Seagazer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thats good to hear Clare, I think YS sometimes thinks he is a dog as well the way he plays with Cookie. We've had a dog for the last 15 years now. I think hand on heart Cookie will be our last dog. She will be 2 in March so will hopefully have many, many years ahead of her. By then we will be well into our fifties and I think we will want to be able to spend more time going off on the spur of the minute - no kids to worry about and it will be easier without a dog in tow. But for now I will enjoy my big bundle of fur and lots of muddy walks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Don't mention mud to me Jazz has socialisation problems because she doesn't see other dogs all the time. Her walks are long and frequent but are on our own land She's not sure how to react to other dogs. Because of our situation at the time - having just moved to the farm and having farm stuff to do at inconvenient times etc. - we couldn't attend a regular puppy class and had one on one training for Jazz instead - good for problems but not ideal as initial training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 awww it's good to hear that Rosie is doing so well with Ruby. We will definatly be signing up for classes - James and I will go together and feedback to Mum. We'll sort the holidays out with a regular housesitter, not as good as us but better than kennels. Our current petsitter doesn't do staying but will do dog walking/feeding if you go out for a long day, which isn't something we do very often. Mud will drive Mum nuts - I think the dog will be using my door for going in and out of - onto the wooden floor and not Mums carpets! The connecting door will stay shut for a while. Of course a nice basket in front of the Aga is in order too! The other dog that was around a lot when I was a kid was a Lhaso Apso (sp) Thinking aobut Ben reminds me of just how often he used to stay with us. He would come over with his "Dad" and when it was time to go he would ask the dog if he was staying or going - often he chose to stay and did for the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Crate training is the best thing you can do Pengy; I can't recommend it enough. It's a relatively new concept and very handy. The dog feels totally secure in it's crate and when they are a small pup, who wants to dash about and chew everything it helps to keep them out of trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Have to agree with Claret about the crate. I've always had dogs, but this is the first dog I have 'crated'. He loves the security of the crate and goes in it often, and when I'm out he can't trash the house. He's on my feet at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yes we used a crate for Cookie too. It was so good to go out and know that the house wasn't going to be destroyed whilst you're out. She would also take herself off into it whenever she wanted to so obviously liked it. We took it down about 6 months ago (it was really huge in our hallway) but she's been good ever since. She has a bed where the crate had been and another bed in the living room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 We have identical crates in the kitchen and car. We leave Ruby in the kitchen (with Classic FM on the radio ) when we leave her and the crate door is open. the kitchen is her 'safe zone' and there's nothing in there that she can destroy so Rubes can be left there without supervision if necessary; it has a stairgate on either end. She also has a cushion type bed in the living room for when she joins us there, but she still needs watching as she's only young and still likes to chew and thieve things In due time, as she settles more and progresses with her training, she won't need any of these restrictions. I had her first, smaller crate (from Freecycle) in my bedroom for the first few nights and she settled with me sitting by it and a blanket over the crate. At that stage she still needed to go out for a piddle in the night. After a few days, I moved the crate to the kitchen, and with the help of a DAP spray, she settle there well and didn't need to go out at night either. We didn't have crates 'in the old days' (showing my age here) and I must say that they are a great help in settling a youngster. Just like newborns, aren't they?! Good job that I love babies, so the care doesn't bother me at all. Ruby is really sociable, if excitable, and loves her extended pack, which includes me, Phil, Rosie, Rosie's dad, Lesley and Carl, Joss's dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Buying a crate for Zara was by far one of our best purchases. Got her house trained by about 13 weeks old. We got ours from eBay for about £40. We had a really hard time choosing a breed that is right for all of us, its a very big decision and I'm glad you aren't taking it lightly. I bought a book called "what dog?" by Amanda O'Neil, it was very, very helpfull. Whilst I have nothing better to do (tucked up in bed, unwell) I'll give you the list of breeds in the medium to large section, it may give you some ideas. Medium Dogs Bulldog Basset Hound Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Staffordshire Bull Terrier Keeshond American Staffordhire Terrier (A.K.A Pitbull Terrier, illeagle in the UK, I think, someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Shar Pei (beautifull dogs, but very expensive ) Whippet Border Collie Bull Terrier Brittany English Springer Spaniel Norwegian Elkhound Chow Chow Samoyed Australian Shepherd Siberian Husky Large Dogs Bearded Collie Golden Retriever Rough Collie Labrador Retriever Ibizian Hound Boxer Hungarian Vizsla Airedale Terrier Dalmation Flat-Coated Retriever German Short-haired Pointer Chesapeake Bay Retriever Standard poodle Saluki Dogue De Bordeaux Italian Spinone Belgian Shepherd German Shepherd Old English Sheepdog Briard Weimaraner Bullmastiff Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Bloodhound Bernese Mountain Dog Alaskan Malamute English Setter Giant Schnauzer Doberman Irish Setter Neapolitan Mastiff Afghan Hound Newfoundland Mastiff Greyhound Pyrenean Mountain Dog St Bernard Deerhound Great Dane Borzoi Irish Wolfhound If any of those breeds stand out to you, let me know and I'll quote the information from the book for you. That's how bored I am! I've been in bed for days now *sigh.* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 tell me what it says about Bassets, chicken04 and I'll tell you if the information matches our experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I see American Bulldogs aren't on the Large Breed list.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I see American Bulldogs aren't on the Large Breed list.. What????? How could they? Poor Zeus; does he feel rejected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I see American Bulldogs aren't on the Large Breed list.. Sorry Rhapsody! I'll put an official complaint in to Amanda O'Neil for Zeus . Info on Basset Hounds for fowlbird. "How suitable are they a family dogs? Bassets make great family dogs. They are peaceful, sensible and non-aggressive, gentle with children and devoted to their family and friends. However, they may be too powerful and too stubborn for children to take for walks without parental supervision, and time must be made for their requirements. What type of home? The Basset is a fairly big dog, and needs space. He is happiest as a country dweller, but will adapt to apartment life and is quiet and sensible indoors, so long as he has several long walks a day. He does need company, or neighbours are likely to complain about his deep, musical voice. What type of owner? Bassets are not for the house-proud. They moult, drool, have a strong doggy smell and being low to the ground, pick up a lot of dirt. They need patient owners who appreciate a dog of independent character, enjoy long walks in all weathers and can provide plenty of company. Bassets hate being left alone. How compatible with other pets are they? The Basset's friendly nature means that he will usually get on well with other dogs. However, his innate hunting drive means that small household pets like cats and rabbits should be introduced with care. How much exercise? Bassets need a great deal of exercise, two good walks a day including the opportunity to run free off-lead. Allowing a Basset to become overweight and unfit it likely to lead to back problems. However, growing puppies should not be over-excited: build up walks gradually from six months onwards. How easy to train? The basset's reputation for being stubborn and self-willed is well earned. This in not a suitable breed for obedience enthusiasts. It is important to work on training recall, or you basset will follow his nose whenever he is off lead, happily deaf to your calls. Character trait: Attitude to other dogs: Excellent. Quietness: Poor. Not destructive: Good. Protective behavior: Poor. Not likely to stray: Poor. Good with children: Excellent. Ease for training: Poor." As you might have guessed, I'm still tucked up in bed, ill . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I would agree with one of the points of the basset hound. A lady walks her two bassets in the park - you can smell them before you see them It was quite interesting to see that they 'do' have a strong smell to them - I just thought she'd never given them a bath. They are quite friendly dogs though but they do drool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 It's good to see such a frank review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 thanks for that review, chicken04 How suitable are they as family dogs? They are peaceful, sensible and non-aggressive, gentle with children Oh, I wouldn’t say that about our Fred. Leave him alone and he was fine – disturb him in any way and you’d get the rough side of his tongue and a warning nip. He disliked children. What type of home? The Basset is a fairly big dog, and needs space. Yep! especially when he was sprawled out sleeping… He is happiest as a country dweller, he did love living in the country, we had happy times wandering along sniffing and looking at flowers and bumblebees etc but will adapt to apartment life and is quiet and sensible indoors, so long as he has several long walks a day. Fred’s natural habitat was his bed (or, before he came to us, the sofa) He does need company, or neighbours are likely to complain about his deep, musical voice. No, never a peep out of him – perhaps because he always had at least one other dog with him. He only barked if we left him in the garden too long. Dozens of posties and delivery men could be hammering on the door and he’d ignore them – ‘not my business’ he’d think. What type of owner? Bassets are not for the house-proud. They moult, drool, have a strong doggy smell and being low to the ground, pick up a lot of dirt. They need patient owners who appreciate a dog of independent character, enjoy long walks in all weathers Yerrsss… Did I tell you that Fred could hit the ceiling with his gob? And those depressed looking bassett jowels? They fill with drool and bits of twig and leaves and the whole lot gets thrown in all directions. How compatible with other pets are they? The Basset's friendly nature means that he will usually get on well with other dogs. He was actually quite picky over which dogs he spoke to and as he got older he got even more picky His best friend in Ireland was a cow, they spent 10-15 mins at a time just gazing into each others eyes, He looked for her for weeks after she was sent to market. However, his innate hunting drive means that small household pets like cats and rabbits should be introduced with care. No one told Fred that – he never harmed cats, kittens or rabbits and spent hours taking the chickens round the garden. He’d pick them up by one wing and carry them about for a while before dropping the unruffled chook yards from where he’d picked it up. He did have a very strong sense of smell and would spend ages tracking things round the garden. His sight and hearing were never good and sometimes on a walk he’d lose us. No problem – he’d track himself back to where he’d left us, if we’d moved on he’d then track our path – sometimes ending up just a few yards from where he’d started back tracking but having covered a lot more ground How much exercise? Bassets need a great deal of exercise, two good walks a day including the opportunity to run free off-lead. Allowing a Basset to become overweight and unfit it likely to lead to back problems.. If there was one thing Fred hated it was a good walk…. Several short rambles was his way, preferably not too far from his dinner bowl! His weight was always a problem and we had to watch how much we fed him. He was, quite honestly, the greediest dog I’ve ever met I wouldn't like anything I said above to put anyone off getting a basset, especially one from a rescue. They're all different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I should think you are overwhelmed with ideas now, poor you. I'm dog mad so I'll add my contribution. I own a Giant Schnauzer and although they are brilliant dogs, for a first time owner they are a bit of a handful for quite a while, Miniature schnauzers a lovely dogs, non-moulting, intelligent and easy to train. What about an Irish Terrier, they are not a small terrier, have a google. Fun dogs, fantastic with kids cheeky with loads of personality. Personally I would only take on a rescue if it were very young if I had young children, you don't know what has happened to the dog before you rescued it. I firmly believe there are bad owners not bad dogs. There are a lot of non-moulting dogs, schnauzers, poodles, Airedales are lovely dogs too and a threatened breed, I am pretty sure that will be my next dog. A dog is what you make it, you need to be firm with your training and stick to your rules, there are lots of simple things to do when you own a dog that makes the dog look to you as it's leader and not the other way around, this also makes the dog's life less stressful and they are much happier because of it. There was lots of talk on previous pages about GSD's, they are such clever wonderful dogs, Unfortunately I have to stick to the non-moulting varieties (OH = allergy thing). I have a friend who had an English setter, she was great, very gentle and placid, personally I don't like the drool from soft mouthed dogs, yards of the stuff, yuck. Good luck Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophia_chicken Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 A lot of rescue centres have adult dogs who have come from loving homes with cats, children etc who for what ever reason need new homes. Its all very well speculating about rescue dogs/ puppies but until you actually have a specific dog in mind its all academic. (Personally you coudn't pay me to have a puppy!) On the subject of Greyhounds though... After a fatality with 2 greyhounds versus chicken (Elsie) I wouldn't recomend them with chickens at all, although they do make great pets in other respects - ours are big bedbugs!!!!! SOPHIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
