What breed - dog
Discussion
Looking at getting a dog and ideally want to get a breed that suits or lifestyle, this is not to say the dog will have to fit in rather he/she will be OK with our routine.
My wife wants a border collie, I am not 100% as I have read they require a lot of mental stimulation.
So us - 25 y/o couple wife works part time I work full time, I could take the dog to work but would be in an empty industrial unit for 9-10 hrs with a walk at lunch and run/walk in the morning? exercise isn't a concern as I would love spending time with the dog running/walking.
We have a garden and big shed (summer house) where the dog would be at night, will heat and provide continuous access.
I would like to do some training with the dog but not too intensive.
We have no children however young kids in the family, our families love dogs oh and we have a cat!
Our house is small but want a decent size dog, collie is a great size, I am not keen on hair my wife says the hard floors mean it wont be too bad (we like it clean).
If you could give any pointers or experiences if you have been in a similar situation that would be great!
My wife wants a border collie, I am not 100% as I have read they require a lot of mental stimulation.
So us - 25 y/o couple wife works part time I work full time, I could take the dog to work but would be in an empty industrial unit for 9-10 hrs with a walk at lunch and run/walk in the morning? exercise isn't a concern as I would love spending time with the dog running/walking.
We have a garden and big shed (summer house) where the dog would be at night, will heat and provide continuous access.
I would like to do some training with the dog but not too intensive.
We have no children however young kids in the family, our families love dogs oh and we have a cat!
Our house is small but want a decent size dog, collie is a great size, I am not keen on hair my wife says the hard floors mean it wont be too bad (we like it clean).
If you could give any pointers or experiences if you have been in a similar situation that would be great!
Border collies need a lot of exercise, it's hard work rounding up sheep and they need to think too. They can get rather snappy. It's not too bad if they are with you all day, plenty ride around in various vehicles all day, I'd not leave any dog alone really, they don't like it at all.
Can i ask why you'd be putting the dog out in a shed overnight? Regardless of heated pads or whatever, theyre pack animals and dont like being separated from you or left alone.
Oh and the answer is always golden retreiver... collies need a lot of training excercise and keeping occupied.
Oh and the answer is always golden retreiver... collies need a lot of training excercise and keeping occupied.
Edited by Cupramax on Tuesday 28th February 18:34
As has been said, collies don't just need physical stimulation, they need mental stimulation too. They are best if they have some sort of job - OH had a couple of collies, but they were at work with him at an agricultural merchants so spent the whole day running up and down the drive and meeting customers. He wouldn't have one now 'just as a pet'. My best friend has a border collie who is a pet but he has always been very well exercised and he goes to work with her husband who is self employed. He (the dog) is older now, so that makes a difference to his needs.
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
Labrador? Staffy?
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
Labrador? Staffy?
Don't get a collie. Not as your first dog, not unless you have loads of time to give it.
Go to a rescue centre and get any old mongrel, it'll probably be some kind of lab/staff/jack russel cross type thing. Get the youngest most unmolested one you can find and they'll be fine being left in the house (in a cage to start with) or chilling out at your work after a period of settling. It will love you.
Go to a rescue centre and get any old mongrel, it'll probably be some kind of lab/staff/jack russel cross type thing. Get the youngest most unmolested one you can find and they'll be fine being left in the house (in a cage to start with) or chilling out at your work after a period of settling. It will love you.
moorx said:
As has been said, collies don't just need physical stimulation, they need mental stimulation too. They are best if they have some sort of job - OH had a couple of collies, but they were at work with him at an agricultural merchants so spent the whole day running up and down the drive and meeting customers. He wouldn't have one now 'just as a pet'. My best friend has a border collie who is a pet but he has always been very well exercised and he goes to work with her husband who is self employed. He (the dog) is older now, so that makes a difference to his needs.
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
Labrador? Staffy?
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
Any working type dog i.e spaniels or collies will be high energy and need stimulation. More than the average dog certainly. Also, keeping dogs outside is fine some of the time but why keep them outside all year round? If it's to keep the house clean then you probably won't get on with most dogs in your lifestyle. No matter how clean you keep things they will get your house, car, clothes etc a doggy smell to some extent.
Also has your other half had a dog before? My Mrs was desperate for a dog when we moved in together, fast forward a couple of years and she is no longer that interested in the 2 we acquired, especially now we have 2 young kids. She finds the smells and loose hair everywhere a total pain. We have kennels outside that we use sometimes when it is dry weather to give house a break or if we have lots of visitors round to stop the dogs getting under our feet.
In future we will stick to just one dog and we will choose a short haired breed.
I love dogs and wouldn't be without one but they aren't for everyone and you need to go in with your eyes open. Maybe borrow a friends dog for a week or so to see how it fits your life.
Also has your other half had a dog before? My Mrs was desperate for a dog when we moved in together, fast forward a couple of years and she is no longer that interested in the 2 we acquired, especially now we have 2 young kids. She finds the smells and loose hair everywhere a total pain. We have kennels outside that we use sometimes when it is dry weather to give house a break or if we have lots of visitors round to stop the dogs getting under our feet.
In future we will stick to just one dog and we will choose a short haired breed.
I love dogs and wouldn't be without one but they aren't for everyone and you need to go in with your eyes open. Maybe borrow a friends dog for a week or so to see how it fits your life.
joshcowin said:
We have a garden and big shed (summer house) where the dog would be at night, will heat and provide continuous access.
I would like to do some training with the dog but not too intensive.
We have no children however young kids in the family, our families love dogs oh and we have a cat!
Stick the cat in the shed and keep the dog indoorsI would like to do some training with the dog but not too intensive.
We have no children however young kids in the family, our families love dogs oh and we have a cat!
Shaw Tarse said:
moorx said:
As has been said, collies don't just need physical stimulation, they need mental stimulation too. They are best if they have some sort of job - OH had a couple of collies, but they were at work with him at an agricultural merchants so spent the whole day running up and down the drive and meeting customers. He wouldn't have one now 'just as a pet'. My best friend has a border collie who is a pet but he has always been very well exercised and he goes to work with her husband who is self employed. He (the dog) is older now, so that makes a difference to his needs.
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
Labrador? Staffy?
I'm unsure why you want the dog to sleep outside? I understand not everyone treats their dogs the same, but I wouldn't expect any of my dogs to sleep outside.
If you don't like hair, you might struggle with a collie....
If/when mankind makes it to Mars they will find various bits of rock, hair from my mums two Staffs, traces of water, hair from my mums two Staffs, fossils indicating life existed in the past, more hair from my mums two Staffs, potentially actual life and more bloody hair from my mums two Staffs!
If some form of intergalactic time/space warp drive unit were invented to allow mankind to travel anywhere in existance guess what would be found? Hair from my mums two Staffs!!
It might be because they're white but by christ do they moult!
FredClogs said:
Don't get a collie. Not as your first dog, not unless you have loads of time to give it.
Go to a rescue centre and get any old mongrel, it'll probably be some kind of lab/staff/jack russel cross type thing. Get the youngest most unmolested one you can find and they'll be fine being left in the house (in a cage to start with) or chilling out at your work after a period of settling. It will love you.
This is a sensible option. Maybe avoid something to 'terrier' like but there will certainly be a mongrel for you.Go to a rescue centre and get any old mongrel, it'll probably be some kind of lab/staff/jack russel cross type thing. Get the youngest most unmolested one you can find and they'll be fine being left in the house (in a cage to start with) or chilling out at your work after a period of settling. It will love you.
I imagine the idea of the dog sleeping in the garden/summerhouse sounds realistic to a first time dog owner but OP its unlikely to happen so dont count on it! A working Collie on a farm maybe...
I wouldnt want to leave a Collie home alone for prolonged periods but if it can go to work with you then that would be ok for most dogs imo.
I think people sometimes get a bit hung up on breeds, but you can get chilled Collies/Huskies and utterly neurotic Labs.
I wouldnt want to leave a Collie home alone for prolonged periods but if it can go to work with you then that would be ok for most dogs imo.
I think people sometimes get a bit hung up on breeds, but you can get chilled Collies/Huskies and utterly neurotic Labs.
Its a dangerous minefield you have stumbled into, everyone will say that their dog is the best breed for you to get, moulting dogs can be a real nightmare and they don't have to be long haired, none moulting ones normally need a GOOD daily brushing and do you need a dog with hypoallergenic fur or not?
Look at a young rescue dog, you can do some fostering as well to see what type of dog fits your lifestyle.
I have 2 Miniature Schnauzers, both have totally different characters, Lottie is quite a shy girl who doesn't like other dogs too much, especially ones that are boisterous, Max is still a pup at 11 weeks old v Lottie at nearly 17 months, he is a far more outgoing chap who is still finding his legs and gives poor Lottie a good runaround sometimes as he, being a pup, can be boisterous (hopefully he will calm down a touch the older he gets), but both are both lovely in their own way.
Lottie does well with a short walk (a couple of miles, normally taking me into the pub, not a trick I taught her but one that she did all by herself, what a good girl dragging her dad screaming into a pub
), but she can happily do 10 miles if she wanted to.
Miniature Schnauzers suit my lifestyle perfectly, they are not over keen on being left for long periods of time and are very friendly dogs, you won't be able to lock them outside as they will let you know that they are displeased with your wrong decision, and they can be ever so slightly stubborn.
I think the Kennel Club have a "which dog suits your lifestyle" feature >>> http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-p... but this wont take any cross into account and a cross like a lab/poodle cross may have a totally different character to either breed.
If you have a dogs home near you then go visit, take the dogs for walks if they do that there, you will learn what you want from a dog and what is required from them, that is just the beginning, the commitment is then yours
Look at a young rescue dog, you can do some fostering as well to see what type of dog fits your lifestyle.
I have 2 Miniature Schnauzers, both have totally different characters, Lottie is quite a shy girl who doesn't like other dogs too much, especially ones that are boisterous, Max is still a pup at 11 weeks old v Lottie at nearly 17 months, he is a far more outgoing chap who is still finding his legs and gives poor Lottie a good runaround sometimes as he, being a pup, can be boisterous (hopefully he will calm down a touch the older he gets), but both are both lovely in their own way.
Lottie does well with a short walk (a couple of miles, normally taking me into the pub, not a trick I taught her but one that she did all by herself, what a good girl dragging her dad screaming into a pub
), but she can happily do 10 miles if she wanted to.Miniature Schnauzers suit my lifestyle perfectly, they are not over keen on being left for long periods of time and are very friendly dogs, you won't be able to lock them outside as they will let you know that they are displeased with your wrong decision, and they can be ever so slightly stubborn.
I think the Kennel Club have a "which dog suits your lifestyle" feature >>> http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-p... but this wont take any cross into account and a cross like a lab/poodle cross may have a totally different character to either breed.
If you have a dogs home near you then go visit, take the dogs for walks if they do that there, you will learn what you want from a dog and what is required from them, that is just the beginning, the commitment is then yours
Cupramax said:
Can i ask why you'd be putting the dog out in a shed overnight? Regardless of heated pads or whatever, theyre pack animals and dont like being separated from you or left alone.
Oh and the answer is always golden retreiver... collies need a lot of training excercise and keeping occupied.
In the shed because I don't see the difference in that or being downstairs, the dog would be comfortable and if it hated it it could sleep inside! Oh and the answer is always golden retreiver... collies need a lot of training excercise and keeping occupied.
Edited by Cupramax on Tuesday 28th February 18:34
I love animals and wouldn't do anything to distress one!!
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