Hi all, we have seen a gorgeous cross puppy, mum is a gsd x collie and dad is a dalmation. We are not exactly new to dog ownership, we both grew up with dogs and also owned a newfie of our own. We are just wondering what your thoughts would be on this cross puppy, we have not owned any of the breeds mentioned. what are your thoughts please
With crosses there's no way of knowing how many traits from which parent you will get - it's pretty much pot luck. Can you see either of the parents?
Hello Vicki, yes we can see both parents, I agree about the not knowing. I think that i'm more concerned about the guarding aspect as we have no experience of that.
It will really depend on which traits come out strongest. But what I would say is that all three breeds are 'high maintenance' breeds - i.e. they need a lot of mental stimulation as well as a good amount of exercise. Also, they are all breeds that can 'take the mick' out of their owners if they are not taught manners from day one and the owner is not consitent with them. Personally I love all 3 breeds and the mix wouldn't phase me, but as your first dog of your own, it may not be the easiest mix (then again if you get the 'best bits' from each breed, you could be laughing ) If its a crossbreed you are after, have you thought of going to a rescue shelter? There are so many different dogs needing homes and not all have had a bad life or have problems - some have been given up because their owners have died etc. Anyway, just a thought
Hi Hali, we had thought of a rescue but were concened about being turned down as we have a 5yr child and 2 cats.
Some rescues will refuse very young children - 5 year old is border line, but there are definitely rescues that will consider you. The cats wouldn't be a problem either - the good rescues will 'cat test' each dog and say whether they think they can live with cats or not.
Is this a deliberately bred litter ? Have the parents been health tested ? There are several common genetic conditions(Hip Dysplasia for one, deafness for another)between the breeds & I would be most concerned for the health of the puppies if the parents have been deliberately bred together & not health tested. I'm not a "breedist"snob, I've had mongrels/crossbreeds in the past, sadly nearly all had severe health problems, mainly because the parents were never health tested. If the breeders claim it is an "accidental"litter IMHO no such thing exists & the litter is either deliberate or negiligent. The only guarding breed in the mix is the Dalmatian, were originally bred as carriage dogs to protect their owners from highwaymen/women & "footpads". Neither GSD nor BCs are guarding breeds they are herding breeds.
thanks for your replys, i think that we will look in to the rescue option, as i think that the pups in question may a bit too much for 1st time owners.
Hi, As already stated you may get the good or bad traits of any of the breeds you've mentioned. I tihknk even if your pup (assuming you have one from thislitter) is healthy, you could very well end up with it having an exceptionally st5ong herding instinct where your 5 year old may well get "herded" around depending on what the dogs want. I know that when I'm in the park with my GSDs if Oscar has come with us (he's just coming up to 5 years old), he'll run off. I know he's safe with the dogs and they will herd him back to me. He has no choice as it doesn't matter which way he turns they head him off. It's only in the park and when he runs any distance from me where I couldn't get to him within about 3 seconds if something were to happen. I'm not trying to put you off, but the last thing you need is your dogs practising their herding expertise on your child in the house. Laura xx
Thanks Laura, I do have a feeling that these pups are not for us. I am also not sure if this was a planned mating or not, but there has been no mention of health checks which would concern me a great deal. I think that we will keep looking for our new family member, the comments made on here were ones that I had been thinking myself, I guess that I wanted confirmation about the herding instints. Many thanks.
I think you're right to go the rescue route. You could get a cracking dog, slightly older, that is used to children and safe with cats. There are so many dogs in rescue through no fault of their own. I hope you find a perfect match
