First time dog owner

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Gaz. said:

camshafted said:

On breed, a good Staffie is a great family dog. Loving, intelligent, well-behaved and robust. Plenty looking for a home as well.

They are also great 'multi-master' dogs, as far as a Staffy is concerned the 9y.o lad will have just as much authority as mum and dad. Shedding is minimal, coat is maintenance free, even the thickest mud falls off with a towel. Their two favourite things are charging around with kids, and cuddles.

They have one downside, and it's a biggie- they have such a stigma that some people won't visit your house and your son's classmates may be 'busy' every time you invite them over. It's undeserved but it is what it is. We found out who our real friends were with our first Staffy, when he died we got another Staffy as the breed is ideal for our needs (our son was also 9 when we got him) and we couldn't lose the same friends twice as they'd already ostracized us before.

And it is the most undeserved stigma too. I've met plently of Staff's, and never a bad one. They've all been adorable. An ex neighbour had one called Senna, whenever I called him he'd charge over tail wagging for cuddles. He just loved everyone.

[camshafted]

It’s very sad how the Staffie image has turned out. Such lovely dogs, but unfortunately with their potential, in the wrong hands they can be completely different animals.

If you want another sign of their intelligence and obedience, many rescue staffies are being trained up by police forces as drug dogs and in other disciplines.

[durbster]

Make sure you check up on common health issues before settling on a breed. It really put me off getting a bulldog because so many of the poor buggers have been bred into a life of discomfort

And I may get shouted at by the Lab-squad above, but when I was researching breeds I found that Labs (and Retrievers?) are a nightmare for eating everything (so regular trips to the vets to extract plastic bags and remote controls), but more importantly have regular medical problems, particularly with hips and knees.

A friend of mine recently picked up a black lab supposedly from a high-quality, registered breeder. It's 8 months old and its already had one knee operation, with another expected when it's fully grown and the other expected to need one too. It's still a puppy and they can't even walk it

There are loads of Staffies in rescue centres so please consider one. They're awesome.

[tedmus]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

What about this happy looking bundle of fun? https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...

Oh she is a beauty

Bit biased mind but will always have a staffy/staffy cross in my life, just wonderful dogs. Very loyal, fun loving, cuddly, full of character.

[bexVN]

My sisters Staffie with my nephew, she has 3 young children, Cappy the Staffie is brilliant with all of them

[papa3]

camshafted said:

It’s very sad how the Staffie image has turned out. Such lovely dogs, but unfortunately with their potential, in the wrong hands they can be completely different animals.

No such thing as a bad dog.....

[tonyb1968]

I would look at a small to medium sized dog as a first dog, labs are lovely but wouldn't go for one as a first timer.

Look at Spaniels, Jack Russel's, Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles etc, all bright and intelligent dogs with good temperaments but do your homework on them and go look at several.

[Never you mind]

CAH706 said:

So, I've looked at labradors as they seem to fit the bill but I'm no expert so open to ideas.

Wants;

No bigger than a ladrador. Happy to go smaller but no yappy dogs and I don't really like the very small ones

We like to exercise so a dog (suspect most) that likes long walks. I now know puppies need a lot less exercise than I previously thought!

Dog can be off lead and not run off.

Energetic dog but must be friendly. Possibly most are with the right training but given my (lack of) experience I'd like one with that nature

Loyal to family not just one master and good round people generally

Not a slobbery dog.

Not a dog that sheds massively

Probably other stuff I've not considered but as per the point of the thread I'm trying to knowledge gather and learn

I would second a spaniel of some sort. You don't need to work them if you get the working type, I know of many that just do normal dog stuff. They are easy to train, have a good temperament, loyal and just overall good fun to be around. See the spaniel thread #


https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Never you mind on Wednesday 28th March 14:28

[CAH706]

Thanks again all for taking the time to provide help.

I rang one of the local rescue centres today and the options are a little limited but they know what we are looking for so 8t may lead to something.

I've also arranged to borrow a dog for the weekend (work colleague) so we can see how it works and what else we need to consider.

[RDMcG]

akirk said:

however, sadly is unable to keep you in retirement - otherwise...

Dogs have two emotional states

- My favourite thing!!!!
This works for food , walks, ear scratches and most things

Or

-Bummer

Not going with you in the car
Trip to the vet