Dogs

Get a good mongrel - that way you are more likely to avoid all the health problems that have been caused by in-breeding pedigree dogs. A "Rescue" dog is a good idea, too.

I have been advised against a rescue dog for a first-timer, as many have been traumatised. My daughter would also like to experience the whole puppy thing.

Rockingdoc

First thing to consider is your lifestyle.

1. Are you happy with a large dog wandering around the house.

2. Are you prepared to exercise it every day. Big dog = lots of exercise, little dog = less exercise.

3. Long or short haired, long hair is more troublseome

4. Do you have children

5. Will the dog be left alone during the day, some breeds can take this, some can't.

6. Neighbour considerations

There is a lot to think about before you make the plunge.

Regards

Mick

I agree with Mick,
A cat is far more independant - and covers its own shit up most of the time!

Dogs are more time intensive - not a bad thing if that what you are after.

Finally, as a cat owner & lover, My sincere thoughts are with you on what is a horrible time, especially after 19 years...

andy c!

Thanks Mick. Here are current thoughts;

Small to medium.
Short haired.
Able to exercise, probably twice a day, and good size secure garden.
Older teenage children.
One remaining cat!
No adjoining neighbours, but preferably not too yappy.

Most important; will have to be left alone for up to eight hours, two days a week.

First thoughts are for something like a larger border terrier. We have nothing against mongrels but thought a breed might be more predictable?

Mick is right. Do you like to just go away for the odd weekend? You won't be able to without planning ahead if you have a dog. Two walks a day, picking up the poo. It is a hell of a commitment. I know it's stating the obvious, but it really is.

I spent two years mulling over whether I wanted (and was willing to accommodate) a dog, and what breed it should be. One good resource is AOL Anywhere Dog Match. It gives you an idea of the choices that are out there.

With a cat, I'm happy with any old thing from the pound. (I have two.) With a dog, however, you're better able to predict its traits by getting a purebred. That's why I went with a Smooth Collie, as it perfectly matches my needs, desires, domestic situation, etc.



Whatever you do, don't get a dog as a fashion accessory. Find one that matches your expectations in all ways, and you'll be happy. (Ok, you'll still be frustrated occasionally, but that's normal.)

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Thanks for the helpful advice so far. I am a total novice here.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:

No young dog will stand being locked up for 8 hours a day.

QUOTE]

I thought this might be a problem. Would a fleeting visit in the middle of the day be enough to placate it? Surely not every dog owner lives a life of leisure? If so, it looks like no dog until I retire (10 years or more). Then I'll have to consider whether I'll stay fit enough (or alive enough) to exercise it.

I enjoyed the AOL search Mike. Unfortunately it didn't have a section for "slightly irresponsible general practitioners"

Custard sends his thanks for your kind thoughts, but seems to be enjoying his last days (thanks to some high-dose steroids).

Doc,

There is no need to leave your dog alone ever as you'll probably have somone who'll happily dog sit for you nearby. I'm lucky in that when I have to go into the office, a nice local lass near me looks after my dog. He comes back shattered having spent the day playing with her two other dogs, two cats, a goat & a few chickens.

The good thing is you'll be able to spend the other 5 days of the week with your pup. This will be very helpful in that you'll be able to get him/her housetrained very quickly (mine only took 2 weeks) and greatly lesson the chance that he/she will chew your house/stereo to bits. Make sure you have lots of chewy toys whilst it's cutting those razor sharp baby teeth. And you'll also bond very, very quickly :-)

Bok awaiting his next pint of Guinness


Steve

I'm sorry to hear about your cat.

I have never owned a dog and tend to be wary of them, in general.

However, based on my limited experience, if I decided to get a dog it would be a Labrador. Although large, they seem to be easily trainable, particularly sociable and generally well-behaved.

Sorry to hear about your cat -

I suggest that when the cat dies let the other cat see the body so that it can take in the situation and so avoid searching for the missing cat.

I also suggest that you do not immediately rush into getting a replacement animal.

Derek

<< >>

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stevie Dempster:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid113/p41b0d42e6d54312095d19c4aff5fe4e3/f8f4ce6d.jpg

---

These dogs are psychologically disturbed You are very lucky Steve. My father-in-law has a Springer and it is 100% crazy....

It saw my kids in our car as we drew up and decided to go and meet them by jumping out the window - from the first floor of the house instead of the ground floor.

It has also ran clean through a glass door, eaten electric power cords and dug more trenches in the garden than the combined forces during The Great War.

I'd go for one of those supersize coons from a recent thread !!

Doc - I've just looked at your public profile. You play in a band, cycle and do photography. I suppose with photography you could take him/her with you, but otherwise you don't seem to be around much. Even asking about whether popping back during the day sums it up really. Are you in town or in a more rural part? I would say that in your situation, if you live on farm land where he/she could just bounce about outside all day until you get back, then fine - but if it's going to be confined to a house all day, it just isn't fair. Get another cat and save getting a dog until you retire, or your situation changes. IMHO of course.

Rockindoc

I have a "Glen of Imaal" terrier, she's perfect, loving, loyal (up to a point) loves people, adores children, a slight drawback in that she insists upon scraping with every dog that she meets!

I should have realised when the breed standard included the word "Combat"!

Perhaps not a first dog then and with only fifty puppies a year a bit difficult to get hold of at the moment........I wonder why?

Chris

Any dog will involve time and effort. If you dont have, or cant make these commitments, then a dog is not for you.

If you can, then remember that they are living creatures with there own thoughts and personalities. You could end up with a Berlin Fritz or a Mick Parry, and you will have to learn to love either.

For what its worth, ex racing Greyhounds make wonderfull companions.

Paul.

Hi there,

I can speak from lengthy and (hard earned) experience on this matter.

I think Mr Parry's analysis is spot on, but I can add to this on a few fronts on the basis that looking before you leap is so important in all things canine.

I will start with the upside. Having spent 10 years with a mixture of Abysinnians and a Burmese cat (both dog like breeds in any case) my former partner on a whisp of interest shown by me toward a passing Wheaten Terrier, went ahead and hey presto we became overnight Wheaten owners.

Dealing purely off the facts, the upside of Dog ownership, particularly over Cats, is very real. The mans best friend thing is so utterly correct. The satisfaction one gets from having an animal totally dedicated to its owner, unconditionally loved and expects nothing more than dinner, a walk and your undivided attention is about as good as it gets, particularly if, like me, you run everyday.

Thats the good news.

The downside, and its a big downside if you let it, is, cats need bugger all maintenance or much of anything for that matter. Having a dog (I can only imagine) is like having a child. If you live alone, and cant be with it all the time forget it, just about irrespective of breed.

I have now had my flock reduced to one 18 month Cocker Spaniel Bitch, while a fantastic animal has found solitary living near impossible (I am sitting at work tapping at this, wondering what extraordinary feats of destruction she is performing in my home as I write this)

I believe there are ways of training Dogs to accept long periods alone but, the bottom line is its basically not how they are built and genetically a pack animal and conditioned to company and lots of it.

I have got round my problem by having a supportive, equally Dog loving family who are happy to take her during the week and understanding staff at work where she spends a day with me.

Yes, its a big undertaking but the pleasure compensates (just!) for the loss of freedom you will inevitably have (you cant just stay at work or bugger off to the Pub on a whim, everything has to be planned)

My advice is, either get two, which actually worked for me for a while, if you have a fenced off property, consider a kennel and make certain there are no escape routes, and get an easy going breed for gods sake.

Good luck and dont, Do not, under any circumstances look at puppies (small dogs) until you are ready to buy.

Jono.

Rockingdoc...

As a card carrying cat nut
I am sorry to hear about your impending loss.
It is tough, sometimes I am amazed at how much I still miss my Siamese, she was 18 and sometimes seems like yesterday, though it is 9 years now.

I grew up with both cats and dogs but currently just have cats. I would agree that unless you have no doubts about the time and committment required for the next 15 years, don't even think about a dog. Everything you do will revolve around your new friend and will for years to come.

If you have the time and ability, there is something to be said about a good dog. When you get a "match" its kind of spooky how intune the dog becomes to you.

As for cats...
I can heartily second Patricks recomendation of Bengal's. Very active and affectionate, they tend to want to be part of whats going on. I have an 81/2 year old pair, Kipling and his sister Keisha. They are wonderfull.

regards,

michael

Thanks again chaps, this really is very helpful. I initially thought it strange to ask about this here, a bit like asking whether to have children on the net, but you are helping.

As I am living with teenage daughters, I'm now wondering why didn't I ask about having children here first!

BTW. Mdme Doc (who works longer hours than me) viewed this site for the first time last night, and she says your are all softies.

"BTW. Mdme Doc (who works longer hours than me) viewed this site for the first time last night, and she says your are all softies"

Now you've done it Doc. Your life will never be the same again...

I know that Mike Lacey hopes that "The Nagger" (tm) never finds this place.

Mrs S. discovered the Forum some time ago when she found out how Malcolm Davey and I became friends. I often return home and find her in a fit of giggles over something she has read in the Padded Cell. She used to think that we're all nuts.

It was even her idea to invite The Riders over! Having now met them, she knows we're all nuts!

Her exact words were "They are all softies, and you have managed to find people who are as mad as you".

quote:

---

Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:

quote:

---

For what its worth, ex racing Greyhounds make wonderfull companions.

---

Unfortunately, they are terrible with cats!

---

Sorry Patrick but this is a common misconception and they can generally be trained to like cats.I have 3 rescued greyhounds who quite like cats .
As a breed , I can recommend them - they love people and are great with kids. They are also the world's laziest animal - 2 x 20 minute walks a day , a bit of a jog and they need a 4 hour siesta - preferably 6 hours if possible !!
Hope this helps doc .
CVheers
Tony

A word to the person on the other page who seems to think that all Springers are crazed.

Diet.

Too much protein in an active breed that doesn't get enough excercise is a recipe for disaster.

P

My father kept numerous rescued greyhounds (before his dementia), so I have some experience of them. I would prefer a slightly smaller dog, and two of his took down sheep when they escaped of the lead.

I have friends who work and keep dogs, but I get the general view here that this is a bad thing, so I may have to disappoint my younger daughter (who is getting rather keen).