Questions about getting a dog

[notanotherfucker]

I am thinking of getting a dog but have no idea, hence asking very basic questions.

Do you need to pick up the poo if you are in a field? Countryside? I know you do on pavements etc but if somewhere else?

How often do they need taking out?

What breed would be good with kids and not need huge amounts of exercise?

They are a HUGE commitment. Even if you have a dog which doesn't need much exercise, you cannot leave them for more than 3-4 hours. They need walking every day, rain or shine and need mental stimulation. If they get sick, they cost a fortune. (My 4 year old retriever has just been through chemo at a cost of c £350 a month, after £2k of tests - mostly on insurance, but I'm now paying £60 a month, just for insurance). Yes, you should pick up poo wherever you are. Lots of people don't bother, but you should.) We have 4 children and a golden retriever which works for us, but she needs a good 90 minutes walking a day. That all said, they are brilliant and I wouldn't be without her.

You might be better asking @MNHQ to move your thread to Doghouse :)

I'd highly recommend that you join borrowmydoggy and experience taking a dog out for walks and potentially looking after one for short periods of time. A dog is a huge commitment and you need to have thought many things through before taking on a commitment that could last 15+ years.

Always pick up the poo unless it's been done somewhere inaccessible or unsafe. Our old family dog once shat on a cliff edge after wiggling under the fence, I figured it was okay to leave that particular one unscooped but even out on the countryside pick it up.

How often they need to go out depends the dog. Twice a day at a minimum for our old dog (small breed) - one 'short' walk of around 20 mins in the morning and a longer walk of around 45 mins in the evening - but we have a large enclosed garden so he would go run around out there a few times a day too.

The breed would depend on your lifestyle, the ages of the children, the size of your house and outside space, etc.

Thank you, I wasn't sure if you had to pick up in countryside etc..

Would you recommend insurance? I'm just not sure and don't want to make the wrong decision if I can't afford / commit.

Borrow my doggy, never heard of it but will look thank you

You're asking the wrong questions for someone who wants a dog. They are a lot of responsibility and from your qs (please correct me if I'm wrong) you don't want to take it out for walks or really pick up its pooh! Why don't you get a cat instead

Yes, always pick up poo. Always put the bag in a bin.

Whippets are an amazing family dog. They're generally calm, gentle and affectionate whilst also being really playful and fun when you engage with them. They're also super lazy, a good walk and opportunity to zoom is needed every day but they don't need hours and can handle a day off every now and then. They tend to hate rain so are very much fairweather dogs. Short fur, not much shedding and very low doggy odour.

Things to consider though are; they're very loyal dogs and as such get really attached to their person so separation anxiety can be more a problem in whippets than other breeds. They're sensitive so if you're a shouty household this wont work, they will get scared. Very hard to have a no whippets on the sofa rule. They can be crazy puppies for about 18 months and then tend to settle into the calmest dogs going. Prey drive can be an issue but I channelled that into ball games with mine and he isn't fussed about small furries now. Also if not socialised correctly they can be very anxious.

Generally though you need to think about committing the time to training, not leaving them alone too long. Money for a decent food, beds, coats (if you get a whippet they need one in winter). Also insurance, flea worming, vaccinations and kennels if you go away.
They're a big tie and a lot of work but hugely rewarding, I adore my whippy boy and would said they're a great first time dog, super easy to toilet train, recall train and socialise.

Good luck!

Absolutely yes to insurance. Check what the excess is so you know you can afford that to.
Aa above, its a big commitment. They shouldn't really be left for more than 4 hours at a time and require a lot of training and mental stimulation.

Walks wise my 3 get about 2.5 hours over the course of the day - roughly 30 mins in the morning, 30 mins at lunch and then a big walk in the evening.

I have a sproodle. Runs like a greyhound but is a slug at home. Does not shed hair and doesn’t smell. Loves everyone. We do have insurance. He also needs a £40 groom every six weeks. He gets one walk a day of 40-60 minutes. He does exercise himself on walks though. He doesn’t trudge beside me. He bounds a few metres ahead or is sniffing. He does also get lots of attention from the four of us and lots of friends have dogs so he has lots of socialisation with other dogs. I do pick up his poo on almost every walk unless we are off the beaten track and it’s beside hedgerow /heavy vegetation. I would never leave poo on or near a footpath or in a frequently visited wood. He is a tie in the sense that I don’t leave him for longer than 4-5 hours. Otherwise he is easy.

@Claireshh

I have a sproodle. Is that similar to a Cavoodle? I'd love to see a pic!

Yes you need to pick up the poo

Depends on the breed and the dog

Our dog runs the garden and drags its heels on a walk and no point trying if it's raining as she isn't going anywhere
She's a small dog
I know someone with an ex race greyhound who is much the same

Plan to do 1/2 walks a day depends on how much you are at home with the dog
Younger dogs and more energetic breeds will need longer walks
Older dogs will need a walk but not as long

Children will love any dog - if you want one that will play steer from greyhounds/lurcher types as they aren't known for their playful spirit

Any Labrador or crossbreed of would be a good bet in terms of intelligence and playfulness. However you're looking at a large,energetic and strong dog. I don't know the age of your children but you wouldn't be able to allow a young teenager take them out on their own. They are strong dogs.
They will generally need 2 walks a day and enrichment

There are many breeds that are similar and different dogs have traits which makes them more or less suitable for you

Look at a local rescue and see what is on their site to gain an idea of what's out there

Most common breeds that people have/know of are typically working dogs. Labrador, golden retriever, husky, collie, even your smaller Jack Russel
All great dogs but energetic and strong (minus the jack) and in need of a lot of work so they don't get bored

Then you have your current fashionable dogs
The pugs the chihuahua labradoodle frenchies dashunds
Smaller dogs and fantastic breeds but less likely to be in a rescue

But a rescue will be over run with staffs crosses
A dog of any kind is a huge commitment which I'm sure you know

We go for a walk in a forest with signs saying not to pick up poo if off the path and to flick it off if possible. I always pick up if it's somewhere anyone can get to (ie my children may run around there).

My very active dogs needed loads of exercise when young but not too much now. One walk a day but they are old.

I won't have another dog when they go, too much responsibility now I have children!

You must think of a dog like an 15-18 year commitment of a toddler. They never ever progress past the age of 3 really;

They understand what you say but don’t always do it
They can’t really ever be trusted with a lot of things (food especially)
They need you to keep them safe, all the time
They need a lot of care and attention. All the time

It’s not just feeding and walking
They get burrs in their feet you have to pick out
They eat things they should not
They poo in awkward places (yes ALWAYS pick it up no matter where they are)
They need grooming
They don’t know how to look after their teeth properly
They can’t always tell you what they need or why

I would not be without my dog, I adore him. But he’s a heavy commitment
I have a terrier and he’s tired on a walk after 1 hour
So I walk him less than other people walk bigger breeds
He’s so friendly but toddlers stress him out

Honestly if you’re worried about costs don’t get a dog. Food costs more than you think, even with insurance things like inoculations are around £90 a year, flea treatment is about £10 a month, and that’s before things like boarding if you need to go away.

Having a dog is not a cheap endeavour

Yes to picking up poos and most dogs need a walk a day minimum..

The things you really need to think of are who's going to look after it when you want to go away? Or even go out for the day?

Dogs are a big commitment. Most rescues will let you have a two week trial with a dog before taking it full time.

Oh and all the incidentals - poo bags (), leads, collars, baskets, treats.

We have a Hungarian Vizsla. They are very intelligent and extremely affectionate. Ours hates the rain and the cold! They have very short, fine fur so don't shed much, don't smell "doggy" and dry off quickly when wet

This is a GREAT thread to prepare you OP

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/3700055-my-dog-is-a-dick-please-regale-with-stories-of-similar

I’d think about a poodle or Bichon. Yes definitely to insurance. Dogs are wonderful but a huge tie. We love our boy to pieces as do our kids but I doubt we’ll have another.

@CormacMcLaggen he is s cross between a sprinter spaniel and standard poodle. He is the height of a lab but much more slight. He weighs 18/19kg. I’ll attach a pic

@Claireshh oh he's ridiculously gorgeous. Thanks for explaining; I hadn't heard of that cross before.

Sorry for slight derail, OP!

Just from the type of questions, I don't think you should get a dog.

I'd start by swapping your thinking round.

What space is there in your lifestyle for a dog? How much time and effort do you realistically have and are likely to have for 10-15 years? What commitment will you be willing to do (or other adults), because children and teens aren't reliable for walks and responsibilities? Who is around during the day? Will your hypothetical dog need a dog sitter? Have you considered the costs here?

Do you like to go on holiday often? What would happen to the dog? Same for day trips and evenings out.

What are you family hobbies and interests? Can you do them with a dog without leaving the dog alone for hours on end (when they're young they really can't be left long)?

I'd do an accurate reflection on your lifestyle first and see if a dog could fit in, rather than think "I would love a dog so what would just about fit in" because good intentions with a puppy or new dog don't always last.

Before we got our whippets we got some dog experience. We walked a sick neighbours dog every day after school. Every day. Even when it was raining.
We had our friends’ dog when they went away.

I think you should try to care for a dog as a family. It will give you an idea because it’s heartbreaking all round if it doesn’t work out.