-time dog owner. They're incredibly stubborn, so need patience in abundance, and ours in particular moults. A LOT. He's still moulting now, the hairy bugger, having started...ooOO, I don't know... a million years ago.[/footnote]
He also does love to chase - not sure your parrot would appreciate this?
But on their plus sides, they're (as mentioned) incredibly eager to please, loyal (supposedly; ours will head for the nearest person who'll fuss him), a lot of fun to play with, and don't seem to mind life on the leisurely side. Ours seems perfectly content with two walks a day. Or one or none if it's raining.
^^ If you go for a Jack Russel, make sure it's a long haired one. Their natures seem to be totally different from the short haired ones, which can be a bit yappy. The long haired ones mum and dad have had going on the last 30 years or so all seem dead chilled- only bark when a stranger comes near the back door. I suspect it's too small for you though.
Current one is a rescue, and pretty damn cute.
Current one is a rescue, and pretty damn cute.
Edited by Tonsko on Sunday 5th June 21:04
Tonsko said:
^^ If you go for a Jack Russel, make sure it's a long haired one. Their natures seem to be totally different from the short haired ones, which seem to be a bit yappy. The long haired ones mum and dad have had going on the last 30 years or so all seem dead chilled- only bark when a stranger comes near the back door.
My late JRT was short haired and wasn't yappy at all, he did bark and had the bark of a Doberman 
One little farm I go to have mother and daughter short hair JRT's and they are as placid as any dog you would ever meet. It is to do with breeding and how they were brought up, I reckon. The only thing with the short hair ones is they do shed a bit, not a lot actually. Super little dogs and I still miss mine 6 years onGassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff