Which breed of dog would be best?
Discussion
Hi all.
Been chatting to a friend over the last week or so about him getting a dog. He lives alone, and plans on taking the dog to work with him every day. It's an office based job on an industrial estate, so access to outside etc isn't a problem, nor is the employer.
He's after something chilled out, that won't go mental every time someone come in or the phone rings or a car pulls up etc. I realise this is as much down to training as it is to dog characteristics.
He mentioned a french bulldog, but we came to the conclusion they're a bit too "toy" for him. A small lab would be ideal, he already does a lot of walking, so a dog that likes exercise is also a bonus - but nothing as haywire as a Springer etc. Something the size of a decent JR would also be preferable.
Home is no issue - large garden, utility room and summer room. He's got a 4x4 for driving it around.
Price is a bit of an issue. He doesn't have thousands to throw at a high-end KC type example.
I thought the collective knowledge of PH would probably be better than my guesswork! Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Been chatting to a friend over the last week or so about him getting a dog. He lives alone, and plans on taking the dog to work with him every day. It's an office based job on an industrial estate, so access to outside etc isn't a problem, nor is the employer.
He's after something chilled out, that won't go mental every time someone come in or the phone rings or a car pulls up etc. I realise this is as much down to training as it is to dog characteristics.
He mentioned a french bulldog, but we came to the conclusion they're a bit too "toy" for him. A small lab would be ideal, he already does a lot of walking, so a dog that likes exercise is also a bonus - but nothing as haywire as a Springer etc. Something the size of a decent JR would also be preferable.
Home is no issue - large garden, utility room and summer room. He's got a 4x4 for driving it around.
Price is a bit of an issue. He doesn't have thousands to throw at a high-end KC type example.
I thought the collective knowledge of PH would probably be better than my guesswork! Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Has to be a whippet 
.
Not that I'm bias or anything!! Ok I totally am, but honestly a whippet would really fit in perfectly to his needs.
They are fun but generally quiet dogs, not too large, happy to lounge around, very friendly and sweet natured but should be calm in the work place.
They like walks etc but they are just as happy to chill.
.Not that I'm bias or anything!! Ok I totally am, but honestly a whippet would really fit in perfectly to his needs.
They are fun but generally quiet dogs, not too large, happy to lounge around, very friendly and sweet natured but should be calm in the work place.
They like walks etc but they are just as happy to chill.
Springers don't have to be mental. I'm working from home today, my two year old Springer girlie hasn't left the sofa for the last couple of hours despite being three feet from the patio door and the garden. Springers are a perfect on/off dog.
In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
Piglet said:
Springers don't have to be mental. I'm working from home today, my two year old Springer girlie hasn't left the sofa for the last couple of hours despite being three feet from the patio door and the garden. Springers are a perfect on/off dog.
In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
I'm working from home and my Sprocker is currently sat in the garden chewing something......in fact what is he bloody chewing In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
TwistingMyMelon said:
Labs are good , but can be a bit mental the first couple of years and then settle down into lovely dogs
Yep, like their downtime too, so can be quiet in an office, unless it snores like mine does! Don't discount rescue dogs! check the local dog rehoming services, will be cheaper than a breaderHaplessBoyLard said:
A patterdale looks like a small Labrador.
I wouldn't call a Patterdale (or many terriers) 'chilled out'. The one my brother has certainly isn't 
I would go with whippet or greyhound or lurcher (I may be somewhat biased
). Greyhounds may be larger, but they can curl up small, and because they're not constantly 'on the go', they don't actually seem like big dogs somehow. Maybe I'm just used to them!They are adaptable in terms of exercise - they can manage on two 20-30 minute walks a day, but (if you build up to it) they can do longer walks. I have walked mine distances of up to 7 miles. They are tired the next day, but then so am I!
A staffie (probably an adult one) might also be an option? They are fab little dogs (I've had a couple of staffy crosses).
Greyhounds, lurchers and staffies are (sadly
) widely available in rescue. Whippets do come up in rescue from time to time.Keep us updated.
bexVN said:
Mr Roper said:
He needs a British Bulldog.
Would agree completely except for the inevitable snoring Frenchies are great; well mine is, she is finally starting to calm down too which is nice as she was mental for the first 2 years of her life, they can laze about and chill and can walk for miles if required.
They snore just like a Bulldog does, however I like it, the only thing is they aren't very "manly", they are also expensive, however rescue ones are around the £400 mark.
Piglet said:
Springers don't have to be mental. I'm working from home today, my two year old Springer girlie hasn't left the sofa for the last couple of hours despite being three feet from the patio door and the garden. Springers are a perfect on/off dog.
In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
My working cocker (worse than a springer!) has been coming into the office almost every day of the 12yrs we've had him, barely know he's here. He is well trained, exercised & stimulated which is key to him being so placid.In a few minutes I'm going to pick her lead up and change clothes and she'll be a bouncing ball of energy
I know of another chap who takes his two springers into the office every day with no issues.
PositronicRay said:
ali_kat said:
Why not take him to a rescue place & see which ones he likes?
This is the correct answer, plenty of staffies about plus mongrels are cool.Staffs are fantastic, but they tend to chew and they have "that" reputation - or at least that "owner image" problem.
The point made about the Spaniels above is also valid - the intention wasn't to be too critical of them, I'm sure given enough training and time they would be fine, but it would be going to the office from day 1, and a year of "issues" wouldn't go down well.
I'm going to push him on the whippet front, or the mongrel front. A friend has a greyhound/staff cross, and it's a 40mph sledgehammer, but the nicest, most docile thing around kids/strangers.
Thanks all, some good advice here
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