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!
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!!
moorx said:
Just to say, very few rescue centres would allow you to adopt a dog if you're planning to keep it outside (even if 'just' overnight).
It will not be kept outside! It will be kept in summerhouse that we can see from our bedroom window.Can someone please explain the sleeping in the shed thing to me please, all seem to agree that its not fair/will distress the dog, I haven't read this anywhere and from personal experience have seen no issues with a dog that is kept this way! I am not getting funny about it as it seems everyone finds it weird I'd want it sleeping in the shed!
Just to add I see no difference in the dog being in the kitchen or summerhouse! The summer house would be set up for the dog with bedding and heating! If people suggest the dog being upstairs that is a deal breaker wouldn't want that!
As a first time owner I am sure these ideas I have will be blown out the water when I actually get a dog, I will update in 3 months with a picture of the dog in my bed
Edited by joshcowin on Wednesday 1st March 10:40
Mastiff said:
Largely because it is a little weird - you say you want a family pet and then seem to want to keep it like a working dog.
Just to clear up the dog would be away from humans whilst they sleep and that is it, all the other time it would be interacting with people and other dogs!I started this thread because I didn't want to get a dog that wouldn't be 100% happy and content, that is my whole motivation behind this thread!
Great insight thanks, we had a family members black lab for 4 days which was great, he slept in the lounge and was extremely well behaved however ideally he would have slept outside, like he does at home! but due to it all being new for him thought we would keep him in.
Oh and GREAT pics!!
Oh and GREAT pics!!
Prof Prolapse said:
You know the old adage "if you have to ask, you can't afford it"? It works the same for working dogs, particularly border collies. If you have to ask about the requirements, I'm sorry you really aren't ready for one.
I cannot emphasise enough how much hard work is involved in keeping a working dog adequately looked after, trained, and stimulated. You're looking at a minimum of two hours a day walking, on top (not instead of) of any running, training, and playing, which you need to be doing.
That's in the pissing rain, wind, snow. Regardless family commitments, bad days at work, and weekends away. That's what you're signed up for, that's the minimum. Having a kid in a few years, not slept in three days? No excuse, get your boots on. Funeral? - Who's walking the dog? Dog walker? That's great but it won't be enough, get the boots out again... Oh and if you have a kid, you're going to find out real quick how well you have trained your dog.
Most owners of these border collies are a
holes for precisely this reason. There's st loads of ignorant middle class people in my estate who are utterly incapable of looking after these dogs, and as very intelligent animals, they sadly develop all sorts of behavioural issues. Usually accompanied by bullst excuses like, "oh she doesn't like male dogs". Same goes for these chavvy aholes with morbidly obese Rottweilers or heavily inbred Alsations, which do about 200 yards walk a day. Their only real exercise comes from mauling smaller dogs and eating children from what I can tell.
Get something else, a rescue dog, and don't keep it in the bloody shed you heartless bd, you clearly don't know what you're doing, and will clearly instill some sort of mental issue.
Everything OK mate? I will ignore the stupidity in the last paragraph, maybe at that stage your brain prolapsed!!I cannot emphasise enough how much hard work is involved in keeping a working dog adequately looked after, trained, and stimulated. You're looking at a minimum of two hours a day walking, on top (not instead of) of any running, training, and playing, which you need to be doing.
That's in the pissing rain, wind, snow. Regardless family commitments, bad days at work, and weekends away. That's what you're signed up for, that's the minimum. Having a kid in a few years, not slept in three days? No excuse, get your boots on. Funeral? - Who's walking the dog? Dog walker? That's great but it won't be enough, get the boots out again... Oh and if you have a kid, you're going to find out real quick how well you have trained your dog.
Most owners of these border collies are a
holes for precisely this reason. There's st loads of ignorant middle class people in my estate who are utterly incapable of looking after these dogs, and as very intelligent animals, they sadly develop all sorts of behavioural issues. Usually accompanied by bullst excuses like, "oh she doesn't like male dogs". Same goes for these chavvy aholes with morbidly obese Rottweilers or heavily inbred Alsations, which do about 200 yards walk a day. Their only real exercise comes from mauling smaller dogs and eating children from what I can tell.Get something else, a rescue dog, and don't keep it in the bloody shed you heartless b
d, you clearly don't know what you're doing, and will clearly instill some sort of mental issue. I am an adult thanks for your opinion don't have another meltdown if I ignore it!
Everybody else has been really helpful and opened my eyes a little, thanks.
garythesign said:
Hi Josh
I hope you realise all the advice being given is because we love all dogs. I feel sure no one is being judgemental but like other posters I think your dog should live in the house. Being downstairs they can smell and probably hear you too. This means they are still part of the pack. Being out of the house, however luxurious, means they are separated from you (their pack) with the potential for separation anxiety.
Our first dog was a rescue collie. I don't think they are ideal as a first dog. They need mental stimulation, in my opinion, more than physical. With the constant demands on our tme nowadays it is very easy to not give enough stimulation and then the rot sets in. Collies also come with a wide range of characteristics, from incredibly laid back to full on manic. Some of these traits do not materialise until they mature.
My advice is a rescue, goldie or cockerpoo. The last two seem the most biddable
Finally, thanks for asking our opinions. You sound as though you are taking our views and experience on board. This should only lead to happy owners and the first of many happy dogs. Good luck.
I also love dogs and all animals and would hate to be selfish and get a dog I want rather than one I am going to be able to 100% care for! I am aware it is as much work/time as having a child!I hope you realise all the advice being given is because we love all dogs. I feel sure no one is being judgemental but like other posters I think your dog should live in the house. Being downstairs they can smell and probably hear you too. This means they are still part of the pack. Being out of the house, however luxurious, means they are separated from you (their pack) with the potential for separation anxiety.
Our first dog was a rescue collie. I don't think they are ideal as a first dog. They need mental stimulation, in my opinion, more than physical. With the constant demands on our tme nowadays it is very easy to not give enough stimulation and then the rot sets in. Collies also come with a wide range of characteristics, from incredibly laid back to full on manic. Some of these traits do not materialise until they mature.
My advice is a rescue, goldie or cockerpoo. The last two seem the most biddable
Finally, thanks for asking our opinions. You sound as though you are taking our views and experience on board. This should only lead to happy owners and the first of many happy dogs. Good luck.
Thanks for explaining the dog sleeping in the house, I didn't realise that they like to hear/smell you constantly! (The wife says I smell, I am a quiet sleeper though
)I will be looking into the rescue dogs locally as many of you have posted that, there is a dogs trust site 10 mins away!
100% taking views and thoughts on board, looks like the dog will have to sleep in the house and will be looking into this separation anxiety!
MYOB said:
I have dogs, and they sleep in the house. I couldn't imagine them sleeping in an outbuilding.
But...lots of dogs do live this way. We in the UK have become very soppy with our dogs in the past 30 years or so. For example, a couple of generations ago, we would not have bought cars that were suitable for our pets, and most likely not have taken them with us to visit family and friends etc.
Go to places, for example like Greece or Ireland, there are many dogs living in outbuildings and are not allowed in the main house. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that we in the UK (and America and so on) have moved on from this but there are still people out there that have the mindset of previous generations.
Vast amount of generalisation here but I'm sure you appreciate my sentiments.
Yeah I see what your sayingBut...lots of dogs do live this way. We in the UK have become very soppy with our dogs in the past 30 years or so. For example, a couple of generations ago, we would not have bought cars that were suitable for our pets, and most likely not have taken them with us to visit family and friends etc.
Go to places, for example like Greece or Ireland, there are many dogs living in outbuildings and are not allowed in the main house. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that we in the UK (and America and so on) have moved on from this but there are still people out there that have the mindset of previous generations.
Vast amount of generalisation here but I'm sure you appreciate my sentiments.
joshcowin said:
I also love dogs and all animals and would hate to be selfish and get a dog I want rather than one I am going to be able to 100% care for! I am aware it is as much work/time as having a child!
Thanks for explaining the dog sleeping in the house, I didn't realise that they like to hear/smell you constantly! (The wife says I smell, I am a quiet sleeper though )
I will be looking into the rescue dogs locally as many of you have posted that, there is a dogs trust site 10 mins away!
100% taking views and thoughts on board, looks like the dog will have to sleep in the house and will be looking into this separation anxiety!
Just so it's clear and we can move on I have quoted where I have listened to people and changed my mind, I know this is a miracle on PH but it is still possible to learn from others!! Thanks for explaining the dog sleeping in the house, I didn't realise that they like to hear/smell you constantly! (The wife says I smell, I am a quiet sleeper though
)I will be looking into the rescue dogs locally as many of you have posted that, there is a dogs trust site 10 mins away!
100% taking views and thoughts on board, looks like the dog will have to sleep in the house and will be looking into this separation anxiety!
The dog won't be sleeping outside, let's crack on, as this thread is proving to be very useful, many thanks to everyone for their input!
Thanks for the responses, I suppose everyone does things differently, good to get plenty of opinion and way up the decision!
As I said I am going to be looking into the seperation anxiety thing, also I will see what the dog is like when I get one they are a living thing with a personality.
As I said I am going to be looking into the seperation anxiety thing, also I will see what the dog is like when I get one they are a living thing with a personality.
Stu R said:
May be bias, but IMO labs are the perfect dog. Obligatory pic of ours...
Collies are crackers, lovely dogs but really not a fair to own one unless you can exercise the bejesus out of them constantly.
He looks epic, great photo!!Collies are crackers, lovely dogs but really not a fair to own one unless you can exercise the bejesus out of them constantly.
I will be able to walk it twice a day, we also live opposite a park, I mean literally open front door cross the road and we are in a park. So a 10 minute tear up in addition is easy.
It was the mental stimulation that scared me, as would hate to have a frustrated unhappy pooch!
keirik said:
so you want a dog but will leave it on its own at work for 10 hours a day and then when you get home you will make it sleep outside?
Please don't get a dog, get a tamagotchi. A dog needs stimulation, company and love, not someone who thinks it can be turned on and off at will.
Keep upPlease don't get a dog, get a tamagotchi. A dog needs stimulation, company and love, not someone who thinks it can be turned on and off at will.
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