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What dog is best for me? |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,215
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What dog is best for me?
No offence but I don't like aggressive looking dogs like Pit bulls
Ideally: Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day Not too big Smart Not too lively |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mid Wales / Canolbarth Cymru
Posts: 37,481
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Corgi?
Beagle? Any new young dog is going to be lively. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newbury
Posts: 6,749
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The pit bull is an illegal breed in any case. Apart from that, I don't know what you mean by an "aggressive looking" dog.
No-one can tell you what dog (if any) will suit you. Best thing is to pay a visit to your local dog rescue, look around, and see what type you are attracted to. Quite often a dog will choose you. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Another time, another place..
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Quote:
No offence but I don't like aggressive looking dogs like Pit bulls
Ideally: Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day Not too big Smart Not too lively |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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So maybe 1-2 lead walks per day.
Definitely a tidy coat No other pets, no children, pup or adult The dog will rarely be on its own as I work from home |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Aug 2014
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Quote:
No offence but I don't like aggressive looking dogs like Pit bulls
Ideally: Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day Not too big Smart Not too lively |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 413
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Quote:
No offence but I don't like aggressive looking dogs like Pit bulls
Ideally: Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day Not too big Smart Not too lively http://i67.tinypic.com/23wtkkk.jpg http://i64.tinypic.com/16ba9oy.jpg |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: here
Posts: 3,997
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I don't that it's finding the right dog for you but what are you prepared to put into the work in owning a dog? Have you owned a dog before? Can you afford insurance and do you have someone to care for the dog if you needed this? None of us can guarantee we're going to be around forever.
I would read the advice from the Dogs Trust here https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-ad...%20a%20dog.pdf And here https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-ad...eforadog05.pdf I highly recommend the Dogs Trust and the adoption of a rescue. They have an excellent support system for dogs after adoption and good training advice. Plus they know the dog. A rescue may already have basic training and if you don't have children, cats etc and prepared to perhaps make adjustments to your home such as securing the garden then you're in a good position to adopt a dog. BUT please do be aware that dogs need company and whilst 1-2 walks is the bare minimum, they must be trained (ethically please) which is a life long skill. You, as the owner, will have the skills to manage the behaviours. Smart may mean lively! You might find petforums.co.uk useful too. There are lots of threads in Dog Chat on what to expect with a new dog. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Another time, another place..
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Quote:
So maybe 1-2 lead walks per day.
Definitely a tidy coat No other pets, no children, pup or adult The dog will rarely be on its own as I work from home |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: AFANDOU, Rhodes Greece
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I echo what JeffG1 has said.Go to your local rescue centre. Let a dog choose you.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,215
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I'm in Scotland but have looked on the SSPCA website and there are 1 or 2 dogs which I like.
Would anyone recommend buying a normal dog rather than 1 of the rescue dogs? |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Quote:
Would anyone recommend buying a normal dog rather than 1 of the rescue dogs? This last question (and the wording) makes me wonder even more. I am even asking myself if we are being taken for a ride here. But taking it as genuine - it's not so simple as 'normal' v rescue. Some people chose rescue on principle, because it gives a homeless dog a new chance in life. But usually you can't just walk into a rescue and pick a dog off the shelf - they may want to do home checks. Others prefer a dog with a known history, or a puppy that they can train - and where they can experience all life's growing stages. Within those options there are further choices such as type of dog and individual temperament or maybe simply whether the two of you gel, whether you can give the dog what it needs and whether it will fit with your lifestyle. If it's a rescue dog you can only know that by spending some time with the dog and talking to staff. It's up to you. There are no definitive rights and wrongs. I just feel that if you are asking at this level maybe it is not a good idea right now? Either that or we are being strung along
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#13 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,215
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I mainly want a dog for company mrsgrumpy49
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#14 |
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Storbritannia
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My advice is this - go visit the nearest rescue centres and have a look at the friendly mixed mongrels with a good temperament. I'd suggest not going for any pure breeds because of health problems or any of the known violent breeds. I'd think carefully about this matter because a dog can be a 15 year commitment.
On the positive side, you will get years of loyal companionship from another living being and dogs are great icebreakers when you are out with the dog and people speak to you more easily.
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#15 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Quote:
I'd think carefully about this matter because a dog can be a 15 year commitment.
On the positive side, you will get years of loyal companionship from another living being and dogs are great icebreakers when you are out with the dog and people speak to you more easily. ![]() They can enhance your social life but restrict it to. Think about holidays for a start.. As for money, I made the mistake of not getting pet insurance. So just on Saturday it was another £100 at the vets She has a chronic liver condition - you always imagine your pets staying healthy but as with people, things go wrong. However she might just make it to 16 years old in June. So do think about this carefully OP.
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#16 |
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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Walks are best counted by time and distance rather than number per day. 1-2 walks per day is meaningless as they could be 10 minutes or an hour each.
The Kennel Club have a "find a breed" tool that will ask you a bunch of questions and then suggest some possible matching breeds. Give it a go: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/serv...d/Default.aspx |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Quote:
I'm in Scotland but have looked on the SSPCA website and there are 1 or 2 dogs which I like.
Would anyone recommend buying a normal dog rather than 1 of the rescue dogs? . If you mean an actual breed of pedigree dog, I would recommend one if your requests were for:A puppy whose history and background you knew Had strict requirement for adult size/appearance and wanted to know exactly what you were getting Wanted a well bred dog whose parents had all the relevant health tests Were for a specific breed A specific activity, showing/agility/field & trial etc, where getting a breed that excels at those tasks will put you at an instant advantage Want a specific breed that has a minefield of health problems , as going to a decent breeder will help you eliminate those as much as possible However, your requirements aren't for any of these (or you haven't said if they are), so a rescue dog would suit your needs adequately, if you do your research and choose the right dog, and the right rescue. I will say if you want a dog that isn't too active or demanding exercise wise and will sit by your side as company whilst your working, I would be looking at dogs from either the toy group who are naturally bred to be companion dogs (though can still be spirited) , or the utility group which consist of breeds that originally were bred for a task but have gone out of purpose and are now just kept as pets. The other groups are full of breeds bred to work not sit by the fire and aren't going to be 'low maintenance and not too lively'. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: in a world of my own
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Have you thought about a cat OP?
Just throwing that in there....
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#19 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Quote:
Walks are best counted by time and distance rather than number per day. 1-2 walks per day is meaningless as they could be 10 minutes or an hour each.
The Kennel Club have a "find a breed" tool that will ask you a bunch of questions and then suggest some possible matching breeds. Give it a go: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/serv...d/Default.aspx On the walking issue I think most dogs need time off the lead. I don't think a walk round the block on a lead is sufficient. |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Quote:
Walks are best counted by time and distance rather than number per day. 1-2 walks per day is meaningless as they could be 10 minutes or an hour each.
The Kennel Club have a "find a breed" tool that will ask you a bunch of questions and then suggest some possible matching breeds. Give it a go: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/serv...d/Default.aspx |
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#21 |
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,660
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Quote:
My search came up with a smooth collie and that's what I have!
On the walking issue I think most dogs need time off the lead. I don't think a walk round the block on a lead is sufficient. |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,790
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I just did the search and come up with 0.
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#23 |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 22,063
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Quote:
No offence but I don't like aggressive looking dogs like Pit bulls
Ideally: Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day Not too big Smart Not too lively I would definitely avoid terriers though based on your limited requirements, Bulldog - Fits what you are looking for apart from smarts and in looks Greyhound - Fits every one but size Japanese Chin - Fits mostly what you are looking for but can be a little Barky Bassett Hound - May need more then a couple of short walks a day but probably your best bet in terms of a breed and your requirements Otherwise I suggest you just go to rescue centres and get advice about the dogs in residence. |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Just throwing this in, you aren't going to get a breed that perfectly ticks every single box. It's a live animal, not a robot programmed to your specifications, your going to have to be prepared to compromise, especially as what you've asked for contradict each other. Smart but not too lively or high maintenance for instance, don't go together, your not going to get a smart dog whose happy to lie about doing nothing. That's like saying you want a jack russel but you don't want something yappy - it's not going to happen
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#25 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Quote:
Well smaller breeds tend to be a little more high maintenance then larger breeds.
We have a 42kg Bouvier des Flandres and he's as daft as a brush and loafs around all day. He's had a hour and a half walk/charge about in the park today and that's all he needs really - at the moment he's lying on his back in the hall with his legs in the air! |
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She has a chronic liver condition - you always imagine your pets staying healthy but as with people, things go wrong. However she might just make it to 16 years old in June.
So do think about this carefully OP.
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