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Hi there,
Looking to get a dog in the next few months and not really sure what breed would be best for me? Looking for a dog to take riding with us, mostly all day DH but the occasional trail center etc as well. Would like a pretty chilled out dog that would enjoy camping and road trips, and not be to hyper around the house for my mums grumpy bugger of a border terrier. Would need to be obedient and loyal, happy to stick to the trails because I don't want it to be a hassle for me or other riders.
Was thinking of a lurcher type as they seem to stick to relaxing around the house but also enjoy sprinting which is mostly what it would be doing as I mostly ride DH and I could work it up to run longer trails but it would never be more than a couple of hours. I was just worried that a lurcher might not be to keen to listen on the trail especially with small animals about for them to chase!
Anyway I'm open to suggestions, not to fussed whether its big or small really as long as they suit.
Thanks!
There's that cross breed that fits your bill - the Moon on a Stick. đŸ˜‰
For DH etc you'll need one who's happy to sit around and do bu99er all plus walk slowly up hills đŸ™‚
So training is the key.
We've a working cocker, he's a great trail dog - but not known for an ability to do nothing.
Not sure if it's someone on here? Cool dog. We have a Vizsla too. They're great fun.
We have a doberman thats happy to sprint around after you all day and never gets tired.
Its batshitmental though, so maybe not for you đŸ™‚
Have a look at Trailhounds
[url= http://trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/ ]http://trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/[/url]
They shouldn't be distracted by animals as they need to be able to race without running off after a sheep.
They can really really run
They seem quite happy to lounge around as well
Lots need rescuing
Not any first hand experience but on paper everything seems to add up.
We've got a couple of Vizslas (not the one in the video). They're sprinters so they'd make a good down-hill trail dog. You can take them for 'walks' on a bike as well but you can't really take them to a trail centre or take them on 'proper' XC rides. They're not built for that kind of fast endurance. I'm sure they'd do it but you'll bugger their joints.
They bond very closely to immediate family - very loyal and don't go off by themselves. But... you can't leave them alone during the day and they're not good with kids they haven't been brought up with.
I've got a Boxer x GSD that is pretty much as you describe.
If indoors he'll just sleep all the time, as soon as he gets outside he comes to life!
He's got the mind of a GSD, he's clever and obedient so he stays behind the bike, doesn't run off etc, he's an absolute missile and the most agile dog I've ever seen.
As with any dog though you have to let them develop before you take them on long runs or you'll knacker their joints.
Could always try a rescue centre to see if they've got a dog that's suitable for you, my dog was a rescue and I couldn't be without him.
I dont get peoples desire to mix dogs and biking. Our lucher would go lame just looking at a trail centre. Oh and obidience is something you have to work at. You cant buy it with a certain breed.
A rescue staffy.
I dont get peoples desire to mix dogs and biking.
i get a ride, the dog gets a good run.
kill two birds with one stone etc. (no chickens...)
Oh and obidience is something you have to work at. You cant buy it with a certain breed.
Yes you can. Dogs are bred to do different jobs. Pick the wrong one and you'll have real problems making it do what you want. Pick the right one and it'll just do it.
5thElefant - MemberWe've got a couple of Vizslas (not the one in the video). They're sprinters so they'd make a good down-hill trail dog. You can take them for 'walks' on a bike as well but you can't really take them to a trail centre or take them on 'proper' XC rides. They're not built for that kind of fast endurance. I'm sure they'd do it but you'll bugger their joints.
They bond very closely to immediate family - very loyal and don't go off by themselves. But... you can't leave them alone during the day and they're not good with kids they haven't been brought up with.
I guess it depends on the dog. Our Vizsla will run all day, but is very young. She's great with my Sisters Kids who she see's once every few months too.
I agree that they are very loyal and a bit of a velcro dog! They're never too far away from you.
I guess it depends on the dog. Our Vizsla will run all day, but is very young.
Yeah, it's in later life when you find their joints pack up. Allegedly. I'm not chancing it.
She's great with my Sisters Kids who she see's once every few months too.
Our puppy still likes them. When they're adults they get iffy. It'll be friends of your sister's kids that you'll have to watch. Might be fine but of the half-a-dozen I've met they all dislike children (not aggressive, just avoid them, unless cornered/harassed).
I dont get peoples desire to mix dogs and biking.
It's more fun than walking them and they get better exercise.
Oh and obidience is something you have to work at. You cant buy it with a certain breed.
It is indeed something you have to work at, as is learning to spell correctly.
Worth checking out Irish Terriers, obedient, athletic, hardy, here is a vid of mine in action.........
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/video/280292/ ][/url]
It's more fun than walking them and they get better exercise.
And unless it's a breed specifically developed for running long distance (which most aren't, dogs are sprinters) it does their joints and hearts no good whatsoever.
Our vet goes nuts about the number of people who take dogs to him that have become ill or injured through people running or cycling with them. I absolutely agree with him. I have a working cocker spaniel who never stops running about, but I wouldn't ever consider exposing him to this sort of exercise.
Yes you can. Dogs are bred to do different jobs. Pick the wrong one and you'll have real problems making it do what you want. Pick the right one and it'll just do it.
er OK good luck
And unless it's a breed specifically developed for running long distance (which most aren't, dogs are sprinters) it does their joints and hearts no good whatsoever.
exactly.
It's more fun than walking them and they get better exercise.
maybe you walk them wrong or you got a dog for the wrong reasons, or maybe your a fat kncker who cannot ride far
[i]I dont get peoples desire to mix dogs and biking.[/i]
[i]maybe your a fat kncker who cannot ride far[/i]
Wow. Really got a downer on this eh?
Do you get out on your bike everyday? Well if you walk your dog by bike, you can. Actually stops you (and the dog) from being a fat kncker!
And it's bloody fun.
er OK good luck
No need. I've got two.
And unless it's a breed specifically developed for running long distance (which most aren't, dogs are sprinters) it does their joints and hearts no good whatsoever.
exactly
Agreed.
No need. I've got two.
and what did they come ready trained to do?
and what did they come ready trained to do?
đŸ˜†
Well... the breed characteristic is that they won't let you out of their sight and hate being told off. That makes them naturally suited to do some things and not suited to others. You don't have to train them not to run off for a start.
So you have dogs that have never run off?
So you have dogs that have never run off?
I know you're just trying to start a pointless argument. This being where it is.
But... yes. And that's quite a useful trait that the majority of dogs I've known don't share.
I guess it depends on the dog. Our Vizsla will run all day, but is very young.Yeah, it's in later life when you find their joints pack up. Allegedly. I'm not chancing it.
She's great with my Sisters Kids who she see's once every few months too.
Our puppy still likes them. When they're adults they get iffy. It'll be friends of your sister's kids that you'll have to watch. Might be fine but of the half-a-dozen I've met they all dislike children (not aggressive, just avoid them, unless cornered/harassed).
A classic YMMV I suppose. We've had no issues with the 7 Vizsla's we've owned as a family. May have been lucky.
Don't ask on here.
Go to your local rehoming centre, Dogs Trust, or dog training centre, and ask about breeds or individual animals that will suit you.
You'll learn a lot, I think.
5thElefant - MemberSo you have dogs that have never run off?
I know you're just trying to start a pointless argument. This being where it is.
But... yes. And that's quite a useful trait that the majority of dogs I've known don't share.
I can confirm this. Vizsla's are like velcro, they hate to be seperated from you for too long,and will constantly come back to you on a walk without even being called or whistled. It's like they want to keep checking you're still there. We've never had one run off.
Can highly recommend a German Short-haired Pointer (GSP). One of the few dogs that are bred for their endurance. We adopted our 3.5yr old bitch last year, and she's turned out to be the perfect trail dog, although accept this is more by luck than any training on my part!
I guess the only bit I'd be nervous of would be riding with her on busy trails. The last thing I want is someone blaming me / her for an accident, and however well trained they are, there is always an increased risk.
As to the attraction of riding with a dog, I find her great company for those rides where no-one else can make it!
Don't ask on here.
But given that you already did…
A lurcher would be bad. They're sight hounds. And they're bred for short sprints. And they're not very bright.
Which means no sooner will you get into the woods than he will charge off, and you will spend the next hour trying to call him back, before bundling him in the car to go home again. He won't understand he's supposed to follow you. He's more likely to break himself on your bike as he charges off after 'rubbits', or deer, or whatever else he fancies the look of.
Nice around the house though.
Border collie probably the opposite. Great trail dogs; hopeless pets (generally).
IF you can find a Dalmatian with the right characteristics you're on to a winner. A good one will hug the wheel and trot at 8mph for hours, not run trot. I have had only one with this trait out of 5 tried but I always have rescues so we work with what we get. The current one has a strong hunting trait and I only take him for 5 miles or so at a time else he's a pain trying to sort out rabbits or muntjac.
I've got a Parsons Russell who loves DH and trails like the enduro trails at Innerleithen and off piste stuff in Caberston, ie things that are more tech and not mega high speed.
You have to be sensible and not subject the dog to undue punishment, for instance Eddie's ok on a lap of say GT red or black but struggles with Innerleithen XC course with it's sustained high speed downhill sections, I don't take him if I'm going to be riding there.
He goes hunting things in the undergrowth but never buggers off completely, breed-wise I think he's about as small as you could go for a decent trail dog.
Dogs and bikes are a great combo, I do a lot of solo riding and he's good company, he's far too stupid to stage a lassie style rescue if I was to cabbage myself though.
First of all that's for everyone taking the time to reply I wasn't expecting so much help. Visla's sound great but I think they're a bit high maintenance for me, I really like the sound of the german short-haired pointer and irish terriers (Stranga your one looks brilliant!) so I'll need to look into them. German shepards are one of my favorite breeds and my first consideration but I was worried that it wouldn't be too good for them being prone to hip dysplasia?
Anyway I'm just going nip down to the local rescue to see if they have anything that suits. I like the idea of a rescue staffie as well and there's no shortage of them in rescues.