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Dog - when should I buy one, how and where and what type?

82 replies

MeanBean · 31/03/2004 18:10

I'm being constantly nagged to get a dog, by friends etc. My DS is almost 5 and my DD is almost 2. Is this too young? I've been holding out as it represents yet another job for me (I'm a single mother with a part-time job), but I also do like the idea of getting one, know it's good for children to have pets, and don't like the fact that my DS is scared of them and want to cure him by having a lovely golden retriever (possibly). Does anyone know lots about dogs and have any advice on how they mix with kids and what age is good to get one? would be very grateful for any advice.

OP posts:
Freckle · 01/04/2004 11:09

hercules, the breed you are thinking of is the Labradoodle as I mentioned in an earlier post. I have always wanted one, but one has never been available when I've been needing another dog. Given the amount of hoovering I do with our current dog, the attraction of the labradoodle grows daily

hercules · 01/04/2004 11:13

Yes, that's the one!

MrsDoolittle · 01/04/2004 11:39

secur, please don't assume of was making an emotional comment about my own dog or that I leave her for long periods of time. The fact we are expecting a baby in the next week will change all that. I was just saying that I was aware of it as a potential problem. So I agree with you.
I grew up with terriers and labradors, so I had a fair idea of what wouldn't be right for us and we spent a looong time considering what would be right for us. Beagles are known to be "merry hounds" and ours is. They are also known for following their noses - which is not always me when we are out off the lead!! We knew all that before we got her. And I am as confident as I can be that she will be good with a baby.

CountessDracula · 01/04/2004 12:00

Oh secur sorry, I only read the first bit of your post!! I was in a hurry this am (hence the truncated post) as I had to go and see a nursery for dd

I didn't even read your bit about leaving along, I was just offering my opinion on it - and no I didn't realise you had 2 ridgebacks - aren't they gorgeous? Oddly I know several that are quite the opposite of aloof, so not just basing my comment on that on my own waggy girl.

kiwisbird · 01/04/2004 13:01

CD would you like to let me know the breeder your ecommend and I'll get on the waiting list NOW!
DH wants a boxer.he he he he he DS wants a Jack Russell (or two)
What mummy wants mummy gets... in this case
I used to show my ridgeback bitch puppy in NZ years ago, go she was so beautiful!

MeanBean · 01/04/2004 13:03

Wow, lots of advice - and food for thought. Thank you all very much. I hadn't thought of the moulting issue with retrievers. Someone else mentioned beagles as being good, why are they so good for families?

Although I work part time, it's from home, so I'm not too worried about leaving the dog alone. But I think my first instinct about leaving it until the kids are a bit older (and perhaps a little bit more able to help) and more sensible around the dog was probably right. Balanced by the fact that my au-pair is a dog lover and has promised me that he'll do all the training before he goes home! That's also a tempting factor in thinking of getting the dog now. Dilemmas, dilemmas...

OP posts:
Angeliz · 01/04/2004 13:09

We have a boxer dog. We had him two years before dd was here and i did worry about the sheer size of him with the baby but he is FANTASTIC!
(dd loves cuddling him and he is so gentle)
He is in the vets this morn having a lump removed from his gum so i have to pick him up at 3. bless him!
We did read up about boxers and they are supposed to be good with kids but as others have said, each dog has it's own personality

If you do get a dog, beleive me, keep him/her insured

MrsDoolittle · 01/04/2004 13:17

Beagles are one of the most mild mannered dogs you will ever come across. Hence the fact they are used for vivesection
However, they are not very easy to train. This is not such a problem with quiet, small dogs like these - you will both know where you stand with each other.With regular exercise they are naturally clean (like most dogs). Apart from a couple of accidents in the beginning when we were getting used to each other, she has never 'been' in the house!

kiwisbird · 01/04/2004 13:22

And beagles are great mousers

secur · 01/04/2004 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Azure · 01/04/2004 14:09

Oops, it's a beagle my friend got from Battersea, not a spaniel. Well, I said I didn't know anything about dogs.

MrsDoolittle · 01/04/2004 14:22

See? I told you they were lovely.
Actually, I'd love a pair of them really, they are pack dogs and love company. She goes with us everywhere. Sorry I am getting soppy now!

CountessDracula · 01/04/2004 14:35

kiwi have mailed you through the site.

Secur, yes that is strange. I was told by several people that southern and northern (english) ridgebacks have entirely different tempraments, the southerners are much softer and soppier and the northerners harder. Maybe they are just dogs that are very influenced by their owners!

AussieSim · 01/04/2004 18:54

A few scraps from reading posts so far:

Definitely back the hair loss problems with golden labs. Our neighbour has one and everytime I visit I come out covered in fur. She got so sick of vacuuming that she had him shaved - what a funny sight.

We had a black lab when I was a baby. My brother actually bit a chunk of his ear off and he never even moved.

I read on MN that it is better to get pets before kids reach three otherwise you might risk them developing an allergy.

I would defo support getting a cat instead. Low maintenance, independant but affectionate and still teach kids respect. My DS (14mo) loves ours and she lets him rush right up to her and pat her for a little while, while any visitor or stranger gets completely avoided by her.

Also support getting a cross, avoid expensive vet bills that pure breds are more likely to incur.

A friend has an Australian Shepherd which is only 10weeks old, and when I was visiting the other day it was constantly 'rounding up' her 14mth old - grabbing a delicate amount of his clothing and pulling him - somtimes right over - I reckon the kid will eventually just pick himself up and keep on going.

When we are back home and have a nice big yard I want to get two puppies - DH can choose one and I will choose one and the idea is that they would keep each other company especially if we were out and about too much.

stace · 01/04/2004 19:52

Meanbean, i had a dobbie for 5 years and when she died a couple of years later i got a goldern retriever pup. She is the most docile, gentle dog ever my vet constantly nags me to register her to take her to hospital for therapy, which i will do when my kids are a little older (if shes still around sadly shes 12 this year) I love here to pieces she is a huge part of our lives but she is a tie. She moults like crazy and it drives me insane. But she is lovely and i have actually cured a couple of kids that wouldnt go near dogs.

I used to look after a GR retriever before i got my own when the owners went away and i have loaned mine out one numerous occassions to other people who have then all decided to get dogs.

Happy to loan her to you if your anywhere near London, i think is always good to do a test if you can!!!

maryz · 01/04/2004 21:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDoolittle · 01/04/2004 22:15

Must be the season - mine has been in the bath 4 times this week!!!!!

Paula71 · 01/04/2004 23:39

If your dog rolls in cow poo, cover the offending area, ie the dog, in tomato ketchup and let it dry, then rub it off. Apparently this gets rid of the smell immediately, your dog just smells a little tomatoey!

We got a pup (boxerX) a few weeks ago. Ds twins are just over 2. It is very very hard going, if you are getting a pup it is a good idea to buy a dog crate. Not to lock the dog up all the time. But we found that when he went into the cage he would bark when he needed the toilet. So he is now fully house-trained at 11 weeks old. Okay there are still accidents but it isn't as bad as some people have it. Paper training is horrendous with toddlers in the house. Believe me.

You may think a crate is cruel but you are not imprisoning the dog and he (or she) will find it a place to rest, away from the children. My two know that if Tag goes into his crate then they must leave him alone to sleep. I can leave him alone in the house for short periods, never more than a couple of hours and not every day, and know that while he is in his crate he is happy and the house is not going to be wrecked! I know some people put their dogs in crates all day but I think the longest they are advised to be left is 5 hours.

Biting is a problem, they just won't tell him no, but as I don't leave them alone with him I do the ordering about. I sprayed their socks with Bitter Bite to put him off and it worked!

But it is really hard going sometimes and I am glad when DH comes home to take him out a walk! Still, there are meant to be lots of benefits to children growing up with dogs - the way they treat animals etc. Just do it only if you want to, remember they won't be the ones looking after it, you will.

Jennyb851 · 02/04/2004 00:45

Ive heard that labradors are good with children and also staffords but to be honest i wouldnt ever have a stafford, to me they just look scary. We had an alsatian when i was little and he was the most gentle, loving dog ever. He would guard my bed at night and let me fall asleep on him!

MrsDoolittle · 02/04/2004 11:24

Is that just cow poo? Or does its include badgers, fox, deer and all the other obnoxious excretement they find to roll themselves in?

kiwisbird · 02/04/2004 11:37

CD? No mail yet
I have tried to ctc another talker too and it hasn't worked

if want you can do my name above at yahoo dot com
Thanks, can't believe I'm hurrying to join a queue
Ps CD what £££ are we looking at for a ridgeback over here? Am saving as of now
Thanks
xx

maryz · 02/04/2004 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maryz · 02/04/2004 11:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CountessDracula · 02/04/2004 12:03

How strange, I sent yesterday

Will send again to your yahoo address

I think she was £800 or £850

CountessDracula · 02/04/2004 12:04

tech, any ideas? I sent one to Fio2 as well and hasn't got through

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