Which dog breed?

Author
Discussion

Landlord

Original Poster:

12,689 posts

256 months

Monday 11th May 2015
quotequote all
Hello,

Not sure of the best forum so trying the lounge...

We are looking at getting a dog but we have no idea what breeds to consider. Our circumstances are a little unusual and so don't really fit with the online "What Breed" Q&A sites.

Our circumstances are:

Our home is a pub! Moderate to small living area (2.5 bedrooms) with a large garden (1 acre). Always someone around near enough (maybe a couple of random hours a week where there isn't).

Dog must be comfortable with other dogs/safe around children/docile enough to leave people alone - think classic pub dog, we won't just let it wander anywhere but if it's out in the garden it needs to be comfortable around strangers. We have plenty of time to give it exercise - including the huge garden for it to run around.

We'd like it to bark when, for example, our private front door goes (to alert us to strangers) but obviously with being a pub, it shouldn't bark for every single disturbance.

We've got two children 7 and 9.

No allergies or anything. Grooming shouldn't be a problem but we'd prefer short haired dogs.

My current thoughts are a chocolate lab but that's pretty much only because I've seen one! We've just lost a dog (well, my parents dog who lived with us) who was a staff/boxer cross and she had most of these qualities - apart from being a bit too territorial and therefore not good to leave out with other customers' dogs.

We're happy to have a rescue dog but would need to really know what we're looking for first. We'd prefer a puppy too so we can train from an early age.

Any suggestions peeps?

Thanks!

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Even before I read further down, I was going to say Lab.

However, they will eat absolutely everything and anything (more than any breed I've ever known) so if it gets spoilt by the locals you could end up with a very lardy dog unless it gets tons of exercise.

technodup

7,576 posts

129 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Retriever. How could you not want one of these? Friendly, bark, don't get as fat as labs and nobody's scared of them.

Gargamel

14,957 posts

260 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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German Shepherd, would be my vote.

Can be trained to a high degree, especially if well socialised as a puppy.

Also, and don't take this the wrong way, some dogs would be fantastic front of house, happy to be fussed over and mild mannered. Beagle, bulldog etc

But even Labs like downtime and can get stressed if they are always in the crowd.

A GSD will be friendly, but not everyone will be approaching it to find out !


moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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I've not owned either myself, but I would agree with the suggestion of Lab or Golden Retriever as pretty 'bombproof' dogs. From what I've heard, though, some chocolate labs can be quite a handful (compared with yellow or black labs).

Labs and GRs do come up in rescue, but you may struggle to find a puppy of either breed in rescue.

It might be worth posting in 'All Creatures Great and Small' as there are lots of dog owners in there....

Good luck smile

tomsugden

2,232 posts

227 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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A flat coated retreiver would be my choice. Like this http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://uploa...

Al U

2,311 posts

130 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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After reading that, I'd suggest a door bell.

Dusty964

6,919 posts

189 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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A labradoodle.


scdan4

1,299 posts

159 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Mastiff.

Big, friendly giant.

With a garden like that you'll never need walk it and they are not prone to escape / wander off.

Bluebarge

4,519 posts

177 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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If you do get a Lab, chocolate ones can be a bit iffy temperament-wise unless from a reputable breeder - yellow and black Labs are much more placid.

With small kids I wouldn't get a rescue dog unless the rescue centre was very sure of its background/history. Dogs that need rescuing have usually not been treated well, and that may have an effect on temperament.

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Mastiff or GSD are likely to scare your non dog loving customers imo. Not a brilliant choice business wise I don't think.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Gotta be a Lab in that circumstance. Labradoodles are great but they can be a bit mad.

StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

150 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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scdan4 said:
Mastiff.

Big, friendly giant.

With a garden like that you'll never need walk it and they are not prone to escape / wander off.
This, I take mine to my local and he is a big hit.

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Lurcher or Greyhound - very docile, happy just to doss around most of the time even though they look like all they want to do is run. Easy to train too.

Smiler.

11,752 posts

229 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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KFC said:
Mastiff or GSD are likely to scare your non dog loving customers imo. Not a brilliant choice business wise I don't think.
I was thinking the same.

Beni997

390 posts

110 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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technodup said:
Retriever. How could you not want one of these? Friendly, bark, don't get as fat as labs and nobody's scared of them.
Them two are gorgeous although if you truly love dogs a bullmastiff is the way forward as long as you don't mind a bit of drool

Beni997

390 posts

110 months

Monday 11th May 2015
quotequote all
moorx said:
I've not owned either myself, but I would agree with the suggestion of Lab or Golden Retriever as pretty 'bombproof' dogs. From what I've heard, though, some chocolate labs can be quite a handful (compared with yellow or black labs).

Labs and GRs do come up in rescue, but you may struggle to find a puppy of either breed in rescue.

It might be worth posting in 'All Creatures Great and Small' as there are lots of dog owners in there....

Good luck smile
I have a chocolate lab he is absolutely nuts but has been the best dog I have ever had and I have had many. Chocolate lads are the daft ones whilst the golden ones are the clever ones hence why you mostly see golden lads as guide dogs. Black labs have a little nasty side.

I was told that a few black labs do train to be guide dogs but no chocolate labs do as they are completely nuts and to be fair after having one for 8 years I can see why

Alpacaman

917 posts

240 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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How about a Northern Inuit, love people, great with children, but need to be well trained.






They are a reasonable size, Monty is 45kg.

Edited by Alpacaman on Monday 11th May 18:27

MarvGTI

427 posts

124 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Mine is a mix of Australian Shep and Border Collie and couldn't wish for a smarter, lovelier canine companion.

She's an absolute marvel, doesn't lose too much hair and is patient and sweet with kids.

elanfan

5,516 posts

226 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Schnauzer - small friendly little characters. Can be kept clipped or let their beards and skirts grow. Lovely dogs.