Discussion
Just about to get a dog.
My parents always had German Shepherds and my wife's always had Heinz 57's.
As we have 2 young kids (and 2 older ones) I'm unwilling to have anything other than a puppy so that we know its background (parents had a few yr old dogs that were fine with us but took chunks out of everyone else)
I'd like a G Shepherd but they are probably a bit large to be practical (I'd like to take it around with me) but I don't want some little rat, wife has veto'd a Staffie and I must admit I'm not keen on their Chav image but am struggling to think of a smaller dog I like the look of.
The obvious choice is a black Lab but I wondered if there is a better alternative ?
Cheers
My parents always had German Shepherds and my wife's always had Heinz 57's.
As we have 2 young kids (and 2 older ones) I'm unwilling to have anything other than a puppy so that we know its background (parents had a few yr old dogs that were fine with us but took chunks out of everyone else)
I'd like a G Shepherd but they are probably a bit large to be practical (I'd like to take it around with me) but I don't want some little rat, wife has veto'd a Staffie and I must admit I'm not keen on their Chav image but am struggling to think of a smaller dog I like the look of.
The obvious choice is a black Lab but I wondered if there is a better alternative ?
Cheers
ArtVandelay said:
Welsh Terrier - our Yossa was a lovely dog and I've wanted another one for 10 years 
My parents have always had Airdale terriers, bit like above but just a bit bigger.I was unsure when they first told me they were getting one but have always loved them since. Nice dogs - a bit bloody minded but would love life on a farm - sort out any rat problems too !!
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I could b worng of course but a lot of these ^^^ special breeds don't tend to live for so long?
(and are quite often mental due to over breeding issues)
A farmdog? surely a happy, medium to large dog is all that is required, and a good length of pelt to keep 'it' warm come winter time?
It's no accident that 'pastoral' breeds are called that... They are basically dogs that can live outdoors all year round, work all day if needed, keep themselves warm in winter and cool in summer and generally require minimum maintenance...(and are quite often mental due to over breeding issues)
A farmdog? surely a happy, medium to large dog is all that is required, and a good length of pelt to keep 'it' warm come winter time?
Avoid some from 'show' lines though - many have had the stamina and bone structure bred out of them to look delicate and pretty! Not all, but have a good look at parents and ask if they actually 'work' at all (even if it's just agility or something).
Mobile Chicane said:
ArtVandelay said:
Similar to the Hungarian Vizsla is the Weimaraner, which is a bigger dog but has similar features.
Friend of mine has one and it's a lovely dog,
I like these too. Also the German pointer.Friend of mine has one and it's a lovely dog,
Oh, which to choose? I'd have all of the above if I could.
Go for a whippet, you won't be sorry.
Prob Male as females can be a bit more stubborn (but not always)
Ours has an absoultely superb temperament, described the other day by a relative as the most laid back dog ever. He has been 100% with our newborn.
Whippets are a calm breed 90% of the time 10% mad, he loves a run but half hr a day enough, though will walk miles if you want him too, (he sleeps very well after a walk like that
). Has short burst play sessions at home but calms quickly etc not too boisterous, No hereditary problems.
Faults - not a guard dog, can be timid (get a larger build whippet) and they love food so can be a bit of a food thief (never ever aggressive with it though in my experience)
A few weeks ago our friend looked after him whilst I was in labour. She has a 2 yr old, she climbed all over him, followed him everywhere joined him in his own bed etc, he was perfect with her, no dominance, no fear, no aggression, just an awful lot of tolerance. Gold star to Jimmy Her daughter loved him! If she got too much for him he would just walk away. (then toddler would follow him!)
I am bias I know but I'd never have suggested whippet as a family pet until I took him on (ex rescue with a very bad start) since then I've met many other whippet owners and all describe similar natures to ours. Only breed I'd ever recommend as a family pet.
Prob Male as females can be a bit more stubborn (but not always)
Ours has an absoultely superb temperament, described the other day by a relative as the most laid back dog ever. He has been 100% with our newborn.
Whippets are a calm breed 90% of the time 10% mad, he loves a run but half hr a day enough, though will walk miles if you want him too, (he sleeps very well after a walk like that
). Has short burst play sessions at home but calms quickly etc not too boisterous, No hereditary problems.Faults - not a guard dog, can be timid (get a larger build whippet) and they love food so can be a bit of a food thief (never ever aggressive with it though in my experience)
A few weeks ago our friend looked after him whilst I was in labour. She has a 2 yr old, she climbed all over him, followed him everywhere joined him in his own bed etc, he was perfect with her, no dominance, no fear, no aggression, just an awful lot of tolerance. Gold star to Jimmy
Her daughter loved him! If she got too much for him he would just walk away. (then toddler would follow him!)I am bias I know but I'd never have suggested whippet as a family pet until I took him on (ex rescue with a very bad start) since then I've met many other whippet owners and all describe similar natures to ours. Only breed I'd ever recommend as a family pet.
We have a german wire haired pointer. A very very loving dog and everyone asks what breed he is when your out as there arent many in the UK. They are highly intelligent and can be trained to with in an inch of their lives, labaradors are dumb in comaprison. However they are very stubborn and can be quite aloof asa breed. If you can take it with you and exercise on the farm as you say then one of these could be a different choice to a labardor, as could one of the other HPR (hunt point retrieve) breeds mentioned, short haired pointer, vizla, wienmerarner (spelling)italian spinonnie etc.
Whatever breed you choose good luck and reward based training is the way forward and dont be to free with the praise unless they have done soemthing good, its the best reward of all. Plus if you get a gun dog of any breed from the youngest age possible dont let them chase prey, when they get older you'll be ina mess when they just shoot off after a pheasant they've sniffed in the hedge bottom.
My wire hair is trained to the whistle and stops,recalls points the works, this took loads of time and effort on both our parts. He's 14 months old now and is pretty good but does have his momments.
Whatever breed you choose good luck and reward based training is the way forward and dont be to free with the praise unless they have done soemthing good, its the best reward of all. Plus if you get a gun dog of any breed from the youngest age possible dont let them chase prey, when they get older you'll be ina mess when they just shoot off after a pheasant they've sniffed in the hedge bottom.
My wire hair is trained to the whistle and stops,recalls points the works, this took loads of time and effort on both our parts. He's 14 months old now and is pretty good but does have his momments.
Jammy2008 said:
Mobile Chicane said:
ArtVandelay said:
Similar to the Hungarian Vizsla is the Weimaraner, which is a bigger dog but has similar features.
Friend of mine has one and it's a lovely dog,
I like these too. Also the German pointer.Friend of mine has one and it's a lovely dog,
Oh, which to choose? I'd have all of the above if I could.
If there's kids about, it's hard to see past a lab of some description.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff