Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I totally agree with Sarah H and the others - having a dog requires an awful lot of work - 150%. We have two rescues - a whippet cross who would sleep for 30 hours a day if there were that many, and a staffy / patterdale terrier cross who bouncing makes tigger look laid back. We also have a pedigree shih-tzu (altogether now....emphasis on the first syllable). We were very lucky with our rescuse they are good dogs, but they have had a lot of obedience / clicker and agility training. You really have to think hard about what sort of dog you want - lap dog / guard dog / big dog / small dog / needs loads of walks / is happy to sleep all day.... Collies are great but need a lot of attention / training / etc. otherwise they arent stimulated and can become a real handful - I have dealt with a number of dog bite claims involving collies - nothing to do with the breed, but they were owned by families who didnt give them enough exercise / stimulation. If you dont want a dog that moults (Chinese Crested are actually "Ooops, word censored!"y little dogs, but perhaps dont give the macho image LSH may require) then a labradoodle (labrador / poodle cross) is an idea - but you have to ensure that the coat is that of the poodle, not the lab Incidentally I met a woman who breeds cocker spaniels and apparently they are now crossing them with poodles and making a cockerpoo. I kid you not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 It's much easier choosing chickens - "one of everything please" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 A terrier type would be a good ratter but would also be too 'interested' in the chickens? Yes, I only suggested that if the hens were kept out of bounds for the dog, as even a well trained one could suddenly turn on it's instincts. Sorry, I was planning what I would like if it was my dilemma, hence the border collie idea....we could call it Shep (OH's name ) & I'd love one if I was having a dog. But yes, it's a good idea to be learning about useful or discounted characteristics, I hope you get some more good suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Yup. Blue (terrible terrier) was REALLY good around the free ranging chooks until the beginning of January and now we really have to be careful with her - she gets so excited when the girls flap I dont think she would be able to contain herself and would play with them until the death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Sounds like a surprisingly difficult decision Lesley, good luck with it. I have to admit that I feel the same way about dogs as I do about babies- I absolutely adore them if they belong to someone else and I can just "borrow" them for a while to play with, and then hand them back when they get too demanding or smelly Been there, done that, love them to bits, but I don't intend to actually own one ever again. That said the pressure from hubby and daughter is unbelievable, they'd both love a dog, but I know who'd be left to take it for walks, and wash it's feet when it came back in from a muddy romp, never mind clearing up the hair. And I don't want to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Never mind dear. We still love you. Even if you dont like dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 That said the pressure from hubby and daughter is unbelievable, they'd both love a dog, but I know who'd be left to take it for walks, and wash it's feet when it came back in from a muddy romp, never mind clearing up the hair. And I don't want to do it It's not only the hair you need to clear up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 But you do use a bag, and as long as they have a good diet its not so bad (even at 5.30am..) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 But you do use a bag, and as long as they have a good diet its not so bad (even at 5.30am..) It's not the concept of poo collecting that makes me shudder, I can cope quite happily with poo from a wide range of species, so carting a bag and pooper scooper wouldn't necessarily put me off. It's the throw away bit in brackets that gives me palpitations. I'm not a morning person and I don't do 5:30 am 6:45 is my start time on a weekday, and that's allowing myself just enough time to get myself and 2 children sorted and out of the house for school/ work, and I find getting up then quite painful enough. Weekends and holidays I do not swing my legs out of bed any earlier than 8am (and sometimes quite a lot later ) OK, I admit it, I don't want a dog because I'm too lazy..... problem is the rest of my family are even lazier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Get a minuture Yorkshire terrier then - it will probably get all the exercise it needs going from its basket to the bowl!! Or, I do have a rather nice (yeah right) shih-tzu you can have if you want? Go on, please........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 I wouldn't actually have to do any of the looking after - Carl has always had rescue dogs. His last dog he had to leave with my (now) MIL when he moved in with me - she sure wasn't going to lose her favourite son and the dog to me ...........and he always used to have his pockets full of little plastic bags and a little poop scoop thing that fitted onto the bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 PS - thanks for all the advice - I think it will help when we do go to the kennels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I think the big chicken/goat idea is great but do they bark loudly enough to keep burglars away? They go boc boc, that's almost a bark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 This isn't based on personal experience, cos DH is allergic to dog hair so we can't have one of our own , but doesn't your new place have a utility room? Couldn't you use that as a dog room, so that it wouldn't need to be outside, but not in the rest of the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 I could but Carl will want a house/farm dog I started now so that i have time to get used to the fact that there will be a dog around - I'm getting there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Hi Leslie, just adding my penny worth. I'd love a dog but we don't have the time as a family to care for one, oh and OH is slightly allergic. My brother has a Lab from working stock and he's a great dog but sheds like mad and is destuctuve if he get's stressed about anything, eats kitchen walls, washing on line etc. A friend has a rescue greyhound and that would be my choice if we had one, great friendly dog, does bark when people come to the door, minimal hair shedding, little exercise needed but I would say, based on Murphy, the most likely to forget themselves and chase a chicken and very capable of catching one. Hard decision to make when your not that keen. When are you ging looking for one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 reading all these posts it seems like such a complicated decision, much more difficult than I would have imagined. What's the betting though that you'll have all these plans about the ideal dog, then go to rescue centre and fall for something gorgeous but not at all what you expected to want I'm looking forward to hearing what you actually end up getting now. It's all sounding like such a big change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateB Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Hi Lesley, hard decision isn't it?! If you decide to go for anything with Lab in it, as has been previously said, make sure the coat isn't Lab - we have two and they are the most wonderful creatures but the hair drives me mad - they moult handfuls of the stuff everyday and all year! How they don't end up bald I have no idea. They are perfect in every other way though - they only bark when the door goes, they keep each other company etc. Good luck, let us know what you get in the end.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 you'll have all these plans about the ideal dog, then go to rescue centre and fall for something gorgeous but not at all what you expected to want . Bit like choosing a husband then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Hope you find the ideal "Pooch" Lesley. I have been really lucky with my 2 rescue pups, the 1st one a Staffy X , excellent family dog, though died before we got the chooks, so can't comment on that side. Tori .. Springer Spaniel-Collie X is fab ... she LOVES to be outside and is good with the kids and the chooks. She, so far, has not even sniffed in the wrong way at my new kitchen (huge relief), and has not been destructive to the house , mind you a few of the boys things have been chewed when left lying around .... . Not her fault then ..... her fur is longer than we would normally go for ... but she is fab. I am sure the utility will become the dogs main "Bed" and the rest of the time it will be out .. ideal. Bet 100-1 odds on you having it on the sofa with you, at least ONCE ........ bet you won't tell though If you get a pup .. at least you can train it re. the hens and get it used to Lauren and Jake too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 you'll have all these plans about the ideal dog, then go to rescue centre and fall for something gorgeous but not at all what you expected to want . Bit like choosing a husband then Not quite Mel, since I have been assured that it's generally possible to train most dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 ... yup. That is SOOOOO true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 I've made a pretty good job of training a husband, two children and two grandchildren - just hope I can do the same with the dog We haven't got any particular kind in mind - but with all these posts, we should be able to look at what is available at the time and think back to what people have said. I'm still leaning towards Greyhound though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Weekends and holidays I do not swing my legs out of bed any earlier than 8am (and sometimes quite a lot later )OK, I admit it, I don't want a dog because I'm too lazy..... problem is the rest of my family are even lazier My OH and some of his friends don't surface until midday, or the afternoon I've been getting up 7.30 even this weekend to let out chickens in case they start pecking each other. Went to bed 3.30am so ended up asleep on couch all afternoon and chickens had gone to bed by the time I woke up Gave them all a cuddle though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Bit like choosing a husband then Found out I was engaged this weekend on the grapevine Strange as me and OH are NOT actually engaged, although probably will at some point in the future. OH is currently doing most of the cooking (and well), so must have him trained well We have a lab lab (a black labrador Hollie and we work in a lab) that visits our office sometimes. I personally would like a retriever or labrador if I ever got a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
