Breed choice (what are NIs like as pets) General Chat

Since the emergence of the story about the St Bernards earlier this month, my interest in owning another dog has arisen again and I was looking at getting another St B, after fostering one a few years ago for a considerable length of time BUT now I'm torn.

I remember what a joy Bear was to have around, but I also know of all the problems the breed has HD, heart defects, skeletal problems,the eyelid inside out thing and also the short life span.

For the past few days I have been researching Huskys Malamutes and Inuits and I must say I think Inuits are such a bonny breed (up until I joined Dogsey I had never actually heard of the N.I breed before)

I have read all about the breed standard and other info, temprament etc but I was wondering what the people that own N.I's as pets say.

Hi Lee. Personally I love the NI's. Like most breeds, there are some out there with health problems, but if you get a good one, they are a delight. There's many on here and they're all totally gorgeous - I'd have any one of them in a heartbeat.

I'm sure all the NI owners will let you know their feelings.....

Good luck with whatever you decide!

As Vicki says all breeds have problems, if I can help at all with your search for a healthy N.I I will be as honest and open as I can with you...
as pets they are big cuddle monsters, very social, love attention, love everyone to say hello when out on walks, do tend to jump up so early training with this is a must, my big guy is 2 1/2 and still forgets his manners with this...
get on great with other dogs, all dogs do with good socialisation, Inka is a happy soul, happy to do what we do, loves his walks runs in the car being involved, I was trying to paint the skirtings in the livingroom and if he couldv'e held the brush he would have been right in there, my guy is tops, sharea a brain with his sister but apart from that, he is a big pleasure to have around xx sorry I sound really bias don't I lol x

Ah, the delightful "Mr Inky Stinky" - one of the special ones for me

Hi
I change like the wind when I got my 1st springer I was looking for a lab when I got my 2nd was looking for a lab but got springer then looked for a 3rd springer and got a lab.
Was looking at Mastifs then got Kato the NI.
Then was looking at rotties and GSD and now might keep a boxer pup LOL

And all loved equally so maybe they do kinda choose us.

My main concern is the training and their temprament with children. My kids are 4 and 6 (or will be by Jan 10th). From an early age they both had respect for animals impressed upon them, since my son ws about 6 months old we have had a variety of animals,mainly rats, hamsters and at one point last year we had 9 cats (thats another story) and both are careful and respectful where animals are concerned.

Compared to other breeds, such as BC or Lab, how easily trained are they

mine were never overly boistrous or any thing they were never allowed to be, they do train well and understand things quick but just seem slow to the command lol you can tell inka to sit, but it wouldn't be at the speed my EBT sits lol, but he does do it,its like delayed reaction, and they love kids,my 2 weren't brought up with any but love all the nieghbors kids, and they love stinky, can't get past most days xx

is that the wee x's you just got delivered

Well I'm convinced, but after researching the breed for the past few days, the info coming up about them is starting to recycle itself, I think it's perhaps time to find someone local who has a NI who wouldn't mine meeting up for a chat, especially as the missus isn't convinced. I was telling her about NI's today, the breed history etc and when I mentioned that there was a bit of GSD somewhere in them she was quite hesitant (when she was a kid she was attacked by a neighboring GSD) even though I did explain that the GSD was mainly bred in for the intelligence trait, NOT the guard dog trait.

Hi,

I have 3 dogs - one pure bred GSD and 2 GSD x breeds and it's the x breeds that train most easily. My big GSD, lovely as he is, is stupid and although he knows every command going, whether he actually does what I ask him takes time. I can almost see him thinking abotu it but that's another story.

I got my GSDs partly because I grew up with them and I know their temperament etc. My main concern was my young Son who is just 4 years old. he was trerrified of dogs until I brought Zanehome at 6 weeks old and now, even sitting down, Zane is bigger than he is.

So long as a dog is well respected, cared for and is given proper guidance and leadership, the relationship beteen that dog and people couldn't be better.
As all responsible dog owners will train their dogs properly anyway, I would definitely recommend the GSD (or a breed that contains GSD DNA) to people who have children. My earliest memory of a GSD was Bess, my grandparents dog whose back I used to ride on when I was about 3 yars old.

Having said all that - when I had my first 2 dogs and was considering gettign my 3rd I desperately wanted another GSD. I ended up with Murphy (GSD/Rough Collie x breed). He looks like and has the temperament of a Collie - nothing like a GSD at all but the main thing with getting a new dog should always be how they are with children as a breed generally (assuming you have a young family or course). The rest you can work on, but this is one of themost important things as obviously you don't want to end up having to rehome or PTS a dog who wasn't suited to a particular home.

I totally agree with what you're doing though. I would definitely ask around, meet up with owners of the breed(s) yo're interested in and get a feel for the breed.

Finally, if anyone out there is cautious or apprehensive around GSDs (maybe because of a nasty expereince previously), please feel free to come and meet mine. He's lovely and wouldn't hurt a fly (wouldn't know how). I know he'd be able to restore a little faith in the GSD breed.

Laura xx

Since my dad's St B passed away a few years ago he has had GSD's. When I first took Mandy to meet him I told her that he had GSD's and she was sh1tt1n herself, even after both myself and my dad assured her that they were harmless (which they were) even though the dog Midge was the same size of a St B and really imposing, when she saw the dogs they could instantly sence her fear and started to bark but they calmed down when told.

That was 7 years ago though, since then she has become alot better when faced with a GSD, she's OK with other strange dogs as long as someone else is there with her. I think it's just the impression the GSD made on her when she was young (she was only about 2/3 at the time) any sort of trauma at that age is bound to leave a lasting pscycological impression

Try as I might, I can't seem to locate any NI owners or breeders in this area. I don't suppose anyone here knows of any in the Boro/Stockton/Redcar area do they?

Another question. Whats the difference between Ute's and NI's? From what I have researched there seems to be a difference in opinion as to the breeding history, some Ute owners/breeders say that the breeding is the same as NI, they just wanted to call them something different. Others say they were also bred with collie, a bit of Belgian sheepdog

I am sorry your wife had a bad experience with a GSD when she was a child :-( Would she consider owning one from a pup - it may help her overcome her fear?

If you have definitely decided on a NI though, it is a very good idea to meet up with some owners and their dogs to get the lowdown on them.

It sounds to me as though your GSD is very intelligent and has you trained The GSDs I have shared my life with have always been very trainable.

As you have said, GSDs are fabulous dogs with children, especially when brought up with them from a pup.

Here is my son and one of my GSDs, Yogi. I can already see they are going to be the best of friends

I honestly couldn't say. I have considered some form of hypnotherapy treatment to help her get over her fear

I can't agree more with that. When I took my son at 9 months to my dads, his youngest dog Midget gave Jay a sniff then parked beside him for the duration of the visit. Anyone that came towards Jay immediatley got Midgets attention and he watched them until they walked away, very protective in a passive sort of way

Well, it looks like the missus is convinced, BUT (it's a good but) it looks like I may have to have 2, purely in order to decrease any seperation anxiety you understand ;-)

NI or gsd?

Northern Inuit

well, after a lenghy discussion last night with Mandy we have discovered that Mandy has her heart set on a St Bernard and I on a NI, so what to do? toss a coin?

if intorduced to eachother at a young enough age, would the 2 differing breeds get along with eachother? once they get to their optimum size would the NI feel intimidated by the size of the St Ber?

opinions anyone?