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Seconded getting a staffie as per GolfChick's recommendation
We needed a friend for Betty after our old boy Buster had to be put to sleep last year, Brad came from the shelter in Cardiff and we think he was a lockdown dog as he's quite excitable when out on the lead. He was an unclaimed stray.
Haven't read all the replies, but best dog to get is one that is in a photograph so you don't actually own it physically. If a photo of a dog isn't suitable then a rescue dog - far too many dogs available and then being abandoned or not looked after properly.
In true STW fashion i'm gonna recommend what I have (sadly had) - a collie lurcher
17 years of dog excellence, the stamina and intelligence of a collie with the laid back long dog attitude. Ours was a deerhound cross but small around 20kg.
I always think the trick with dogs is to run your life around the dog, that way everyone is happy IME. It's fair to say we have done some amazing stuff over the last years, travelling, walking, canoeing etc and it's all been stuff we wouldn't have done if we hadn't had the dog. He came to work with us everyday, we were together 24/7 for pretty much all of his 17 years.
Put the time in to train and understand your dog. Recall and confidence off the lead where appropriate are non negotiable. On trips, go with a dog attitude - on a hill day a dog probably doesn't want a 5 minute break, it wants to stop, get comfortable with it's surroundings, have a snack, snooze then head off again, refreshed. It's actually quite easy to break a dog if you aren't careful
Dogs love company, exercise and sausage. Dogs are ace!
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
Still have to pick up their poo though 🤢
English Pointer
Also here to recommend what I have in true STW fashion.
Henry the Yorkiepoo.
Smaller than the brief but he's hardy and will happily join on long hikes, whilst also being content with a few short walks a day.
A Yorkshire Terrier Poodle cross, so doesn't shed but does need hair cuts every few months. Super temperament, though has taken some training to stop barking. Highly food motivated which helps with the training.
jam-boFull Member
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
Here you go... https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/
Nothing beats having your own one (or two) though
Looks very similar to my Bodhi, a Shorkie (yorkie x Shi-Tzu) such a good boy, but does need training to stop yapping.
I've trained him to tap me with his paw if he wants something, so he very rarey barks unless he needs to go oustide for a wee/poo.
17 years of dog excellence,
This is the type of talk I like, my lurcher is 14 now, hope she can make 17!!! She is collie, whippet, greyhound, bedlington mixed up in varying proportions!!
Disclaimer: I’ve not read the whole thread.
A rescue from a decent local charity that fosters them first so they have a good idea of the dogs temperament and idiosyncrasies.
I think ‘foster’ is a key word here. We’ve had a couple of dogs now from rescue centres and in both cases we didn’t really see their full temperament until they had settled in. We currently have a Patterdale/Springer cross from a rescue centre in Newcastle. We’ve spent a lot of time working on her behaviour and she’s great, but still anxious and nervous around other dogs. That we knew beforehand. What we didn’t know was that she has a large prey drive (which they said she didn’t). When you get a rescue you’re never quite sure of their history… She is quite cute though!
Personally, a big stuffed toy one I could put my feet on. No vets bills, or having to take it for walks in filthy weather, and honestly, I’m not sure I could cope with the inevitable loss, not now.
or having to take it for walks in filthy weather
Thats the best bit! Coming back soaked covered in mud with a dog grinning from ear to ear. Bloody ace.
And snow is even better!
Yesterday was gotcha day for me and this handsome fella. All going well so far with the other spaniels and the Cairn Terrier 😁
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Gotcha day walks are lovely.
This is the type of talk I like, my lurcher is 14 now, hope she can make 17!!! She is collie, whippet, greyhound, bedlington mixed up in varying proportions!!
And a total trooper right to the end, slowed down a bit at 16 1/2 but never faltered. Then one morning looked a bit disoriented and was gone by sunrise the next, 17 years and 10 days. In true style he even dodged the vet, just fell asleep next to me and didn't wake up
Well, that's set me off.
I think Lola will go in a failed attempt to steal more things from the toaster.
any so long as you get a rescue dog. puppies are a pain in the arse for one.
Spaniels, love em.
1.5 springers and 1.5 cockers.
Being well behaved and focused as dad has 3 chewie sticks in his hand...
Had all 3 from puppies, now about 9, 4 and 5 yrs. The springer is a bossy mare, cockers calmer and more biddable.
@joshvegas unless you pick a breed/character who doesnt like mud/wet walks. Ask me how I know... my last breed was a rhodesian ridgeback and they're known for being very regal. She would walk 3 metres behind me on wet walks and stare at me as though I was being stupid enough to walk naked in a blizzard. Dont get me started on her and mud, you know how labs have a reputation for dragging their owner under a bus for a chip well she would have thrown me under a bus if it meant dodging a muddy puddle!
It's a revelation to own a breed who now enjoys wet muddy walks as much as dry ones, no matter how much I dont want to be out he doesn't care unless I'm stood still in the heavy rain.
I have a Springer / Collie cross: Muttlee.
Get a dog they said, it'll be fun they said, we'll walk her they said.
Aye, right.
I get to walk Muttlee twice a day, every day.
On the bright side I've made lots of new friends: met my riding buddy walking the dog - he asked what bike to get and now lives biking, and has just returned from a week in the Alps.
I am also now on the community council because of the bloody dog.
Yeah but.... Look at her!
In the finest STW tradition, recommend what you have 😁
This is Daisy our 8 week old Basset Hound - we collected her this morning and 9 1/2 hours later including a ferry crossing she’s now at home. Esther our black Labrador is still undecided. She’ll be our 5th Basset - she’ll no doubt live up to her breed characteristic of being wilful, stubborn, poor recall but totally adorable
she would have thrown me under a bus if it meant dodging a muddy puddle!
We're on our 3rd German Wirehaired Pointer (current one a rescue)...none of them would walk thru a puddle on the lead, as soon as the lead is off, its like the puddles disappear 🙄
Borrow a friend's dog first. Let them have a holiday 🙂
Failing that, try to avoid taking on a dog from a bleeding heart, rehoming charity where you don't meet the dog. If it's easy to adopt the dog, either the checks on you aren't sufficient or that they don't know the dog's needs.
Meet Fen. From the mean streets of Moscow brought over by 2 Russians in a knackered Opel van with 15 other dogs 3 years ago. I couldn't believe it when I saw the van full of dogs.
She's very friendly and playful, but an utter coward (scared of ducks, the dishwasher, bichon frisé, creaky doors and old women). The charity advertised the playful side, but did not explain (or know about) her timid nature. We were lucky that she's a gentle soul and easy to train, unbeknownst to the charity.
If its possible, I'd recommend walking and looking after other peoples dogs. We had an amazing collie and now have a lovely Cocker but once Eric's gone to doggy heaven, we will be enjoying other peoples dogs rather than having another.
We live on a short cul de sac but there are another 5 dogs that would love extra walks and cuddles.
I do and don't recommend Staffies. Mine is very affectionate, friendly and low-energy. She makes friends almost everywhere she goes whether its on the train, bus or in the office.
However, she has a very expressive face and knows how to guilt me to get what she wants and therefore very tying.
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I keep saying it, working Labradors 🙂 just so i can post more pictures, they look nicer than show ones in my opinion.