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Original poster

^Do^ I want a dog? And if so, what sort?

116 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 30/08/2007 12:20

DS2 is nearly three. I am home most of the time. I quite miss having a dog.

Pros:

  • company, particularly for running
  • kids would love one
  • I really miss having a dog

Cons:

  • we do travel, what would we do with the dog then?
  • dogs not welcome in playgrounds etc
  • faff of walking, picking up poo, etc etc

And then of course, I don't know what sort of dog to get ... I don't want purebred, and I waver between big (good at running) and small (portable, less poo) ...

OP posts:
FioFio · 30/08/2007 13:11

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FirstAtForty · 30/08/2007 13:11

it's odd - I have always been very doggy and had dogs for most of my life - but now that I have a child to look after I feel different, I wish I didn't though

Tortington · 30/08/2007 13:12

no PMT - but great counter argument there . I think paying for a pure bred when you can get a dog wanting a home is objectionable.

the term rubbish was colloquial slang. but i have explained in detail what this now refers to.

fruitymum · 30/08/2007 13:13

Labradors are great with kids - DD(15 months) sits on ours and she doesn't bother!
They love exercise and company but ours is equally happy to sleep in the conservatory all day if the weather is rubbish.
Not too hairy either!

Tortington · 30/08/2007 13:13

olive i think the term 'lettuce' could be an insult depending on the contextin which it was used.

FirstAtForty · 30/08/2007 13:14

oh and btw if it's fetching you want, definitely avoid terriers, they chase things but then drop them and give you a contemptuous look if you ask them to bring it back (good exercise for you though)

oliveoil · 30/08/2007 13:15

oh please

"George Bush is a lettuce"

you would get sectioned for that, and rightly so

I don't want any pets at all, never ever oh no sirree

Tortington · 30/08/2007 13:17

weeeell, pedantry aside i think you got the jist.

CountessDracula · 30/08/2007 13:17

lettuce??

I'll remember that one..

So you actually meant non-rehomed dogs are rubbish not purebred given that you can pay for a crossbred dog AND purebreds get rehomed

you lettuce

Tortington · 30/08/2007 13:25

"paying hundreds for a dog bred in a partic way when there are dogs one could home. "

again pedantry aside - i think most people got the jist.

sweetkitty · 30/08/2007 13:34

I like the idea of a dog but in reality I'm too lazy.

I'll stick to cats sleep 22 hours a day, don't have to be walked when it's pouring down, stay well away from the DCs, poo in a litter tray etc

Iklboo · 30/08/2007 13:35

You want a retired greyhoud. Repeat after me - you want a retured greyhoud.
They are the LAZIEST dogs in the universe. I've got a whippet/greyhound cross and she spends 90% of her time asleep.

MellowMa · 30/08/2007 16:47

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 30/08/2007 16:50

Ah, that's an argument against a greyhound, imo. I'd like to have an animal that wanted to go for a run with me every morning, it would encourage me to run more!

OP posts:
winestein · 30/08/2007 16:53

Oh, now this needs to be quote of the week, by OO:

to me it is just faff, hair, poo and grief (and I have children for that)

ROFL

cupcakes · 30/08/2007 17:21

am enjoying looking at everyones dog photos. Have added my dog too so please admire.

He is pure bred - the previous owners kept the parents as working gundogs and the litter was unplanned. The lady who waxes my legs is friends with them and she bought one and I bought the last one.

We didn't go to a shelter as we wanted a puppy so that we could be 100% sure that it had never been mistreated. Also, we had never had a dog before and we didn't really know what we were doing. However, after a couple of months I wished we had gone to a kennel and got an older dog who was already settled and with his adolescent years behind him. I could have done with the kennels advice on what breed would have been best for us. He is very strong and I struggle to walk him. With a pushchair as well it is almost impossible.

He is gorgeous though and fab with the children and I love him a whole lot now.

twinsetandpearls · 30/08/2007 22:02

lovely shiny coat cupcakes.

As for pedigrees over mongrels well dp bought our dog before he met me so it was not my decision - but i think that dp knew what kind of dog he wanted - what temperament ect and you can be more certain of that with a pedigree.

He wanted a people dog who would take lots of walking and be of the soft daft nature that a springer is. If we ever get another dog we will probably get another springer as they are lovely dogs although as others ahve said you can rehome a pedigree.

twinsetandpearls · 30/08/2007 22:03

our springer comes from a working family as well.

pippo · 30/08/2007 22:24

the thing about dogs is that they take up a HUGE amount of your life/ living space. They become very much part of your family. Not just the day to day stuff (walking, feeding, extra house keeping duties etc) but they become part of a lot of your plans too, (what you plant in the garden, where you are going at the weekend, how long you are going to be out for,- the list is endless) I know this because our dog - a Cav King Charles Spaniel was knocked down and killed on Tuesday - and we are beside ourselves now, and our house is big and empty and clean, dammit, and we don't know where to go (apart from swimming pool) because every where else is where we should be taking him with us too. be warned dogs will infiltrate all aspect of your life, including your heart......

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 31/08/2007 08:44

Oh, pippo, that sucks.

I have had a dog, as an adult, only the relationship I had him in split up, and he didn't really like spending time with me (he was used to being with my exp more), so he ran away one weekend morning when I had him. . I chased him, but couldn't catch him. I think he was trying to get back to my exp, but he didn't manage it.

OP posts:
cupcakes · 31/08/2007 09:01

pippo, that's so sad.
My dog often exasperates me and I get fed up of hoovering after him everyday and cleaning poo off the lawn etc but I can easily imagine how huge that hole in our home will be when he dies.
I'm really sorry.

FioFio · 31/08/2007 09:14

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 31/08/2007 09:19

Yes, border collies or crosses tempt. The hair is a bit of an impediment.

I am v tempted by border terriers, but that's my small-terrier obsession showing again ...

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 31/08/2007 16:37

My mum and brother used to breed pure-breeds, pedigree dogs used mainly for breeding and showing. They had to be perfect in every fecking way. Pile of shite they were. I would deffo go to a dogs home and pick one up from there, I wouldn't encourage breeders of pure breeds, they are weird people!

I like the characterfulness of mongrels.

But I wouldn't get a dog. Not even a so-called friendly one, with young kids around. I've seen "friendly child-loving" dogs nip at toddlers that have been poking them in the eyes, sitting on their backs and yanking their tails. Can't blame the dogs for that really, but it's not fair on the poor creature. Wait until your kids are older, then get one from a home.

Ripeberry · 31/08/2007 16:45

I've never had a dog but once my DDs get older i would love to have one.
I've always liked wolves and was thinking of getting an Alsatian, then i found out about the Northern Inuit Wolfdog.
It looks just like a wolf but is actually friendlier than an Alsatian and they are not usually bothered with cats.
I previously wanted a Greyhound but i have cats so would not trust it.
Just got to save up to get one as they are quite expensive ..i think.
Ohh, i'm in love..
AB