You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Not had a dog since I was a kid, always missed having one, and times right now
What's the best way to look for one? Not fussed about pedigree (in fact feel pretty strongly against the whole pedigree thing)
Totally clueless about this type of thing so any info welcome
If it ever bites anyone don't post the news on here!!
Make sure you have the time and patience for it.
Get some training for you and the dog.
Get a proper dog. Not one of them fashionable ones...
You have to pick up shite.
If contemplating a rescue dogpages.Co.UK has lots of dogs for re homing and advice.
We have been enjoying a few dog free years while we have young kids but they are back on the want list soon.
I am sure you know the pros so here are the practical things you need to figure out.
1. Holiday arrangements
2. They need walking regardless of how you feel about going out in the pissing rain and dark.
3. Don't forget the vets bills
4. Fur, fur,fur (can you tell we had a golden retriever once)
5. What capacity do you have to look after them during the day and if you are not always home how to can they piddle and poo
Did I mention dogs are AWESOME!
Go down the local rescue place and pick one that loves you, enjoy!
Don't set it on little girls.[i] Unless [/i]you've got a stock of new iPhones to pay off the parents.
Get insurance. Speaking from experience you just never know what's around the corner.
I can Recommend Petplan.
Discounted a dog for ages as I'm away a fair bit, but have amassed a great group of friends and family who are ready to look after (in fact, I think it'll end up being a very well looked after communal dog)
What I'm after is do's and don'ts when it comes to looking for a dog, but dubious of these on line pet sites
I would put my money on an ex racing greyhound. We had one super dog. Easy to exercise, will sleep all day if needed. Great backup from Retired Greyhound Trust. Very helpful they really know there stuff. Crap trail dog though. Oh yes did I say they are thick as mince in a nice way. High garden fences are a bonus!
Dogs' Trust. They are incredibly conscientious about ensuring you get the right dog. They chip every dog and never destroy a healthy animal.
They also run training courses if you feel you need them.
We paid about £100 for our dog all in. Tried the puppy training course but eventually we were asked to go away and not come back 😳 Little beggar took a while to calm down...
They smell, they drop hair all over the house, (ok some don't) they need walking, whatever the weather, holidays cost more because they need a place to stay too, you have to pick poo up, they roll in un-mentionable things.
Plus sides, they are fun, they are very very loyal, they are company, they make you get off your butt and get out there, they are funny, they love life and that's what's ace.
Get insurance (pet friends are good) train it properly and hide anything you don't want chewed when is a puppy!
It is a huge commitment, proper dog owning can be a fabulous experience owner and dog need to be trained.
they smell
they dump hair everywhere
they dump everywhere
they roll in fox and badger shit
vets are expensive
they eat the house
they eat a lot of food
they destroy the inside of the car
i wouldn't swap mine for anything
this thread's been up for nine hours and none of the dog hating crew have turned up yet? 😯
I've had my mutt from a pup. she was got from a lady who'd advertised the litter in the paper. funny way to think about it, looking back, but she was very nice ( in tears when we collected the evil hound ), the pairing she'd gone for produced a wonderful mix, and the dog is a far larger part of my life than she has any right to be. 🙂
i'd probably look to adopt next time, and probably something with short hair.
RSPCA have rather high standards on who they'll let adopt.
[Party Pooper]
+as I'm away a fair bit
times right now
Does not make sense.
Personally I think it's wrong to have a pet if you cannot look after it properly yourself. A dog will hopefully be around for 12+ years - that's along time to rely on other people.
Dogs are ace and deserve to be treated accordingly. They should be regarded as part of your family and not as something you like to play with when you're around and then dumped when you're not. Dogs need continuity and don't need passing around different people/houses on a regular basis.
= sounds badcommunal dog
Have you thought this through completely?
[/Party Pooper]
Care to expand on that?in fact feel pretty strongly against the whole pedigree thing
Sharkbait +1
Can you afford the time and commitment ?
Our local canine defence centre won't rehome to anyone working full time of obvious reasons .
Can you look after a friends dog while their on holiday to give you an idea of the impact a dog makes on a daily basis .
Another vote for ex-racing greyhound. Great pets. Only short walks required but loves a couple of 100 metre sprints in the park which is fantastic to watch. They don't tend to be cat friendly but great with kids and other dogs. Useless guard dog - ours is so laid back that she doesn't even get off the sofa when the doorbell rings, and never barks (except at cats).
[Party Pooper]as I'm away a fair bit
+times right now
Does not make sense.
Personally I think it's wrong to have a pet if you cannot look after it properly yourself. A dog will hopefully be around for 12+ years - that's along time to rely on other people.
Dogs are ace and deserve to be treated accordingly. They should be regarded as part of your family and not as something you like to play with when you're around and then dumped when you're not. Dogs need continuity and don't need passing around different people/houses on a regular basis.
communal dog
= sounds badHave you thought this through completely?
[/Party Pooper]in fact feel pretty strongly against the whole pedigree thing
Care to expand on that?
I'm of the opinion that dogs need company 24/7, so when i say communial dog, i'll be dropping it off with me mum while i'm at work (she'll welcome the company, so win win), plus friends have offered dog sitting services if i'm on hols (but most of time camping, so dog will join in) or the odd night away with work
The pedegree thing? I'm with the RSPCA on that subject
as for dogs being smelly, rolling in stuff and dropping hair... bit like me!
You could end up with one like this
or you could end up with one who is perpetually diving in various different shades of animal excrement, mine has done it 3 times in the last fortnight, I think the last one may even have been human *boke*.
Time is the biggest trade off though, maybe not so much with the Greyhounds as recommended above but many other breeds/types whatever you'll need to walk them at least a couple of hours per day.
That dog with the invisible pogo stick is ace!