Advice on dogs...
Discussion
The woofy kind, not the fugly women.
We've got a 2-year old son and are keen to get a dog. We've never had one before although I did when I was a nipper.
We can't decide though whether to get a puppy or to try and get a 2 or 3 year old dog that has already been trained. Anybody got any advice?
Looking at golden retrievers/labs. We've got a big house and 6 acres of garden, the wife is at home most of the time with our son so the dog wouldn't be on it's own. We've also got 3 cats.
Cheers
iain
We've got a 2-year old son and are keen to get a dog. We've never had one before although I did when I was a nipper.
We can't decide though whether to get a puppy or to try and get a 2 or 3 year old dog that has already been trained. Anybody got any advice?
Looking at golden retrievers/labs. We've got a big house and 6 acres of garden, the wife is at home most of the time with our son so the dog wouldn't be on it's own. We've also got 3 cats.
Cheers
iain
I think for a kid get a puupy. They will get used to each other together, rather than already having a set personality an then being introduced to the child.
Also, I would get a mungrel. They tend to be much less highly strung, more healthy and have better temprements.They are usually mellow.
I defo recommend getting one. I look back on my childhood and best memories are the ones with my dog. They are lovely animals and will repay you a million times over.
Also, I would get a mungrel. They tend to be much less highly strung, more healthy and have better temprements.They are usually mellow.
I defo recommend getting one. I look back on my childhood and best memories are the ones with my dog. They are lovely animals and will repay you a million times over.
IF your wife will train the dog - and you can rely on that - I'd suggest you get a pup. It will bond with your family the best, although it will eat your house.
T'otherwise I'm not really sure how you would get a two or three year old pre-trained! Unless it was a rescued dog. And they can have, errrm, problems from prior mistreatment.
T'otherwise I'm not really sure how you would get a two or three year old pre-trained! Unless it was a rescued dog. And they can have, errrm, problems from prior mistreatment.
if you are going for a "breed" do some research about that particular breed. Lots of perceived "family" dogs like labradors / retrievers aren't that good for very small children as they can snap if the kid pokes them in the eye or whatever.
2 breeds I know of as being very patient with young children are
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Canaan Dogs
if you think about a Staffy - don't buy from some crappy mass breeder who only supplies to chavs etc - get a proper bred one that will be more likely to have a temperament to the breed standard.
2 breeds I know of as being very patient with young children are
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Canaan Dogs
if you think about a Staffy - don't buy from some crappy mass breeder who only supplies to chavs etc - get a proper bred one that will be more likely to have a temperament to the breed standard.
You shoul dread this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
before considering a pedigree dog too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
before considering a pedigree dog too.
Not sure what breed but I would say start with a puppy and let it grow with the kids.
Dogs will tolerate kids but if an older dog is brought into the famity having not experienced children I'b be concerned it could be a little snappy.
Wev'e got a Scotty and he's fantastic with kids and daft as a brush. But then we haven't got the room you have so I'd guess a lab would be good.
Dogs will tolerate kids but if an older dog is brought into the famity having not experienced children I'b be concerned it could be a little snappy.
Wev'e got a Scotty and he's fantastic with kids and daft as a brush. But then we haven't got the room you have so I'd guess a lab would be good.
Our two labs (15weeks 15months old) have just spent the last two weekends being patted, pushed, shoved, tugged at and generally tortured by two sets of small children. Personally I would have savaged both sets of children, but they never batted an eyelid. When they'd had enough they just got up and walked off. Simply brilliant family dogs.
filski666 said:
if you are going for a "breed" do some research about that particular breed. Lots of perceived "family" dogs like labradors / retrievers aren't that good for very small children as they can snap if the kid pokes them in the eye or whatever.
2 breeds I know of as being very patient with young children are
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Canaan Dogs
if you think about a Staffy - don't buy from some crappy mass breeder who only supplies to chavs etc - get a proper bred one that will be more likely to have a temperament to the breed standard.
If you pay big cabbage for a 'proper' dog, check its pedigree back four or five generations, to ensure every dog at the breeders kennels don't have, er, the same surname, shall we say. A guaranteed way to have an ill-tempered, halfwit, untrainable dog.2 breeds I know of as being very patient with young children are
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Canaan Dogs
if you think about a Staffy - don't buy from some crappy mass breeder who only supplies to chavs etc - get a proper bred one that will be more likely to have a temperament to the breed standard.
Or so I read on PH last year. Pistonheads: breeding matters
In all seriousness...
how does one go about finding a sort of 'pedigree' dog that looks nice 9rather than some giant rat thing) but isn't actually a pedigree dog that'll have arthritis and a massive brain etc..?
surely some people must breed dogs rather than 'crufts specimens'??? you know how RNIB dogs are labs but normal and police dogs are normal...
i'd really like to get a *cocker/ spaniel (one of those grey and white and black ones) but i couldn't live with myself for encouraging people to breed an ill dog (same as why i buy free range chicken!).
how does one go about finding a sort of 'pedigree' dog that looks nice 9rather than some giant rat thing) but isn't actually a pedigree dog that'll have arthritis and a massive brain etc..?
surely some people must breed dogs rather than 'crufts specimens'??? you know how RNIB dogs are labs but normal and police dogs are normal...
i'd really like to get a *cocker/ spaniel (one of those grey and white and black ones) but i couldn't live with myself for encouraging people to breed an ill dog (same as why i buy free range chicken!).
rhinochopig said:
Our two labs (15weeks 15months old) have just spent the last two weekends being patted, pushed, shoved, tugged at and generally tortured by two sets of small children. Personally I would have savaged both sets of children, but they never batted an eyelid. When they'd had enough they just got up and walked off. Simply brilliant family dogs.
+1, brought my 3 children up with golden Labrador b
hes. and like you said the dogs were just brilliant with them.briSk said:
In all seriousness...
how does one go about finding a sort of 'pedigree' dog that looks nice 9rather than some giant rat thing) but isn't actually a pedigree dog that'll have arthritis and a massive brain etc..?
surely some people must breed dogs rather than 'crufts specimens'??? you know how RNIB dogs are labs but normal and police dogs are normal...
i'd really like to get a *cocker/ spaniel (one of those grey and white and black ones) but i couldn't live with myself for encouraging people to breed an ill dog (same as why i buy free range chicken!).
not ALL pedigree dogs are inbred mutated monsters!!!!how does one go about finding a sort of 'pedigree' dog that looks nice 9rather than some giant rat thing) but isn't actually a pedigree dog that'll have arthritis and a massive brain etc..?
surely some people must breed dogs rather than 'crufts specimens'??? you know how RNIB dogs are labs but normal and police dogs are normal...
i'd really like to get a *cocker/ spaniel (one of those grey and white and black ones) but i couldn't live with myself for encouraging people to breed an ill dog (same as why i buy free range chicken!).
look at Canaan dogs, part of their breed requirement is that they are kept as close to the natural pariah dogs as possible.
If you research the breed you are interested in you can find out what problems are associated with that breed (hip dysplasia, eye problems etc etc) and make sure you buy from a breeder that has no hstory of those problems.
I think generally - working type dog breeds are healthier than the little rat like "lap dogs"
Most respectable animal rescues/charities should temperament test the dogs to ensure a good fit between the prospective family’s circumstances (children, other pets, working patterns, etc) and the dog.
Just because you have a puppy doesn't guarantee a perfect match, in the same ways as not all rescue dogs have abused backgrounds. Quite often they are gifted into rescue when a relationship/marriage ends and both parties have to go out to work and can't look after the dog or they can't agree which one should keep the dog so hand it in
All I'm saying is don't dismiss a rescue dog.
Just because you have a puppy doesn't guarantee a perfect match, in the same ways as not all rescue dogs have abused backgrounds. Quite often they are gifted into rescue when a relationship/marriage ends and both parties have to go out to work and can't look after the dog or they can't agree which one should keep the dog so hand it in
All I'm saying is don't dismiss a rescue dog.
muppets_mate said:
Most respectable animal rescues/charities should temperament test the dogs to ensure a good fit between the prospective family’s circumstances (children, other pets, working patterns, etc) and the dog.
Just because you have a puppy doesn't guarantee a perfect match, in the same ways as not all rescue dogs have abused backgrounds. Quite often they are gifted into rescue when a relationship/marriage ends and both parties have to go out to work and can't look after the dog or they can't agree which one should keep the dog so hand it in
All I'm saying is don't dismiss a rescue dog.
I don't think there is anything wrong with a rescue dog, personally - but I don't think it is a good idea with a very young child.Just because you have a puppy doesn't guarantee a perfect match, in the same ways as not all rescue dogs have abused backgrounds. Quite often they are gifted into rescue when a relationship/marriage ends and both parties have to go out to work and can't look after the dog or they can't agree which one should keep the dog so hand it in
All I'm saying is don't dismiss a rescue dog.
my opinion
jollygreen said:
The woofy kind, not the fugly women.
We've got a 2-year old son and are keen to get a dog. We've never had one before although I did when I was a nipper.
We can't decide though whether to get a puppy or to try and get a 2 or 3 year old dog that has already been trained. Anybody got any advice?
Looking at golden retrievers/labs. We've got a big house and 6 acres of garden, the wife is at home most of the time with our son so the dog wouldn't be on it's own. We've also got 3 cats.
Cheers
iain
I'd say, with all due respect, don't get a dog yet.We've got a 2-year old son and are keen to get a dog. We've never had one before although I did when I was a nipper.
We can't decide though whether to get a puppy or to try and get a 2 or 3 year old dog that has already been trained. Anybody got any advice?
Looking at golden retrievers/labs. We've got a big house and 6 acres of garden, the wife is at home most of the time with our son so the dog wouldn't be on it's own. We've also got 3 cats.
Cheers
iain
Really, you want to know how to adequately control and indeed dominate a puppy so it learns what place in the back s/he is (i.e. below you and your children) - I don't think having a 2 year child when you try this is a good idea, because if you get it wrong, your child will get bitten by a dog which thinks it is superior.
jollygreen said:
Yeah some friends of ours got a pup that failed the guide dog training. It had got most of thye way through but failed for being too exuberant. Seemed like a good idea to me...
Our lab was a failed guide dog - had him for about 4 years, he's now 6. Our little boy is just under 2 - dog is very tolerant of him, they get along fine.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff