To wish the fashion to own working breed dogs would pass?

[PlayOnWurtz]

My local rescues seem to be full of collies, huskies, corgi's and spitz breeds of around 2 years of age. These are the current dogs of the day because they are extremely cute and handsome dogs however it seems people buy them without realising how much effort is required to own them.

I'm in no way having a dig at responsible owners at all. More the ones who love a meme and an instagram post without thinking of the consequences.

Tbh, whilst I do think people should adopt dogs and think this is preferable... adopting dogs is imo riskier than getting them from a good and reputable breeder and is also very often more work. Now, everybody that gets a dog should be ok with putting in the work, but for an inexperienced dog owner a rescue may prove to be too challenging.

Just my opinion, btw.

My DSis got a rescue staffie type dog from a very well known dogs home. It has attacked a sheep and other dogs. Now is never off the lead and muzzled when out. It certainly will never be left with small children.

That is in response to whoever said dogs who are killing people are not from rescue centres. Given the chance it could possibly kill someone if it was say, in a situation that frightened it, I would never say never.

My DSis got a rescue staffie type dog from a very well known dogs home. It has attacked a sheep and other dogs. Now is never off the lead and muzzled when out. It certainly will never be left with small children.

That is in response to whoever said dogs who are killing people are not from rescue centres. Given the chance it could possibly kill someone if it was say, in a situation that frightened it, I would never say never.

And that's why I said that for first timers buying a dog from a reputable breeder, where the parent's temperament, the breed's general behaviour and the pup's experiences etc are known is in many cases better.

Because if the dog is too much to handle it will either be out down if it escalates or simply go back to the next shelter... and the dog may be too much to handle. Even if there are good intentions and everything.

Couldnt agree more, these dogs are bred for work. WORK! Not sitting in a house all day then lucky if it gets out!
I rescued a collie (Adopt dont shop) and learned quickly that they need mental as well as physical stimulation! She kept me on my toes! We lost her and now have a vizsla. Both dogs are high energy breeds and we do our best to ensure their needs are met.
My friends neighbours have a huge GSD, a GSP and two tibetan spaniels. These poor dogs spend their lives in the garden and are rarely walked. The GSP especially runs stress-rings round their small garden. Very sad.

Also, we have a lot of huskies round here too. And Akitas. Stuck in gardens howling in frustration. Breaks my heart.

#adoptdontshop just going to leave that there!!

Working cockers seem to have a bad rep, but we rehomed two eight months ago and they so much easier than my dd's lab which was the working variety. They are loving, friendly adorable boys.

Rather than needing endless long walks, I get out with them twice a day whatever the weather. Sometimes one of them does not want to go and I have to carry him outside. We have a large garden and they are out there playing two or three times a day as well.

I think people also need to consider the strength of the dog they are buying. Working cockers are a whole lot lighter on the lead than working labs. I used to help look after my dd's and he could actually pull me over.

Having said that the cockers came to me as only suitable to walk with a training harness over their noses. I am no trainer, but I put in time just walking them (or to begin with them walking me) on an ordinary lead. The worst one is now excellent on the lead, whilst the second still pulls a bit but nothing to worry about.

I was actually put off the breed by the negative connotations attached to the "working" tag, but many years ago we had a show type cocker who was a real grump and very snappy. My dd says ours are so much more reliable and pleasant.

Whilst I would not own a husky, working lab etc don't be too put off the cockers - but not and I repeat not if you are out all day long and like your home to remain as you left it.

Our neighbour got a husky.
Built a nice wooden run for it in the back garden, "borrowed" a female which also lived there for long enough to farm some puppies and sell on.
Then...forgot about it!
Poor thing paces up and down all day every day, looking in the windows and howling. Have never seen them walk it. Very rarely see them in the garden spending time with it.
Poor thing has no life.

the other one is flat coated retrievers - so many people assume they are like pet labs and have similar energy requirements but they are a totally active dog, don't slow down until they're about 8 in our experience and even then they love a good long walk daily. They are wonderful dogs but they're not at all ideal for families with small DC as they like to run a lot. Ddog hates being on his own for any time and goes round looking for things to muck up if it goes past 2 hours.

I've noticed a lot of greyhounds in our local rescue. I think people forget how much they need to run every day. Shame, because they're the daftest but some of the most loyal dogs you can get.

DH would love another dog (our old one passed away a couple of years ago) but I have vetoed it because we don't have the time required to give it enough exercise. Our schedules are too hectic and it wouldn't be fair on the dog. He likes big breeds like German shepherds that require a lot of exercise.

Our last dog was elderly and got to the stage she couldn't walk very far but I still used to stress about leaving her alone for too long. In our old house it was fine as either myself or DH would pop home at lunch time to let her out (5 minute train ride from work in city centre to home) but now it would be impractical as we have moved further out.

We now have a cat as they are far less needy and happy to do their own thing. We still get the benefit of having a pet but without the work of a dog. My cat has the option to go out but tends to stay in most of the time, he still gets bored sometimes if we are out all day so I make sure he has lots of toys to play with (and I do still feel guilty if something comes up and we are out for longer than planned.) I would be in a constant state of stress if we had a dog sitting at home all day to think about.

borrowmydoggy is a great idea if you can't commit to a dog - I'm not sure whether we'll get another dog after our lovely dog goes, but if I don't I'll certainly borrow others - my dog was borrowed a lot when he was a bit younger by some lovely people and enjoyed it a lot. Dog share is the ideal solution really :)

crazyspaniellady - in addition to the skull problem, I've heard cavs can have a tendency to heart problems - clearly a breed where a good breeder is essential (but aren't they all...). And they're not all low energy. We once had an elderly neighbour who'd always had GSDs. When her old one died, she got another but fortunately realised quickly he was too much for her and he joined the police. She then got two smaller, ostensibly more suitable dogs - a tiny one which was fine (not sure if it was a tibetan spaniel, I get those breeds muddled up) and a large cav. He was really too much for her too, quite strong and very energetic, we took him out when we could but it wasn't anything like enough, poor thing.

TheMorificadosDragon I think it does differ from dog to dog, they're still spaniels after all! Notoriously crazy dogs, maybe that is why I love them so much!
Unfortunately yes, Cavs are associated with an array of different health problems, due to the damage done by selective breeding. The same for pugs and bulldogs, it breaks my heart that there is now no longer such a thing as a "healthy bulldog", the same goes for shepherds, (swiss, belgian, german) as they're all troubled by their back legs due to the desire (years ago now) for it to have a sloped back. This could maybe be why people go for "working dogs" because they are generally healthier and haven't been tampered with, although some of it may very well just be "this is the "in breed" at this time", like back in the early 00s when everyone and their sister wanted a little chihuahua.

exLtEveDallas The Mutt is a collie / springer / something cross. She's calmed down now (she's 7) but oh my God the first three years... 3 walks a day, two off lead haring around the fields and bringing me 'stuff' (dead stuff, rotting stuff, puke inducing stuff).

Many years ago, I would see a woman walking her dogs as I drive to work.

Her FOUR dogs.

Her FOUR RED SETTER dogs.

I used to marvel at how she still had her arms attached....

Re pekes - I'm afraid they're another short- nosed breed prone to health problems (think there was a bit of a scandal about one which won crufts a few years back).

Thanks Mortificados. I'd forgotten what the breed looked like exactly, but can see that might be the case having looked them up.

I think suggestions for more suitable dogs would be a good idea, for those living in urban areas etc etc

We once looked after a labrador for a few days. I think it was approx 18months old, very big and strong. Very eager, friendly dog, but I think it might have been untrained, or me unable to handle correctly, as I feared for my life taking it for a walk it nearly pulled me off my feet!

Boogers I have a pug. He is a rescue boy. He is a delight - yes he may develop breathing problems later on in his life but he needed a home and I have never regretted it. He is just beautiful and loving and gentle.

There are many that need rescuing as they are got as a fashion accessory but do need lots of looking after (cleaning them folds is not pleasant).

Greyhounds don't need to run everyday, they are more than happy to trot alongside you for their walk. They don't need huge amounts of exercise either. The sad fact is too many are bred for the industry and the ones who don't make the grade end up at rescue centres.

Shots, I have a friend who at one point had two rotties and two lurchers. She is no more than 5 ft and about 8 stone. I am still amazed at how she coped.

It's all French Bulldogs round here - they are the latest trend. Anyone know why that is? Is it their look or their reputation do you think? I assume they suffer from the same issues pugs do.

Well, setter our cat is tiny and still opens doors.

Animals don't seem to be deterred by their size... so adorable

I see a lot of Huskies on my dog walks. I have a labrador retriever so we are out a lot!

On one hand it's good that they are being walked...on the other hand it's not good that they are all on those bloody harness things. Usually the owners say something like "we are working on the pulling!" As they get dragged past.

For goodness sake! Why do you think they are hooked up to sledges with those things?

Mind you you see them on every other dog now. Usually followed by an owner with zero control and a bemused expression. (hint. The pulling power is in the shoulders)

Rant over.

I have a whippet. They are considered working breeds but are incredibly easy. She will never end up in a rescue, she is a family member.

Yabu to lump all working breeds together.

longding Frenchies have great little personalities.

I used to have a Boston terrier. She died this year, age 13. She was actually a healthy little dog and didn't mind the heat (and I live where it's 80-90 in summer). Unlike pug dog, I got her when she was a puppy, and she was much more like the Boston terriers of yore, with a nose more like a Boxer's as opposed to very squashed. They are a short-faced breed, but mine was very agile and athletic.

I agree, it annoys me especially re springers. Clue in the name after all!

My aunt found a young springer running free and lost in a city park. Despite enquiries no owner was traced. She was rehomed with my grandparents, experienced springer owners. Two walks a day in the country. She lived to what we think was her early teens. Pretty good for the breed. When they first got her she was nervous of men and shied away from anybody with anything small and black and in their hands such as a camera. It was clear somebody had tried to tame her and then dumped her when she became too much of a handful.