First Dog Advice
Discussion
thanks in advance for any advice
finally decided to get my first dog
bit of background -
me and my wife have always wanted a dog but said we would be responible and wait until we were ready
now having moved to a house with a decent garden etc we are ready
the house also came with a professionally installed dog run that links to the garage - there was access once thats now blocked but ill get it opened again
hoping to get the dog in early summer
important points
we have 2 young girls - come May the oldest will be 2 and the young 6 months
the dog must be good with kids
it will be by itself in the garden during working hours - so something that can amuse itself and wont bark all day
medium sized that requires 1 walk a day
tight hair with minimal casting would be great
my initial thoughts were
choc lab
welsh terrior
weimaraner
any advice suggestions etc are very welcome
finally decided to get my first dog
bit of background -
me and my wife have always wanted a dog but said we would be responible and wait until we were ready
now having moved to a house with a decent garden etc we are ready
the house also came with a professionally installed dog run that links to the garage - there was access once thats now blocked but ill get it opened again
hoping to get the dog in early summer
important points
we have 2 young girls - come May the oldest will be 2 and the young 6 months
the dog must be good with kids
it will be by itself in the garden during working hours - so something that can amuse itself and wont bark all day
medium sized that requires 1 walk a day
tight hair with minimal casting would be great
my initial thoughts were
choc lab
welsh terrior
weimaraner
any advice suggestions etc are very welcome
I would suggest a rescue dog but I would be wary of not knowing a dogs background especially with young kids although if you take your time the right rescue dog could be out there ideally if it's a dog that's been fostered rather than kenneled and someone has really got to know the dog
Considered a Staffy?
Wonderful with kids and wonderful family dogs ignore the stigma attached to the breed due to a minority of idiot owners
Considered a Staffy?
Wonderful with kids and wonderful family dogs ignore the stigma attached to the breed due to a minority of idiot owners
Very few rescue centres will rehome to the set up the OP is suggesting.
Tbh any breed of dog us going to be prone to barking if left outside for long periods. Got kennelled dogs just down from me, any unexpected noise sets them off.
They are also at higher risk of being stolen if outside a lot. I'll have a think on quiet breeds that will be happy to be outside living and good family dogs!
Welsh or Irish Terrier may work.
Chocolate labs lovely but often very hyper, may bowl the girls over!
Weimaraner biggish breed prone to separation anxiety, not sure would do the outdoor living so well.
Tbh any breed of dog us going to be prone to barking if left outside for long periods. Got kennelled dogs just down from me, any unexpected noise sets them off.
They are also at higher risk of being stolen if outside a lot. I'll have a think on quiet breeds that will be happy to be outside living and good family dogs!
Welsh or Irish Terrier may work.
Chocolate labs lovely but often very hyper, may bowl the girls over!
Weimaraner biggish breed prone to separation anxiety, not sure would do the outdoor living so well.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 18th February 02:10
Thanks for the replies so far
I had wanted a rescue dog but due to the kids my wife wants to have it from a pup and make sure it's raised and trained right
Also it's for my 30th birthday present.
I like the look of the terriers and think they would be a good fit size wish - ill do some more in depth reading on them
Not too worried about it being stolen, we are pretty rural and the garden is pretty secure
I had wanted a rescue dog but due to the kids my wife wants to have it from a pup and make sure it's raised and trained right
Also it's for my 30th birthday present.
I like the look of the terriers and think they would be a good fit size wish - ill do some more in depth reading on them
Not too worried about it being stolen, we are pretty rural and the garden is pretty secure
We have a dog run at work and one of the guys bought a retriever pup Oct last year.
He is in the run (outside with a kennel) every working day since he was a pup.
He seems happy enough and doesn't bark much unless it's lunch time.
He is very docile too and his training is going well.
He gets one walk a day (short at the moment).
I on the other hand have a vizsla and he wouldn't be happy about being left outside most of the day.
He is in the run (outside with a kennel) every working day since he was a pup.
He seems happy enough and doesn't bark much unless it's lunch time.
He is very docile too and his training is going well.
He gets one walk a day (short at the moment).
I on the other hand have a vizsla and he wouldn't be happy about being left outside most of the day.
Don't think a Weim is the dog for you, they require far too much mental & physical stimulation for your proposed setup (lovely looking dogs tho!). Have a read here, everything they need is counter to what you could provide I'm afraid: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/weimaraner.htm
What do you mean when you say one walk a day? One walk then left all day? Left then a walk at lunchtime then left again? Left all day then a walk?
In my experience, there are not many dogs who are happy with one walk a day, unless they are elderly or very low energy. It may be okay for a young puppy, whose exercise needs to be restricted, but once you have a young/teenage dog, it might not be sufficient - particularly for some (if not all of the breeds) you mention.
Could you not walk the dog twice a day?
In my experience, there are not many dogs who are happy with one walk a day, unless they are elderly or very low energy. It may be okay for a young puppy, whose exercise needs to be restricted, but once you have a young/teenage dog, it might not be sufficient - particularly for some (if not all of the breeds) you mention.
Could you not walk the dog twice a day?
325Ti said:
Thanks for the replies so far
I had wanted a rescue dog but due to the kids my wife wants to have it from a pup and make sure it's raised and trained right
I like the look of the terriers and think they would be a good fit size wish - ill do some more in depth reading on them
We had a 3 month old pup from dogs trust. They don't seem to put the pups on the website, but when we visited (looking for a mature dog) they had just had a litter of pups over from Ireland. Also in the (separate) puppy unit they had bI had wanted a rescue dog but due to the kids my wife wants to have it from a pup and make sure it's raised and trained right
I like the look of the terriers and think they would be a good fit size wish - ill do some more in depth reading on them
hes giving birth.
Edited by PositronicRay on Wednesday 18th February 11:34
I'm slightly confused you want a dog but can only be walked once a day why? as said before can you not walk it before work or after
I'm up at 5,30 every morning and give my boy (English springer x Lurcher) a 6mile walk then we do that when I get home no matter what time or weather, most dogs of the size you are looking at will need more than one walk a day, Plus only 1 walk will mean more dogs mess to clear up in the garden, and on another note the dog will get very excited when you or missus gets home with the child which may be even more of a danger
I have a 3 year old when she was born we just got our dog and he has been excellent but you don't just train the dog your training your child how to act with the dog as well
Al
I'm up at 5,30 every morning and give my boy (English springer x Lurcher) a 6mile walk then we do that when I get home no matter what time or weather, most dogs of the size you are looking at will need more than one walk a day, Plus only 1 walk will mean more dogs mess to clear up in the garden, and on another note the dog will get very excited when you or missus gets home with the child which may be even more of a danger
I have a 3 year old when she was born we just got our dog and he has been excellent but you don't just train the dog your training your child how to act with the dog as well
Al
Quite a narrow criteria op, not many dogs will fulfil your situation and ones that do have the risk of needing more from you
There are a few dogs out there that give you what you want, but realisticly dogs take up a lot of ones time, even if they are an easy breed.
I would wait a few more years until you have more time and the kids are older
For example, my dogs can be left for up to 8 hours a day, one of them 8 hours a day in a freezing cold -1 garage. But that is just the odd day here or there, maybe 1 or 2 days a week. Not many dogs can be left working hours alone day in day out, the ones that can and be ok , are because they are in an established home and family they have been with for years and generally older dogs.
Plus when dogs get left they get frustrated and their behaviour can change/escalate which isn't great round young kids
There are a few dogs out there that give you what you want, but realisticly dogs take up a lot of ones time, even if they are an easy breed.
I would wait a few more years until you have more time and the kids are older
For example, my dogs can be left for up to 8 hours a day, one of them 8 hours a day in a freezing cold -1 garage. But that is just the odd day here or there, maybe 1 or 2 days a week. Not many dogs can be left working hours alone day in day out, the ones that can and be ok , are because they are in an established home and family they have been with for years and generally older dogs.
Plus when dogs get left they get frustrated and their behaviour can change/escalate which isn't great round young kids
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Wednesday 18th February 12:02
Thanks for the comments.
In terms of excerise I'm sure I could walk before and after work plus it would get plenty of attention and play time in the evenings.
Would that not be enough for a medium size dog?
I've had family and friends with bigger dogs - labs etc who were walked once in the evening after work and were perfectly happy and well behaved dogs.
In terms of excerise I'm sure I could walk before and after work plus it would get plenty of attention and play time in the evenings.
Would that not be enough for a medium size dog?
I've had family and friends with bigger dogs - labs etc who were walked once in the evening after work and were perfectly happy and well behaved dogs.
I have to say, I took mine out yesterday lunchtime on a regular walk in a local country park, and I was amazed at the number of dogs (and owners and half-terming children) who were there - probably 10 times more dogs than usual.
Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
When I do occasionally have to go out, I use local dog walker who comes in at lunchtime and gives him an hour's walk - have you considered that, there seem to be any number of businesses offering that these days?
Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
When I do occasionally have to go out, I use local dog walker who comes in at lunchtime and gives him an hour's walk - have you considered that, there seem to be any number of businesses offering that these days?
TwistingMyMelon said:
Quite a narrow criteria op, not many dogs will fulfil your situation and ones that do have the risk of needing more from you
There are a few dogs out there that give you what you want, but realisticly dogs take up a lot of ones time, even if they are an easy breed.
I would wait a few more years until you have more time and the kids are older
For example, my dogs can be left for up to 8 hours a day, one of them 8 hours a day in a freezing cold -1 garage. But that is just the odd day here or there, maybe 1 or 2 days a week. Not many dogs can be left working hours alone day in day out, the ones that can and be ok , are because they are in an established home and family they have been with for years and generally older dogs.
Plus when dogs get left they get frustrated and their behaviour can change/escalate which isn't great round young kids
+1There are a few dogs out there that give you what you want, but realisticly dogs take up a lot of ones time, even if they are an easy breed.
I would wait a few more years until you have more time and the kids are older
For example, my dogs can be left for up to 8 hours a day, one of them 8 hours a day in a freezing cold -1 garage. But that is just the odd day here or there, maybe 1 or 2 days a week. Not many dogs can be left working hours alone day in day out, the ones that can and be ok , are because they are in an established home and family they have been with for years and generally older dogs.
Plus when dogs get left they get frustrated and their behaviour can change/escalate which isn't great round young kids
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Wednesday 18th February 12:02
I have had dogs when working full time, but I had arrangements in place for them to be walked at lunchtime, then I walked them again in the evening. Even so, these were older, low energy dogs, and always more than one, so that they had company. I wouldn't contemplate leaving a puppy for 4 hours, let alone 8 hours! I know other people do, but I couldn't. One of the main reasons dogs end up in rescue is that they outgrow the 'cute puppy' stage and turn into 'teenagers'
The 'teenage' stage can be testing enough without potential problems caused by inadequate exercise/stimulation.325Ti said:
Thanks for the comments.
In terms of excerise I'm sure I could walk before and after work plus it would get plenty of attention and play time in the evenings.
Would that not be enough for a medium size dog?
I've had family and friends with bigger dogs - labs etc who were walked once in the evening after work and were perfectly happy and well behaved dogs.
Size doesn't really come into it; it really does depend on the individual dog. You can't make generalisations about what will 'be enough' for any dog, or even any breed. Some collies are quite laid back, some would work 24 hours a day if you let them. In terms of excerise I'm sure I could walk before and after work plus it would get plenty of attention and play time in the evenings.
Would that not be enough for a medium size dog?
I've had family and friends with bigger dogs - labs etc who were walked once in the evening after work and were perfectly happy and well behaved dogs.
Having said that, most of the breeds you have mentioned are what I would regard as 'high maintenance' in terms of exercise and attention.
Our two, a westie & a working cocker have always had one walk a day. They're let in the garden 2-3 times a day to pee & they are in the office with me all day.
I personally wouldn't be happy leaving a dog, especially an active one, home alone all day but some people find it perfectly acceptable. If you have neighbours they may not be too impressed if your new dog howls & barks all day which is very possible.
I personally wouldn't be happy leaving a dog, especially an active one, home alone all day but some people find it perfectly acceptable. If you have neighbours they may not be too impressed if your new dog howls & barks all day which is very possible.
Boxer's are excellent with children and will put up with pretty much anything. They're also very easy to train and will guard your place. 
They are generally okay with being left but will need someone with them when they are very young but this would apply to any dog, dogs can't really be left until they get old enough to know what's going on.
They are generally okay with being left but will need someone with them when they are very young but this would apply to any dog, dogs can't really be left until they get old enough to know what's going on.CAPP0 said:
I have to say, I took mine out yesterday lunchtime on a regular walk in a local country park, and I was amazed at the number of dogs (and owners and half-terming children) who were there - probably 10 times more dogs than usual.
Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
Pisses me off, walk all through the winter & see a few die hards, the minute the sun shines there are bloody dozens of them & you find even more bags of dog poo hanging in the hedges than normal Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
LordHaveMurci said:
CAPP0 said:
I have to say, I took mine out yesterday lunchtime on a regular walk in a local country park, and I was amazed at the number of dogs (and owners and half-terming children) who were there - probably 10 times more dogs than usual.
Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
Pisses me off, walk all through the winter & see a few die hards, the minute the sun shines there are bloody dozens of them & you find even more bags of dog poo hanging in the hedges than normal Where are all these dogs every other week? Unfortunately I suspect they are sitting at home doing nothing whilst their owners are at work/school. Doesn't make it right. Not criticising, OP, but leaving it all day is less than ideal. Maybe better than being stuck in a rescue kennel, but still….
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