[Food] Getting a dog

Iggle Piggle · May 25, 2020

For years, my wife and kids have been nagging to get a dog and my efforts to postpone the inevitable are as flimsy as Boris defence of the Cumquat. Whilst I know what will happen - after 2 weeks I'll be the only one walking the thing whilst the kids smash the PS4 - I've cracked and starting to think of the practicalities of owning one and bagging a turd in the morning before work.

Advice from the floor please as I don't know where to start

Do's, don'ts, makes, models, stories of how it changes the dynamic in the house but none about dogs at work. I've read enough about those on here. One of us is working at home so it won't be lonely.

I guess we want one that isn't on the go all the time, not massive or has more hair than Richard Keyes and I don't want a small yappy one like scrappy do or an angry one that looks like it wants to eat small children. Mrs would like a cockapoo or similar but they are upwards of a grand FFS.

essbee1 · May 25, 2020

Rescue greyhound. Has to be done.

Bold Seagull · May 25, 2020

We’ve been looking for a whippet. Prices for puppies gone through the roof! Also concerned that there will be no training classes to go to etc. We’ve been looking since start of April.

Stat Brother · May 25, 2020

There is only ever one answer to this question.

I suggest you name your Labrador Dominic Cummings.

Oh and this beast you think you'll be reluctantly walking on your own in 2 weeks.
You will love more than your wife and kids in 3 weeks. :lolol:

Thunder Bolt · May 25, 2020

Iggle Piggle said:
For years, my wife and kids have been nagging to get a dog and my efforts to postpone the inevitable are as flimsy as Boris defence of the Cumquat. Whilst I know what will happen - after 2 weeks I'll be the only one walking the thing whilst the kids smash the PS4 - I've cracked and starting to think of the practicalities of owning one and bagging a turd in the morning before work.

Advice from the floor please as I don't know where to start

Do's, don'ts, makes, models, stories of how it changes the dynamic in the house but none about dogs at work. I've read enough about those on here. One of us is working at home so it won't be lonely.

I guess we want one that isn't on the go all the time, not massive or has more hair than Richard Keyes and I don't want a small yappy one like scrappy do or an angry one that looks like it wants to eat small children. Mrs would like a cockapoo or similar but they are upwards of a grand FFS.

Go to a rescue centre. There are some lovely dogs waiting for a loving home.

Cockapoos are mongrels with a silly name to be able to charge a fortune under the guise of allergies.

Iggle Piggle · May 25, 2020

Bold Seagull said:
We’ve been looking for a whippet. Prices for puppies gone through the roof! Also concerned that there will be no training classes to go to etc. We’ve been looking since start of April.

That figures. I guess they are the new bog roll.

Wrong-Direction · May 25, 2020

We done a bit of research and was between a miniature dachshund and a cavalier king Charles spaniel. Decided on the spaniel as it sounded easier to train.
Our landlord said no though.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Me and my Monkey · May 25, 2020

We spent a lot of time researching breeds, bearing in mind temperament, size (our house is smallish), ease in training, amount of exercise needed. Ended up with a cavalier King Charles spaniel. He’s gorgeous. Not very butch or hound-like, though, if image is important. Always do your background checks, visit the breeder before you buy, meet the parents. Any pedigree from a reputable breeder will cost you a packet. Rescue dogs are great, but you risk not quite knowing what you’re going to get, a consideration particularly if you have younger children.

Iggle Piggle · May 25, 2020

Thunder Bolt said:
Go to a rescue centre. There are some lovely dogs waiting for a loving home.

Cockapoos are mongrels with a silly name to be able to charge a fortune under the guise of allergies.

My brother in law has one from a rescue centre. It's as angry as Florin Andone on steroids. Is this normal or just bad luck and how best to get one that hasn't got the Roy Keane gene? A rescue centre is I guess the socially responsible thing to do.

Bold Seagull · May 25, 2020

Thunder Bolt said:
Go to a rescue centre. There are some lovely dogs waiting for a loving home.

Cockapoos are mongrels with a silly name to be able to charge a fortune under the guise of allergies.

Rescue centres even before lockdown are difficult to get a suitable dog for a household with kids. They’re reluctant to release any dog that they don’t fully understand the behavioural characteristics of, and they have a duty of care not to release a dog that might not be suitable.

Our experience with a 9 yr old in our household, the rescue centres really didn’t seem to be interested. Kids above 12 years old might be different.

Iggle Piggle · May 25, 2020

Bold Seagull said:
Rescue centres even before lockdown are difficult to get a suitable dog for a household with kids. They’re reluctant to release any dog that they don’t fully understand the behavioural characteristics of, and they have a duty of care not to release a dog that might not be suitable.

Our experience with a 9 yr old in our household, the rescue centres really didn’t seem to be interested. Kids above 12 years old might be different.

Mine are similar age so guess that rules that out.

herecomesaregular · May 25, 2020

After several years on Borrow My Doggy, walking 3 cockapoos regularly, with overnight stays etc I don't think I'd have a cockapoo. Not found them very trainable, although of course they haven't been mine. Yes they're cute, characteful and don't shed etc but can't quite put my finger on why I wouldn't have one permanently - maybe a bit too needy, bit too cutesy, not proper-dog like enough for me. It's just they're everywhere and they've been the ones local to me needing a walk. Oddly, my favourite has been a Westie but maybe becuase she had such a lovely temperament.

Iggle Piggle · May 25, 2020

Me and my Monkey said:
We spent a lot of time researching breeds, bearing in mind temperament, size (our house is smallish), ease in training, amount of exercise needed. Ended up with a cavalier King Charles spaniel. He’s gorgeous. Not very butch or hound-like, though, if image is important. Always do your background checks, visit the breeder before you buy, meet the parents. Any pedigree from a reputable breeder will cost you a packet. Rescue dogs are great, but you risk not quite knowing what you’re going to get, a consideration particularly if you have younger children.

Image is very unimportant. I get most of my clothes from George at ASDA.

Thankyou for that. I'll do some investigation and start saying 'kin hell how much? In about 10 minutes.

Westdene Seagull · May 25, 2020

Iggle Piggle said:
For years, my wife and kids have been nagging to get a dog and my efforts to postpone the inevitable are as flimsy as Boris defence of the Cumquat. Whilst I know what will happen - after 2 weeks I'll be the only one walking the thing whilst the kids smash the PS4 - I've cracked and starting to think of the practicalities of owning one and bagging a turd in the morning before work.

Advice from the floor please as I don't know where to start

Do's, don'ts, makes, models, stories of how it changes the dynamic in the house but none about dogs at work. I've read enough about those on here. One of us is working at home so it won't be lonely.

I guess we want one that isn't on the go all the time, not massive or has more hair than Richard Keyes and I don't want a small yappy one like scrappy do or an angry one that looks like it wants to eat small children. Mrs would like a cockapoo or similar but they are upwards of a grand FFS.

Strangely I've just given into 10 years of nagging and said yes to a dog. Thankfully I've lived with plenty of dogs ( stop that sniggering at the back ! ) and so I kind of know what I'm doing.

Putting rescue dogs aside for now you need to decide on how much exercise you will be able to give the dog. Judging by your post you also need one that is child friendly. For examlle Springers are as friendly as anything, great with kids, fiercly loyal but need LOADS of exercise. Most of the retriever breeds ( despite being the Ford Escort of dogs ) are great family dogs and need slightly less exercise. I generally find gun dogs very family friendly and 'easy' to train - obviously you need to be prepared to put in the time.

We've been looking at hounds and retrievers ( the flat coat being my favourite but I had one as a kid ). Beware - puppies are in very short supply and because of that prices have rocketed. We were quoted 2.5k for a German Shepherd this week.

Overall I'd make a list of the key attributes you would like and then find a website that you can search about all the breeds. Prima ( wrong spelling I know ) the petfood people have a great website for that.

Obviously you could get a rescue but just be mindfull that it could be hard to re-train and you don't know it's history. Fine if there are only adults in the house but if you have children and/or other animals then it sometimes is a bit of a gamble.

BN9 BHA · May 25, 2020

Wrong-Direction said:
We done a bit of research and was between a miniature dachshund and a cavalier king Charles spaniel. Decided on the spaniel as it sounded easier to train.
Our landlord said no though.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Own up mate, your Mrs wanted a little dog :wink:

Gwylan · May 25, 2020

Bold Seagull said:
Rescue centres even before lockdown are difficult to get a suitable dog for a household with kids. They’re reluctant to release any dog that they don’t fully understand the behavioural characteristics of, and they have a duty of care not to release a dog that might not be suitable.

Our experience with a 9 yr old in our household, the rescue centres really didn’t seem to be interested. Kids above 12 years old might be different.

That may be true of some rescue centres but not all. We got our dog from the RSPCA near Patcham - our kids were 8 and 10 when we got her and had no problems. Rescue centres know their dogs well and will tell you whether it is suitable for a house with kids/other pets.

There are lots of dogs in rescue centres who'd make loving pets and they are getting lots of abandoned pets right now, you should definitely look into them - some even have cockerpoos (and for a lot less than a grand)

PILTDOWN MAN · May 25, 2020

Get a springer and your life will change.

We’ve had two, they’re bonkers but very loving.

As well we’ve had labs, 2 border collies, cocker and a Great Dane

Madafwo · May 25, 2020

Rescue all the way. Both of ours are rescue dogs, one from the Dog's Trust in Shoreham and I couldn't recommend them enough.

As long as you've got someone around the house most of the day then it should be fine, I find the walks some of the most enjoyable times of the day as it's just me and the pooches, nothing else to worry about.

Labradors are amazing, but you'll soon realise that it doesn't matter what make or model you get, you'll love it all the same.

Da Man Clay · May 25, 2020

We got a rescue in January. Took a couple of months to get him under control (just as his previous owners were useless and didn’t teach him a thing). He’s a 4 year old husky x American bulldog. Wouldn’t recommend that breed as he is a bit of a mare for shedding. He has a 45 minute walk in the morning and 45 minute walk in the evening daily (with more at the weekends) and then free reign in the garden the rest of the day which suits him. We also have one of us at home permanently.

We don’t have kids at the moment though so expect that was an easier journey. He was due to go to a family with a 4 year old before us though but fell through at the last minute. Raystede was who we went to and they were very good.

Hugo Rune · May 25, 2020

Don’t get a working dog unless you’ll be working them.

Our working Cocker is the most loving, loyal & affectionate dog you could wish for but boy is he needy. He is 9 years old and calming down now but the effort and work we’ve done to look after him has been huge. He wants to be outside running all day. Our next dog was a Cocker cross and is so much easier to care for.

Also, our dog were being walked free of charge by Students from the University Of Sussex’s dog waking society which I highly recommend.

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[Food] Getting a dog

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