I've just found out that I've got a job which means that I'm finally in a position to get a 2nd dog I'm not going to be getting one too soon as I want to pass my driving test first but I'm hoping that I'll be in a position to get the dog early-mid 2012. My problem is that I have no idea what breeds are best suited to my lifestyle. I really like Elkhounds, Rotties and Springers but I don't know if any of them are suitable. What I'm looking for: - A medium sized dog that can happily exist with an hour/hour and a half of walking/running per day plus a few 5-10 minute walks in between. - A dog that will also quite happily lounge in bed/on the sofa while I'm at work. A dog that needed to be constantly on the go wouldn't suit me or Molly. - A dog that I can successfully train a good recall with. I know this is to do with training but I also know there are a few breeds that are known for having typically poor recalls. - A dog that can cope without a garden because I currently live in a ground floor flat (Although I'm hoping to have found somewhere with a garden by the time I get my 2nd dog). - A dog that is known for being affectionate with more than one person. My OH lives with me three days a week and will be living with me permanently as of the new year so I want a breed that will love both of us as opposed to a breed that is typically thought of as a 'one person dog' or 'aloof'. He loves Molly and she adores him but she is still very much my dog so I'd like to get a dog that he can do stuff with and feel a connection with too. - A breed that is intelligent. What I can offer - Lots of training and mental stimulation. My boyfriend really loves training and I want a dog I can take to agility/HWTM classes so between us the dog will be taken to lots of different things. - An hour/ an hour and a half of walking per day and more at weekends plus lots of walks in different places (We like to get the train and go for walks elsewhere). - Lots of time and interaction with me. Molly is essentially my life and I spend all my time with her so any other dog would be a part of that too - I work full time but the dogs would either be dropped off at my mum's during the day with access to a large enclosed garden or would be walked at lunch by a dog walker.
Older Golden Retriever or Labrador? Cavalier? good old mutt? they could match your requirements, provided you get the right dog. Rescues might hold that fact you are working full time and live in a flat against you though. :? (PS, have you jacked Uni in now then?)
I have indeed and feeling much better for it! As of next Monday I start work as a graphic design apprentice/print room assistant Very very thankful for the job as I just knew uni wasn't for me. I hadn't thought of a lab but now that you mention it, they'd be perfect for what I'm after I like Golden Retrievers but I think their long coats might be a bit much for me. And I hadn't thought of a CKC actually but I'd be interested to see if they'd be a good fit. The only thing I'd be worried about is heart conditions? And yeah, I'm hoping if I go with a breed rescue as opposed to a rescue kennel that they might be a bit more accommodating about me working full time. Otherwise I might have to rehome privately as I don't think I'd want a puppy :? Thanks! I think I'll look into them and see if they'd be a good fit Do you know if there are still big problems with heart issues in the breed?
I would love another MinPin, I must admit Just not sure if I can handle the risk of more Luxating Patellas all over again after the trouble I've had with Molly.. A dobe is a good suggestion though, might see if they'd be a good fit as well
Have to say I know everyone always says there own breed, but a staffy ticks all your boxes! Lazy when they need to be, Love their walks but don't need too much, fairly intelligent if they feel like it!, love everyone!, like to play and do well at agility obedience etc if you want to do that. Tonnes in rescue and can cope without garden and if you go to s breed rescue with history on dog etc then should get good temperament idea and also not too many issues with working hours etc
Thanks for the suggestion! I love staffies but hadn't even thought of them (Perhaps because, like labs, they're so obviously a good choice that I forgot them!). There seem to be a few breed rescues for them, is there one you would suggest? ETA: Found one in Leicester but it seems they require that you have a contained garden :-(
Lurcher! Pharaoh is more or less the perfect dog. Lazy when I want him to be, alert when I need him to be and cuddly the rest of the time. Plus lots in rescue
Aah I hadn't thought of Lurchers either! Pharaoh sounds lovely This is going to be so difficult to choose. I was sure there wouldn't be many breeds who suited my requirements but there are so many and they're all breeds I like! Maybe I should just get one of each...
OK, I am also pushing MY breed, but it does seem to fit. - A breed that is intelligent. What can I say - A medium sized dog that can happily exist with an hour/hour and a half of walking/running per day plus a few 5-10 minute walks in between. As long as the hour is off lead mad field running, and hour/hour and a half is fine. - A dog that will also quite happily lounge in bed/on the sofa while I'm at work. A dog that needed to be constantly on the go wouldn't suit me or Molly. OK, I don't leave mine alone for more than an hour or two, but they are dead to the world anyway after their walk. Routine is a wonderful thing. - A dog that I can successfully train a good recall with. I know this is to do with training but I also know there are a few breeds that are known for having typically poor recalls. (Insert smilie for smug bc owning smirk here) - A dog that can cope without a garden because I currently live in a ground floor flat (Although I'm hoping to have found somewhere with a garden by the time I get my 2nd dog). As long as the walks are sufficient, and you are able to take the dog somewhere to wee or poo when it needs to, I see no problem for the dogs, just more work for you. As far as affection goes, mine is a total baby, an abject Mummies boy, unless Mummy tells him to bog off, then he will go and be an abject Daddies boy...
Ooh you've made my job even harder now I do love BCs and my OH was brought up with one so I know he would be thrilled if I got a BC.. I'd just discounted them because the ones I've met have been the sort to need to be on the go 24/7. If they are happy to expel all their energy doing mad zoomies in the fields for an hour and a half though they'd be a perfect match for Molly.. Hadn't thought about a Whippet actually! I've never met one in person though so I don't know much about their temperament or how big they actually are. I think perhaps I'm going to have to try and go to Discover Dogs so I can meet a Whippet and a few other breeds
If you phone around and go a wee bit out your area too- rescue remedies etc then you may well get more flexibility and phone them anyway and be specific about what you CAN offer! I would only turn someone down on no garden if they wanted a specific dog that was already used to a garden- many Staffies have probably never had a garden!
Yeah, I figured I'd probably have to go further afield if I wanted to rescue. I might contact the local rescue anyway just to say what I can offer and see whether they will at least keep me in mind And I hadn't thought of Rescue Remedies actually but they're not a ridiculous distance from me so they're always a possibility
